Tall men in tuxes and tennis shoes, carrying balloons whipping in the wind, were an unusual sight as they mingled with students on South Whidbey’s school campuses recently.

South Whidbey Schools Foundation President Dave Haworth and Vice President Ed Van Patten both elicited stares and questions on their arrivals. They also created a buzz of excitement as they presented checks to several teachers in their classrooms. The surprise announcements of winning grant proposals to fund innovative projects were made to the cheers and applause of students.

Twelve grants were approved for the annual awarding of funds by the nonprofit Schools Foundation, formed in 1995 to provide an additional source of funding to encourage staff and students “to extend the reach for excellence beyond the usual classroom experience.”

“We enjoyed bringing a festive, as well as rewarding, event into the schools,” said Haworth, foundation president. “Teachers receiving grants had not been notified of their approval, so when we arrived carrying balloons and checks, it was great to see the excitement about education and the community partnership we have in our schools.”

The grants were awarded to projects such as a Young Authors Conference at South Whidbey Intermediate School and a “Grow Lab” addition to the Magical Garden at the Primary School.

Grants at the secondary level were made to a gardening project at South Whidbey High School and testing equipment for rocks and minerals at Langley Middle School.

Two grants for innovative projects are also in innovative locations: “Know the Zone — Bus Safety Education” by the district’s Transportation Center, and software for Web site development at the Shared Schooling Cooperative (SCOOP). Also funded was a Video Conferencing Link to join the primary and intermediate schools.

“The foundation’s criteria for funding grant applications give priority to projects which are repeatable, innovative and serve the greatest number of students,” Haworth said. “We are proud to support a variety of educational projects which otherwise would not exist.”

Martin Laster, superintendent of schools, called the foundation “a terrific collaborative effort” which supports research and innovation in the schools.

“I am personally and professionally thankful for this support,” Laster said.

The nonprofit South Whidbey Schools Foundation receives tax-exempt donations from individuals and firms for use in programs to enrich the offerings of the South Whidbey School District. It has awarded almost $22,000 since the fall of 1996 for innovative teaching programs.

Businesses, corporations and individuals are invited to contribute to the Foundation Endowment Fund. All donations are tax deductible.

More information is available by writing to the foundation at P.O. Box 27, Clinton, WA 98236 or by visiting the foundation’s Web site at http://communities.msn.com/SouthWhidbeySchoolsFoundation.