04/27/11 Riverside Intermediate School in Plymouth has been granted some $56,000 from the 3M Company for use in math and science classes. Riverside Principal Donna Burroughs said she was contacted by D.J. Fishbaugh, plant manager of the local 3M company, a few months ago about a grant project offered by the company. Each of the 16 teachers leading classes in either math or science submitted applications and all 16 were granted. Burroughs said, “Jeni Hirschy (assistant principal) and I help to coordinate the applications so that we would have consistency.” Fortunately, all 16 of the applications were approved with each worth $3, 500.

Burroughs said they have been a part of an Indiana pilot project this year whereby they were loaned experiment kits for science labs. Burroughs said, “Although we really liked the kits, sometimes it was hard to get in all of the class work before we had to forward the kits to another school.” She said, “Now thanks to the grant money, we can have a kit in every science classroom to use more effectively.” Burroughs said other materials and supplies that will be purchased with the grant dollars include math intervention materials, math manipulatives, microscopes, and perhaps some computers.”

Burroughs said, “We are lucky to live in a community where we get a lot of support.”

Fishbaugh expressed his appreciation for the way the teachers and administrators wrote their grant applications. Fishbaugh said, “They made me very proud. I heard from the corporate division that all of the applicants from Riverside did an excellent job.”

Fishbaugh himself was a graduate of Plymouth High School in 1973. He said, “It’s nice to be able to give back.” He said he only served as the communicator between Riverside and the 3M company.

According to Fishbaugh, 3M extended some $59 million in products, grants and other contributions in 2010 to communities. He said, “They are targeting math and science needs which will help our company in the long run.” 3M locally makes prescription safety eye-wear.

Carol Anders Correspondent