CHAMBER GRANTS TO SUPPLY CLASSROOMS FUNDS TO BE USED TO BUY EQUIPMENT, MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, COMPUTERS FOR STUDENTS.

Byline: SUE DOYLE Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - Local school districts soon will get boosts to their music, science and math classes with about $50,000 in grants, musical instruments and human anatomy models to be awarded next week.

Funds come from the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation, a nonprofit group that annually awards money to schools for books and supplies to enhance students' learning inside classrooms. Grants also go toward fields of art and technology.

The foundation had more than $200,000 in grant-funding requests from local teachers this year and raises money for schools throughout the year with events such as principal for a day and teacher tribute. In addition, some members contribute to the pot. Schools receive their funding at a May 10 reception.

``The foundation raises money to give right back to the schools with scholarships and grants,'' said Felicia Scorse, chamber programs director.

About $30,000 from the foundation will go to nine schools in the William S. Hart Union High School District to buy an Apple iMac, LCD projectors and chemistry-lab supplies.

Musical rewards vary by school. Canyon High School will receive $1,500 to buy new instruments while Saugus High School will get brand new concert snare drums.

Rancho Pico Junior High will see a new tuba and cello this year. The additions will help the 2-year-old school's growing music department, which is still developing its stock of instruments, said Randy Gilpin, instrumental music teacher. Every little bit helps.

``We've taken advantage of the opportunity, and they have been very aware of the needs of a new school as we continue to grow,'' Gilpin said.

Last year, the school received a new cello.

Across the way in the music department of the Newhall School District, elementary schools will soon see two new concert snare drums and a percussion kit.

The district's music program has teachers who rotate through its 10 schools to teach fourth through sixth grades string, percussion, brass and wind instruments. Third-graders practice with recorders and learn note reading, with the hopes they'll advance to more complicated instruments the next year as their skills develop.

Kindergarten through second grades take music classes at a more introductory level, by playing tambourines, wood blocks and bells as they learn melodies, note values and rhythm, said Ernie Jackson, coordinator of special programs.

Jackson said last year's grant bought an electric piano that teachers haul from school to school. This year they'll be able to buy some musical instruments from around the world.

``I don't think I need to go into detail about how limited our resources are in school districts these days,'' Jackson said. ``The grants mean that we are able to get instruments and are able to get resources that we may not otherwise be able to get.''

sue.doyle(at)dailynews.com

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