OKEECHOBEE — The Okeechobee Educational Foundation would like to congratulate Jenny Hughes from Okeechobee Freshman Campus, the $600 Publix Tools for Back to School prize winner. Mrs. Hughes plans to use the funds to purchase classroom supplies and incentives for her students to participate in a testing boot camp initiative that will prepare them for state testing days.

This year through the School District Education Foundation Matching Grant Program and many generous local donations, Okeechobee County School District teachers of students in grades K-12 will be eligible to apply for $25,100 in classroom mini-grant funds. To ease the stress and answer any questions teachers might have about applying, the foundation hosted its first virtual mini-grant workshop Wednesday, Dec. 2. Every teacher who participated in the workshop was entered to win the $600 prize, and Hughes was the lucky winner.

The foundation received this generous donation from Publix’s annual Tools for Back to School Campaign. Thank you, Publix, whose stores each year in late July and early August prompt shoppers to donate to their Tools for Back to School supply drive at checkout. All funds donated to this campaign remain in Okeechobee County! Please consider donating $5, $7, or $10 the next time this campaign rolls around.

When everyone supports teachers, they support students as well. If you would like more information about how you can support our teachers and students please contact Erin Moore, 863-462-5000, ext.1057, or email erin.moore@okee.k12.fl.us.