Electric News Releases

September 5, 2000

Dominion Virginia Power Awards $50,000 to Area Schools

RICHMOND, Va. – Continuing the company's long-standing community involvement, Dominion Virginia Power has awarded $50,000 in grants to primary and secondary educational institutions throughout Virginia for the 2000-2001 academic year.

The Dominion Virginia Power Partnership program provides grants ranging from $240 to $3,600 to enable students in grades K-12 to strengthen math and science skills. This year's successful grant proposals include the study of fresh water ecosystems, raising rare state plants, and the creation of a butterfly garden.

"This is the fifth consecutive year for this successful program," said Eva Teig Hardy, senior vice president-External Affairs & Corporate Communications. "Our commitment to the education of our youngsters is foremost in our community involvement."

Of the 80 proposals submitted by schools, 45 were selected for their hands-on, goal-oriented approach. For example, a $1,600 grant to Peasley Middle School in Gloucester will allow seventh-grade students to use satellite imagery to identify local habitats critical to the survival of native species. The "Dentition Detectives" at the Fauquier Outdoor Lab in Warrenton will use its $1,400 grant to observe and classify animal skulls according to the tooth arrangement. In Dahlgren, more than $3,000 will be spent by Potomac Elementary School in its effort to raise and preserve Virginia's rare plants.

"This year's projects prove to be fresh and exciting," said Virginia Board, director-Community Affairs. "It is clear our schools continue to strive in creative hands-on projects designed to challenge students. Dominion Virginia Power is proud to be a part of that effort."

Dominion Virginia Power is a subsidiary of Dominion (NYSE: D), the nation's largest fully integrated energy company with 4 million customers in five states.

Dominion Virginia Power Educational Grants Recipients
2000-2001 School Year

Armstrong High School in Richmond -- $2,000 to fund a team of high school students to travel to elementary and middle schools to demonstrate biological concepts.

Berkeley Elementary School in Spotsylvania County -- $1,800 to create a butterfly garden where students will observe and record life processes.

Buckhorn Elementary School in Mecklenburg County -- $1,000 to fund two mini grants. The first will allow 5th grade students the opportunity to use math manipulatives to improve math skills. The second is for kindergarten students to promote problem solving.

C. Hunter Ritchie Elementary School in Fauquier County -- $500 for teachers to purchase assessment tools that will accurately diagnose placement for students and recommend strategies for remediation.

Cary Elementary School in Hampton -- $1,500 to improve work study habits of students in order to raise math SOL scores.

Chase City Elementary School in Mecklenburg County -- $1,240 to fund three mini grants entitled "Let's Get Energized," "Learning by Doing" and "Thirsty for Water." All projects will provide hands-on opportunities to explore the environment.

Deep Creek High School in Chesapeake -- $3,000 to fund a multi-disciplinary project where students will learn about the Deep Creek Swamp through algebra, science and art classes.

Essex County Public Schools -- $500 to allow gifted students in grades 2 - 8 the opportunity to explore the Chesapeake Bay Watershed through research and experiments.

Falls Church High School in Fairfax County -- $3,000 to take students out of the traditional classroom environment to explore algebra, geometry, physics and natural science through field surveying and forestry experiences.

Fauquier Outdoor Education Association -- $1,410 to offer students the opportunity to observe, compare and classify different animal skulls according to tooth arrangement.

Fuqua School, a private school near Farmville -- $575 for a mobile math lab where students can experience real-world math applications.

George Mason Elementary School in Richmond -- $500 for students to study weather and electricity to enhance student achievement in science.

Hampton Elementary School in Hampton -- $500 to fund the "It Takes a Village" project where CHROME volunteers work with students in math and science.

Harrowgate Elementary School in Chesterfield County -- $2,000 for students to study fresh water ecosystems and revitalize a creek that runs through a public housing complex near the school.

Highland Springs Elementary School in Henrico County -- $875 to fund two mini grants. The first is designed to improve critical thinking by learning to play chess. The second allows students to study force, motion and energy through interpretive dance.

Huntington Middle School in Newport News -- $3,205 for students and teachers to use the Geometer's Sketchpad to discover geometric relationships in an effort to raise SOL scores.

Jane H. Bryant Elementary School in Hampton -- $500 for students to participate in "math buddies" a tutorial program where 5th grade students will tutor 3rd grade students in math.

John Marshall Elementary School in Newport News -- $980 to fund two mini grants. The first allows students to work within a buddy system to complete activities using computer software, trade book literature and manipulatives in math and science. The second allows students to explore 2nd grade SOL concepts through independent, hands-on science experiments.

John Marshall Soil and Water Conservation District in Warrenton -- $475 to allow students to investigate the complex nature of soil.

Kent Gardens Elementary School in Fairfax County -- $1,200 for students to go "Inside the Pumpkin Patch" and measure weight, circumference and height, create graphics and design a life cycle booklet.

Lake Ridge Middle School in Prince William County -- $2,500 for 7th grade students and their parents to enjoy evening sessions of hands-on math activities.

Lakeside Elementary School in Henrico County -- $500 for 5th grade students to conduct science experiments at home with parents.

Lyles-Crouch Elementary School in Alexandria -- $500 for students to study science by planting a flower and vegetable garden.

Manchester Middle School in Chesterfield -- $500 for 8th grade students to study and catalog the school's terrestrial and aquatic habitats and conduct a science symposium.

Marion Elementary School in Smyth County -- $500 to bring presentations from the Science Museum of Virginia to rural southwest Virginia.

Murray Elementary School in Albemarle County -- $500 for students to establish and monitor bird feeding stations and share data with Project Feeder Watch at Cornell University.

Norview High School in Norfolk -- $500 for students to use hands-on simulated experiments and activities to make mathematical connections in AP Statistics class.

Old Donation Center in Virginia Beach -- $1,000 for students to raise native butterflies then donate them to the Virginia Living Museum's 'Butterflies, Bugs and Blooms" exhibit.

Parkway Elementary School in Virginia Beach -- $2,500 to sponsor a K-5 "buddy system" to promote a hands-on approach to science learning and raising the SOL scores.

Peasley Middle School in Gloucester County -- $1,600 for "Going Wild with Wildlife Mapping" where students will collect and report data for the Virginia Gap Analysis program.

Potomac Elementary School in King George -- $3,650 for students to study rare carnivorous plants. Students will raise pitcher plants and longleaf pines and return them to their native habitat.

Prince Edward County Elementary -- $500 to sponsor "Science a la Carte" where teachers will enjoy a variety of hands-on activities that correlate with grade level SOLs.

Prince William County Public Schools -- $2,200 to sponsor "Einstein Alive," an interactive performance for students and parents.

Rockledge Elementary School in Prince William County -- $500 for students to use the accelerated math software program to support math curricula and SOL objectives for 5th grade.

Sewells Point Elementary School in Norfolk -- $500 for parents to learn math skills and teaching methods so they can reinforce math concepts with their children at home.

South Hill Elementary School in Mecklenburg County -- $500 for students to explore math and science in their "All a Flutter" butterfly garden.

Stone-Robinson Elementary School in Albemarle -- $500 to fund a math mentorship program designed to strengthen and develop basic math skills of 3rd and 5th grade students.

Support Committee for Excellence in Public Schools -- $3,500 to offer a technology tour of local businesses in Richmond for principals, assistant principals and guidance counselors in the city.

Widewater Elementary School in Stafford County -- $500 to purchase trade books with the intention of making content area reading more enjoyable and relevant.

Yorktown Middle School in York County -- $290 for students to maintain a photo journal of "science discoveries."