SCHOOL AWARDED GRANT FOR RACING HOMING PIGEON PROJECT

In previous articles, you read that AU member Ronnie Shumaker wanted to involve school children with homing pigeons. He obtained permission from three schools, within a district, to build lofts on the school properties. The American Racing Pigeon Union has been following the progress of the Eyes To The Skies school pigeon project since it began and has assisted with information, materials and press.

The kids not only built the lofts, but are also involved in the raising, vaccination, feeding and care of the birds. With the help of the Queen City Racing Pigeon Club, project donors and schoolteacher and project facilitator, Ronnie Shumaker, the kids are now preparing for spring races.

Demonstrating faith in the program, each school principal has agreed to purchase the feed and pay dues and shipping fees for the 2003-2004 school year.

Shumaker has just been awarded one of Toyota's Investment In Mathematics Excellence (TIME) $10,000 grants. TIME provides the grants to support kindergarten through 12th grade teachers involved in improving mathematics education through innovative projects.

The new grant will enable Shumaker to continue the project started with funding from the Mississippi Power Education Foundation Grant. The new funds will support a two-year, four race season project that will allow the students at one school to hatch and raise their own young bird team. The current school loft has a small feed room and one compartment with perch boxes. The new loft will have a young bird and an old bird compartment.

Bird donations and pledges are already coming in. Genie McGee of Hernando, Mississippi, donated 9 birds and plans to send 20 more. Wendy from Global Pigeon Supplies has pledged 20-25 birds from her area. Harry Benson, in Alabama, and Roy Necaise, from Mississippi, have both pledged young birds for the fall young bird season.

"I am both honored and grateful to receive this support from organizations, clubs, individuals and businesses," says Shumaker. "I especially want to thank original donors Buster Jellenc, Everett Stenman, Jamie Holmes, Mack McElroy, Donald Ham, Continental Breeding Station and Lauderdale County Co-Op. I'm hoping to get more donors from Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama clubs, and hopefully some from clubs in San Antonio when I attend the conference to receive the grant."

Shumaker has created an innovative study program that has attracted the attention of the Mississippi Department of Education. The Department of Education is filming the project for a 'best practices' video that will feature his study materials and method so other teachers can offer the same program.

Another school in the district has asked to join in the flying, which will require the writing of another grant.

At last account, Shumaker had just met with a group of 10 principals from around the state. All are interested in the pigeon project.

Jessie Garza and his son, Jessie Garza III, started a model project in Washington by putting a loft in the school and you have heard from time to time how much it has grown.

Thousands of miles across the country, the "Eyes To The Skies" program is growing and having an amazing influence.

"Projects such as these are an inspiration," said AU president, Frank Greenhall. "These projects will provide opportunities to students to understand and experience mathematics and science in real life situations. We applaud their generosity and dedication."

We are happy to report that a school district in Texas is looking at the possibility of a similar project. The positive influence and the curiosity of youth are creating a snowball effect. With the generosity and support of people like the Garzas and Ronnie Shumaker, we hope it will continue.

If you would like to donate birds to the "Eyes To The Skies" program, or if you are a teacher who needs ideas or help starting a project such as this, he welcomes your emails at rshumaker@mpsd.k12.ms.us