Cox Communications has announced that its employees have awarded a nearly $5,000 grant to Soldier Creek Elementary through the Cox Charities Innovation in Education grants. Cox Charities is a charitable giving program, guided and funded by Cox employees, that is committed to strengthening Cox communities through support of programs that positively impact Oklahoma City-area residents in the areas of education, technology, social issues and the arts.

The grant recipient is Ms. Jurzysta and a program called “Autism- unlocking super kids.” She has 16 students in kindergarten through 3^rd grade. Ms. Jurzystra says that her program will address sensory, communication and academic deficits these students have to prepare them to be mainstreamed into the general education setting. Students work in small groups based on their learning needs and individual goals and immerse themselves using as many of the five senses as possible to receive and interact with new knowledge.

(L to R) Principal Jeff Holland, Eliza Roberson, Kelly Minor, Jennifer Jurzysta, Julie Fox, Counselor Jan Morris, Vice-principal Charita Hunt

“I applied for this grant through Cox Charities back in late March 2015,” says Jurzysta I wanted to get resources outside of normal curriculum to allow my students to process and learn new information. The students in this program are extraordinary learners that need more hands on stimuli to fully understand new knowledge. I did not hear anything form the foundation for several months. Then in August Mr. Holland received our award funds and letter. We have started using the hands on manipulatives in the classrooms. I can already tell that students are understanding material fully using these manipulatives that the grant allowed us to purchase. I am very grateful to Cox Communications, Soldier Creek, and Mid-Del to allow me to have such a great place to implement new thinking and ideas”

“Soldier Creek Elementary is excited to be chosen as a recipient of the COX Charities Grant. This grant was given to our Soldier Creek Autism department. The grant was applied for by one of our fabulous lead teachers, Mrs. Jennifer Jurzysta. It is a great boost to our Soldier Creek Autism department as they will use the items purchased from the grant to enhance instruction within the three classrooms. Our students and teachers are so excited about using all of the new resources in the classrooms,” Jeff Holland, Soldier Creek Principal, said in a statement.

They have several stated outcomes for the program including:

• Lessen anxiety caused by sensory issues
• Less tantrums and outbursts
• Working cooperatively on a group goal
• Learn to communication effectively with each other and adults
• Access grade level material in a way that show knowledge in an alternate way

The funds specifically are paying for various supplies and materials which help facilitate the program. These include:

• Math instant learning centers
• Math file folder game library
• Feel and find sensory tubs
• Getting ready to read activity boxes
• Read it, Sing it big books
• Sensory play materials
• What’s the opposite sorting board
• Flip, feel and write alphabet boards
• Non-fiction newsstand
• Building language photo library
• And about 27 other items that have helped build a classroom that can be used for years to help students be successful

Some of the tools provided thanks to the funding by the Cox Foundation grant

“Through Cox Charities, our employees are thrilled to be able to support classroom programs that engage students in innovative learning programs in the Mid-Del area,” said Christine Martin, Director of Communications for Cox. “Our partnership with the Mid-Del school district continues to grow, and we’re proud to be a strong part of that community.”

Founded in 2005 through the annual contributions of more 1,500 statewide employees, Cox Charities has invested more than $5 million in Oklahoma communities. In 2015 alone, Cox employees in the Oklahoma City area have pledged to donate nearly $400,000 to continue fulfilling our mission of strengthening Cox communities through the support of programs that positively impact Oklahomans.

For more information about Cox Charities, visit www.coxcharitiesoklahomacity.com.