Big George writes big check to Jacks Valley

A dent was made in the wish list of educators and administration of Jacks Valley Elementary School when they were the recipients of a $173,850 donation by Raymond Sidney of Big George Ventures.

"We were approached by phone by the Big George people and Ray Sidney toured the school after I made a wish list of what we'd like to have done," said Jacks Valley Principal Pam Gilmartin.

"We walked around the school, walked outside in the Bruce Peterson park and habitat. I got a letter about a month ago that he was making a donation."

The school will receive funds to buy books, magnetic whiteboards and other classroom equipment, laptop computers and software and funds were allowed for the library and school nurse. The school requested art and music supplies and Big George doubled the amount asked.

There was $5,000 donated for the Bruce Peterson Memorial Park and outdoor classrooms in the habitat center, $10,000 donated for an outdoor labyrinth - both projects' upkeep and maintenance to be the responsibility of Jacks Valley Elementary.

The approval of $50,000 for a new track at the school was the big ticket item on the list. The donation goes toward the creation of the track which will also be the school's responsibility to maintain.

"We're looking at a new school track," Gilmartin said about her No. 1 list choice. "Anything would be better than what we have."

Gilmartin said the school has a program to encourage the students to run at recess where they are awarded T-shirts after they accumulate 100 miles.

Several students ran the distance this year but, some had run as much as 200 miles during past school years.

Jacks Valley Elementary is in the neighborhood of Big George's 101-acre Georgetown Village planned development of single-family homes, duplexes and townhouses. The project was accepted by the Douglas County Planning Commission on June 12 and will go to the board of commissioners in another step of the approval process.