Best in class: Grant aids Powder Springs arts program

• The South Cobb Business Association (SCBA) awarded Powder Springs Elementary School a $500 grant to help develop the school's arts integration program. Third-grade teacher Amy Myers, who applied for the grant, said, "Because my students are deep thinkers, artists, actors, engineers, scientists, and just plain amazing, they need a learning environment that matches their learning styles. The grant we received from the SCBA will be used to transform our classroom into an innovative and learner friendly environment where we can make our wildest ideas come to life." Connie Bullock, SCBA president said, "We are extremely proud of Powder Springs elementary teachers and Principal Debbie Broadnax, who spend additional time and resources by making it more fun to learn, and on behalf of SCBA, we are delighted to assist with this project." Powder Springs Elementary will host a variety of arts-related events throughout the year. Check out its website: www.powderspringselementary.com.

• Fulton County Schools' Office of Student Discipline has received a $45,000 Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) grant from the Georgia Office of Highway Safety (GHOS). Fulton SADD chapters aim to reduce drinking and driving among teens and to complete at least two safety belt checks and host Ghost-out, Crash Car Event, or Safe Prom and Graduation events, among other activities. These high schools have been awarded a $2,000 SADD grant: Alpharetta; Banneker; Centennial; Chattahoochee; Creekside; Independence; Langston Hughes; McClarin; North Springs Charter; Northview; Roswell; Tri-Cities and Westlake.

• The Constitutional Officer's Association of Georgia will offer three college scholarships this year to students seeking a degree in a field related to government or law enforcement, political science, accounting, finance, business or pre-law. One award is $1,500, one is $1,000 and one is $500. To be eligible, students must be residents of Georgia and either graduate from high school by the spring of 2015 or be enrolled in an accredited Georgia college or university. To apply, students must submit a typed, 1,000-word essay that answers the question "How can the local governing authority and the four local constitutional officers in your county partner together to provide a more efficient and cost-effective government?" They also must provide a letter of acceptance or enrollment from an institution of higher education, a copy of a college application or transcript to provide verification of their degree field, and the COAG scholarship application. All completed applications, documentation and completed essays should be mailed flat in a 9-by-12 envelope to Suzanne Cross, COAG, P.O. Box 1644, Decatur, Ga , 30031, by April 1, 2015. For more information, visit http://www.coag.info/ or contact Suzanne Cross at (404) 377-1364 or coagoffice@bellsouth.net.