Now in its 19th year, the Best B.E.T. program has provided well over $290,000 to develop classroom programs which address advancement of educational enterprise and promote student self-esteem, learning and motivation.
Educators throughout the district may request a maximum of $250 for his or her school work-shop; however, a team of four teachers can combine their maximum grant amounts to receive more money towards a common goal. Each application is judged on a point system, the maximum achievable being based on content, plans and ideas. Judges look for specific focus on the following; enrichment of the curriculum, promotion of student self-esteem, and promotion of learning and motivation through the involvement of students in areas that encourage activities:-
that teach critical thinking skills and concepts;
are oriented to emphasize problem-solving
that assist students to develop employable skills
that assist students to develop civic responsibility concepts
that assist students to develop collaborative decision-making skills
For students and golfers in the Claremont area it has always been a “win-win” situation when the Claremont Chamber of Commerce is involved. For the students, the experience of taking part in stimulating classroom programs put together by their teachers after receiving their grants from the Chamber, and for the golfers and sponsors, the knowledge that after an outstanding and pleasurable day of golf at the Chamber’s annual tournament, their donations and support go towards the very grants that the children will benefit from.
Each year, the Claremont Chamber acquires the funds and donates 50% of the profits for Best B.E.T. (Business and Education Together) exclusively from the Annual Education Classic Golf Tournament, partnering with Claremont Sunrise Rotary, Kiwanis Club of Claremont, Rotary Club of Claremont and the University Club.
In 2009, over sixty-five applications, an increase in previous years, were reviewed by a committee with a representative from each organization, culminating in the award of thirty –nine “mini grants” ranging from, “Handwriting Without Tears”, at Chaparral; “Trout in the Classroom” at Mountain View; “Projecting Meaning into Mathematics”, at Condit; “Danbury Chefs – Cooking Across the Curriculum” at Sumner/Danbury; “Genetics Investigations” at Claremont High; “The Stalk Goes Up; The Roots Go Down”, Vista del Valle; “Native American Cultures and Traditions” at Our Lady of the Assumption School; “Physical Science” at San Antonio High School; “Math and Nature Explorations” at Oakmont; “Discovery of our past – A Look at American Art” at Sycamore to “El Roble Sustainable Garden” at El Roble.
If you would like to contribute to this program, play,sponsor or volunteer in the annual golf tournament please call 909-624-1681
