Park Elementary School’s Katz Awarded Arts Grant

A San Mateo elementary school teacher was awarded a grant from San Francisco-based group dedicated to providing art supplies, support and resources to young students, the San Mateo-Foster City School District announced Wednesday.

Michelle Katz, who teaches at Park Elementary School, was awarded a $1,950 art and writing grant from the Tide Foundation’s Art 4 Moore Fund.

Katz, a resource specialist, will use the grant money to purchase a hand-held computer, art supplies and other resources for the Self-Discovery Art and Writing Series.

“There is something very important and revealing when young children put crayons to paper and begin to draw a self-portrait,” Katz said in a prepared statement. “One can notice their personalities come to life as they sketch the details in their own eyes and smiles.

Her students express visions of themselves, their family, friends and community, as well their dreams for the future through a combination of art and text.

“This self-discovery series is a powerful gift which will bring knowledge and expression to many children as they explore themselves and their heritage,” Katz said.