(SAN DIEGO) May 2008 – In these trying times, when budget cuts continue to affect our local schools, The Cox Kids Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Cox Communications, is once again offering Innovation in Education grants to San Diego area public and charter middle and junior high schools, for grades six through eight.  

This year, a total of $55,000 in grants will be awarded to schools that are located within the Cox San Diego service area. Principals and teachers at eligible schools are encouraged to submit an application for exciting and innovative classroom and school-wide projects in any subject area and for projects that require the purchase of equipment, tools or materials.

In 2007, 18 grants were awarded to middle schools in San Diego County to fund a variety of projects including an inquiry-based life sciences curriculum; library of sensory integration tolls and equipment for students who have autism spectrum disorder; one-of-a-kind engineering elective class; music software programs; digital book publishing project; art program; and interactive whiteboard system.

One-year grants up to $5,000 each will be awarded to a classroom or school, and
award recipients will be chosen by a diverse group of Cox Kids Foundation board members who represent a medley of socio, ethnic, economic and educational backgrounds.

Innovation in Education applications and guidelines can be found at www.coxkidsfoundation.org. Applications are also available at the following Cox Sales & Service Centers:  461 College Blvd Suite 1, Oceanside; 1535 Euclid Ave., San Diego (92105); 886 Jackman Drive, El Cajon; and 581 Telegraph Canyon Rd., Chula Vista. The deadline for grant applications is May 30, 2008.

About the Cox Kids Foundation:
The Cox Kids Foundation, a fund of the San Diego Foundation, is funded by employee donations that are matched 100 percent by Cox Communications. Since January 2000, the Cox Kids Foundation has raised $2.5 million dollars and has awarded $360,000 in Innovation Education grants.

About Cox Communications:
Cox Communications is a multi-service broadband communications and entertainment company with more than 6.2 million total residential and commercial customers.  The third-largest cable television company in the United States, Cox offers an array of advanced digital video, high-speed Internet and telephony services over its own nationwide IP network, as well as integrated wireless services.  Cox Business is a full-service, facilities-based provider of communications solutions for commercial customers, providing high-speed Internet, voice and long distance services, as well as data and video transport services for small to large-sized businesses.  Cox Media offers national and local cable advertising in traditional spot and new media formats, along with promotional opportunities and production services.  Cox Communications wholly owns and operates the Travel Channel.  More information about the services of Cox Communications, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, is available at www.cox.com, www.coxbusiness.com, and www.coxmedia.com.