Linwood receives Exxon grant
Funds will go toward science program
BY JENNIFER AMATO Staff Writer

NORTH BRUNSWICK - Linwood Middle School has been given some extra gas for its science program.

Through the Exxon Mobil Educational Alliance program, the gasoline corporation awarded $500 to the school on Nov. 13. The grant is one of 4,000 available to schools across the county, made possible by funding from the Exxon Mobil Corp., to enhance science and mathematics education.

Ed Jennings, the station owner of the North Brunswick American Exxon at 686 Livingston Ave., applied for the grant for Linwood because he "sees all the bright and smiley faces going to school every day" as he passes the building on his way to work. The school is right around the corner from his shop, and his nieces and nephews were students there. When a representative from Exxon gave him the paperwork, he decided to take advantage of the opportunity.

"When these kids are grown up, maybe someone can get better gas mileage on cars or make a cleaner environment," the former North Brunswick resident said.

The funds will be used to purchase supplemental materials to promote literacy within the science curriculum, according to Assistant Principal Ed Kowalski.

"It is a district initiative to promote reading and writing in all curriculum areas so that is what we hope to utilize these funds for," he said.

The cooperation also serves as an example for students, as they will benefit from the association between education and business.

"It always seems very nice when a local business takes the time to reach out and provide funding for education. You think a little bit different about business because of that," Kowalski said. "The thing we instill in students is that we are part of the community so if a business does this, they will kind of model that kind of behavior."