Coldwater, MI (WTVB) –   United Educational Credit Union recently awarded a "Brighter Ideas" grant to Jayne Harris fifth grade class at Lakeland Elementary School.  The $2,033.68 was awarded for fifth graders to utilize informational text with a "Nonfiction Does Matter" program.  Students will read nonfiction trade books, encyclopedias and periodicals to research topics, and for enjoyment. 

Harris, Ila Schroll and Rod Dibert, all fifth grade teachers, will pilot this program in the hopes of extending it school-wide.  In addition to this grant, Wal-Mart also awarded Harris $1,000 towards the program. 

Harris applied for the grant at Wal-Mart and at United Educational Credit Union in June of this year and received notification of the grant in July.