Bunnell Elementary’s Robin Jaques Lands $10,000 Golden Grant for Literacy Initiative

Bunnell Elementary teacher Robin Jaques worked to obtain this grant for literacy programs at the school. She will use the funds to organize four literacy nights using science themes for increasing vocabulary and background knowledge in science. These literacy nights will also involve parents by having them attend literacy support meetings while the students are participating in activities.

Kim Hawkins of Orlando’s H&L Partners, an advertising agency, Joe Cox, owner and operator of J-Quint LCC, and three of his managers presented the award to present the award to Jaques and Marcus Sanfilippo, the principal at Bunnell Elementary. Sanfilippo last week was named Flagler County Principal of the Year. (Note: Hawkins’s title was incorrectly reported in an earlier version of this article.)

Bunnell Elementary’s grant is part of a $100,000 round of grants by Florida McDonald’s restaurants. Jaques’s award was one of only three $10,000 grants. The organization also awarded numerous grants in smaller increments.




Jaques will also start a family book project to encourage students and their families to read 50 picture books or 10 chapter books. Students who complete the project will be invited to an end-of-year celebration where they will be awarded prizes and a meal voucher from McDonald’s.

J-Quint, LLC is the local franchise operator of all three McDonald’s locations in Palm Coast and ten other locations throughout central Florida. Bunnell Elementary is excited to partner with them as they are interested in becoming more involved with Bunnell Elementary by participating in various programs throughout the year.

Jaques, a veteran teacher of the Flagler school district, in 2019 led her students at Rymfire Elementary to numerous medals for demonstrating writing and reading skills. Jacques had developed that initiative with a grant from the Flagler Education Foundation. She appears as skilled at writing successful grants as at improving her students’ skills.

“My heart centers around students in Title I schools for sure,” she said in an email, Title I is the federal program supporting elementary and secondary education, with a focus on students from low-income households.

“This grant was two parts. One, it enables us to reach out to parents/caregivers to understand ways they can support their children,” Jaques continued. “During a monthly Saturday activity day, while the parent is being given supports to help their kids, the students have an opportunity to learn some new vocabulary and background knowledge about the theme of the event. We are basing our four themes around science.” Each month is focused on a different theme: Space in January, Rocks in February, Water in March, Life Cycles in April.




“Our second objective is to purchase approved and vetted books that will support more background knowledge for the BES students. The goal is to either read 50 books by the end of the year, or a chapter book,” which counts as five books, Jaques said. “We will keep track and offer them these book to take home as read with a family member.

“One of our Literacy Leadership goals was to find a way to support a love of reading,” she said. “Who doesn’t remember that time when they read with a family member as a special time in their lives? If they would like to do the program, but do not have a family member, we can help find support through a mentorship.” The goal at Bunnell Elementary to to bring 100 percent of students up to their third-grade reading level. Only 49 percent of Bunnell’s third graders scored a level 3 or better in the 2022 state reading assessment, on a scale of 5, 3 being proficiency. “It is a lofty goal, but we are pretty passionate about giving our community of Bunnell’s 100 percent dedication to this goal. Our Administration at our school and the district level have never been more passionate about making sure students can read.”

“The hard work of teachers and community leaders on behalf of our students is immensely appreciated. The Golden Grants program is a great opportunity to support educators that impact our next generation of leaders,” said Ania Nitzsche, president of the Central Florida Operators Association, when the grant round was announced. “Our youth are vital to the pulse of our communities and we recognize the importance of supporting education in our neighborhoods.”