Educational Foundation Awards $33K To District 113A Schools

LEMONT, IL — The School District 113A Educational Foundation awarded more than $33,000 in grants to teachers in a presentation at the Board of Education meeting Monday, May 14. Foundation grants enable teachers to introduce new programs to their classrooms or fulfill an unmet need that requires resources beyond the means of the district budget, the foundation said.

“These grants encourage exemplary teaching through innovative ideas that inspire students to learn and explore,” Carolyn Cesarz, the Foundation president, said in a release. “We are very grateful to the individuals and businesses whose contributions make this possible.”

In eight years, the Foundation has raised over $235,000 benefiting students at Oakwood, River Valley and Old Quarry schools. The Foundation is supported through fundraisers and generous donations from area families and businesses.

The grant awards for the 2018-19 school year are:

Oakwood School

• Kindergarten classroom libraries
• Comfort dog
• Classroom sensory boxes

River Valley School

• Graphic novels for classroom libraries for third grade
• A Christmas Carol Field Trip at Drury Lane for third grade
• Art display cases
• Instrument stands for the music classroom

Old Quarry Middle School

• Digital microscopes, incubator kits and outside speakers for “Cell Connections” unit
• Piano keyboard learning stations
• Life Skills Community Trips and resources for special needs students
• Science collaboration station with adjustable tables, flexible seating and whiteboards
• Open Book Chicago Creative Writing Workshop field trip for seventh grade