LHSEF Commits To Support Six Grants Next School Year

LEMONT, IL — The Lemont High School Educational Foundation has committed to supporting six grants for nearly $14,000 for the 2018-19 school year. The school said grant proposals were submitted by Lemont High School faculty and staff, with the goal of enhancing educational opportunities for students.

The LHSEF is funding six Educational Foundation Grants for a total of $13,850, with a stipulation that the funds provided for the projects must be used during the 2018-19 school year. According to the school, among the 2018-19 Educational Foundation Grants are the following proposals:

• American Government - LegSim
• Breakfast Buddies
• Link Crew for the Class of 2022
• National Genographic
• Picture This - Phase VI
• Summer 2018, Science STEAM WOW!

According to the school, Lemont High School teachers submitted eight proposals for grants, requesting more than $70,000. Since 2007, the LHSEF has supported nearly $410,000 in grants to benefit Lemont High School.

2018-19 Educational Foundation Grants include:

American Government - LegSim
Funded at $250 — proposal by Rob Hammerschmidt, Carol Leonard, Jodi Nye and Rick Prangen
Previous Educational Foundation grants have provided Lemont High School seniors the chance to participate in “LegSim” – a website that offers all of the features students need to organize and operate their own legislation simulation. This grant will make that opportunity available to the Class of 2019 as well. Teachers have collaborated to design LegSim as a capstone activity for all American Government students, as they are provided with a realistic perspective on the legislative process. Each student plays the part of a member of Congress, which includes writing, proposing, amending, debating and voting upon legislation.

Breakfast Buddies
Funded at $2,100 — proposal by Krissy Bergles and Kelsey Pellus
Since 2006, Breakfast Buddies has helped with socializing for both students with disabilities and students who wish to be mentors. Breakfast Buddies is held before school on Wednesdays and attracts dozens of students weekly. Students with disabilities gain confidence and acceptance, helping to make them feel more a part of the Lemont High School community, while their peer mentors gain expertise in working with individuals with disabilities of all kinds. Social skills, respectful and polite behaviors, and appropriate friendly conversations all are learned and incorporated within the kitchen and classroom setting. Breakfast Buddies consistently has been funded by the LHSEF over the last 11 years.

Link Crew for the Class of 2022
Funded at $1,500 — proposal by Denise Dalton, Cara Forde and Jeana Parry
The Link Crew is a transition program that makes new students feel at home throughout their first year on campus. Previous Educational Foundation grants have covered the cost of Link Crew training, as well as implementation of the program for the most recent two school years. This grant will cover costs so that the Class of 2022 can benefit as well. Survey feedback has shaped revisions for orientation activities for incoming freshmen, allowing Link Crew leaders to more effectively promote a positive school culture through role modeling and peer mentoring.

National Genographic
Funded at $4,000 — proposal by Scott Collins and Dan Priestley
To facilitate interdisciplinary learning, students in the Big History and AP World History classes are encouraged to participate in a National Geographic Society project that analyzes historical trends and migrations through DNA analysis of people throughout the world. The project helps participants understand their shared ancestry. Students use their own genetic stories to compare to maps of human migration, with a goal of being able to connect their experiences and family migration to the shared global experience and community. This grant will cover the purchase of Genome 2.0 kits for students to participate.

Picture This - Phase VI
Funded at $1,000 — proposal by Ryan Hennebry
Previous Educational Foundation grants have funded cross-curricular projects that have merged various disciplines with art and computer aided design, exposing these areas to students, faculty, staff, and visitors to the building. Students research the world around them, helping them to discover art that intrigues them, and take pride in their creations and showcase their talents. These projects have resulted in hallways throughout the building being filled with the best student artwork. Connections between school work and the outside world allow students to appreciate the arts, cultures, creativity and imagination.

Summer 2018, Science STEAM WOW!
Funded at $5,000 — proposal by Michael Beranek, Scott Collins and Erin Horan
With the support of previous Educational Foundation grants, Lemont High School has developed and fostered a program of inclusion for both special needs and general education students to develop Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics skills, as well as skills in the areas of social communication and digital resources. This program has generated national recognition for its innovative approach. General education students benefit by providing coaching and mentoring to their peers, while special education students receive instruction through hands-on activities while working on real-world problems.

Photo provided by Lemont High School.