SD113A Educational Foundation Celebrates Five Years and Awards $32K in Grants

The SD 113A Educational Foundation recently awarded 15 grants totaling $32,000 for the 2015-2016 school year. Celebrating its fifth anniversary this year, the Foundation has awarded more than $150,000 in grants to the district since 2010.

Grant awards were selected from 20 proposals submitted by district faculty. All three schools in the district were awarded grants funded in part by a $5,000 Grant Underwriter donation from Citgo Refinery. Additional funding was provided by local businesses, individual donors and fundraising events.

2015-2016 SD 113A Educational Foundation Grant Awards

Art Explore!

$2,500 awarded to Mary Hately, River Valley

Lemont Center for the Arts brings local artists to the schools to teach art history and techniques. Students in kindergarten through fifth grades will participate.

An Apple Day

$2,974 awarded to Susan Antonoff, Old Quarry

Eight iPad minis for 8th grade social studies classrooms to provide access to current resources beyond the capability of textbooks.

Time for Kids

$1,660 awarded to Sue Scott, Oakwood

Subscription to current events news magazine for all first and second grade students. The magazine provides informational text that can be used across the curriculum and includes additional online resources.

Junior Scholastic

$1,102 awarded to Michelle Nevin, Old Quarry

120 subscriptions to be shared across sixth, seventh and eighth grade social studies classes. Additional online resources are available. Subscription provides informational text covering current events, geography, US history and world studies.

National Geographic Explorer Magazine

$2,722 awarded to Sue Scott, Oakwood

Multiple National Geographic subscriptions for kindergarten, first and second grades to provide informational text to improve reading comprehension and critical thinking skills.

Scholastic Scope

$1,580 awarded to Katie Klukas, Old Quarry

Magazine subscription for sixth and seventh grade language arts classes. Magazine and online resources provide engaging fiction and non-fiction material to support reading and developing writing skills.

Science World

$407 awarded to Megan Ehn, Old Quarry

Magazine subscription for use by all Old Quarry science students supplements textbooks with current information. Additional online features can be accessed in the classroom or at home.

BrainPop and Brainpop, Jr.

$1,895 awarded to Mary Hately, River Valley, and Sue Scott, Oakwood

Grades 1 through 5 will have access to this internet-based program used to engage learners at all levels in multiple settings. Program provides hands-on student involvement, videos and quizzes for self-checks.

Reading: Anytime, Anywhere!

$4,088 awarded to technology committee

Provides access from anywhere to more than 1300 leveled e-books. Students kindergarten through second grade and third through fifth graders receiving reading support—at school, at home or on the go. Students, parents and teachers can all review progress.

Robert Crown Student Education

$1,188 awarded to Lisa Junger, Old Quarry

Drug prevention training program for seventh grade, includes teacher training for incorporating information into health curriculum.

Instruments for the Music Program

$1,934 awarded to Allyson Zeyen, River Valley

New barred instruments to instruct third, fourth and fifth grade students in music performance, theory and appreciation.

iPads for Self-Contained Reading Classes

$825 awarded to Cyndi Picciola, Old Quarry

Special education students will become more independently successful in the classroom through the use of two iPad minis to access reading support programs and useful apps.

Walking for Lifelong Health and Fitness

$825 awarded to Daryl Mercer, Old Quarry

Students will use digital pedometers log miles walked, ultimately completing a group virtual marathon event.

The following grants were funded by the Citgo STEM Grant, which promotes interest and skills in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math.

Inquiry Leads to Genius

$1,000 awarded to Sonya Raymond, River Valley

Provides students access to materials for creative projects including robotics parts, electronic circuits, Legos, drones, rockets and snap circuits. Students set goals and plan a project through self-directed learning and collaboration.

Let’s Get Talking

$7,188 awarded to Joanne Mitchell, River Valley (partially funded by Citgo)

Screencasting and Educreations will allow students to demonstrate problem-solving skills and leadership as they work collaboratively on a variety of projects. Grant funds six iPad minis, a green screen, and license for Educreation Pro. Specific projects planned include researching and filming weather forecasts, and solving complex math problems.