Bensalem Schools Receive $4,500 In Grants

BENSALEM TOWNSHIP, PA —The Bensalem Education Foundation has awarded $4,500 in grants to nine township schools for numerous projects including wireless remotes, and arts supplies to create a mural celebrating Cornwells Elementary School's 25th anniversary.

The Bensalem Education Foundation awards the grants each spring through an application process. The organization relies on donations and supports the purpose of improving teaching and learning throughout the Bensalem School District through innovative educational initiatives.

The following grant recipients were shared by BEF Co-Presidents Bill Lewis and CJ Mills:

• Awarded a grant to purchase nine wireless presentation remotes. These remotes will allow teachers to maintain the use of technology within the classroom and allow them the ability to move about and monitor student progress, engage the students in presentations, and allow more control of the presentation during instruction.

• Cornwells Elementary School is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2023. They were awarded a grant for the purchase of art supplies (paint, brushes, drop cloths, etc.) for the creation of a wall mural inside the school commemorating their anniversary.

• Awarded a grant to purchase two Breakout EDU escape room kits. The website provides activities in all subject areas (digital and lock box) and can be used for any grade level. The two kits can be used by any elementary teacher looking for an enrichment or teamwork activity. Breakout EDU kits also help students develop collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and creativity skills.

• Awarded a grant to pay for materials for backdrops and costumes for their annual Rush Drama Club performance in the spring.

Struble Elementary School – Principal Lana Judy

• Awarded a grant for the purchase of a hybrid cart which will help the school organize playground equipment during recess. As part of their Struble students in leadership roles initiative, their goal is for students to help their recess aides organize the equipment at recess every day. This “new job responsibility” of organizing the playground cart and taking the cart outside for recess each day will teach the students responsibility and organizational skills.

• Awarded a grant to purchase twenty flags of countries from around the world that represents the Valley student body. The impact these flags will have is to show the diversity and cultures of these countries, building a comfort level for students and their families at Valley Elementary.

• Awarded a grant for the purchase of 10 new keyboards to expand the use of keyboard instruction in the music department at Shafer Middle School. Currently, keyboarding is taught to all 7th-and8th-grade students in general music. The purchase of new keyboards allows each students to have his/her own device and gives them the flexibility to advance at his/her own pace.

• Awarded a grant to purchase supplies (low voltage soft lighting, soothing paint color, cushioned chairs, Bluetooth speaker for soft music, calming/fidget toys) for a de-escalation room. De-escalation rooms are safe, quiet environments that provide low levels of stimulation, enabling students to calm down. They are great for helping students manage their own behavior. When they recognize their emotions rising, a student can use the room to calm down, dramatically reducing worry.

• Awarded a grant for the purchase of books to form a book club for teachers and staff on how to change and improve the building culture for the betterment of all at BHS.