Council Rock Teachers Receive $35K for Innovative Education Programs

The Council Rock Education Foundation distributed $35,000 in Innovative Learning Grants to teachers and classrooms throughout Council Rock during a board meeting Thursday.

“These grants are the result of generous donations from businesses and individuals throughout the community who believe in supporting innovation in public schools”, said Suzanne Wray, the Foundation’s Executive Director. “We are grateful for their support which has brought our total grants giving to $150,000 this year!”

Some of the grants include:

Rolling Hills Elementary teachers partnered with their Home and School association on an idea on how to increase student’s knowledge of world geography through the National Geographic Bee. “We are excited to be introducing this great program to Rolling Hills students next year,” said 4th grade teacher Rebecca Rice “It’s like the National Spelling Bee, but focused on world geography – an area that students in today need to know more than ever!”

Newtown Middle School science teacher Laura Lutton received a grant for NexStar telescopes and thermal energy software to expand her students’ study of near-Earth objects astronomical occurrences. “This grant is going to make a huge impact on our students” said Lutton. “Accessing knowledge through technology is an essential skill for students today, so I am excited to have these resources to be able to help them develop a deeper understanding of scientific concepts like astronomy, heat transfer and thermodynamics.”

Goodnoe Elementary received a grant to support the building of an outdoor interactive learning garden for the entire Goodnoe community. “This is a fabulous opportunity for our students to learn through hands-on experiences” said Goodnoe teacher Lindsay Chalela. “From science and math to social studies and healthy eating – this garden will be blooming with learning opportunities for years to come.”

This year, three Goodnoe students assisted in writing the grant for the STEM Makerspace Program - Bella Carpentier, Marissa Cohen and Kiya Snyder - all of whom attended the reception to accept the grant on behalf of Goodnoe Elementary.

Additional grants include programs in literacy, robotics , music and a NASA flight and rocketry program.

Superintendent Mark Klein extended his congratulations to the Foundation for their dedication and commitment to the students of Council Rock. “The Education Foundation has become an important resource in supporting the District’s goal to provide the best possible educational opportunities to our students.”

For more information about the Council Rock Education Foundation and how the community can support their efforts, visit their website at www.creducationfoundation.org.