Classroom Grant Applications Now Available

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1 Volume 1, Issue 1 July, 2015 Quick Links Our Website Donate Now Contact Us Classroom Grant Recipients ClassroomGrant Applications Now Available It has been said that "A teacher takes a hand, opens a mind and touches a heart (Unknown Author)." At the PPS Foundation, it is our goal to support our teachers and their efforts in the classroom. One way we achieve this goal is through our annual PPS Foundation Classroom Grants. The application is now available on our website All applications are due by October 1st, The requirements for the application are: Maximum grant award is $1,000. Funds must be used from October 2015 to May 1, Application submission deadline is October 1, Creativity and innovation is highly regarded by the Classroom Grant Selection Committee. Teachers and staff awarded the PPS Foundation Classroom Grants at the November 2014 Board of Education Meeting. The PPS Foundation is here to help you with the application process. In April 2015, the Foundation hosted a Classroom Grant Workshop for assistance with grant applications. We will provide this workshop every spring, so look for more information in the future. In the meantime, please feel free to contact our office with any questions during the 2015 application process. Dedicated to Providing Quality Education in PSD 150 Schools The Peoria Public Schools Foundation (PPSF) and the Yeomans Fund of the Community Foundation of Central Illinois (CFCI) joined together in 2013 to offer classroom grants to Peoria Public Schools District 150 teachers. District 150 Classroom Grants are available to Helping Students Dance Their Way To Success PPS Foundation Grant Used to Purchase Dance Attire One PPS Foundation classroom grant was awarded to Debra Redington of the Peoria High Preparatory School of the Arts Dance Program (PSA). The purpose of the PSA Dance Program is to help high school students explore the art of dance and to gain confidence through creativity and expression. They have an increased need for resources to make the performing arts available for all students throughout the district. The grant money, along with other money raised by members of the PSA Dance program, went towards purchasing performance attire and dance wear for 38 dancers. The dance attire was used in various performances for several District 150 middle schools, including a special performance used as a PBIS incentive.

2 any Peoria Public Schools District 150 teacher interested in additional projects to enrich the classroom experience for the students. It is a competitive grant process that aligns with District 150 strategic goals and the school improvement plan. Awards will be made in amounts of $1000 or less. While most grants address classroom initiatives from teachers, the selection committee will consider requests from other personnel (counselors, home school facilitators, etc.) Peoria Public Schools Foundation Since 1998, PPSF has provided more than $200,000 to classrooms and teachers throughout District 150. Its classroom grants program is designed to benefit students by supporting teachers, allowing professional educators to implement their most innovative ideas. The Yeomans Fund of the Community Foundation of Central Illinois In 1998, Murray and Rena Yeomans created the Yeomans Fund, an endowed fund with an emphasis on assisting the Peoria Public Schools system. Each year, a portion of the Yeomans Fund's distributions are used to fund Peoria Public Schools District 150 Classroom grants. The PSA Dance program offered assistance and support to smaller dance programs within the district by hosting workshops. The PSA Dance Program also held a special dance clinic for elementary through middle school students in the district titled For the Love of Dance. The clinic was extremely successful and helped promote the dance program throughout the district. Dance program director, Debra Redington said that the funding from the PPS Foundation classroom grant program was much needed and they had seen an increased number of students auditioning for the PSA Dance Program. Redington stated, I think it is important to share the talents of our older students with our younger students, to inspire them to find their passion. I think the arts are incredibly important for enjoyment of life. I want to share that with all my students and the whole district. I feel the high schools should be out there motivating younger students to get involved, work hard and achieve greatness. PSA Dance Program participants in new attire provided by PPS Foundation Classroom Grant. Expanding Literacy in High School PPS Foundation Grant Used for Books and Learning Materials Another PPS Foundation classroom grant was used to help expand the Richwoods High School library. This grant allowed students who read at a lower reading level to come to the library and check out books at their reading level and not feel stigmatized by the cover or the content of the book. The books were marked as Rapid Reads and are available to all students in the school. By having these books available, teachers and staff are meeting the reading needs of all of our students and are hoping to see reading test scores improve. Through this classroom grant Shelley Daughtry, Library Media Specialist at RHS, said the new section in the library has impacted over 1,325 students. She also stated, "I saw many students take an interest in these particular books. They were used specifically by two teachers for their classes which were lower level readers. In addition, students who were not low level readers also enjoyed checking these out and returned to pick up more after they finished them."

3 New section in the Richwoods High School library dedicated to high interest/ low level books provided by funds from classroom grant. Peoria Public Schools Foundation Board of Directors Anne Bartolo, Chair Scott Settelmyer, Treasurer Ryan Beasley Greg Johnston Valeria Pierce Alicia Washington Cathy Wiggers An Overview of All Teacher Grants Awarded in Past Fiscal Year Below is a detailed description of all twenty three classroom grants awarded during the previous school year. Foundation Office Staff Cindy Morris, President & Corporate Secretary Audrey Martinez, Foundation Assistant Trish O'Shaughnessy, Horizons Club Coordinator Teacher Grantsat a Glance Calvin Coolidge- ($385) Purchase of new computers. Submitted by Michelle Kuby. Franklin Primary- ($1,000) Purchase of math games and manipulatives, specifically for Kindergarten classrooms. Submitted by Debbie Harn. Franklin Primary School- ($1,000) Purchase of new equipment (digital mixer with capabilities to utilize a green screen) for broadcast team to update their technology. Equipment is used by students for their morning news show. Submitted by Marcia Lough. Franklin Primary School- ($1,000) Purchase of learning materials and manipulatives. Equipment used in the classroom to help autistic students, as well as others with learning disabilities. Submitted by Mary LaKemper. Glen Oak Learning Center- ($989) Purchase of high intensity fluorescent grow lights used in the study the plant life cycle. The equipment also helped students conduct scientific experiments and collect qualitative/quantitative data. Submitted by Lane Muzzarelli. Harrison Community Learning Center- ($800) Purchase of math games and manipulatives, for grades K- 4 classrooms. Submitted by Leah Routley. Harrison Community Learning Center- ($820) Purchase of Rekenreks math tools to help Kindergarten students count, count on, and visualize numbers in parts. Submitted by Tonya LaSota Hines Primary School- ($1,000) Purchase of ipods and other equipment to update student listening stations. Submitted by Melissa Pletkovich. Lindbergh Middle School- ($1,000) Purchase of musical equipment to start a Jazz Band/Pep Band at middle school. Submitted by Wesley Stephens. Northmoor Primary School- ($1,000) of math games and manipulatives, specifically for new Common Core requirements. Submitted by Sara Lane.

4 Peoria High School- ($1,000) Purchase of uniforms and dance wear for PSA Dance Program for 38 students. Submitted by Debra Redington Richwoods High School-($116) Purchase of interactive course materials for French course in IB program. Submitted by Travis Bowlby. Richwoods High School- ($1,000) Purchase of high interest/low reading level books for library. Submitted by Shelley Daugherty. Rolling Acres Middle School- ($1,000) Funds used for Peoria Riverfront Museum field trip for 8 th grade S.T.E.M. program. Submitted by Beth Perce. Roosevelt Magnet School- ($840) Purchase of math games and manipulatives, specifically for Kindergarten classrooms. Submitted by Katlin Eardon Sterling Middle School- ($1,000) Purchase of GAGA equipment to offer new form of physical activity and exercise. Submitted by Michelle Bushner Sterling Middle School- ($420) Purchase of KidKnits course and materials for 30 students. Used to help teach economics and arts. Submitted by Michelle Couri. Sterling Middle School- ($1,000) Purchase of over 75 AR books for Helping Every Achiever Read to Success (H.E.A.R.T.S) program. Books available to all students. Submitted by Kirsten Kelly. Thomas Jefferson Primary School- ($999) Purchase of new instruments for students, specifically ukuleles and music books. Submitted by Elizabeth Smiley. Trewyn K-8 School- ($500) Funds used to help publish books written and illustrated by students. These books focused on addressing challenging behaviors and how to manage them. Submitted by Cami Williams. Valeska Hinton ECEC- ($457) Purchase of books for deaf awareness and also hosted a Deaf Awareness Day with small workshop and keynote speaker. Submitted by Molly Herman. Von Steuben Middle School- ($1,000) Purchase of materials for AVID program and support for college campus field trip for Middle School students to promote college readiness and career exploration. Submitted by Sheila Stewart. Whittier Primary School- ($976) Purchase of nonfiction leveled readers to help meet the states Common Core Standards. Submitted by Denise Fritsch. Woodruff Career and Technical Center-($1,000) Purchase of equipment from Sea Perch website to help engineering students create an underwater vehicle. Submitted by Rebecca Purse. Peoria Public Schools Foundation 5901 N. Prospect Road, Suite 14E Peoria IL us at foundation@psd150.org or call

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