District 64's Elementary Learning Foundation (ELF) has announced the recipients of its education grants for the 2015-16 school year. In all, six projects were selected to share $25,000 in grants to establish and support innovative educational programs. This year’s grants advance ELF’s total direct funding to nearly $700,000 since its inception in 1994.
“ELF grants let our teachers and schools try new approaches and really stretch our thinking and teaching practices, without diverting funding from our regular budgets,” according to District 64 Superintendent Laurie Heinz.
“Knowing that ELF is there to invest resources, teachers and schools have the freedom to propose innovative and creative ideas that may go on to become models for the District to adopt for all students in the future,” she added. “We are immensely grateful for their support.”
Proceeds of ELF’s successful “Aloha Casino” fundraiser in January helped finance the current grant cycle, according to ELF Chairman Carolyn Sitkiewicz. ELF is an independent, tax-exempt organization guided by community volunteers who serve as trustees.
This year’s grants were awarded to staff at Jefferson, Carpenter, Roosevelt and Washington schools and will benefit a wide range of ages, from District 64’s preschoolers through the elementary grades.
Innovative programs selected for 2015-16 include:
- Preschool hands-on STEM (Science - Technology - Engineering - Math) educational activities at Jefferson School will encourage creative thinking “outside the box”
- “Collaborate to Accelerate” kindergarten readiness resources focused on Common Core academic expectations allow Washington School families to prepare students for the academically rigorous curriculum
- “Move and Learn” activities and equipment at Carpenter School will help improve focus and alertness
- Daily guided math instruction, software and math manipulatives for Washington’s grade 2 students will help them meet personal learning targets
- Opportunities and equipment will allow students to design and print in 3-D at Carpenter School; and,
- Refurnishing of Roosevelt School’s fixed-space computer lab will transform it into a flexible, collaborative learning environment.
View a detailed list of the winning grants.