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U-46 Educational Foundation Awards Mini-Grants to Eight U-46 Staff

Jan. 10, 2019

ELGIN - The U-46 Educational Foundation typically funds Districtwide initiatives and events but earlier today awarded mini-grants of up to $500 each to eight teachers across the District to support their bright new ideas in teaching and learning. U-46 Educational Foundation Board members throughout the school day Thursday surprised teachers in their classrooms with the awards, called Innovation Mini-Grants.

The Foundation funded projects such as the start of a family book club, a mentoring program for students, and high school biotechnology experiments. The Foundation Board selected the winning projects from 27 proposals.

“Each of these grants will provide activities that enhance, enrich, and complement existing opportunities in U-46 for students, families, and staff,” said U-46 Educational Foundation Board President Bud Wilson. “We are excited to continue supporting innovative programs in U-46 in the years ahead.”

The U-46 Educational Foundation was initiated in 2006, when a group of community leaders and district supporters came together to recruit board members, establish by-laws, and seek non-profit status as a 501 (c) (3) organization. The mission of the U-46 Educational Foundation is to acquire and dedicate resources to enhance the quality of education for U-46 students. The Foundation’s impact to date has largely been on Districtwide projects.

The list of winning recipients are as follows:

 

Grant Recipient

Position

School

Project

Philip Church

Science Teacher

Bartlett High School

Biotechnology

Sarah Rabe

Principal

Centennial Elementary School

Sensory Paths

Lisa Holbrook

MTSS Lead Teacher

Elgin High School

Maroon Mentoring Program

Heather Flick

Science Teacher

Eastview Middle School

Eastview Science Olympiad Team Supplies

Rachel Pinkepank

Title 1 Teacher Interventionist

Hillcrest Elementary School

Hillcrest Families Read! A Parent-Child Book Club

Michelle Esmenda

Secretary

Glenbrook Elementary School

Glenbrook Elementary Outdoor Marquee

Hayley Levitan

School Psychologist

Ontarioville Elementary School

Flexible Seating

Martha Laskus

Early Childhood Teacher

Horizon Elementary School

Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Program: Table and Manipulatives