Nearly $10,000 in NEW Innovation Grants Announced!

The Elmbrook Education Foundation just completed its Fall Grant Cycle.  Innovation grants provide supplementary funding for projects that can not be supported by the District Operating or Building Unit Budgets.  In most cases, the Foundation provides supplementary funding in addition to funds raised by students, curricular departments, and/or PTO's for needed projects. 

The Foundation strives to fund projects that represent an innovation in instructional practices for a particular school.  From there, the Foundation works with the District to share project experiences District-wide with the hope that other schools can benefit from their experiences.  The following grants were recently approved:

School-wide Mosaic Project (Applicant - Kristen Wolf, Brookfield El; $1,450): 

Supplementary funding will be provided to bring in a guest artist (Carrie O'Malley) who will work with all students at all grade levels to learn about the history of the mosaic art form and then collectively design and construct a mosaic wall at the front of the school. 

This project was successfully done at Swanson Elementary in 2008-09 with partial funding from the Elmbrook Education Foundation. 

Laptop Integration into Daily Workshop Activities (Applicant - Rachelle Russell, Brookfield El; $1,500):

Rachelle is one of the District's technology leaders in that she continually looks for new ways to leverage technology to improve instructional practices.  This grant will purchase four inexpensive laptops to provide internet access to extend activities available for readers, writers, and math workshops. They would be leveraged by a small group at a time.  The internet resources available provide new opportunities for differentiation to meet the needs of both special needs and high ability learners. 

Applied Technology Document Camera (Applicant - Anthony Christian, BCHS, $1,000):

The use of document cameras is an extension of the District's Technology Plan that remains unfunded.  Document cameras are especially useful in classes where the teacher has to demonstrate something for the class that is not easily seen .... think of it as a 3D overhead projector.  It can instantaneously transform any work, object or demonstration into a digital image on the SMART board.  This grant will provide Engineering, CAD, Electronics and Small Engine classes the ability to more effectively demonstrate classroom activities and work products to a large group. 

Weather Station to Extend Science Curriculum (Applicant - Julie Gillette, BCHS; $1,405.60):

The weather station will enable science classrooms to collect atmospheric data that is not currently possible.  This data is especially important to Earth Sciences, Chemistry and AP Environmental classes.  Developing experience in the use of technology to collect atmospheric data is especially important for preparing students who will encounter these same technologies outside of the classroom.  This project builds on successful project experiences at other District schools.

Poetry Workshop and Performance (Applicant - Honore Shiro, BCHS, $1,500):

A prior BCHS graduate and professional poet (Joe Basilo) will be providing a workshop focused on poetry and the writing process with select students (students must apply to participate).  In addition, 3 separate presentations will be scheduled to share workshop concepts and workshop participant works with BCHS English students. 

Writing Workshop (Applicants - Sara Gull/Karen Duren, Brookfield Elementary; $1,350):

Supplementary funding will be provided to host a professional author, Steven Kellogg, to present information on the writing process in a school-wide assembly.  Classroom activities will reinforce concepts shared and all students will have an opportunity to write and illustrate their own book.  The author will visit individual classrooms to support these extension activities.  This author will also be visiting Burleigh Elementary to conduct a similar workshop.

Miniature Golf for Special Needs Students (Applicant - Marty Emery, Fairview South; $1,500):

Supplementary funding will be provided to purchase a miniature golf course and adaptive equipment for use at the school.  Equipment will also be made available for families to check out for use on family outings with their student.  A miniature golf course will help develop hand-eye coordination, striking skills, and life skills such as creative thinking, cooperation, and sportsmanship.  It will foster a love for an activity that students can successfully do with family and friends.  This course will be especially helpful for students with autism and multiple disabilities.

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