Handwriting Without Tears $500

Web Path Express $1000

Patty Vanko, a first grade teacher at

Howard B. Thomas Grade School, saw the need for

an alternative handwriting program to meet the needs of her students. This engaging multi-sensory approach of teaching handwriting will appeal to a diverse group of students, including those with special needs.

The librarians throughout the district’s elementary schools want to ensure a safe, high quality internet experience for our students. Kim Osko, Eileen Ahrens, Barb Klingberg, Louann Sarro, and Alison Sarro submitted a grant to purchase WebPath Express. All grade schools will now have another tool that guides students toward quality content and age appropriate results for strong classroom curriculum connections.

See It, Hear It, Touch It $1000

Do Re Me Fa So La Te Do $1000

Andrea Bonk, a Speech and Language Pathologist, and Paulette Ollie, an Early Childhood Special Education teacher, at Howard B. Thomas Elementary school, sought funding for adaptive/alternative equipment that allows Early Childhood Special Education students to communicate with peers and adults with increased independence. Voice Output Communication Aids (VOCA) are devices that allow students to ‘verbally’ participate in classroom activities and discussions.

The elementary music teachers from across the district, Jenny Rusnak, Paula Mack, Mary Thomas, and Terry Bauer, requested funds to upgrade the musical technology in all K-5 classes to include an iPod system with stereo connecting capabilities and iTunes purchases.

Brain POP $1000

Books Breathe Life $500

Aligned with Illinois State Standards, this multimedia online subscription provides flash-based movies, quizzes, games and activities that are engaging for students and an exceptional resource for teachers.
Gail Stover, Paula Evans and Kristen Mink of Prairie View Grade School anticipate substantial growth in language, reading, comprehension and science for students in kindergarten through 5th grade. Additionally, parents will be allowed access to the site from home.

Making connections with authors and igniting passion in reading through a wide range of books that focus on age and subject differentiation is the goal of the first grade teachers for their students at Prairie View Grade School. A selection of authors allows the teaching team to focus on specific reading strategies as well as help students make a personal connection of reading through the lens of an author’s style. Students will find similarities in authors and the character4s portrayed and connect them to the real world.

Let’s Giggle $1000

EAROBICS $1000

The 3rd – 5th grade students of Country Trails Grade School will be laughing out loud once the ‘Gigglers’ collection is part of their language arts program. Thanks to Donna Roark, these high-interest, low readability guided reading texts will support a wide range of readers.

Kindergarteners at Country Trails Grade School will exercise their phonemic awareness skills and significantly improve literacy skills with this technology based program. Sarah Martino and Brianne Bollow intend to incorporate this program into Kindergarten at least three times per week with the intention of strengthening core literacy skills such as phonological and phonemic awareness.

YA Cafe $1000

A Positive Way to End the Day $500

Melissa Leisner, an English/Literature teacher, will continue to serve enthusiasm and interest in young adult novels at the YA Café every month at Prairie Knolls Middle School. This unique book club meets monthly to listen to a teacher talk about a popular novel while enjoying breakfast. Through this grant, numerous copies of the featured book are made available to students to read.

This grant is Three Years Strong!! Sixth grade social studies teacher, Anne Lorenz, experienced another great year with the Teachers Encouraging Kids (TEK) club , in its second year, that she requested funding to continue the program for 6th through 8th graders at Central Middle School. By working in smaller groups, and getting to know teachers and administrators on a personal level, students are given additional opportunities for success in ways that go beyond the classroom.

Flip For CHS $1000

Stacy Nemec of Central High School wanted to provide Flip Ultra HD video recorders for teachers across the curriculum to use with their students. Students will be able to easily produce and edit videos as products of their learning. For example, teachers can assign video projects such as commercials, PSA’s, podcasts, movies, and ad campaigns.