The USD 428 Education Foundation, which is proudly observing its 22nd year of philanthropy, recently awarded 16 minigrants to local teachers totaling $10,589.
“In selecting recipients for minigrants, trustees look for innovative educational activities to supplement the district’s curricular goals and objectives and for endeavors with no other source of funding,” explained Darrell Touslee, Education Foundation president. “Pilot exploratory courses, enhanced curriculum materials, updated library resources and incentive grants provide immediate, as well as ongoing, benefits to students.”
Since 1989, the organization has raised and donated nearly $220,000 to enhance education in the district.
The USD 428 Education Foundation grants are funded by money raised at the Foundation’s annual dinner, golf tournament, memorials and donations. The Foundation gratefully receives tax-deductible contributions from individuals, businesses, community service organizations, alumni, estates, memorials and other benevolent sources.
The nonprofit foundation provides an ideal opportunity for alumni, parents, community businesses and other supporters of our schools to make good things happen in education.
“Programs funded by the Education Foundation today provide a positive impact on the leaders of tomorrow,” Touslee said.
This year, minigrants and amounts were awarded to: Total Communications, $1,302.54, Claudia Smitheran, Eisenhower School; Math Parent Resource Library, $495.88, Jodi Schumacher, Eisenhower School; Clickers in the Classroom, $1,410.40, Traci Miller and Deena Smith, Park School; Classroom Mood Calming Accessories, $418.12, Trish Berger, Riley School; Interwrite Tablet for Special Education, $1,214, Amanda Loving, Riley School; Bus Passes, $360, Michelle Daniel, Riley School; YouthFriends, $300, Michelle Daniel, Riley School; Raising Reading Comprehension Skills, $855.53, Kendra Haskell, Riley School; Bridge and Tower Project, $450, Rollie Peter, Great Bend High School; Learn How They Fly, $324.28, Kathryn George, Great Bend High School; Global Learning/Global Nomads Group, $1,200, Martha Wondra, Linda Heine and Tina Steinert, BCSS; Technology Enhancement, $850, Liz Bowman, Great Bend High School; Interactive Graphing, $417.27, Kelsey Metro, Great Bend Middle School; Candy House, $200, Jake Hofflinger, Great Bend High School; Laser Engraved Project, $341.32, Jake Hofflinger, Great Bend High School; Learning with Literary Centers, $450.31, Becky Hill, Meredith Hill and Jenna Dreiling, Riley School