Nearly $20,000 in classroom grants distributed by Schools Foundation for 2017/18 School Year
Thirteen teachers received in-person notifications that their classroom grant requests are being funded by the South Whidbey Schools Foundation. Three Foundation Board members paid surprise classroom visits to relay the good news to teachers and disburse $19,962 in grants.
“The requests included specialized science kits for soil erosion experiments, resources for expanding the High School farm program, funding off-island trips of cultural significance for South Whidbey Academy students, a mobile planetarium visit to enable fourth-graders to study the moon and stars, special attachments for graphing calculators to enable Algebra students to work collectively on problems, improvements to the choir and dance practice classroom, new books and media for the High School library, robotics kits, and more,” said South Whidbey Schools Foundation President Chris Gibson.
“The great news is we still have funds available for additional requests and will be encouraging district educators to contact us for off-cycle grant funding,” Gibson added.
One project, 5th grade teacher John LaVassar’s popular “Salmon in the Classroom” program, was adopted for a second year by the Holmes Harbor Rod and Gun Club’s Safety and Education Fund.
“This is a good fit for our Club’s values, and we hope to make this an ongoing relationship,” said Steve Mooney of the HHR&G Club, who presented a check to LaVassar on Nov. 1 at the South Whidbey campus.
So far the Foundation has provided more than $245,000 in classroom grants with monies raised through its Dine Out For SW Schools program, a Spring fundraiser, and an end of year donation campaign.
Since its inception in 1994, the Schools Foundation has funded more than $245,000 in teacher-requested projects and materials to enhance educational excellence, projects which the school district is unable to fund due to tight budgets.
If you are a South Whidbey School District educator and wish to be considered for an off-cycle grant application for 2017/18, download the application here.
Off-Cycle Grant-application-2018
If you are the recipient of a 2017/18 SWSF classroom grant, please be aware that final reports are due May 12. You may download the report PDF here.
If you are interested in learning about our new Adopt-A-Grant program, CLICK HERE.
2017/2018 South Whidbey Schools Foundation Funded Classroom Grants
| TEACHER | PROJECT TITLE | SCHOOL | GRADE LEVEL | AMOUNT REQUEST | AMOUNT GRANTED | ADOPT A GRANT |
| Michele Zisette | SWES STEAM Kits | SWES | 1st | $767 | $767 | |
| Susan Ritzner | We Both Read Book Sets | SWES | 5th | $2,882 | $2,882 | |
| Rachel Kizer | Fly Us to the Moon… | SWES | 4th | $525 | $525 | |
| John LaVassar | Mr. Good, Mad, Fun Science | SWES | 5th | $1,400 | $1,400 | |
| John LaVassar | School-Wide Salmon Project | SWES | 5th | $1,200 | $1,200 | |
| Seth Raabe | High School Farm Expansion | SWM/HS | 7-12 | $2,965 | $2,965 | |
| Jeff Greene | Engineering & Design Robotics | SWHS | 9-12 | $1,500 | $1,500 | |
| Chris Harshman | Artists in Residence | SWM/HS | 9-12 | $1,000 | $1,000 | |
| Betsy Hofius | Engaging Struggling Readers | SWES | 2 | $282 | $282 | |
| Andy Davis | Off-Island Learning Expeditions | SWA/MSs9 | -12 | $2050 | $2,050 | |
| Vicky Cable | TI Navigators for Algebra | SWHS | 1st | $1,700 | $1,700 | |
| Amory Cable | Early Developmental Tools | ECEAP | K | $550 | $550 | |
| Don Zisette | Soil & Erosion Science | SWMS | 8th | $600 | $600 | |
| Chris Harshman | Ukuleles for Music Survey | SWHS | 9-12 | $800 | $800 | |
| Paula Ludtke | Show Choir Dance Mirrors | SWMS/HS | 7-12 | $1,342 | $1,342 | |
| Valerie Brown | Updating Library Collections | SWMS/HS | K-5 | $1,500 | $1,500 | |
| $19,962 | $16,595 | $3,367 | ||||
| TOTALS | $19,962 | |||||
2016/2017 Classroom Grants
| TEACHER | PROJECT TITLE | SCHOOL | GRADE LEVEL | AMOUNT REQUEST | AMOUNT GRANTED | ADOPT A GRANT |
| Sharla Matthews | Sound & Light | SWES | 1st | $1,169 | $1,169 | |
| Bruce Callahan | Whale Watching Boat Adventure | SWES | 5th | $1,500 | $1,500 | |
| Monique Mangin | Sensory Light Board | SWHS | 9-12 | $500 | $500 | |
| John LaVassar | Mr. Good, Mad, Fun Science | SWES | 5th | $1,400 | $1,400 | |
| John LaVassar | School-Wide Salmon Project | SWES | 5th | $1,200 | $1,200 | |
| Chris Harshman | Band Clinicians | LMS | 6-8 | $2,500 | $500 | $2,000 |
| Mandy Jones | Sensory Water Table | SWHS | 9-12 | $1,500 | $1,500 | |
| Jeff Greene | Musical/Drama | SWHS | 9-12 | $1,500 | $1,500 | |
| Jeff Greene | Yearbook/Photo Journalism | SWHS | 9-12 | $1,050 | $1,050 | |
| Kathryn O’Brien | Climate Arts Project | All Schools | K-12 | $2,800 | $2,500 | |
| Michele Zisette | Focused Space for All | SWES | 1st | $439 | $439 | |
| Jean Cravy | Bringing Learning to Life | SWA | 5-6 | $2,000 | $2,000 | |
| Nels Bergquist | 8th Grade Adventure Education | LMS | 8th | $10,000 | $3,000 | |
| Don Zisette | 8th Grade Inventions | LMS | 8th | $790 | $790 | |
| Chris Harshman | Link-up – Orchestra Rocks | All Schools | 5-12 | $3,000 | $3,000 | |
| Valerie Brown | MakerSpace STEM Kits 2016 | SWES | K-5 | $750 | $750 | |
| $32,098 | $19,448 | $5,350 | ||||
| $24,798 | ||||||
In addition, these off-cycle grants have been added and are available for our adopt-a-grant program for a total funding of $27,048:
1) “Ukuleles in the Classroom” $150 to purchase four ukuleles, by Debra Davies Vogel, first grade. This project seeks to integrate “Ukuleles in the Classroom” strategies and lessons to enhance students’ attention, engagement, enjoyment, learning, and retention of knowledge and skills.
2) “Music (Ukuleles) in the Classroom to Increase Attention, Engagement and Learning”, $300 to purchase 8 ukuleles, by Tere Baker, SWES Special Education and General Ed K-4.This project seeks to integrate “Ukeles in the Classroom” strategies and lessons to enhance students’ attention, engagement, enjoyment, learning, and retention of knowledge and skills, and to provide an additional tool for dealing with challenging behaviors & self-regulation issues by helping interrupt building frustrations, helping re-set after escalated episodes, and providing a positive reinforcement tool with students with whom it may be helpful.
3) “Healthy Eating in Different Cultures” $800 to pay for speakers and ingredients for the program, by Susan Milan, seventh grade. In the ‘Healthy Eating in Different Cultures’ project, presenters from a variety of countries will visit the Health and Wellness class to share what healthy eating looks and tastes like in their culture. In the 2016-17 school year, presenters from Japan, Russia and Lebanon have shared their cultures in 10 classes. This grant secures funding to continue this program in the 2017-18 school year.
4) “Guitars in the Classroom- Music integration training for teachers K-12” $2,700 for two phases of guitar lessons for educators seeking to integrate the “Guitars/Ukuleles in the Classroom” curriculum into their classes.This project starts in June 2017, by providing additional training for those educators that have already taken the beginner program, at a cost of $1000. The second phases will occur in September 2017, when the beginner course for the curriculum will be offered to all South Whidbey School District educators, at a cost of $1700.
2015/16 Classroom Grants
| Caitlin Jones | Rites of Passage Group | SWA/SWHS | 9-10 | $400 | 0.00 | $400 |
| Rachelle Bennett | Access to Sno-Isle Library/Kindle Fires Purchase | SWHS | 9-12 | $1,200 | 1,173.75 | $26.25 |
| Susan Milan | STEM Field Studies and Fair | LMS | 7th | $1,500 | 1,500.00 | $0.00 |
| Teresa Baker | Evidence-Based Intervention & Emotional/Behavior Management | SWES | K-3 | $961 | 1,044.35 | -$83.35 |
| Michele Zisette | Sit for Success | SWES | 4th | $353 | 353.00 | $0.00 |
| Chris Harshman | Marimba Project Completion | SWHS | 9-12 | $1,000 | 1,000.00 | $0.00 |
| Jonathan Watkins | South Whidbey Underwater Robotics Class | SWA/SWHS | 6-12 | $1,500 | 931.46 | $568.54 |
| Pam Muncey | Class Hand-Made Afghan Project | SWES | 5th | $149 | 150.19 | -$1.19 |
| Greg Ballog | Atomic Modeling | SWHS | 9-12 | $265 | 235.25 | $29.75 |
| Jeff Greene | Sound Recording Studio | LMS/SWHS | 5-12 | $1,550 | 1,355.95 | $194.05 |
| Don Zisette | Exploring Watershed Science | LMS | 8th | $600 | 652.50 | -$52.50 |
| Jean Cravy | STEM Class Physical Science Set | SWA | 6-8 | $523 | 522.47 | $0.53 |
| David Pfeiffer | A Splash of Red: Book-It Repertory Field Trip Workshops | SWA/SWES | K-5 | $1,065 | 1,057.94 | $7.06 |
| Jennifer Gandarias | Redesigning Professionalism: Constructing Education | SWHS | 9-12 | $901 | 916.34 | -$15.34 |
| John LaVassar | Explore: Matter and Its Interactions | SWES | 5th | $1,320 | 1,320.00 | $0.00 |
| John LaVassar | Salmon in the Classroom | SWES | K-5 | $1,500 | 1,500.00 | $0.00 |
| John LaVassar | Salmon Run: Art/Sewing/Writing Project | SWES | 5th | $100 | 100.00 | $0.00 |
| Greg Ballog | Understanding Carbon Middle School & High School | LMS/SWHS | 7 & 10 | $2,628 | 2,610.30 | $17.70 |
| Kathryn O’Brien | Aquaponics Classroom Prototype & Aeroponic Chamber | SWHS | 9-12 | $1,200 | 1,200.01 | -$0.01 |
| Valerie Brown | MakerSpace STEM Kits | SWA/SWES | K-5 | $1,200 | 1,161.17 | $38.83 |
| Pam Muncey | Bringing Learning to Life – Serving at SW State Park | All | 3-12 | $2,400 | 2,400.00 | $0.00 |
| Valerie Twomey | Learning with Legos: Engineering, Programming & Robotics | SWES | 2nd | $3,082 | 2,424.40 | $657.60 |
| Caryn Ploof | Can You See the Leader in Me? | SWES | 4-5 | $564 | 613.07 | -$49.07 |
| Mary Bakeman | 7th Grade Outdoor Learning Expedition | LMS | 7th | $1,500 | 1,500.00 | $0.00 |
| Betsy Gmerek | Expressionism & Principles of Design-Action Art | SWA | 6-12 | $260 | 260.00 | $0.00 |
| Bruce Callahan | Whale Watching Boat Adventure/Langley Whale Museum | SWES | 5th | $1,500 | 1,297.74 | $202.26 |
| Nick Delmedico | In Residence Jazz Band and Concert Band Clinicians | LMS | 6-8 | $2,000 | 2,000.00 | $0.00 |
| Jenny Campbell | Global Cultures Enrichment Program | LMS | 6-8 | $2,000 | 2,000.00 | $0.00 |
| 860.25 | -$860.25 | |||||
| TOTAL AMOUNTS = | $33,221 | 32,140.14 | $1,080.86 |
2014/15 Classroom Grants
South Whidbey Schools Foundation Teacher Grant Awards – Fall 2014 & Spring 2015
| ID | PRIMARY TEACHER NAME(S) | PROJECT TITLE | SCHOOL(S)/ STUDENTS | AMOUNT GRANTED |
| 1 | Jeff Cravy | Buddy Bench and Friendship Garden | SWES | $550.00 |
| 2 | Suzanne Haugen | Kids in the Kitchen | SWES | $735.00 |
| 3 | Jean Cravy | SW State Park – Bringing Learning to Life Project | SWA, SWES, LMS | $2,500.00 |
| 4 | Sandy Gilbert | Robotics for 6th Graders | LMS | $2,800.00 |
| 5 | Don Zisette | STEM – Inventions and Technology | LMS | $800.00 |
| 6 | Susan Milan | LMS 7 Oceanography Program | LMS | $1,280.00 |
| 7 | Jess Monett | In-Residence Jazz Band & Concert Band Clinicians | LMS | $1,500.00 |
| 8 | Mary Bakeman | 7th Grade Outdoor Learning Expeditions | LMS | $1,500.00 |
| 9 | Debra Davies | How Does Our Garden Grow | SWES | $800.00 |
| 10 | Timmie Sinclair/Leah Tormey | South Whidbey Academy InvenTeam | SWA | $1,500.00 |
| 11 | Timmie Sinclair | SWA Underwater Robotics Program Expansion | SWA | $1,500.00 |
| 12 | David Pfeiffer | Sheep to Shawl Year Two – Goat Fiber | SWA | $1,500.00 |
| 13 | Sue Wolf-Rottkay | Multicultural Art | SWA | $850.00 |
| 14 | John LaVassar | Salmon in the Classroom | SWES | $1,500.00 |
| 15 | Jean Cravy | Recorder Karate | SWA | $80.00 |
| 16 | Jackie Gelston | Salmon Run: Art/Sewing/Writing Project | SWES | $1,070.00 |
| 17 | Bruce & Kathy Callahan | Whale Watching Boat Adventure/Langley Whale Museum | SWES | $1,400.00 |
| 18 | Jennifer Gandarias | Redesigning Professionalism: Constructing Education | SWHS | $725.00 |
| 19 | Betsy Hofius | New School Farm Weather Station | SWES/SWA | $300.00 |
| 20 | John LaVassar | Explore: Matter and Its Interactions | SWES | $660.00 |
| 21 | Michele Sakaguchi | SWA Aquaponics Project | SWA | $1,500.00 |
| 22 | Allie Fee | Problem Solving/Positive Reinforcement Room | SWES | $300.00 |
| $25,350.00 |
2013/14 Classroom Grants
South Whidbey Schools Foundation Teacher Grant Awards – Fall 2013 & Spring 2014
| 1. Danni Curgus | SWES | 2nd Grade Listens and Writes to Read | $325 |
| 2. Greg Ballog | SWHS | Applying Modern Genetics to Your Life | $1,080 |
| 3. David Pfeiffer | SWA | Underwater Robotics Club | $1,500 |
| 4. Craig Stelling | SWES | Dance Instruction: Square Dance | $400 |
| 5. Don Wodjenski | SWHS | Artist in Residence (AiR) Supplies | $1,000 |
| 6. Jeff Greene | SWHS | Yearbook Photo Journalism | $1,418 |
| 7. Susan Milan | LMS | LMS Fresh Food for Lunch | $1,500 |
| 8. Don Zisette | LMS | STEM in the Classroom | $1,150 |
| 9. Michele Zisette | SWES | Early Literacy in the K-3 Special Ed. Classroom | $465 |
| 10. David Pfeiffer | SWA | Sheep to Shawl | $1,085 |
| 11. Craig Stelling | SWES | Square Dance Instruction: Fall 2014 | $925 |
| 12. Michelle Sakaguchi | All Schools | SW State Parks – Bringing Learning to Life Project | $2,000 |
| 13. John LaVassar | SWES | Salmon in the Classroom | $1,000 |
| 14. Jess Monett | LMS | In-Residence Jazz Band and Concert Band Clinicians | $1,500 |
| 15. John LaVassar | SWES | Leadership Through Art | $920 |
| 16. John LaVassar | SWES | Exploring Energy and Science Photography | $600 |
| 17. Chad Felgar | SWHS | “Project Veg” – Supplying SW Schools Cafeterias | $1,500 |
| 18. Rachel Kizer | SWES | Fun and Games with Readin’, Writin’, and ‘Rithmetic | $1,000 |
| 19. Sharla Matthews | SWES | Amazing Artists | $1,200 |
| 20. Erik Jokinen | LMS | Fit Step: Uploadable Data Pedometer Project | $879 |
| 21. Betsy Gmerek | SWES | Drying Rack and Clay/Kiln Resources for Art Room | $404 |
| 22. Mary Bakeman | LMS | 7th Grade Culminating Experience – Boat Rental | $700 |
| $22,551 |
2012 Classroom Grants: South Whidbey Schools Foundation Teacher Grant Awards – Fall 2012 & Spring 2013
| NAME | SCHOOL(S) | TITLE | AMOUNT | SOURCE |
| 1. Christie Elliot | SWES | Artists in Action Extension | $500 | General |
| 2. Christie Elliot | SWES | Read Naturally | $648 | General |
| 3. Jess Monett | LMS | In-Residence Jazz Band & 6th Grade Band Clinicians | $1,500 | General |
| 4. Susan Milan | SWES | Exploring Renewable Energy | $1,000 | General |
| 5. Jeff Greene | SWHS | Camcorder Digital HD Cameras | $1,324 | General |
| 6. Leslie Woods | SWES | Building Community from the Soil Up | $1,000 | General |
| 7. Susan Wolf Rottkay | SWA | Painting and Printmaking with Intention | $769 | General |
| 8. Sandy Gilbert | LMS | 6th Grade Science Survival Tools | $1,000 | General |
| 9. Val Brown | All Schools | Pre-K – 12 Online Encyclopedia | $2,305 | General |
| 10. Val Brown | SWHS | SWHS Library Materials | $150 | General |
| 11. Val Brown | LMS | LMS Library Materials | $150 | General |
| 12. DeAnn Ross | LMS | 7th Graders Want to Know EVEN More | $1,079 | General |
| 13. DeAnn Ross | LMS | Probing Middle Schoolers – LMS Science Team | $4,210 | General |
| 14. Jennifer Gandarias | SWHS | Class Lectures and Discussions on the Go | $1,301 | General |
| 15. David Pfeiffer | SWA, SWES | SWA Collaborative Garden Project w/ Good Cheer | $5,000 | General |
| 16. Don Zisette | LMS | Maritime Studies | $450 | General |
| 17. Steve Jones | SWHS | Geocaching: Finding Fitness | $1,250 | General |
| 18. Mary McLeod | SWES | Smart Art Cart | $1,173 | General |
| 19. Becky Breeze | SWES | Assistive Technology – Using Computer Books | $1,500 | General |
| TOTAL: | $26,309 |
South Whidbey Schools Foundation Teacher Grant Awards – November 2011:
| NAME | SCHOOL | TITLE | AMOUNT | SOURCE |
| 1. Dayle Gray | SWES | Leader in Me Implementation | $1,000 | General |
| 2. Christie Elliot | SWES | Artists in Action | $755 | General |
| 3. Mary McLeod | BVHS | Art with Heart | $500 | General |
| 4. Teresa Cooper/David Pfeiffer | WIA | Nature Adventure: A Community Based Class | $575 | General |
| 5. Don Zisette | LMS | Mission to Mars | $575 | General |
| 6. Kimmer Morris | SWES | Music Support | $150 | General |
| 7. Sue Raley | SWES | Synergize | $290 | General |
| 8. Charlie Davies | SHWS | Audio Enhanced Books on Kindle for Special Ed. | $550 | General (1) |
| 9. Lana Johnson | WIA | IXL Site License for Classroom | $200 | General |
| 10. Robin Roberts | SWES | Mipad 2 | $182 | General (2) |
| 11. Suzanne Haugen | SWES | Kindercise | $700 | General |
| 12. Chris Harshman | SWHS | Recording Mixer for Auditorium/Music Programs | $1,000 | General |
| 13. David Pfeiffer | BVHS/WIA | Project Based & Expeditionary Learning for Students | $1,000 | General |
| 14. Charlene Ray | BVHS | Leadership & Mentorship: Creating the Future | $1,000 | General |
| 15. Katherine Mack | SWES | Collaborative Voicethread Presentations | $790 | General |
| 16. Don Wodjenski | SWHS | Canon EOS Rebel XS 10.1 MP Digital SLR Camera | $600 | General |
| 17. Susan Milan | SWES | Green Team | $1,000 | General |
| 18. Kathy Stanley | SWES | Literature for Sustainability & Social Justice | $500 | General |
| 19. Jeffrey Greene | SWHS | SWHS First Tech Challenge Robotics Club | $1,000 | General |
| 20. Jeffrey Greene | SWHS | Digital HD Video Camcorder & Camera | $1,000 | General |
| 21. Mary Eaton | LMS | Preserve our Projects | $1,000 | General |
| 22. Steve Jones | SWHS | Orienteering: Searching for Fitness | $650 | General |
| 23. Jay Freundlich | SWHS | On-Line Language | $800 | General |
| 24. Jay Freundlich | SWHS | Imagine Tomorrow | $600 | General |
| 25. Charlie Snelling | LMS | Recording History of Langley | $400 | General |
| TOTAL: | $16,817 | |||
| (1) Audio Enhanced Books on Kindle for Special Ed: Additional $450 shall come from the SWSD Technology Fund | ||||
| (2) Mipad 2: Additional $543 shall come from the SWSD Technology Fund | ||||
Other Funded Grant Awards – November 2011
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South Whidbey Schools Foundation Teacher Grant Awards – Summer 2011:
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South Whidbey Schools Foundation Teacher Grant Awards – November 2010:
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Other Funded Grant Awards – November 2010:
| NAME | SCHOOL | TITLE | AMOUNT | SOURCE |
| 16. Kathy Stanley | SWES | Exploring Solar Energy for Cooking | $450 | PSE Grant |
Adopt-A-Grant
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