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.

 

TEACHERS: Our new 2018/2019 Google Docs Grant Application is now available.

Please click here to access it.

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

NAME SCHOOL  TITLE AMOUNT   SOURCE 26.  DeAnn Ross LMS Inquiring 7th Graders Want to Know $1,000 PSE Grant 27. Jess Foley LMS In-Residence Jazz Band & 6th Grade Band Clinicians $1,000 LMS Band TOTAL:      $2,000

 

South Whidbey Schools Foundation Teacher Grant Awards – Summer 2011:

NAME SCHOOL  TITLE AMOUNT   SOURCE 1.   Greg Ballog SWHS DNA Fingerprint Identification $920 General 2.   Charlie Davies SWHS Kindles for Special Education $970 General 3.   Andy Davis SWHS Pre-Algebra Resources $1,000 General 4.   Chris Harshman SWHS Student Composer Project $900 General TOTAL:     $3,790

 

South Whidbey Schools Foundation Teacher Grant Awards – November 2010:

NAME SCHOOL TITLE AMOUNT SOURCE 1.   Danielle Curgis SWES Second Grade Speaks $119 General 2.   Jay Fruendlich LMS LMS Rain Garden $1,000 General 3.   Doug Fulton SWHS Spectral Analysis $1,000 General 4.   Dayle Gray SWES Writing and Performance for the Theater $500 General 5.   Jenny Gouchanour SWHS Enhanced Listening Comprehension in Spanish $719 General 6.   Rachel Kizer LMS Reading 2.0 $1,000 General 7.   Mary McLeod SWES Art: Hand Models $445 General 8.   Susan Milan SWES Sustainable Gardening $1,000 General 9.   Kimmer Morris SWES Music with Drums $240 General 10. Charlene Ray BVHS Rites of Passage – Part 2 $1,000 General 11. Sue Wolfe Rottkay WIA Spanish Conversation K-5 $395 General 12. Sakaguchi/Pfeiffer BVHS Bayview Sustainable Garden $1,000 General 13. Craig Stelling SWHS Dance Instruction $450 General 14. Val Twomey SWES How Toys Work $373 General 15. Don Zisette LMS/SWHS SADD Club and Traffic Safety Enhancement $630 General TOTAL:     $9,871

Other Funded Grant Awards – November 2010:

NAME	SCHOOL	TITLE	AMOUNT	SOURCE
16. Kathy Stanley	SWES	Exploring Solar Energy for Cooking	$450	PSE Grant