SEF funds 18 grants totaling $9,176 for the 2018-2019 school year
Grants are made possible with investment funds earned from endowments and donations.
You can help us award more grants next year!
Just click on the DONATIONS tab at the top of this page.
You can help us award more grants next year!
Just click on the DONATIONS tab at the top of this page.
Jennifer Noonan, Solon Middle School, 8th grade English Language Arts
I am proposing a project to further expand and enhance my classroom library based upon my students' interests. Students would choose titles throughout the school year to add to our classroom library. The $500.00 requested would be used to have students place online orders through Amazon or Barnes & Noble (for example) of titles they want to read. I will have a sign-up for students to use to request titles and offer them the opportunity to share with our class why we should purchase the title they are recommending for our classroom library. I believe by having the student make the recommendation and place the order more students will be encouraged to read the "new" book/s. This project would allow the book to be immediately in the student's hands. Also, students are highly motivated to read when their peers recommend a title. 
Michelle Kritsch, Lakeview 2nd Grade
I am hoping that the SEF can help me fund an Apple TV in my classroom. I have already purchased a new TV that was installed (on a mount funded by a previous teacher's SEF grant). I would love to be able to acknowledge and motivate all students in my class by displaying pictures of them following expectations and showing the class what The Spartan Way looks like. The Apple TV would also be an efficient and easy way to mirror what is on my computer. I could display videos of myself, or videos from websites, that model how to solve complex problems. When switching from working with one group of students to the next I could remotely change what is displayed to best fit the needs of the learners. It is so important for students to understand what it is that they are supposed to be learning, I could also use it as a way to display the learning targets for each subject. Thank you for considering funding an Apply TV for my classroom. I think the ways in which I could use it are limitless and it would greatly impact the learning of current and future students in my classroom. 
Kerri Coons, K-12 TAG teacher
The Talented and Gifted program at SCSD is interested in meeting the needs of the whole child not just the academic challenges of our students. The National Association of Gifted Children (NAGC) developed standards for schools to follow and one standard is to meet student's social and emotional needs. We plan to use these picture books, a class set of Quiet Power, as well as the guide for secondary students, to begin to address the social and emotional needs of the students we serve. Picture books are a quick, easily relatable way to begin conversations with students in a familiar, non-threatening setting and can be used with students of all ages. We believe using these books to begin discussions will also lend themselves to projects where students might write their own book. Additionally, with eighth graders we will use the classroom set of Quiet Power, we can discuss the idea of being empowered as an introvert at this pivotal point before heading to high school. For those who are not introverted, it will give them an opportunity to better understand those people in their lives who are. Direct instruction on social/emotional and executive functioning skills will result in more successful students with a stronger self esteem and self-efficacy. 
Kate Gordon, Solon Middle School, 5th Grade
I am requesting funds to purchase an iPad for my classroom. This is something I will use on a daily basis in 5B. There are several programs that I'd like to utilize, and they can only be run on an iPad. This year I have two students in my class that have a great need for text to be read to them. There are several apps that can be used in the classroom to give these kids more independence. Capti Voice (https://www.captivoice.com/capti-site/) is one such application that gives access to books at all reading levels, as well as reads the text aloud. Prizmo Go (https://creaceed.com/prizmogo) is an app that will allow me to snap pictures of any worksheet or test, and will proceed to read it aloud for the students This amazing technology can give students, who may not otherwise have it, more independence. Each year students come into our rooms with these same needs, so this device can be used for several years to come. In addition to being used by my students, I would use the iPad to help me implement our Lucy Calkins Units of Study in Writing. Part of the Lucy curriculum is having one-on-one conferences with our writers daily. It is a lot of record keeping on the teachers part, and by having access to Google Forms on an iPad, I can quickly and efficiently conference with students, keep records, and allow students to give independent feedback on their own work. The iPad will tabulate and organize all of this information for me. 
Alison Sojka and Emily Stumpff, Solon High School, Math
We are writing this grant for technology that will assist with instruction and thus benefitting our students. In past years, colleagues, Janelle Kerkove and Kelli Roskopf wrote SEF grants for some of the technology that we are requesting funds for. Through team collaboration, we have seen first hand how the technology is making an impact with student achievement. Originally the ipad was meant to assist students with special needs, which is a smaller population. We now realize it actually assists with instruction and can reach all of the students in our classrooms. Both of our teammates have had success with this technology so we are hopeful we may receive our desired grant to continue to mirror things for all students in our classroom. In addition, our team is are working on revamping our warm-up process and questioning procedures. Using this technology will assist us with application problems during our lessons. 
Sara Pflughaupt, Solon Intermediate, 4th Grade
I am always looking for new resources and tools to better student learning and make their experiences in class more meaningful. With that being said, I am seeking financial support for the purchase of a Qball for my classroom. A Qball is a microphone ball you can pass, drop, throw, and roll. I would like to use a Qball in my classroom to help create a space for students to be more active participants in the learning process. I believe student engagement is one of the most important components of a great classroom environment, and I would like to give everyone a chance to participate in a fun and exciting way. This purchase would align with SEF’s mission, as a Qball would help advance the potential of individual students by promoting student voice and encouraging classroom conversations. 
Amy Becicka, Solon Middle School, English Language Arts
Kearce Lindner and I teach sixth grade ELA. The last few years we have really ramped up the amount of reading students are doing in and out of our classrooms. Last year we initiated the 20 book challenge in January with the 5th grade team and saw many students reach and surpass the goal. This year all SMS students are a part of the 40 book challenge and in just 3 short weeks, our 6th graders have already read over 350 books. This is an average of 4 books per student! In order to keep the students engaged in reading we need more resources. We would like to expand our classroom libraries to include books from all genres and have multiple copies of high interest books and books from their favorite authors. This would also provide books for units of study book clubs which we plan to pilot soon. We have already met with each student to find out what books and authors they like. This will expedite the process of choosing just right books and getting them on our book shelves as soon as possible. Along with purchasing the books, we would use a small portion of the money to buy tubs to organize the books by genre. 
Ken Beck, Solon High School, Science
We have been teaching Forensics at Solon High School since 2002, when there was an opening in a schedule, and a class was created. This course has evolved over the last 16 years, we have had multiple teachers teach the class, with it being offered almost every academic year. While activities and assessments have been created, I am looking to beef up the curriculum, focusing on a comprehensive final project. In the past, I have created my own projects on my own and with other teachers, but the time required is immense. A lot of curriculum materials have been developed by companies over the years, as forensics has been a popular class to add for different high schools. My proposal is to request funds to purchase multiple forensic crime kits, in which storylines, evidence, and materials have already been mapped out. These kits will be used for a final project in each of my two forensics classes this year, benefiting almost 40 students. I will be the key personnel for this project, however the science department will benefit as we add to our curriculum. |
Keith Duster, Solon High School, Career Tech Instructor- Building Trades
The 2018/2019 school year will be Solon’s second to include Career Tech Education courses. Introduction to Architecture/Construction/Engineering and Construction Material Processing classes will provide for students a chance to learn about working in the building trades, specifically construction and woodworking. Last year we noticed a big deficit in our Set Shop - no wood clamps. The prepping and clamping process, which turns individual wood boards into larger planks, is central to most woodworking projects. Medium and long bar clamps are needed to practice this skill. In addition to the Career Tech courses, our Set Shop is used in the creation of all the scenery for our Drama Department productions. This means a large number of students (as well as parents and community members, during our weekend builds) will have access to and be learning with our shop equipment. Other teacher-requested projects are also completed in our shop, which expands those who benefit from a well equipped space. Our projects in the Set Shop will be varied and ongoing. I, as the instructor, tech director, and shop manager, will be overseeing most of the work that is completed in the space. 
Michelle Kritsch, Lakeview 2nd Grade
The second grade team is interested in bringing in entomologists from the Iowa State Insect Zoo to teach our students about insects through observation, handling the insects, and by getting expert responses to their many questions at our school. Even though there are five sections of second grade, we are requesting only four sessions of the program. There is a maximum of 30 students allowed in one session. In the winter, we will receive a science kit from the GWAEA on Insects and Plants. Students will have a basic knowledge of the life cycles of a few key insects, but could greatly further their learning by interacting with a larger variety of insects provided by the Iowa State Insect Zoo. It is so amazing that this program exists in our state to educate Iowans. Bringing in the entomologists knowledge would leave a lasting impact on our students, not just in our classroom, but also in the way that they see and treat insects in their everyday life. 
Ivy Nielsen, Solon High School, English Language Arts
Everyday in English 9 and other language arts classes we workshop our writing. I put text under the document camera as an example of professional writing, my writing, or student writing. We then discuss the craft involved in that writing. I demonstrate how to revise drafts, how to elaborate, and how to respond to what we read. The document camera is an essential tool in studying how to improve as writers and readers. I also use the camera to share announcements, conventions lessons, instructions, visual aids, etc. 
Melanie Bouzek, Solon High School, Science
One of the opportunities students have when they take our Zoology class is to dissect several difference organisms. Students learn to identify different structures within each organism, and then have lab practicals to identify these structures. Dissections allow students to see how organ systems have evolved over time. Carolina Biological Company has recently developed colorful labeled and laminated mats of several of the organisms we dissect in Zoology. Normally, students use black and white diagrams and lab instructions to conduct the dissection. The colorful, labeled mats will help Zoology students become more independent and confident in identifying the correct structure. The mats available that correlate to our class include; squid, starfish, frog, perch, crayfish, dogfish shark, and grasshopper. The mats are laminated, allowing use from year to year. I am hoping to purchase seven mats of each organism. That would be a total of forty-nine mats. 
Miranda Kral, Solon High School, Teacher Librarian
The Community Reads project, hosted by Dawn Posekany and her students, has been a very successful event in previous years. The proposal for this year includes not only community members, but younger students, as well. The selected book is "Wishtree" by Katherine Applegate. Through this collaboration, we hope to provide a great discussion with participating 4-6 grade classrooms, high school students, and community members. Botany is held in the fourth quarter of the school year. Robert Taylor, Solon High School, English Language Arts
We are writing this grant in the hope of building our classroom libraries. Literacy is important in all areas of education and life. The English Department is working on increasing the reading and writing done by our students through district initiatives and professional development opportunities. A component that we are missing is offering more books within our classrooms. Studies show when students are surrounded by books, they read more, and as a result, they write with more quality and score better on standardized assessments. We have compiled a reading inventory with our students and talked to our district librarian, Miranda Kral, to find out the top titles that have been checked out by students in the high school. As we are conferring with students one on one, we are wanting the other students to be able to have a wide variety of genres available in our classroom. 
Amber Ruden, Solon Intermediate School, Art
(partially funded) I am requesting additional financial support for the purchase of a kiln with furniture kit for the SIS Art room. The art room was outfitted with a kiln room and ventilation, but no kiln. Lakeview PTO has graciously donated approximately one-third of the total cost. The total cost of a kiln with furniture kit is approximately $3,500. I am hoping with the support of the SEF grant, it will be possible to fund the remaining costs. In my experience as an art educator, I have witnessed the joy students’ get from creating with their hands. It encourages problem solving, and allows them to make functional and sculptural objects. Students benefit greatly from working with their hands and creating something one-of-a-kind that they can use in their daily lives. These objects are often cherished into adulthood. Much of our art curriculum revolves around clay and builds on these skills K-12. Not teaching these methods to the 4th and 5th grade students would be a disservice to them and their full creative potential. Use of this kiln will allow students to meet the National Arts Standards of Creating, Presenting, and Connecting. Craft and art experiences are also directly related to success and innovation in the fields of science and technology. I feel that students at SIS need and deserve the chance to create beautiful 3-D objects that they can be proud of and use for years to come. This kiln is an investment that will last decades and benefit current and thousands of future SIS students. 
Miranda Kral, Solon Intermediate School, Teacher Librarian
SIS has a makerspace that is up and running, with lots of interest. Currently, we have a lot of consumable items. We are looking to add more permanent items that students can use regularly. Examples would include makedo, lego wall boards, character cards for project ideas, cardboard cutters, probot etc. 
Stephanie Reiter, Lakeview, Kindergarten
The Osmo Genius Kit set includes the word, number, and tangram set in addition to some accessories and I-pad base. The word set would be used during literacy centers to provide meaningful and hands on learning activity for students. The tangram and numbers set would be used during math rotations. Students learn by doing so each game uses physical action whether it's arranging tangrams, zooming number tiles around or creating words. Using the tangrams is a great way to exercise spatial and visual problem solving skills. I know my Kindergarten students would love this in our classroom! 
Tim Sheeley, Solon Middle School, Science
I am requesting funds for 6 human bumper-balls. Industry leading “Knockerballs” are $260 each. This seems a high cost, but similar inflatable products (with durable-use history) are $100-150 per ball. Bumper-balls are a ton of fun and will be used to collect real student data regarding momentum in super engaging events—that can be varied to enrich and motivate student learning. For some time, I have borrowed momentum materials from another area HS to add authentic, physical labs to the math-intensive concepts involved in this physics unit and look at these bumper materials as tangible, memory-making “hooks” that kids will not likely experience at home. In addition, they will help the district meet the new “Next Generation Science Standards” regarding momentum. Finally, they can be shared with students (in both the MS & HS) in STEM or other courses and the science fair. I appreciate your consideration and welcome any questions on this request. |