This month, DC West Schools Foundation awarded four classroom grants to teachers at DC West Community Schools. Classroom grants aid teachers and staff in providing additional funding for educational opportunities beyond traditional resources. Applications for classroom grants are reviewed and approved by building Principals and the Superintendent before being considered by DC West Schools Foundation.
The first classroom grant was awarded to support the Falcon Achievement Center, a program focused on credit recovery, career exploration, employability skills training and work-based learning. Alternative Education teacher Randy Donner intends to use the funds to purchase small incentives to engage students to accomplish their goals.
A second classroom grant was awarded to provide students in the ‘Introduction to Health Careers’ course access to an app with interactive 3D and augmented reality experiences to connect course concepts and terminology with real-world applications. Through simulations, students are able to gain real-life proficiencies and insight into careers in healthcare. Tracy Larsen, teacher of the course, said the app can also benefit students enrolled in other courses such as Anatomy and Physiology.
The third classroom grant was awarded to support coursework in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) fields. Lisa Leonard, the STEM and Computer Science teacher in DC West High School, will be using the funds to purchase two types of kits for students. The first kit provides the supplies to build a small robot and the second kit includes materials to learn about electrical circuits and how to illuminate LED lights. Through these kits, students will gain hands-on experience with concepts relevant to potential future careers in STEM.
A final classroom grant was awarded to assist the ‘Falcon Brew’ program. ‘Falcon Brew’, led by Special Education teacher Lisa Masters, is a program at DC West Middle School where students deliver coffee, tea, muffins and brownies to DC West teachers and staff. The skills-based program educates students in social skills, hygiene, basic math as well as builds transition opportunities. The classroom grant funds will be used to help jump-start this program while it continues to grow and develop.
DC West Schools Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization supporting the students and staff of DC West Community Schools. To learn how you can contribute, visit the Donation page.