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EDUCATION
FOUNDATION
Every year the Ed Foundation accepts grant requests from members of the D57 community; teachers, staff, administrators, and parents. All the money we fundraise throughout the year goes right back to the schools via these grants. Check out what we helped to purchase during the 2024-2025 school year!
Lions Park: Gaga Ball Pit
The Ed Foundation teamed up with the Lions Park PTO to purchase a gaga ball pit for Lions Park Elementary School this year! The students have been enjoying getting active and playing with each other in this fun outdoor ball game. Lions Park has a school improvement plan to make sure students feel connected, and this recess activity helps to do just that. The game does not discriminate against skill level or age. Students of all types can participate in gaga ball and work together as a team while having fun!
Disability Awareness Week Pins
Each year since 2015, Disability Awareness Week has been a week long educational initiative in April to empower students and provide awareness on a variety of disabilities around World Autism Awareness Day. Special Ed teacher, Ms. Olson, requested these pins for all D57 staff members to wear not only during Disability Awareness Week, but year round. She believes these pins help students to see, "the important message of inclusion that our district values." Additionally, "this imagery serves as a message of support for those who have a disability." In District 57, “we celebrate all minds and abilities” and hope that these pins can serve as teachable moment for all.
Fairview LRC: Magic of Reading Rug
Ms. Larson requested this reading rug to provide a warm, welcoming learning space for students when they meet as a whole group during LRC. It also provides a designated area for small groups or partners to meet and share, enhancing their teamwork. As one 5th grade Fairview student said, "It feels nice to have a place to come together."
Fairview: Seat Cushions
Ms. Talbott requested these seat cushions as a flexible seating option for students while reading independently or working in small groups. She wanted her students to feel comfortable and relaxed while reading. She said that these cushions help students, "tailor their workspace to their personal learning style...[and] help them focus, reduce distractions, and improve overall academic performance."
Westbrook LRC: Ozobots
Ms. Capra and Ms. Stortz requested these Ozobots as an element of STEAM learning at Westbrook for students in the LRC. These devices not only help students begin to learn coding concepts but also help to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration skills in an engaging and accessible way. The Ozobots inspire imaginative, play-based learning by empowering students to design and build their own mazes while creating opportunities for them to learn the basics of coding, solve problems, and nurture computational thinking skills.
Fairview: Fluorescent Light Covers
Ms. Buell requested these light covers for her multilingual students to provide a warm, relaxing, and welcoming environment where students can feel comfortable taking risks in a language they are unfamiliar with or are working on improving. She says, "They have made such a difference to the ambience of our room. It has such a warm light to it now."
Fairview: Math games, reading games, manipulatives, and lap desks
Ms. Cuellar and Ms. O'Donnell are passionate about math and want to make it not only educational for their students, but also fun! They believe these math games help students, "work together, discuss math problems, arrive at solutions as a team, and make their learning experience truly meaningful." They also requested some lap desks to help students stay focused and to, "create a classroom that better accommodates our students' diverse needs and enhances the overall learning experience."
Fairview: Climbing Dome
Coming soon to Fairview! Mr. Ophus and Ms. Worrell worked with the Student Advisory Council to brainstorm ideas that would make the school a better place. The students considered ideas that would provide more opportunities for fun during recess. The students thought that a climbing dome would provide a great opportunity for exercise, strength and coordination building, as well as just a fun place to connect and socialize with each other.
More from 2024-2025
Check out some more pictures from the 2024-2025 grant cycle!
The Ed Foundation has been giving back to District 57 since 1997! Check out the gallery below to see grant requests from years past!
Past Grants
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