This week the Southeast Polk Education Foundation completed its fall grant cycle, awarding $35,937.52 in grants to Southeast Polk teachers in schools across the district!
“Thank you to all of our outstanding teachers and staff at Southeast Polk Community schools who come together, and work hard every day to provide a world class education to all SE Polk students. We had a record number of competitive grant requests this fall. I believe this type of innovative, and “outside the box” thinking happens at SE Polk because of our district’s commitment to educational excellence and an inclusive learning environment for all students. I’d also like to thank the members of our SEPEF Grants Committee, our SEPEF Board of Directors, and the businesses and members of our community who support the Southeast Polk Education Foundation and partner with us to provide these opportunities to our students, teachers and schools.” -Maggie Crabb, SEPEF President
Congratulations to the following teachers and staff members!
Suzanne Kurth, Altoona, and Clay Elementaries $3,700 was awarded for the purpose of providing opportunities for students to use coding in the TAG classroom in different ways
McKenzie Mundell, Altoona Elementary for Kindergarten $1,200 was awarded for the purpose of providing Ninja Life Hacks to empower children by creating books and lessons that: promote a growth mindset and problem-solving skills, cultivate self-confidence, and also help students learn how to deal with varying emotions on a daily basis
Kris Joy, Spring Creek, and SEP District for Band for All $11,327 was awarded to provide the funding necessary to make repairs on musical instruments that were donated to the Band for All program
Jackie White, for Little RAMS Preschool $5,898.52 was awarded for the purpose of purchasing Ramps and Balls Exploration/Light Tables to engage preschool students in learning centers, as they are acquiring new social, physical, and cognitive skills, and exploring physical science concepts
Kelli Mennen, Clay Elementary for Reading Team $2,500 was awarded for the purpose of purchasing leveled reading books and decodable reading books to build a book room that will be used by K – 2nd grade students and teachers
Penny Watgen, Spring Creek for TAG program $750 was awarded for the purpose of purchasing materials to afford TAG students the chance to supplement units completed in the TAG program with dissections
Amy Robbins, Centennial Elementary for Kindergarten through 5th Grade $2,500 was awarded for the purpose of purchasing a Swivl C5 bundle to aid teachers in reflecting and improving on practices, increase student engagement, improve teachers lessons and enhance overall classroom learning at Centennial
Carla Rivas, Clay Elementary 5th Grade $2,000 was awarded for the purpose of providing high-quality and engaging books for differentiated reading instruction of 5th grade students
Christy Bartels and Hannah Tabai, Runnells Elementary for Kindergarten through 5th Grade and Level 3 $6,062 was awarded for the purchase of one sensory/cognitive wall to provide stimulation of auditory, tactile, visual awareness, and extra support to encourage engagement with peer interaction
“Being a first-year member on the grant committee, it opened my eyes to how creative and innovative SEP educators are in constructing the best learning environment for the students. The committee was thankful for all of the hard work submitters put into the grant requests.” – Brad Warren, SEPEF Grants Committee Member, SEPEF Treasurer
“I thought our committee was very thoughtful and judicious.” – Alex Johnson, SEPEF Grants Committee Director, SEPEF Board Member
Be sure to join the Southeast Polk Education Foundation and Southeast Polk Dollars for Scholars to raise funds for grants for Southeast Polk Schools and scholarships for Southeast Polk students at the Annual Black & Gold Gala on Saturday, February 19th at Prairie Meadows in Altoona.
We are so grateful for the learning opportunities these grants provide – thank you to all that help make this happen!
About the Southeast Polk Education Foundation
SEP Education Foundation
