The JC Schools Foundation announced Wednesday that more than $7,000 would be awarded to eight district educational programs for its 2021 Fall Grant Awards. The grants were funded by Mid America Bank.
Each year, teachers can request grants up to $500 for their classrooms, and schools can request up to $5,000 for the school. These applications go through the principal, then head to the JC Schools Foundation, which meets to decide which applications to fund. The applications are funded by individual, business and corporate donations.
Callaway Hills Elementary received a $2,500 school grant. The grant was awarded to Jennifer Wilson for the "Whooo's Reading" gold Edtech tool, a program that encourages and tracks reading through a quiz system, and "high interest" books. According to a news release, the grant will provide "data to support how reading has a positive impact on overall student achievement."
Jefferson City High School received a school grant of $1,456. This grant was awarded to Jonathan Thornhill to fund the creation of "Jay Radio" through the purchase of a low-powered AM radio transmitter for campus. The station will broadcast music, shows, performances and competitions.
Pioneer Trail Elementary's Kathy Haselhorst was awarded a school grant of $1,000 for upper-level Title I books for third through fifth grade. The expectation is that this will increase the number of students at or above grade level; Pioneer Trail's goal for the end of the year is a 70 percent increase.
Southwest Early Childhood Center received a teacher grant of $477.82 for Lisa Wieberg to promote literacy for Early Childhood Special Education students. The grant will cover hands-on materials to go with books and monthly themes to encourage interest in books.
Lawson Elementary received a teacher grant of $476.81, awarded to Sarah Thomas and Liz James for Classroom Language Groups. The funds will be used for language enrichment groups for students with autism and significant language delays.
North Elementary received a teacher grant of $427 for sensory tools. The grant was awarded to Hillary Booth and Caitlin Eggen and will support students with autism, health problems and emotional disturbance in learning with sensory tools and structured activities.
Capital City High School received a teacher grant for $399 for the Features of the Sun Project. The grant was awarded to Elizabeth Ward and will fund a "real-world interactive project" in which students will follow the activity of the sun with an iOptron telescope.
Jefferson City Academic Center received a teacher grant of $282.87, which was awarded to Cindi Hampton for Cards for Caring. The funds will provide materials for a pen pal program in which students write to 20 community members and practice communication skills.
Checks were presented Wednesday to teachers and principals.