By: Rod Blackburn
Partners In Education Foundation’s PIE Patrol distributed over $25,500 by funding twenty-nine grants and awards to the district’s six school buildings on October 23rd. This is the first of two grant award cycles for the school year, with the other one coming in the Spring semester. Earlier this school year PIE also distributed over $9,100 in annual program awards to various departments from over twenty endowed funds designed to specifically benefit a program or department.
Starting off at Skelly Elementary School, Cathie Rollings received three grants; “Fill Me Up for Success,” “Hundred Chart Pop It for Numeracy,” and “Gradual Release of Responsibility.”
At Blackmore Elementary School, Luana Lewis received two grants; “Find Your Path” and “Will You Be My Friend?” Tiffany Schuetz received funding for “Learning with the Neurodivergent in Mind” from the Felix Alto Cantrell Jr. Special Education Fund.
Grandview Elementary received “3rd Grade Recorders” grant by Sidnie Davidson and “Sensory Tools” by Tonya Cogan.
Karla King at Extend High School received two grants; “Student Rewards” and “The Heat is On.” Remington Putter was granted his request for “Total Physical Fitness Unit Pack.”
El Dorado High School had six grants funded. Shawn McGuire’s “Science Olympiad,” Taylyn Barkley’s “PE Equipment,” Kyle Stanley’s “Connection Café,” and Ashley Durr’s “Zoology Equipment.” The Cantrell Fund awarded Lora Goehring “Active Learning.” A big thank you to Engels Property Management for sponsoring Lora Goehring’s “Practical Application.”
El Dorado Middle School got the best at bat for this grant round with ten awards. Principal Tom Simmons teamed up with Lindsey Baker for “Enhancing STEM Education with 3D Printer.” Kristen Watson’s “Interactive Learning and Flexible Spaces for Students” was able to use some existing and new resources from the district to leverage her grant request. Others funded are: Dawn Rush’s “Exploring Forensics,” Justina Mollach’s “Sporting Stories,” and Paige Frye’s “Books in Bloom.” Deanna Korkki received two, “Word Wars” and “Ale-Art: Weaving Equations in a Masterpiece.” The Cantrell Fund awarded Alyssa Richardson’s “Pre-Vocational Skills for EMS” and Amy Kennedy’s “Cat’s Café.”
These awards were made possibly by using PIE’s endowed fund allocation model for the twenty-five endowed funds designed to encourage teachers, librarians, and others to try new and innovative classroom ideas. Or funds can be used to replenish outdated supplies or equipment to improve the classroom.
Partners In Education Foundation is a not-for-profit foundation established in 1989 to enhance educational opportunities for the students of USD 490. For more information contact Rod Blackburn, Development Director at rod.blackburn@pie490.org, 316.322.4800. Or visit our website: www.pie490.org.
Pictured above from left. Phil Bressler, Executive Director of Fiscal and Human Services as Papple. El Dorado Middle School Principal Tom Simmons, Lindsey Baker EMS Computer/Business Teacher, PIE Board Members Bernie Spradling, Laura Luehrs, and Julie Jenson awarding Mr. Simmons and Mrs. Baker their grant for 3D printers.