Funding Teacher Creativity
Creative Classroom Grants are designed to place funding directly into the hands of teachers who want to implement innovate teaching strategies in their classrooms. In fall 2010, the foundation partnered with several Missoula businesses and individuals to award nine grants totaling over $13,000 for use during the 2010-2011 school year.
Physical Activity for All
Heather Nile, Sentinel High School
Students Served: All students at Sentinel High School
Grant Sponsor: Retired MCPS Employees
“The goal of the grant is to support all students in Health and Physical Education classes with an emphasis on special needs students. The funds from this grant would be used to purchase equipment for the weight room that can be accessed by all students in the school who need accommodations to participate to the fullest extent possible. “ – Heather Nile
A Home for Homework
Jeanine Fillinger, Russell Elementary
Students Served: 30
Grant Sponsor: Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation
“A Home for Homework will support the continuation of the After School Homework Club Program and impart to elementary Homework Club students the skills necessary to complete assigned school work”- Martha Robertson. Martha wrote the grant but then it is being implemented by her replacement Jeanine Fillinger.
Change from Within: Youth Exploring Technology
Monica Roscoe, Washington Middle School
Students Served: 230
Grant Sponsor: Allegiance Benefit Plan Management
“Change from Within provides an opportunity for 7th grade students to explore the impact of technology through guidance lessons focused on social media applications. Students are encouraged to consider the benefits and risks presented by technology while investigating ways to minimize potential dangers. Final projects are presented to all 6th graders”-Monica Roscoe
The Big Picture
Laura Coulter, Sentinel High School
Students Served: 200
Grant Sponsor: MEF Supporters
“To provide students, staff and community total accessibility to room 167. The room would contain state of the art technology that would be utilized literally with the touch of a button. The installation of a safe, accessible, big screen and scaler/switcher which will assist students with learning and accessing information most efficiently.”- Laura Coulter
Kindergarten Inquiry Discovery Science
Alanna Vaneps, Russell Elementary
Students Served: 20
Grant Sponsor: OZ Architects
“The KIDS Project purpose is to engage students in exploratory, hands-on, inquiry based learning connected to all science and selected math, social studies, and communication arts curriculum standards, MCPS goals, and the local neighborhood environment. Students will observe, interact, and participate in habitat conservation, plant and animal care, and how to protect and preserve their neighborhood and earth. Student learning will encompass the creation of a classroom aquarium habitat, exploration of the school yard environment, and interaction with the local neighborhood pond. “ – Alanna Vaneps
Music & Fun for All
Heather Harrington, Chief Charlo Elementary
Students Served: 30
Grant Sponsor: Morgenroth Music
“This proposal will fund a musical and motor activity program designed to encourage students with and without disabilities to be creative while moving. The program will include students with developmental disabilities as well as foster positive relationships with peers within the school by inviting small groups of peers to join in the fun. “ – Heather Harrington
Culturas Y Cultivos (Cultures & Crops)
Kimberly Olson, Meadow Hill Middle School
Students Served: All Spanish Class Students at Meadow Hill M.S.
Grant Sponsor: The Good Food Store, Missoula Optimists, Western Montana Lighting
“ Culturas Y Coltivos offers middle school students a rare opportunity to integrate gardening and food preparation with learning Spanish. Few things motivate students as much as food does. Most children love to cook, but rarely do so at home or at school. Preparing and tasting foods from other countries is an important step in fostering cultural literacy”- Kimberly Olson
Campus Connections
Crystal Thompson & Nicole Mitchell, Franklin & Charlo Elementary
Students Served: 58
Grant Sponsors: AMEX Geometrix
“The grant connects elementary-aged gifted students with the University of Montana. Gifted students are a high-risk group, with propensity for social/emotional deficiencies, academic struggles and elevated drop-out rates. This grant aims to interest students in higher-level learning, building peer-relationships and collaborate with UM. “-Crystal Thompson & Nicole Mitchell
Aerie International: Creating Connections
Lorilee Evans-Lynn, Big Sky High School
Students Served: Over 300
Grant Sponsors: MEF Board of Directors
“Offered as an elective, written and edited solely by high school students, Aerie International offers Montana youth an authentic writing, editing, and publishing experience that connects young adults across geographic, cultural and political boundaries. Aerie International is the only international high school literary arts journal edited by high school students.”- Lorilee Evans-Lynn