Support

This project creates UFLI Word Work Velcro Mats for students to use throughout the school year, enhancing their word-building skills across multiple grade levels. The mats evolve with the students, introducing new letters and combinations as they progress. Starting with basic alphabet letters in early grades, students gradually learn more complex patterns like "qu" in first grade and silent combinations such as "kn" and "gh" by second grade. These mats provide hands-on practice in spelling patterns and phonics, supporting students’ literacy development as they advance through their learning journey.

The proposed project focuses on implementing a teaching method that enhances student engagement and critical thinking in mathematics. By encouraging students to actively share their observations and questions while solving problems, this approach promotes a more interactive and collaborative classroom environment. Students are empowered to explore different strategies, discuss their reasoning, and learn from one another, fostering deeper understanding and improved problem-solving skills. This method aims to make math more dynamic, engaging, and accessible for all learners.

The Mobile Makerspace Cart will provide students with hands-on, innovative learning experiences through project-based activities. Equipped with tools like 3D modeling pens, electronics kits, craft supplies, and hand tools, the cart will support STEM integration across all subjects. This grant will enable students to engage in creative projects that reinforce curriculum objectives, helping them build prototypes, models, and other tangible demonstrations of their learning. By offering this dynamic educational tool, the grant will foster creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving, while boosting engagement for both students and teachers.

This project involves purchasing folding whiteboards with phonics tiles for every first-grade student, aiming to reduce screen time in the classroom. Instead of relying on the digital blending board during UFLI lessons, students will use these boards to physically manipulate phonics tiles, which will help reinforce their phonics skills. This hands-on approach enhances learning by encouraging active participation, improving letter-sound recognition, and supporting overall literacy development without the use of iPads.

The "Technology Integration through 3D Printing" project at Mary Castle Elementary aims to enhance students' educational experience by incorporating 3D printing technology into various subjects. This innovative approach will provide hands-on learning opportunities, foster creativity and critical thinking, and prepare students for future challenges in both work and society. Through this project, students will engage in real-world problem-solving, gain valuable technical skills, and develop a deeper understanding of the curriculum.

The purpose of this grant proposal is to establish an assistive technology lending library to enhance the therapeutic practice of occupational and speech therapists within Lawrence Township. Currently, each school in the district has both an occupational and speech therapist working with students who demonstrate difficulties with speech, language, and fine motor skills. These therapists conduct assistive technology evaluations to ensure students receive the appropriate support for success in the classroom. Previously, the district relied on PATINS' lending library, but with its closure in 2024, Lawrence Township seeks to create its own lending library. This would provide immediate access to devices and programs, empowering therapists to better serve students across all 23 schools and delivering a unique service to the district.

This grant will fund a program that inspires and motivates students to see themselves in the future working with robots and coding.

This project aims to elevate the current performance levels of our choir, dance, and theatre programs as well as provide students with a network of industry artists, audition competency transferable to both college and professional auditions, and experience interfacing with key figures in the arts field.  

This grant will provide our CV Newcomers an opportunity to gain experience by hands-on activities provided for our multilingual students this year that are new to the country and/or state

This grant will enable our students to embark on an enriching field trip to the Butler Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium, providing them with an immersive experience in space. As we delve into our upcoming CKLA unit on space, this visit will transform abstract concepts into tangible experiences. Students will have the chance to see the space telescope, tour the observatory, and enjoy an engaging film projected on the dome ceiling that explores the planets. This hands-on experience will enhance their understanding and foster a deeper appreciation for the wonders of the universe.

This grant will support the implementation of a photography unit in my 4th-grade Communication classes at Amy Beverland. Each student will engage in a 10-lesson unit, partnering with classmates to learn and practice various aspects of photography, such as understanding digital cameras, framing techniques, and creating trick shots using perspective, lighting, and shadows. The unit will culminate in a slideshow showcasing their best photographs accompanied by written descriptions of the techniques they used. Additionally, once students are familiar with the cameras, I plan to use them for a media literacy project later in the year. While student Chromebooks have cameras, they are challenging for framing and capturing quality images and videos. The smaller cameras will facilitate movement around the school and outdoors, allowing students to easily capture images and express their creativity.

The Howling with Wolves project will enable the purchase of social-emotional books featuring wolf themes to help teach essential social-emotional skills to 3rd graders at Oaklandon Elementary. In addition to the books, funds will be allocated to acquire several stuffed wolves for role-play activities in social story settings, enhancing students' understanding of social interactions and emotions. Furthermore, this project will provide the unique opportunity for 3rd-grade students to sponsor a wolf residing at Wolf Park in West Lafayette, Indiana, fostering a connection to nature and promoting empathy through this hands-on experience.

This grant will support the creation of a dedicated yoga studio designed to make yoga accessible to our community. With the addition of mats and various yoga props, individuals of all body types and experience levels will be able to safely and effectively engage in poses that may otherwise be challenging. I am also requesting a Bluetooth speaker to provide soothing music during our yoga classes, enhancing the overall experience. To ensure our studio remains organized and functional, I will need shelves for the proper storage of the yoga props. This initiative aims to foster inclusivity and promote wellness within our community through the practice of yoga.

This grant is to allow Lawrence Central art students to dive into digital art in a more accessible way than ever before! We cannot wait for the current generation of LC artists to get into digital art by drawing directly on the device screen with a digital pencil! This won’t replace learning traditional art media/materials, but it is another critically important art making medium for the students to experience. These iPads and digital pencils/styluses will function as art materials in all four art rooms of the art department.

This grant will support the planning and execution of the "Spring into Health" health fair for 2025, organized by LNHS Key Club members. With the theme “Centering and Celebrating Cultures in Health,” this event aims to celebrate Lawrence's growing multicultural community while highlighting the dedication of Key Club members to the Kiwanis Club and the local community. The fair will offer students, faculty, and community members a unique opportunity to participate in various free health screenings, receive vital health information, enjoy complimentary healthy food and snacks, enter to win door prizes, and take part in a blood drive with the Versiti Blood Center of Indiana. Additionally, Key Club plans to include numerous activities to entertain and engage our students in the LT community. Our goal is to make this event completely free, demonstrating our commitment to giving back to the Lawrence Township community. The fair will be organized by student leaders with assistance from club sponsors Ms. Welch and Ms. Kocher.

This grant will support our commitment to the importance of outdoor play for young children's holistic development. Many of our preschoolers currently lack the necessary winter gear to engage in outdoor activities during inclement weather, creating a barrier to their outdoor exploration. Our goal is to address this gap by providing them with winter boots, waterproof winter gloves, and raincoats. These essential items will not only protect our preschoolers from cold and wet conditions but also enable them to fully experience and learn from outdoor play, regardless of the weather. Research has consistently shown that outdoor play enhances children's motor skills, social skills, and resilience, fostering creativity, imagination, and a sense of wonder about the natural world.

This grant will support the inclusion of a walking pad (treadmill) in a World Language classroom, to be paired with existing school-owned standing desks. We firmly believe that this initiative will greatly benefit many of our students, particularly those with IEPs, 504 plans, sensory processing needs, anxiety, or a significant number of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). By providing opportunities for light movement, these walking pads will serve as a valuable tool for nervous system regulation, allowing students to remain engaged with classroom activities while addressing their physical and emotional needs.

This grant will support the Game Based Learning, which aims to improve students’ learning and retention of knowledge as they explore a wide range of topics across various subjects.Each game will have specific goals and mechanics designed to reinforce educational concepts through hands-on activities. As a science department, we are committed to improving knowledge retention by providing students with opportunities to engage in critical thinking rather than merely regurgitating information.

This grant will provide AP Interdisciplinary and AP African American Studies classes an opportunity to participate in a field trip to the National Underground Railroad Freedom City in Cincinnati, Ohio. The museum experience will support and reinforce the curriculum for both classes. This unique experience for students will provide a hands-on learning experience through the deliberate practice of teaching for social justice. Students will have the opportunity to learn skills and engage with information needed to create a better society, reflect on multiple perspectives and develop critical literacy skills. These specific skills are not only important for the future of our Lawrence community, but will also be important for future AP exams and future critical thinking skills needed in secondary education. Our plan is to travel to Cincinnati via charter bus, engage in the Freedom Center's unique experiences and resources available, make connections to the classroom curriculum, eat lunch, then travel back to Lawrence. 

This grant will fund the creation of an outdoor sensory room at Belzer Middle School, extending our existing indoor sensory room located in the D hallway. With the recent updates to the school, we have access to a blank courtyard that presents an excellent opportunity for developing an outdoor space. With this grant, I, along with the Best Buddies program, aim to create a sensory-friendly environment that includes adapted swings, a raised garden, a basketball hoop, and other engaging features. This outdoor area will provide a valuable resource for life skills, FA, and other students and teachers, allowing them to utilize the space and reduce congestion in the two gyms.

This grant will support the FCV Advanced Choir's efforts to collaborate with the Lawrence North Choirs in developing a robust middle school program that prepares students for a successful transition into choral education through 12th grade. We have organized multiple combined events and have plans for more this year to foster a sense of community and shared learning. Additionally, the FCV Advanced Choir has transitioned into the Choral Collective (Show Choir), allowing students to work closely with high school instructors to enhance our show choir program. Given Lawrence's competitiveness with surrounding districts and state schools, it is vital to start providing appropriate training at the middle school level to ensure our students are well-prepared for success in both middle and high school choral programs.