Education Foundation awards $54K in classroom grants

The Education Foundation for Bend-La Pine Schools awarded over $54,000 in classroom grants to district schools and $40,000 in needs-based activity fee scholarships for the 2017/2018 academic year.

Over the past decade, the foundation has invested more than $1.5 million into our public schools through our innovation driven Classroom Grants and needs based Activity Fee Scholarship programs as well as special projects – positively impacting thousands of students.

“We are so excited to announce this year’s classroom grant awards as we continue to support the work of our amazing educators in the district,” said Odette Adair, Education Foundation president emeritus.

“The foundation strives to impact every school and our students through these innovative driven grant projects focusing on STEM programs, as well as art and music. We are also thankful to be able to help needs-based students who wish to participate in athletics and clubs through the activity fee scholarship program. The foundation continues to make a substantial impact and filling a great need.”

Innovative classroom grants included 19 STEM programs, several art and music projects, as well as other Life Skills and miscellaneous requests.

Ensworth Elementary Principal Dana Pederson, one of the recent grant award recipients, stated, “SPARK: Igniting the Power of Science Education is a program that has occurred at Ensworth for several years. This experience allows my students to participate in lab based science lessons on a yearly basis. We appreciate the Education Foundation for awarding this grant and making this program possible for Ensworth students.”

Bend High engineering teacher Gavin Meyers, also a grant recipient stated. “Bend High’s Engineering Design and Development course guides junior and senior level engineering students through a yearlong process of identifying and solving a problem using engineering principles. The results have been astonishing, with students inventing and/or innovating products such as smartphone apps, skis, snowboards, skateboard brakes, fishing lures, climate control systems, footwear, and much more. Thank you, Education Foundation, for your continued support!”.

Thanks to the generous support from individual and corporate donors and the Bend community, the Foundation provides financial resources and tools to teachers with an emphasis on technology and science as well as art and music. The Foundation’s work affects the greater population of 18,000 students and 2000 educators equitably within the Bend-La Pine school district. Annual fundraising events include Mount Bachelor Ski for Schools and the Trivia Bee, as well as other opportunities as they arise.

About the Education Foundation for Bend-La Pine Schools

The Education Foundation, founded in 1988, prepares District students for success and future through exceptional educational and extracurricular activities. The Foundation secures funds to provide tools for teachers to enhance formal learning as well as providing needs based activity fee scholarships to ensure participation in sports and club activities. For more information, contact Michelle Johnson, Executive Director, (541) 355-5660 , www.engagedminds.org or email education.foundation@bend.k12.or.us