Digital story-telling with animation, robotics equipment, a song-writing workshop, a trip to the Portland Art Museum and a student-led glass-fusing workshop are among the experiences granted to Vancouver students through Foundation for Vancouver Public Schools Engagement Grants.
“Each year, thanks to generous community contributors, the Foundation for VPS provides Engagement Grants so that thousands of students have the opportunity to explore learning through enriching activities,” explains Nada Wheelock, Executive Director, Foundation for VPS. “This year, we are pleased to award over $100,000 in grants to 62 different projects and programs at 33 schools which will impact over 16,000 students. To all of our donors, we want to say thank you for making such a huge difference in the lives of Vancouver children.”
Since 1998, the Foundation for VPS has awarded more than one million dollars to fund innovative and exciting projects that enrich student learning.
“The Foundation’s partnership and generosity have a profound impact on ensuring that VPS students are college, career and life ready,” said Doug Hood, Executive Director of Teaching and Learning, Vancouver Public Schools. “Teachers and schools are very intentional with the resources granted by the Foundation to support our students and families in Vancouver Public Schools.”
The 2017-18 grant recipients include:
Mulitple VPS Elementary Schools – Oaks Park tickets for the Safety Patrol students; after-school dance program; computer science for special education
Multiple VPS Middle & High Schools – summer Shakespeare program; college readiness programs
Anderson Elementary – Classroom sensory toolkits
Chinook Elementary – Career exploration through the Oregon Zoo and OMSI visits
Columbia River High – School newspaper; guest speaker (John Gaines); college-visit field trip; music equip-ment to increase diversity in music program during sports events
Discovery Middle – animal specimens for dissection; supplies for art night; pickle ball & badminton equipment, Teatro Milagro (bilingual Spanish theater) performance
Eisenhower Elementary – Equipment for FOCUS (Focus, Observe, Calm, Unwind, Smile) Room
Felida Elementary – OMSI Science Festival; sensory tools
Fir Grove – Family engagement through OMSI and Portland Audubon Society assemblies
Flex Academy – Supplies for Makers Space
Fort Vancouver High – Student Leadership Development program
Franklin Elementary – Chinese and English language books for the library
Fruit Valley Elementary – Singer, song-writer Steve Seskin works with students to compose, sing and record a song highlighting “college-bound”
Gaiser Middle – Fort Vancouver Historic Site field trip; student-led glass fusing workshop
Hazel Dell – Six family engagement events involving grade-specific curriculum-based projects
Hough Elementary – Playworks integration into PE classrooms and Special Education programs
Hudson’s Bay High – Black History 101 Mobile Museum; guest speakers (Anthony Kelly; Erin Jones)
iTech Preparatory – Physics students experience the High School Education Program at iFLY culminating in a zero-gravity flight experience
Jason Lee Middle – “One Book, One School” – reading “Fish in a Tree” to inspire students to not label others
Lake Shore Elementary – Digital storytelling with Stop-Motion Animation
Lieser Campus – OMSI assemblies; parent engagement through Love & Logic sessions and the school’s community garden
Lincoln Elementary – Aladdin play rights, costumes and stage lighting
Marshall Elementary – Robotic kits to engage students in the 4C’s – critical thinking, communication, collabo-ration and creativity
McLoughlin Middle – Field trips to OMSI; VEX Robotics kits
Minnehaha Elementary – Sensory tools (updates and additions)
Ogden Elementary – Field trip to the Portland Art Museum
Roosevelt Elementary – Three family engagement nights
Sacajawea Elementary – Supplies to promote literacy – Battle of the Books Champion Wall and Library Lego Challenge
Salmon Creek Elementary – Author visit (Jane Kurtz)
Skyview High – MEChA Club family engagement meetings; freshman transition program; “Senior Walk”
Thomas Jefferson Middle – Supplies for Makers Space & robots to promote coding
Truman Elementary – Sensory bins and learning tools
VSAA – Transportation for students to perform community service at various locations around the Vancouver area
Walnut Grove Elementary – Supplies for recess clubs
Washington Elementary – Robotics kits; books with STEM-based content for the library
All schools are encouraged to submit a grant application during the application period near the beginning of each school year.
