Mini Grants
|
| Flexible life size skeleton for biology class, “Fred, our skeleton, is worn out and missing pieces,” wrote Wood River High School biology teacher Adam Porth. “Hands-on learning is essential,” he continued. |
|
Number of children served: 270 annually, 2,700 over lifetime of grant
|
|
Amount: $500
|
|
School: Wood River High School
|
|
|
Mini Grants
|
| Van De Graaff Generator for physics class. “This makes your hand stand up and teaches the physics of electrostatic fields,” wrote Matt Phillips, Wood River High School physics teacher. |
|
Number of children served: 250 annually
|
|
Amount: $500
|
|
School: Wood River High School
|
|
|
Mini Grants
|
| 4 Netbooks for the Social Studies Department. “Embedded learning provides opportunities for students to combine internet based learning with instruction the classroom, it’s a hallmark of 21st century learing,” says Wood River High School Vice Principal Keith Nelson. |
|
Number of children served: 132 annually
|
|
Amount: $1,500
|
|
School: Wood River High School
|
|
|
21st Century Learning
|
| Hailey Elementary GATE teacher Kristy Turco wrote a grant for a Promethean board for her classroom. “Promethean boards allow us to reach every student and continually test our ability to deliver information in an accessible and relevant way,” says Technology Director Dr. Jerry Hutchins. |
|
Number of children served: 1,094
|
|
Amount: $4,750
|
|
School: Hailey Elementar
|
|
|
Early Childhood Education
|
| Classroom enrichment materials for all five preschools in the district, from Ketchum to Carey. Investing in early childhood learning is essential for any school district that wants to attain the fullest academic potential for all students. Studies show that over half of entering Kindergartners are not prepared. BCSD initiated a preschool pilot program four years ago, and widened the program to all elementary schools three years ago. BCSD allocates $1,500 annually to each classroom but in order to accelerate the preschool program, additional funds were needed to bring all five classrooms in alignment with each other. Additionally, preschool teachers are not required to be certified in early childhood education by the state of Idaho, but all BCSD teachers are seeking either certification or further professional development in early childhood and the BCEF funded all five teachers to attend a week long class on preschool curriculum. BCEF received funding from the Deer Creek Fund of the Idaho Community Foundation as well as the Wood River Women’s Charitable Foundation. |
|
Number of children served: 100 annually
|
|
Amount: $15,000
|
|
School: All Schools
|
|
|
Mini Grants
|
| Utah Shakespeare Residency. “This is a three-part residency,” wrote teacher Rachel Eastop, “Utah Shakespeare comes to the school to perform Shakespeare and workshop Shakespeare with the students, then the students perform an evening benefit for the community, which in turn benefits a local charity.” “It’s one of the most engaging and effective ways we have found to teach Shakespeare,” wrote teacher Sarah Shafer. |
|
Number of children served: 490
|
|
Amount: $500
|
|
School: Wood River High School
|
|
|
College Bound
|
| Laptop and signage for WRHS College Counseling office and new College/Career Counselor. College readiness is one of the most significant goals of the BCEF, particularly increasing high school graduation rates among first generation students and encouraging completion of college or job training. A fund has been designated for the support of the College Counseling program at WRHS. |
|
Number of children served: 830 annually
|
|
Amount: $5,000
|
|
School: Wod River High School
|
|
|
21st Century Learning
|
| Travel for the WRHS Robotics team. Four WRHS students spent their Christmas break designing and building a robot for a regional competition. Their robot earned them a place at a national competition, competing for the first time with international students. Project funded by Power Engineers and Hailey Rotary. |
|
Number of children served: 4
|
|
Amount: $1,500
|
|
School: Wood River High School
|
|
|
Fine and Performing Arts
|
| Upgrades and expansion of equipment for the WRHS vocal music program. “The BCSD allocates $5,000 annually for this program, but it isn’t enough to keep up with the increased student interest in vocal music,” said Max Stimac. “This gift allows me to focus on the creative aspects of teaching music and not worry so much about finding black shoes for the student who can’t afford it, or where to put students who won’t fit on the risers.” |
|
Number of children served: 200 annually
|
|
Amount: $5,871
|
|
School: Wood River High School
|
|
|
Fine and Performing Arts
|
| Attendance at the Rocky Mountain Theater Association conference, where WRHS drama students were able to workshop plays with college students and learn technical theater skills as well. “We have been fundraising for this all year with bake sales, this gift means the students will have to do one less bake sale,” said WRHS Drama teacher Karl Nordstrom. |
|
Number of children served: 15
|
|
Amount: $190
|
|
School: Wood River High School
|
|
|