Grants Awarded for Needed Projects in District 99

Each year the Foundation accepts grant requests from the teachers in District 99 who want to make the classroom experience more challenging, enlightening and exciting for the students. The grants, called Learning Grants, are given for projects and equipment that are outside the realm of what is funded through the District’s budget. Because of increasing needs, in addition, in 2007 the Foundation inaugurated 99PLUS Award for projects that exceeded the $1,500 Learning Grant limit.

Download Grant Applications HERE

Of the many worthy applications for grants from the dedicated teachers in District 99, the Foundation Grant Committee has awarded thousands of dollars in grants. Here is a sampling of projects that were awarded grants in the last five years.

Iron Oaks Adventure Center Outdoor Education
The $1,500 request from Peter Freischlag of the Special Services Department at South High funded a two-day outdoor positive educational experience that allowed students with emotional issues to experience problem solving, socialization, group dynamics, individual choices, and a “challenge by choice” environment.

Link Crew Freshman Transition Project
This project was part of the District’s long-term leadership goal and helped fund training of members of the junior and senior classes to be leaders, motivators, and positive role models for the incoming freshmen students. 

Digital Imaging with a Film Scanner
A $1,200 grant was requested by Michelle Lynn from the Fine Arts Department at South High to incorporate digital technology into the world of photography.

Therapy Garden for Multi-Needs Students
With a $950 grant, a wheelchair accessible garden was created by North High to enhance learning and provide a sensory experience not currently available for the multi-needs students.   This grant was requested by Carol Cornelius from the Special Services Department.

Thermal-Cycler Support
A $2,400 grant purchased a DMG Thermal-Cycler to enhance the biology curriculum at both North and South High Schools.  The grant was requested by Kathy Luczynski, Vera McCabe and Jenny Wolf from the Science Departments at the two schools.

Brain Models
A $1,425.60 grant funded 16 brain models for the South High Science Department for the anatomy and physiology classes.  Since cow brains can no longer be utilized, these models would enrich the students’ understanding of the human brain.  Terrance Totz requested the grant.

Downers Grove North Stars
Ken Sorensen and Kevin Leslie received a grant for $1,500 to provide funding for 60 North High students to attend a leadership training retreat.  The students practiced skills including goal setting, teamwork, and problem solving.  Students and sponsors also discussed ways of implementing a leadership program at North.

Raku Firing
Awarded to Leslie Miller at North High, this $500 grant was used to purchase equipment and materials for Raku Firing, a 400-year-old technique originated in Japan that will be used by ceramics students. 

Library Tile Mural
This $400 grant was a collaborative effort between the ceramics students and the library.  The students created a piece of art that was permanently installed on a wall in the library at North High.  This grant was requested by Amy Bernard and Rebecca Scott.

Book Events
This grant was awarded to Pat Jordan and Madonna Smith at North High for $800.  The program brought adult readers from the community into the school to present and discuss their favorite authors or books with students. 

Abraham Lincoln Illinois High School Book Award
Books nominated for the 2007 Abraham Lincoln Illinois High School Book Award were purchased with the $500 grant received by Rebecca Scott.  The grant supports the English Department curriculum and the District 99 reading initiative. 

Best Books for Young Adults
Through this $975 grant awarded to Rebecca Scott, books were purchased for the Library at North High that are on this year’s list of the best books for young adults as determined by the American Library Association. 

Applications with a Digital SLR Camera
This request was co-developed by Marty Voelker and Megan Kelly at North High and Michelle Lynn at South High.  With the $1,500 grant, each school purchased two digital cameras per school, which allows students to use up-to-date equipment.

Enhancing the Chemistry Experience Through Inquiry and Technology in the Laboratory
A $1,500 grant awarded to Brook West and Kara Boyle provided equipment and supplies for chemistry students at South High to perform hands-on experiments involving water. Students are able to measure and interpret data involving organic carbon, pH, dissolved oxygen levels, flow rate, and conductivity.

Recorded Books
Rebecca Scott, Melissa Hampton and Robin Vesely of the North High Library initiated this grant for $1,500 to purchase recorded books for the freshmen curriculum.

Outdoor Gardening
Denise Schulze, special services at South, obtained a $1,370 grant so that Multi-Needs students could develop an outdoor garden at South.

Stress Reduction Program
Tracey Salvatore and Jenneine Rowley, North special services, obtained a 99PLUS Award of $10,227 to develop a stress reduction program with yoga for at-risk students at North.

SMART Boards
Jonathan Heldmann, North math department, obtained a grant for SMART boards, interactive white boards, to help boost student engagement, understanding and achievement in math. Eric Martzolf, Margaret Murphy and Christopher Mazur, from math, reading and special service departments at South, obtained a 99 PLUS Award of $5,697 to purchase SMART boards to help enhance student learning in math, special education and reading.

Classroom Sound Amplification
Lynn Colaluca, Carol Cornelius, Jonathan Heldmann, Jill Kolony, Lisa Lichtman and Mark McConnell of special services, math, AV and technology, obtained an $800 grant to aid students with hearing impairments.

Special Olmypics Basketball
Michael DellaMaria, South special services, obtained the $840 grant to help pay for costs in forming a Special Olympics basketball team for some South High students.

Student Response System
Mindy Null, South High Library, obtained a grant for an interactive Student Response System in which students can offer immediate feedback to teachers and teachers can determine how well students are learning material.

Document Readers
Janice Schwarze, Kierstin Thompson, Daniel Bartell, Joette Conger and Christi Littell from the South High English Communications Department, obtained document readers with a $4,900 grant to better engage students in learning.

SMARTBoards, Document Readers and Student Response Systems.

Kathryn Baal and Lisa Lichtman from science and math departments at North High, received a 99PLUS Award of $9,235 to purchase SMART boards, interactive white boards that are successful in helping students unravel complex problems and ideas;  document readers and a student response system.