RPS 205 teachers received classroom grants from the Golden Apple Foundation to support projects that enhance student learning, literacy, STEM education and special education services.
The following RPS 205 educators were selected for grants:
Katherine Milbourn, Bloom Elementary — $2,500: Expand a building-wide literacy program with diverse books, audiobooks, Tonie boxes, family engagement, reading incentives and community resources.
Crystal Rondone, Constance Lane Elementary — $2,500: Launch a school-wide anti-bullying and character campaign featuring a BMX presentation, social-emotional learning activities and student-designed T-shirts.
Robin Farrell, Johnson Elementary — $2,500: Create an autism playground for students with special needs.
Angel Alba, Jefferson High School — $2,500: Purchase photography equipment for journalism students to use at sporting and school events.
Jason Judd, Auburn High School — $2,500: Provide Business Academy students with supplies to create game controllers from everyday objects and develop products through hands-on computational work.
Alicia Latasa, Whitehead Elementary — $2,500: Transform classrooms into an immersive medieval setting to extend a literacy unit through interactive missions and student roles.
Carrie Rollins, Marshall Middle School — $2,500: Cover competition costs for Future Problem Solvers teams, where students research and solve real-world problems.
Christine Morelock, Whitehead Elementary — $2,500: Purchase a classroom sound field system to help students with hearing, learning and attention challenges.
Kayleigh Lobrano, Ellis Elementary — $1,500: Give kindergarten through second-grade students hands-on experience incubating and hatching chicken and duck eggs while developing science, math, communication, observation and literacy skills.
Catherine Finn, Eisenhower Middle School — $1,500: Provide sixth-grade science students with hands-on STEM and engineering learning opportunities through the STEM Takes Flight Engineering Solutions for Our World initiative.
Douglas McArthur, Jefferson High School — $1,500: Expand the school’s Tabletop Gaming Club with “Tales of the Imperium,” promoting reading engagement, critical thinking and social-emotional learning through games, novels and discussion.
Dee Edgerton, West Middle School — $1,497: Expand a classroom garden into an indoor-outdoor, school-wide learning space that builds responsibility, teamwork, communication and problem-solving skills.
Dena Dieguez, Ellis Elementary — $1,391: Provide community field trips for autistic students in special education to practice decision-making, self-management and social skills.
Debbie Sweeney, Bloom Elementary — $1,350: Create a sensory path to help special education students regulate their emotions and engage in physical activity.
Cara Wolfe, Jefferson High School — $1,000: Support the Youth Story Ledger project.
Cindi Reed, Kennedy Middle School — $450: Purchase supplies, including household and sensory items, to support special education students.
Renee Perone, Kennedy Middle School — $450: Purchase mural-painting supplies for the Open ELA Studio project, connecting poetry, correspondence and art through student-created murals shared with the school and community.
Fany Valdez, Washington Elementary — $440.55: Purchase supplies to support communication and learning for autistic and nonverbal students.
Hannah Fidler, Ellis Elementary — $438.70: Purchase headphones, musical instruments, sensory floor mats and other materials for special education students.
Heather Giebel, Cherry Valley Elementary — $432: Purchase beginner wind instruments adapted for special education students.
Elizabeth Hand, McIntosh Elementary — $421: Purchase literacy and hands-on learning materials, including felt-board story sets, maps, globes, magnifying glasses and science-related kits.
Atlene Oliver-Ingram, Lewis Lemon Elementary — $420: Purchase talking pen books, sensory pads, busy books and writing practice books for special education students.
Lacey Swanson, STEAM Academy at Haskell — $404.70: Purchase independent work materials and decodable readers for special education students.
Michael Klimczak, Eisenhower Middle School — $200: Purchase science learning materials, including vocabulary and picture cards, rock and mineral collections, solar system and cell models, and fossils for special education students.
Roxann Garner, Roosevelt Community Education Center - $387: Books to support Family Literacy Night that connects the joy and power of reading with all areas of Roosevelt.