December 2024 Recipients
Classroom-based Self-regulation Areas
Colleen Riley & Samantha Gorney - Jefferson Junior High School
This grant funds the creation of three classroom-based self-regulation areas equipped with sensory tools–such as tactile objects, weighted items, visual stimuli, and movement opportunities–to promote self-awareness, emotional regulation and readiness to learn.
150 students impacted
The Zen Den
Christine Halblander & Kerry Winborne - Jefferson Junior High School
This grant funds the creation of The Zen Den, a twice-weekly morning program that will provide students with a calm start to their school day through the art of Zentangles.
The program will support focus, relaxation, emotional regulation and self-expression.
817 students impacted
Build It! - Hands on exploration of ecosystems
Reyna Nungaray - Elmwood Elementary School
This grant funds the purchase of MAGNA-TILE materials for kindergarten students to learn about ecosystems in a hands-on way.
Using the MAGNA-TILEs will give students the opportunity to engage in independent inquiry, collaborate with their peers and to increase their understanding of the relationship between plants and animals within an ecosystem.
85 students impacted
November 2024 Recipients
Kindergarten Game Club
Rita Woker & Christine Navea - Highlands Elementary School
This grant funds board games and playing cards for the after school Kindergarten Game Club at Highlands Elementary.
The Kindergarten Game Club provides a screen-free space for kindergarteners to practice counting skills, learn strategy and improve memory and concentration in a fun environment with their classmates.
80 students impacted
STEAM Building and Architecture with Magnetic Tiles
Tobey Sanford & Jennifer Rosenbaum - Kennedy Junior High School
This grant funds magnetic building tiles for students to use as a hands-on STEAM activity in the Learning Commons.
Students will be able to access tiles during the school day to provide them with breaks from technology/screen-time and recharge their attention.
934 students impacted
SEL Through Gameplay and Team Building
Steven Ondrus & Alyssa Sprovieri - Naperville Central High School
This grant funds a community outing for students part of the Emotional Support Program.
The outing provides students the opportunity to demonstrate social-emotional, teamwork and critical thinking skills they have learned in school outside of the school environment.
15 students impacted
Watch Minder
Carolina Weiss - Maplebrook Elementary School
This grant funds WatchMinder devices as tools to support students with executive functioning challenges.
The wearable devices will assist students with reminders, task management and focus, empowering them to develop habits that contribute to their academic and social success.
15 students impacted
October 2024 Recipients
Using Authentic Community Experiences to Reach Post-Secondary Outcomes
Mary Muszynski & Keith Langosch - Connections Transition Services
This grant funds four community outings for 26 Connections students enrolled in the Social Emotional Learning course. Outings include admission for a round of bowling, lunch in downtown Naperville, admission to a movie and going out for ice cream.
These outings will allow neurodivergent students to experience and practically apply their social-emotional skills to set them up for success in participating within their community.
26 students impacted
Writing Through Play
Tracey Gamboa - Meadow Glens Elementary School
This grant funds the purchase of items to support playful learning for kindergarteners, focusing on writing.
Students will have access to hands-on materials such as activity cards and mats that will be used during small group instruction and rotation stations to teach the alphabet, phonics and vocabulary.
50 students impacted
Sci-Tech Club: Empowering Students Through Hands-on STEAM Activities
Alisha Waters & Emma Rendek - Jefferson Junior High School
This grant funds hands-on labs for the Sci-Tech Club, a school-based intramural open to all students at JJHS.
The club aims to engage students with hands-on, real-world STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) activities. These activities provide foundational skills for a wide range of scientific and technical careers.
900 students impacted
Tech and Gamer’s Guild
Josh Stumpenhorst & Amanada Menella - Lincoln Junior High School
This grant funds 3D pens, jewelry-making materials and additional crafting supplies for the Tech and Gamer’s Guild club, the second-largest student group at LJHS.
The club provides a space for students to get involved in e-sports, computer science, dungeons and dragons, crafting, digital fabrication, 3D printing and more.
750 students impacted
Therapy Dog Student Library
Ashley Dougherty & Colleen Glasby - Beebe Elementary School
This grant funds the purchase of diverse books, including picture books, early readers, and chapter books, centered around dogs and pets for students to access during the rotating schedule of visits with therapy dogs at Beebe Elementary.
The Therapy Dog Student Library will provide a safe environment with animals for students to be themselves, read without critique and promote self-care.
621 students impacted
Simplified Chinese Books
Anne Gallicho - Ranch View Elementary School
This grant funds the purchase of books written in simplified Chinese to provide EL students with accessible texts that they can comprehend along with honoring their cultural background.
Ranch View has a high number of EL students who speak Mandarin and simplified Chinese. These books will help support EL students’ literacy development and belonging.
18 students impacted
Ellsworth Music Room Keyboard
Emily Lewis - Ellsworth Elementary School
This grant funds the purchase of an electric keyboard to support music education at Ellsworth Elementary School.
An electric keyboard will enhance the classroom’s flexibility and allow for quick reconfiguration to support a variety of learning formats, including small group instruction and collaborative projects. The keyboard also offers opportunities to explore a wider range of sound options and digital capabilities than a traditional piano.
226 students impacted
Learning Commons Mindful Corner Project
Sara Finkelstein - Jefferson Junior High school
This grant funds the development of a Mindfulness Corner in the Jefferson Junior High Learning Commons to promote students’ emotional and mental well-being.
The space will be equipped with hands-on mindfulness and calming activities and offer a welcoming environment for all Jefferson students. The space already has a hydroponic growing tower maintained by the More Than Green gardening club.
830 students impacted
Debate Club
Deborah Whang - Highlands Elementary School
This grant funds the purchase of Thinklaw content to kickstart a Debate Club at Highlands Elementary School. 5th grade students organically came up with the idea for the club after experiencing a Socratic seminar discussion in their ELA class.
The club will start for 5th graders in the New Year as a combination of after school and lunch/learn sessions, but will eventually expand to provide guided inquiry, critical thinking and debate experiences for 4th graders as well.
160 students impacted
September 2024 Recipients
Social Emotional Learning Through Team Building
Andrew Bax - Naperville North High School
This grant funds an outdoor education experience for students in the SUCCESS program at Naperville North. Students will be empowered to overcome challenges, build confidence and undergo social-emotional growth in an immersive, hands-on environment.
20 students impacted
Books That Talk!
Jean Abbott - Steeple Run Elementary School
This grant funds the purchase of Vox talking books to make the curriculum more accessible to EL students.
These books will allow students to develop listening comprehension skills that will bolster their reading comprehension. These books expose students to new vocabulary without increasing screen time.
100 students impacted
Legos for the art room
Kyle Wood - Highlands Elementary School
This grant funds the bulk purchase of Lego bricks and baseplates for students to use in art class. Students will primarily use Legos to create mosaic designs.
This experience will allow students to work on fine motor development while also practicing patience. Connecting learning activities with students’ outside interests will make students more engaged and inspire them to experiment with these materials outside of school.
512 students impacted
Off the Cuff Vocal Jazz - Sound Equipment
Lauren Berryhill - Naperville Central High School
This grant funds a digital mixer for vocal jazz instruction at Naperville Central. The equipment will provide the vocal jazz ensemble Off the Cuff with an authentic vocal jazz performance experience on microphones.
Additionally, the digital mixer will allow students to gain industry-standard experience with sound equipment and prepare them for future music production experiences. The overall experience will elevate singers’ musicianship and confidence.
48 students impacted
Ukuleles for General Music Class
Crystal Hall - Kingsley Elementary School
This grant funds the purchase of a class set of ukuleles for fourth and fifth graders at Kingsley. The introduction of ukuleles in the classroom will enhance students’ experience learning chords and will allow students who may not have the time or resources to pursue other instruments experience playing an instrument as part of an ensemble.
136 students impacted
Learning to Read Through PLAY
Andrew McCree - Meadow Glens Elementary School
This grant funds the purchase of materials to support playful learning. Materials will cover the alphabet, phonics and vocabulary for kindergarteners. These play-based materials will be integrated into the curriculum, offering more creative learning opportunities for students.
50 students impacted
The Maker's Hive: Graphic and Digital Design Club
Jamie Pignatelli - Elsworth Elementary School
This grant funds the purchase of a Glowforge Aura craft laser to kickstart the creation of a graphic and digital design club held during lunch hours at Ellsworth Elementary.
The club will provide students with hands-on, technology-driven experiences for future educational and career paths through creative and innovative problem-solving. The club will provide students with an avenue for non-traditional learning during recess time.
77 students impacted
