September 2026 Recipients
Naperville Central Veterans Day
Nicole M Figi & Mike Bochenski- Naperville Central High School
This grant funds media production to support a student-led Veterans Day broadcast and intergenerational storytelling project. Students in the NCHS Veterans Club gain hands-on experience in interviewing, video production, editing, audio mixing, and broadcast production while capturing the stories and voices of local veterans and community leaders.
The project culminates in a student-produced broadcast and an interactive luncheon for 30–40 local veterans, creating meaningful opportunities for civic engagement, community honoring, and intergenerational connection.
2500 students impacted
Glow. Grow. Inspire. Family Engagement Series
Michelle Olivarez-O'Shea with Elizabeth Balicki, Isabel Navarro, Noemi Vargas, Tess King, Megan Lara, Connie Cremins, Sarah Weston, and Kimberly O'Neill - Ann Reid Early Childhood Center
This grant funds a three-part family engagement series designed to strengthen home-school partnerships through interactive, hands-on activities focused on social-emotional learning, early literacy, early numeracy, and motor development. Families will participate in engaging learning stations and use a “Passport of Progress” to track participation and celebrate their involvement.
322 students impacted
Tech-Free Learning!
Stephanie McCauley- Steeple Run Elementary
The grant funds reusable, hands-on learning materials for students in grades 3–5, including games, manipulatives, task cards, and puzzles. These resources will provide engaging, no-tech alternatives to digital practice while supporting academic skills, independence, and student engagement.
350 students impacted
Tote-ally SEL: Kindergarten Family Connection Program
Joanna LaPerna, Rachel Byers, Erin MacDonald, and Joan Smith- Prairie Elementary
This grant funds rotating SEL tote bags with age-appropriate items such as games and family activities that help kindergarten students practice emotional vocabulary, self-regulation, and problem-solving skills at home. Each kindergarten section will have four themed tote bags, with each child having the opportunity to take home every themed bag throughout the school year.
80 students impacted
Podcasting English 3 at NNHS
Chris Groenendyk and Brian Nierman- Naperville North High School
This grant supports a year-long Audio Production Lab and Podcast Series that transforms the 11th-grade English 3 curriculum into an authentic, hands-on digital media experience. Students will use recording and editing technology to create podcasts, conduct community interviews, and strengthen writing, research, communication, and critical-thinking skills through authentic, real-world storytelling.
Students will strengthen core literacy skills—including sentence structure, clarity, and source evaluation—while developing critical thinking, communication, creativity, and adaptability skills that prepare them life beyond the classroom.
90 students impacted
Composting at the Ranch
Amy Dickerson- Ranch View Elementary
This grant funds composting bins and classroom collection containers to launch a school-wide composting initiative. Beginning with 4th and 5th grade students, the project will teach students about composting and sustainability while collecting food scraps for the school’s outdoor compost bin, with plans to expand to the entire school over time.
600 students impacted
Silver Casting Tools Materials and Supplies
Rachel Hill and Danielle Figueroa - Naperville North High School
This grant funds materials and supplies to introduce sand casting into the advanced levels of the Jewelry and Metals curriculum, giving students access to a new fabrication method beyond traditional sheet-metal techniques. Students will create solid, three-dimensional forms while developing creativity, problem-solving, engineering, and design skills through hands-on, advanced studio practices.
30 students impacted
Bobcat Broadcasting
Brenna Zoephel with Jenna Albers- Beebe Elementary
This grant funds quality microphones and headphones to launch Bobcat Broadcasting, an ongoing, student-driven podcasting experience for third-grade students. Students will work as hosts, interviewers, and producers to research topics, share ideas, and build speaking, writing, collaboration, and communication skills through authentic podcast creation.
20 students impacted
Multisensory Learning
Alisha Waters with Melanie Crawford, Jesse Cundiff, and Mary Nameche- Prairie Elementary
This grant funds hands-on learning materials, academic manipulatives, sensory tools, games, and positive reinforcement resources to support students in Individualized Education Programs. These resources will provide flexible, engaging ways for students to access instruction, practice academic skills, regulate attention and sensory needs, and build confidence and success throughout the school day.
40 students impacted
October 2026 Recipients
On the Mic: Bringing Reading to Life
Rebecca Nelson with Raegan Vasallo - Jefferson Jr High
This grant funds podcasting and audio-recording equipment for Jefferson Junior High’s Learning Commons, giving students the tools to become readers, performers, sound designers, and producers! As part of the initial project, 8th grade students will create literacy-based podcasts, bringing stories to life through voice, expression, and sound effects.
The equipment will become a lasting resource for students across all grade levels, opening the door to future projects in podcasting, storytelling, interviews, book reviews, and more.
850 students impacted
Sewing Club
Lydia Florez - Jefferson Jr High
This grant funds sewing machines, fabric, patterns, thread, and supplies for Jefferson Jr High's Sewing Club, giving 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade students the opportunity to develop practical skills while exploring their creativity. Students will progress from basic hand-sewing to designing and creating their own garments through hands-on projects and collaboration. The experience will culminate in a school-wide fashion showcase celebrating their creativity and accomplishments.
30 students impacted
Count Us In: Empowering Scott Families Through Game-Based Math & SEL Learning
Nicole Stevens - Scott Elementary
This grant funds high-quality math game kits that students can check out through the Learning Commons, making learning fun while reinforcing grade-level math skills and important social-emotional learning (SEL) competencies like teamwork, communication, perspective-taking, and emotional regulation. Each kit also includes family engagement cards with guided questions to help parents and caregivers encourage meaningful math conversations and learning at home.
416 students impacted
