The Highline Schools Foundation awarded $65,053 through 89 classroom grants this Fall – giving out 85% of 2014 fund requests. “Because of events like the Burien Brat Trot and Oktoberfest, and the generosity of our community, the Foundation was able to fund 85% of the grant requests this year and every school within Highline Public Schools received at least one grant!” reads an announcement. This is in addition to the $10,000 Impact grant for “Making an Impact: Building Bright Futures for Young Women in Computer Science” that was awarded last month. This grant provides funds to help increase the number of high school females in computer science classes, to spark their interest in technology related careers, and to help them graduate prepared for a future in the computer science field. The Foundation’s Excel Grant program was created to support classroom innovation in our district, and to provide teachers resources they need to help our students be successful! An Excel Grant is an award of up to $1,000 for a specific project. Some of the Excel Grants were given out via the Foundation’s “Prize Patrol”—surprise visits by Foundation Trustees to staff meetings, classrooms and assemblies during which the checks were presented to excited and deserving district staff. The Foundation applauds each teacher’s dedication to providing the best possible education for our students. The Grant Review Committee (comprised of Foundation Trustees) had the challenging task of selecting the most worthwhile and innovative projects, while also spreading the grant awards district-wide. Some of this year’s grant recipients include: [caption id="attachment_80596" align="aligncenter" width="490"]image002-8 Foundation Trustee Dave Baisch, Des Moines Elementary School Principal Rick Wisen,Foundation Trustee Carlyn Roedell and Librarian Karen Smith.[/caption] Grants to Des Moines Elementary School are funding: Imagine Learning – an English language development computer program designed for young ELL Students and offers instruction in literacy, social, academic vocabulary development, listening and speaking that are aligned with core content; Books – specifically thrillers, suspense and adventure books that leave students spellbound and at the edge of their seats!; a Kinderfabulous iBook Library; and Career-related Books for the library – to help students learn about people who make up their neighborhood community and how they might see themselves as workers and professionals in the future. [caption id="attachment_80616" align="aligncenter" width="490"]image004-4 Pacific Middle School PE Teacher Phillip Wallen and Kristen Kerns, Highline Schools Foundation Board President[/caption] Improve Students Health ~ Thanks to the Excel Grant from Highline Schools Foundation, Mr. Wallen can update the health curriculum with some new health videos. He believes, too many teens are either ignorant about the dangers of drugs or are in denial about the hazards they pose. Many middle school students are visual learners, and these new videos and print curriculum, through interviews with teen users and medical professionals, clearly demonstrates the serious health risks of vaping, including drug overdose, instant high or drunk, alcohol poisoning, and impaired thinking and decision making. [caption id="attachment_80617" align="aligncenter" width="490"]Terri Juberg - Of Cedar and Salmon at North Hill North Hill Elementary School teacher Terri Juberg and Foundation Trustee Maya Mendoza-Exstrom.[/caption] Of Cedar and Salmon ~ Thanks to the Highline Schools Foundation, on May 27th and 28th 2015, North Hill’s third graders and their families will be immersed in the cultures and traditions of Northwest Coastal Native Peoples. They are so excited to continue the tradition of welcoming Ronn Wilson and his Of Cedar and Salmon program back to North Hill Elementary. A complete list of this year’s winners can be found on the Highline Schools Foundation website: http://www.highlineschoolsfoundation.org and more photos can be found on the Foundation’s Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/HighlineSchoolsFoundation [caption id="attachment_80620" align="aligncenter" width="490"]HSFGrantFall14-500 Hilltop Elementary’s Elizabeth Hogan and students.[/caption] African Rhythms Elizabeth Hogan I am requesting funding to purchase 5 tubano drums for use in two general music classrooms (630 students). African drum repertoire offers experience for all levels of learners. Drumming is music in its most elemental form; it allows students to feel and hear the strong beat, the most important part when playing in an ensemble. African drumming is such that it challenges more advanced learners with complicated rhythms and accents. Drumming allows students to expand their skills starting with simple beat playing, advancing to more challenging material. In this unit of study, students will work toward composing their own music. Students in 5th and 6th grade will compose a 2-part, 8 beat rhythm. In composition, it is often easier for 5th/6th grade students to begin with rhythm before introducing tones (melody). Though primarily for use with upper grade levels, students in K-4 will also play, starting with playing the syllables of their names in Kindergarten. [caption id="attachment_80621" align="aligncenter" width="490"]Hilltop-Gabe-Munoz-(5) Hilltop Elementary’s Gabriel Munoz and students.[/caption] Journalism Club Gabriel Munoz Since September when we begain this club, we have recruited about 26 fifth grade students working as writers, reporters, camera crew, and producers. We have filmed 4 sessions of our weekly announcement videos, and the level of enthusiasm and buzz that this has created around Hilltop has been beyond what we were expecting. Everyday kids are asking when the next video will be, and if they can join the club. We have also just published our first newsletter which included a teacher highlight column, math questions of the month, a feature article about our new pre-school classroom, and even a monthly comic strip. The participants in this club are very proud and excited about the work they are producing. Also, Part of our membership requires that our students are maintaining good grades, and are staying out of trouble. This has helped tremendously with some of our club members who were struggling with behavioral issues. One girl who was constantly in trouble last year, hasn’t had any issues since joining. She’s actually become our best reporter and biggest personality on the broadcast. Our members our very motivated, and they even show up 45 minutes early to school to be part of this club. HOW YOU CAN HELP Please support students in our community for the holidays by donating $10 today! Text the word IMPACT to the number 501501, and a one-time gift of $10 will be added to your cell phone bill.* Your donation supports classroom innovation, community outreach, arts, athletics … and so much more.

*A one-time donation of $10 will be added to your mobile phone bill or deducted from your prepaid balance. All donations must be authorized by the account holder. All charges are billed by and payable to your mobile service provider. User must be 18 or older or have parental permission to participate. By texting YES, the user agrees to the terms and conditions. Service is available on most carriers. Message and Data Rates May Apply. Donations are collected for the benefit of Highline Schools Foundation by the Mobile Giving Foundation and are subject to the terms found at www.hmgf.org/t. You can unsubscribe by texting STOP to shortcode 501501; text HELP to 501501 for help.
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