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Published December 14, 2011, 02:24 PM

Foundation awards $14,372 in education grants

The Education Foundation of Hudson last week awarded Star Grants for innovative projects and curriculum training. The foundation awarded grants totaling $14,372 for six projects involving 13 educators and administrators touching most schools in the Hudson district.

  • 2011 Star Grants awards ceremony attendees
    • image
    Among the educators and support staff attending the Education Foundation of Hudson Star Grants ceremony last week were, front from left, St. Patrick School Principal Mary Piasecki, Judie Wiebold, Holly Paulson, Deanne Swanson and Hudson School District Learning Services Director Sandy Kovatch; back, Patty Mueller, Nancy Toll, Tom Klatt, Laura Ida and Hudson School District Superintendent Mary Bowen-Eggebraaten. Photo by Doug Stohlberg

The Education Foundation of Hudson last week awarded Star Grants for innovative projects and curriculum training. The foundation awarded grants totaling $14,372 for six projects involving 13 educators and administrators touching most schools in the Hudson district.

Foundation President Bob Benoy presented the awards Thursday, Dec 8, during ceremonies at St. Patrick School. He told recipients that the foundation and community are proud of the educators’ efforts to bring innovative ideas to the classroom.

“You are the teachers who inspire excellence, and that is why you are here today,” Benoy said. “You are innovative, creative, encourage innovative projects and are not afraid to expand your horizons.”

The foundation is funded by private donations, mostly coming from local and area businesses, individuals and foundations.

Star Grants offer financial support for innovative classroom projects and furthering the education of teachers — projects that would not typically be funded in the normal budgeting process. The foundation awards grants twice each year. Deadlines for applications are Nov. 1 and April 1.

The foundation also selects winners of the Star Excellence Award, which is presented to educators each spring. Those individuals are nominated by the public and nominations are also due April 1 of each year.

The foundation, founded in 1990, is a private organization established to strengthen community participation in local schools and inspire both teachers and students.

With last week’s awards, the foundation has funded nearly $1,085,000 in projects and awards since its inception.

Grants

  • Cloud Computing written by Nancy Toll, the district’s technology coordinator. The grant involves new computer technology and teacher training at all elementary schools. The foundation awarded $3,000.

  • Engaging Our Students – Promethean ActivClassroom written by Pedro Renta and Judie Wiebold at St. Patrick School. The grant is essentially a form of Smart Board technology. The foundation awarded $2,640.

  • MeMoves Computer Program written by Holly Paulson at Willow River Elementary. MeMoves is a multi-sensory program that can be implemented into classrooms to increase attention and help calm students within a two-minute time frame. The foundation awarded $1,649.

  • PlasmaCam DesignEdge software written by Tom Klatt at Hudson High School. The software allows for an increase in performance and capabilities of the current plasma cutting system in the HHS Technology and Engineering Department. The foundation awarded $1,000.

  • Roller Coaster Scientific Inquiry written by Patty Mueller, Rachel Gjerdes, Aaron Walzak and Lisa Watkins at Hudson High School. The equipment uses the latest technology allowing students to collect precise, repeatable data, analyze their data and draw scientific conclusions. The foundation awarded $3,083.

  • The WeatherBug Program written by Deanne Swanson, Cathy Schewe, Laura Ida and Amy Davis at Rock Elementary. The WeatherBug Program has a network of weather collection points at 8,000 sites worldwide. The data will be available to multiple school sites for use in the study of math, science, geography and technology. The foundation awarded $3,000.

    In addition to Benoy, current foundation board members are Jodell Krause, Vickie Harris, Nola Gehn, Dr. Ron Bernth, Marion Schultz, Doug Stohlberg and Arnie Fett. Steven Keller is the organization’s volunteer executive director.

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