Nebo Education Gives Classroom Grants in October 2016

Submitted by lana.hiskey on

Nebo Education Foundation board members meet each month to review and award grant requests, consider fund-raising avenues, and other items that advance the educational opportunities for Nebo School District students. The Nebo Education Foundation functions through generous donations made by individuals and businesses. 

Congratulations to the following teachers that continue to inspire the minds of students.

Foothills Elementary – Gabrielle Wilson, Kindergarten Teacher
Gabrielle Wilson, kindergarten teacher at Foothills Elementary, said, “I am a third-year teacher who, this year, switched grades from sixth grade to Kindergarten. In many ways, especially where resources are concerned, it was a lot like starting all over. I know that it is so important that students have access to fun, engaging literacy even if they aren't able to read independently quite yet. For this reason, I was scrambling to find the funds to purchase CD players and headphones for a listening center for my students. Thanks to the Nebo Foundation, I am now able to purchase six CD players and headphones for my classroom. Thank you so much, Nebo Foundation!” 

Payson High – Michael Burger, Band Teacher
“Thank you very much for the generous donation to Payson High School Bands. We appreciate it very much and will put it to good use. We are replacing our aged percussion instruments for our marching band and pep band drumline that are quite literally falling apart in many aspects. This money will be used to purchase snare drums and a tenor set, all of which are close to 10 years old and in desperate need of replacing. 

“This provides the opportunity to many students to have high quality instruments to perform and make the music that they love. These instruments facilitate practicing, as they can focus on the music, and not on the difficulties that a damaged instrument throws into the routine. Last, but certainly not least, the funds show the love and support of the community, the district, and the foundation. Fine Arts are important to everyone involved. This is a terrific opportunity for the students and for the school, and I am sincerely grateful to the foundation for providing it,” stated Michael Burger, band teacher at Payson High.

Taylor Elementary – Lindsey Beck, Fourth-Grade Teacher
Mrs. Beck, fourth-grade teacher at Taylor Elementary, said, “My class at Taylor elementary would like to personally thank the Nebo Education Foundation for their generosity of funding us with a display set of rocks and minerals to use during our Rock Unit in science.  The educational purpose behind our grant is to create and invoke a physical, as well as visual learning experience while teaching students about rock formations, rock cycles, various rock types and minerals. The display rocks will allow the students to engage in a hands-on learning experience by being able to identify and classify the rocks based on their physical characteristics. The display rocks will help create a stronger learning correlation and retention of the rocks and minerals through sensory identification.  My students will benefit from being hands-on in the classroom. It will allow my students to engage in kinesthetic learning. And most importantly, it provides educators such as myself a unique opportunity to enrich the minds of their students in new and engaging ways.”

Orchard Hills Elementary – Sixth-Grade Team
“The sixth-grade teachers at Orchard Hills Elementary are pleased to be the recipients of the Nebo Foundation Grant.  This grant will give our students the opportunity to go through the scientific process with a hands-on experience involving microorganisms.  The field trip to Salem pond wetlands will engage the students in authentic experiences as they use the steps of the scientific process to gather samples of microorganisms, analyze the samples, and discuss the conclusions about the microorganisms living in the wetlands.  At the conclusion of this field trip, students will understand that microorganisms range from simple to complex, are found almost everywhere, and are both helpful and harmful. We are truly appreciative of this grant,” stated the Orchard Hills sixth-grade team – Stephanie Wood, Riley Winward, Ashleigh Middlebrook, and Terry Oyler.

Barnett Elementary – Fourth-Grade Team
Lynette White, fourth-grade teacher at Barnett Elementary, said, “We are so appreciative of this grant. It gives students the opportunity to experience first hand what a wetland is. They can see plants and animals in their environment. It is wonderful to have a science day outside the classroom to explore and discover science in an exciting realm. I have many students come back after being gone for a few years and tell me it was the best experience they have had. We are appreciate for those who have made the finding possible and parents who give up their day to help us.”