The Nebo Education Foundation is composed of 20 volunteer board members who live in cities serviced by Nebo School District. 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. Many of the donations received are for selected projects, yet a substantial amount is available for the greatest need. Greatest need monies are considered for grants submitted by area schools.
“That’s what the foundation is all about – to give our students the best educational opportunities possible through classroom grants,” said Lana Hiskey, executive director.
Congratulations to the following teachers that continue to make a difference in the lives of students.
East Meadows Elementary – Third-Grade Team
Shandy McQuivey, third-grade teacher said, “The East Meadows third-grade students used this grant to attend our Salem Pond wetlands field trip. While there, students were able to learn ways to prevent pond pollution and how to create a habitat similar to the wetland. Students sought out types of water to look for living organisms. Students also determined how a duck’s feather helped the duck to stay afloat. Our grant was used to pay for busing to get students to and from the pond, as well as for science supplies that were needed to aid in students scientific exploration.”
Spanish Fork Junior – Angela Harman, Orchestra Teacher
“We are so grateful and excited to receive a grant for our orchestra program. With this grant money, we were able to purchase additional violas so that every viola student can have their own instrument. Students sometimes have to share instruments because we don’t have enough supply to meet the demand, but now we have enough violas! Students were so excited when the new violas arrived and have been making excellent progress in class now that they can bring their instruments home every day to practice. Thank you so much for awarding us this grant and for helping meet the needs of the SFJHS orchestra!” exclaimed Angela Harmon, orchestra teacher at Spanish Fork Junior.
Diamond Fork Junior – Maria Lewis, Choir Teacher
Maria Lewis, choir teacher at Diamond Fork Junior, said, “Thank you so much for your generous donation to our Diamond Fork Junior High School Choir program!
“With the growing number of students in our program, we are finding it increasingly difficult to fit all the students onto our existing choral risers. Risers are sold in sections and each section is very expensive. This money is going to be used to purchase one new section. This way, one choir can spread out enough so that they can comfortably sing without being wedged in, sideways, shoulder to shoulder. We will also have more space to put more than one choir on the risers for combined ensemble numbers.
“These collapsible risers are sturdy, easy to transport, and will be an asset to our Fine Arts department as they will benefit hundreds of students in the coming years. “Thank you ever so much, again for supporting our choirs!”
Diamond Fork Junior – Angela Wilson, Special Education Teacher
“Over the years I have applied for a few grants here and there. Every time I have been approved! Every time those materials have been well used by the students. Whether it has been a Polaroid camera to document our service learning, or emerging reader books, or laptops, or most recently "bouncy bands," my classroom has run more smoothly and with greater access to learning because of your contributions. Thank you for keeping our classrooms up-to-date. I LOVE Nebo Foundation!!” exclaimed Angela Wilson, special education teacher at Diamond Fork Junior.
Sierra Bonita Elementary – Karilyn Diede, Third-Grade Teacher
Karilyn Diede, third-grade teacher at Sierra Bonita, said, “I would like to thank the Nebo Foundation for their generous support by funding Chromebooks. This technology will help my students develop 21st century skills as they will have more opportunities for hands-on learning. I will implement many amazing sources from the internet that I gathered during my technology endorsement classes such as Google Classroom, Symbaloo webmixes, and formative assessment sites. Using technology in the classroom is engaging to the students. Third grade is where many students first use their emails and create their very own passwords. It really is quite amazing how students absorb the knowledge and navigation skills taught. Nebo Foundation’s funding this grant has made it possible for me to implement more technology into my lessons, making lessons more effective and efficient. Thank you again for your gift to me but mostly thank you for supporting the third-grade students of Sierra Bonita.”
Riverview Elementary – RyLee Reid, Second-Grade Teacher
“This grant will be used to purchase informational books on exotic animals to get our second graders excited about informational reading and writing. These books are leveled for beginning second-grade readers. They are loaded with text features so we can teach ALL our students how to analyze information, even if they are lower on reading. Yet, the information is exciting enough for higher readers. We will be integrating these books into our writing, reading, and science this year! Thanks Nebo Foundation!” exclaimed RyLee Reid, second-grade teacher at Riverview Elementary.
Riverview Elementary – Cindy Porter, Facilitator
Cindy Porter, facilitator at Riverview Elementary, said, “Thank you, thank you, Nebo Foundation for the very generous donation to Riverview Elementary! We are so excited to be able to buy more books for our Guided Reading library. We are working on adding more titles and more copies to the books we already have. This money will go a long way to help us accomplish this. Last summer we bought more book shelves for the library, and now we can start filling them up!!”
