Nebo Education Foundation Gives Grants March 2014

The Nebo Education Foundation board met this month to discuss the grants submitted by Nebo School District teachers and fund worthwhile projects in the district that provide resources to enrich student learning.

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. 

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

Brookside Elementary – Susan Bird
Susan Bird, fifth-grade teacher at Brookside, said, “I am so excited to have received a grant from Nebo Education Foundation.  I am using this money for science supplies for my fifth grade class. I will be able to conduct hands on experiments with my class to explore magnetism and electricity.  They will be making electric circuits, an electromagnet, explore static electricity, learn about compasses and much more. I love when I can allow my students to get involved in their learning and they learn and remember so much more.”

Orchard Hills Elementary – Aubree Brooks
“This grant will help purchase an iPad mini and protective case to be used with educational/therapeutic applications as part of the speech/language services that I provide to elementary students on an ongoing basis each school year.  Services are provided in several locations throughout the school, with all ages of students, and for a variety of needs including services for: articulation (speech), language development, phonological awareness, social skills, listening skills, and augmentative/alternative communication instruction. I am very excited and grateful to the Nebo Foundation for providing the additional funding I needed to access this device and for allowing me a way to offer an additional mode of instruction that is effective and motivating for students,” said Aubree Brooks, speech and language specialist at Orchard Hills Elementary.

Hobble Creek Elementary – Joy Christensen
Joy Christensen, second-grade teacher at Hobble Creek said, “Our class would like to thank the Nebo Education Foundation for the generous  grant that we received.  We definitely needed more books to add to both our class library and our class guided reading library. With the help of the Nebo Education Foundation, we will now be able to purchase the much needed books. Thank you to all the people who donated time, money, and energy to make this possible!”

Rees Elementary – Julie Chidester
“I appreciate very much the grant that I received from the Nebo Education Foundation. I love teaching, and I love the kids.  I intend to use this grant to connect me to all of the students at once via an interactive experience using the iPad displayed to the whole classroom via Apple TV.  I can put the technology in the hands of the students to share what they learn for everyone to see, not just one student. The best experience for the young students with technology is not always alone by themselves, but a guided experience that includes supervision by the teacher. I am very excited and grateful for this opportunity,” said Julie Chidester, kindergarten teacher at Rees Elementary.

Springville High – Heidi Israelsen
“Thank you so much to the Nebo Education Foundation for funding a grant to purchase stools for the ceramics program at Springville High School!  Through some pretty amazing events this year, we have been able to equip SHS with a full pottery lab including 16 pottery wheels, 2 kilns, many glazes and other necessary equipment.  Springville High has created a space for all the equipment that has been supplied by Springville High School, Springville Community Education program, and now the Nebo Education Foundation,” said Heidi Israelsen, art teacher at Springville High. “With the addition of the stools that are being funded through the grant, we are one step closer to having one of, if not the most extensive pottery labs in Nebo School District.  These stools will finish off the lab space and provide a safe and comfortable experience for those learning the skill of pottery. This lab will serve hundreds of SHS students and Springville Community Education students each year, and I am absolutely thrilled that we are able to offer pottery to the residents of Springville. Thank you again for the Foundation's generous donation!”

Cherry Creek Elementary – Robert Mundinger
Robert Mundinger, counselor at Cherry Creek Elementary, said, “WOW, Christmas came early!! I am so excited and grateful that I was awarded a grant from the Nebo Foundation to help in the purchase of an iPad.  As a school counselor, there is something quite liberating about the access to information that this device gives me.  No longer am I tied to a desktop in order to access student information, coordinate schedules, or utilize technology. One of the most valuable results from the purchasing of an iPad will be the ability of not having to walk the student back to the office in order to instruct. It is like having an office on the go, thus creating more time to focus on student support services. In closing, I can't express the joy I felt when I saw friends and colleagues gather around to present this award to me. This presentation is yet another validation that we truly work for a great district.”

Canyon Elementary – Eileen Oxborrow

Park Elementary – Angela Davies

The Nebo Education Foundation could use more funds to support these worthwhile learning grants. Anyone interested in donating to Nebo District schools, classes or programs can do so through the Nebo Education Foundation which is a 501 (c) (3) organization created to bring businesses and donors together for the benefit of Nebo District school children.  Your contribution is a tax deductible charitable gift as provided by law. Contact Lana Hiskey at 801-354-7400, email lana [dot] hiskey [at] nebo [dot] edu or mail to 350 South Main, Spanish Fork, UT 84660.