Classroom Grants Given in October by Nebo Education Foundation
The Nebo Education Foundation functions through generous donations made by individuals and businesses. The Foundation helps enrich students’ education in Nebo School District. These grants are funded through the fund-raising efforts of the Nebo Education Foundation board. The foundation also accepts donations from individuals and businesses to support projects.
“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 inspire the minds of students.
Sierra Bonita Elementary – Shelly Gillies Kindergarten Teacher
Principal Mike Larsen said, “Thanks for your wonderful visit to Sierra Bonita today and for the tremendous support from the Nebo Education Foundation.”
“I recently received a grant for $499.52 to purchase leveled reading books for my classroom. The leveled reading books will be used in the following ways. During shared reading the teacher will use the books to ‘model read’ and demonstrate correct beginning reading strategies. Students will have the opportunity to have individual and small group ‘guided instruction’ from a teacher and/or another adult throughout the week. They will ‘partner read’ with a third-grade friend no less than twice a week for at least 15 minutes each session. The students will develop the ability to ‘read independently’ for 15 minutes each day. Each of these reading components is necessary in developing a young reader’s skills. I know that the addition of these books will greatly support our school’s effort to develop lifelong learners who love to read,” replied Shelly Gillies, kindergarten teacher.
Mapleton Elementary – Whitney Anderson Kindergarten Teacher
Whitney Anderson responded, “Every day twenty-two, excited Kindergarten students enter my classroom to learn. I work to make it a bright, happy, and welcoming place to come. A focal point of the room is our 30 seat colorful rug. It is bright, happy, and looks great; but it could be easy to overlook its deeper purpose. This is where our real learning takes place. We gather to listen to stories, laugh together, sing, dance, build, count, share, and make friends. When I realized my classroom wasn't going to have a rug, I knew that something had to change. I am so appreciative to the Nebo Education Foundation for giving this grant to make the learning experience in our classroom a sweet one. It really is a tool that aids in the learning of each student and contributes to the positive environment of our classroom. Thank you!”
Spring Lake Elementary – Susan Crook, Hailey Poulsen, Erica Fordinani, and AnnaMarie Franks Sixth-Grade Teachers
“Thank you so much for the grant! We are using it to purchase four sets of sixth-grade math warm-ups, aligned with the new math core. These are sets that will be used regularly in the classroom as spiral reviews and will be a valued resource in our classrooms for many years to come. We are so pleased and grateful for this generous grant!” replied Susan Crook, Hailey Poulsen, Erica Fordiani, and AnnaMarie Franks.
Sierra Bonita – Suzee Anderson Physical Education Technician
Suzee said, “At Sierra Bonita Elementary, we are excited to be the recipients of a Nebo Foundation Grant. The money from the Nebo foundation will be used to purchase Yoga Balls, Yoga Ball holders, Drum Sticks, and a storage system for these items. With these items, the PE technician will be teaching Drums Alive! Drums Alive is a mentally and physically stimulating program. It has the benefit of teaching rhythm and coordinated movements, while providing great exercise. A great benefit of the Drums Alive program is its usefulness to all grades in our school. These rhythmic exercises can be taught to grades K-6. We are so grateful to the Nebo Foundation, and their willingness to help this program come to our school! Thank you so much for helping us make PE fun and mentally stimulating.”
Salem Junior High – Daniel Stolworthy Marching Band Teacher
Daniel exclaimed, “Thank you Nebo Education Foundation for the visit today and grant money! This money is a huge donation that will help accomplish our goal of retaining more percussion students through a three-year tenure at the school by giving them a specific group in which they can look forward to participating. Also, concert percussion is very different than marching percussion and doesn't work well for pep band settings. For this reason, I wanted to purchase marching percussion equipment to give the percussionists a better chance to participate with our basketball pep band as well as the high school football games. When we do a band night, the junior high students will get to play with the high school pep band.
“Salem Junior High will be the only junior high level program with a drum line, and I plan to use the marching percussion equipment to feature the percussionists in a drum line setting. At concerts, percussion students will be able to showcase their talents more in depth by performing music written specifically for drum line. This will help students to maintain enthusiasm for learning music and also help promote music education. Thank you again for the donation. We would not be able to start this new drum line program without your help. The percussionists at Salem Junior High will be forever thankful to the Nebo Education Foundation for their very gracious donation,” continued Daniel.
Foothills Elementary – Alana Hunter First-Grade Teacher
“We are so excited about the grant! This year, as a first-grade team, we are incorporating Daily Five. With this grant we will be able to purchase MP3/MP4 players. Then we will be able to have students use them during "Listen to Reading". The students will enjoy listening to stories as they progress with their oral language development, reading comprehension, and other reading and writing skills. Thank you so much for helping us help students!” stated Alana Hunter.
Sierra Bonita – Maria Mathews Second-Grade Teacher
Maria said, “Thank you for your part in helping us acquire more technology for our second grade here at Sierra Bonita. These iPads will be used in many different ways. It is a great tool for parent helpers and aides when they pull students for small group and one-on-one tutoring. They will be used for extra phonics, spelling, sight words, and math practice with struggling students throughout the whole second grade. We will also use them for assessment purposes. Through the various apps and programs that we have discovered, we will be able to pinpoint specific skills that students need additional practice with. Thus, enabling us to meet individual needs of each student. There are so many great resources out there. We are just starting to discover the potential of these devices for educational use. They will be used for many more years to benefit student learning.”
Orchard Hills Elementary – Heather Bond First-Grade Teacher
“I am so grateful to have received a grant from the Nebo Foundation for the purchase of a divided rug for our first grade classroom! Much of our instruction in first grade takes place on the carpeted area, and having a defined space for each child on the rug reduces management issues, helps students focus, eases classroom transitions and facilitates learning. Having this wonderful rug will allow me to spend less time on management and more time on instruction. Thank you, Nebo Foundation!” stated Heather Bond.
Wilson Elementary – Laura Ross Sixth-Grade Teacher
Laura Ross said, “Thank you so much for the approved grant money for books. The variety of books that will be used in the reading groups, science activities and other areas will benefit many students. Being able to purchase KidsDiscover books will aid in the teaching of the core Science and Social Studies Units. The grant for these books and many other high-interest books for the Sixth Grade Students at Wilson Elementary is appreciated very much.”
Sage Creek Elementary – Marsha Rasmussen Media Specialist
“The Nebo Foundation matched library funds to buy non fiction STEM and core books for the Sage Creek Library! I am so grateful for the $1000.00 match! The non fiction books are so loved and read they are quite tattered. The students are so excited about getting new books. Thank you Nebo Foundation!” exclaimed Marsha Rasmussen.
Payson High – Linda Ann Walter Physics Teacher
Mapleton Elementary – Jeri Thompson First-Grade Teacher
Spanish Fork Junior – Kristina Holley Theatre Teacher
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