CPSF awarded the following educational grants for the 1997-1998 school year. This was the first year the Foundation awarded grants.

Dreamwriters ($8,450)

Request submitted by:
James Kome, Dixie Grupe, Tim Trogdon, Laurie Hoff, Jo Donati Shaw, and George Frissell

This Grant to the Hickman High School Library Media Center provides a mobile word processing unit with 30 laptop stations was purchased with the Grant Award. These highly portable word processors provide increased access to students for writing and editing at school, free up the computer lab for other needs, and provide a continuing resource for students without computer support at home.

“The Dreamwriters have made a wonderful impact on our students’ confidence and self-esteem. The pride in their writing was self-evident when students wanted to show me their writing projects created on these portable units. They’re really excited with this opportunity.”
Robert Nolke
Principal – Hickman High School

Science Technology ($5,000)

Request submitted by:
Dr. Becky Litherland, Dan Miller, Ilayna Pickett, Nancy Iannotti, and Calene Cooper

This Grant Award provided partial funding for improved technology for secondary science classrooms. This project promotes the development of higher level laboratory experiences, higher level analysis and better quality products by students.

Learning Luggage ($3,500)

Request submitted by:
Kathy Sicht, Phyllis Koepp, Carri Colvin, and Teresa VanDover

This Grant to Shepard Boulevard Elementary supported the creation of school-to-home learning kits. These kits take school home to encourage achievement by allowing children to work at their own pace and in their own way in a familiar environ-ment. This learning luggage links parents to the classroom in areas such as reading, writing, mathematics, social studies, and science. The kits are easily adapted as curriculum and children’s learning interests and needs change.

“What’s so wonderful about Learning Luggage is that it’s used over and over again by the kids, the teachers, and the parents and grandparents.”
Carri Colvin
Teacher – Shepard Boulevard Elementary

West Boulevard Bobcat Summer Camp ($3,190)

Request submitted by:
Mary Sue Gibson, Kathy Murray, Stephanie Elletson, and Rosie Tippin

This Grant to West Boulevard Elementary provided supplemental support for a six-week camp during the summer for students in kindergarten to 5th grade. This program expands the instructional curriculum through reading and writing themes and special projects. The students are motivated to expand their knowledge into new areas. The camp provides extended learning opportunities, especially for at-risk students. mobile word processing unit with 30 laptop stations was purchased with the Grant Award.

Making Books for Beginning Readers ($2,939)

Request submitted by:
Dr. Sharon Hoge, Jadeania Finck, Linda Rudroff, and Denise Parker

Teachers and community volunteers make books for beginning readers using special equipment purchased with the Foundation Grant Award. The books were distributed among the elementary schools in the district. Teachers request texts appropriate for their particular student. This program adds to the amount of practice beginning readers have on texts at their level, and also allows them to take books home to practice.

“Making Books for Beginning Readers will continue to ‘pay off’ for our teachers and children. Thank you again for all [the Foundation] does – and has done – to make this district one of the most innovative in the country.”
Sharon Hoge
Coordinator – Language Arts K-7 / Reading K-12

Books for the Students ($855)

Request submitted by:
Linda Jones, Ann Ballin, Judy Morris, Brenda Talley, Linda Moore, Kayla A. Phillips, and Joanne Berneche

The Blue Ridge Elementary Media Center purchased books with the Foundation Grant Award that are interesting and up-to-date on subjects of interest to students. This enhances learning opportunities and improves learning skills.

“We hope you were able to see the enthusiasm on the faces of the students as they were … viewing the books.”
Linda Jones
Media Specialist – Blue Ridge Elementary

CPSF awarded the following educational grants for the 1998-1999 school year.

Visual Dimension Project ($9,745)

Request submitted by:
Teresa Barry, Pamela Didur, and Dr. Mary Laffey

Ninety TI-83 graphing calculators, three calculator overhead viewers, and three Calculator Based Laboratory kits were purchased for use in algebra and science courses at Oakland Junior High School in this and future school years. During their junior high studies, between 80% and 95% of the student body use the calculators.

Promoting Literacy through Technology ($9,341)

Request submitted by:
Jana Eitel, Sharon Clark, Linda Giddings, Nancy Johnson, Belinda Mechlin, Chris Wehmeyer, Merrie Todd, and Bonnie Marshall

The Wiggleworks program uses proven technology to promote literacy at Parkade School and increase reading levels each year for approximately 220 students in kindergarten through second grade. Wiggleworks consists of an effective interactive computer program used directly by the students in conjunction with stories in book form and on CD-ROMs.

“Wiggleworks was a success! The program will continue to be used to further literacy education in the future. Teachers are collaborating on new ways Wiggleworks materials can be utilized to aid students…”
Jana Eitel
Teacher – Parkade Elementary

Technology Enhancement for Foreign Languages ($3,982)

Request submitted by:
Bob Brady, Molly Devlin, Linda Keown, Mariana Barrenechea, Annice Wetzel, and Karen Ravenhill

The purchase of a multi-norm videotape recorder capable of playing video tapes recorded in a variety of inter-national formats, a standard videotape recorder, a new color monitor and CD players updated the senior high foreign language learning labs. The foreign language labs are used by students from all district schools for the Advanced Placement and National Foreign Language exams. Approx-imately 1,500 students enrolled in foreign language courses at both high schools will continue to benefit on a regular basis.

“The Columbia Public Schools Foundation grant has purchased some much-needed electronic equipment, which will allow foreign language teachers at Hickman and Rock Bridge High Schools to use, for the first time, videotapes purchased in Europe. … The foreign language lab received over 23,000 student uses during the past school year””
Bob Brady
Foreign Language Coordinator

Music Keyboards ($1,200)

Request submitted by:
Stacey Woelfel, Susan Hunt, Patty Torbet, Meg Gibson, Rebecca Woelfel, and Debby Barksdale

Thirty basic electronic music keyboards permit entire classrooms of primary students at Benton Elementary Schoolfrom pre-school through fifth grade to experience music training while enhancing academic achievement.

“We are truly grateful for these opportunities, not only for our students, but for the parents that were involved…”
Linda Ballenger and Debra Seiling
Teachers – Benton Elementary

CPSF awarded the following educational grants for the 2000-2001 school year.

Information Center ($7,500)

Request submitted by:
Christy Atchley, Doug Daniels, Susan Wier, and Becky Greer

Provided funds for a major upgrade of the library resource materials available on-site at Douglass High School. The new library provides students with access to much needed reading and research materials, which improves learning and builds information retrieval skills.

“It’s a lot easier now because before we actually had to go to the public library, and now we can use our own library to find stuff.” “Before I never came into the library because I just heard that it had old books, but I’ve read 6 books this year.”
Douglass High School Students

Orff Enriched Music Curriculum ($7,500)

Request submitted by:
Judith Brown, Jennifer Leamons, Mary Beth Ming, John Patterson, and Sondra Flaker

Provided funds to purchase a wide range of specially designed percussion instruments for use by K-5 elementary students across the entire school district. The elementary music curriculum makes music more meaningful to children by providing creative participation in playing melodic percussion and other percussion instruments.

“The use of instruments is very motivating to the students. They know what it is like to make music.”
Judith Brown
Music Teacher – Rock Bridge Elementary

Mathematics in Technology ($3,500)

Request submitted by:
Theresa Yeager, Rick Shanks, Pearl John, Pat Daugherty, and Don Bristow

The use of TI-83 graphing calculators provides students at the Columbia Area Career Center with expanded opportunities for mathematical instruction, integrate technological principles with mathematical analysis, and interface lab investigations with research and logbook documentation.

“Obtaining and analyzing analytical data are essential skills in preparing for possible careers in industry.”
Pearl John
Career Center Laser Instructor

All Star Readers ($3,500)

Request submitted by:
Beverly Borduin, Christina Owen, Lisa Schenker, Annie Bradley, Kim Phillips, Betty Randerson, Diane Audsley, Beth Cooper, and Philip Frye

Struggling readers at Grant School became “all-star” readers with the help of more than 50 community volunteers. The grant funds purchased books and materials used by children and volunteers in weekly literacy sessions.

“We used the funds just for books and materials. The volunteer labor was free. Teachers trained the volunteers and set up sessions. One literacy volunteer said that this was the most rewarding volunteer experience she ever had. The program was a tremendous success and will be expanded to help even more children in the future.”
Beverly Borduin
Teacher – Grant Elementary

Science Presentations in the 21st Century ($2,750)

Request submitted by:
Calene Cooper, Kory Kaufman, Annette Anderson, Sandy Brock, Brian Bowles, Lew Kinkeade, Theresa Glover, and John Jacobs

Provided funds for a Data Projector so students At West Junior High can professionally present the results of scientific projects, and can share results of in-class experiments as well as findings from out-side sources such as the Internet. Students are able to use digital pictures and interviews as part of presentations.

“The data projector allowed computer information from websites, computer programs and Power Point presentations of student projects to be presented in large group settings, without depending on the overbooked school computer lab. Students learned to give presentations in a technological and professional manner, and this permitted them to learn from each other. Students were enthusiastic about their projects using computers rather than science experiment boards and were better able to demonstrate and share their scientific findings with other classmates.”
Calene Cooper
Teacher – West Jr

Outdoor Classroom ($2,200)

Request submitted by:
Suzanne Lenz, Marcia Gafke, Gloria Spellman, and Debbie Wiggs

The outdoor classroom provides Midway Heights Elementary students real-life science experiences such as growing plants and observation of butterfly gardens and prairie, plant and aquatic habitats. Observations are recorded in writing, graphs and charts.

“We can talk about aquatic life in the classroom, and then the students can go outside and actually see an example. It will strengthen our curriculum. It has always been our dream to have an outdoor classroom at Midway.”
Marcia Gafke
Teacher – Midway Heights Elementary

CPSF awarded the following educational grants for the 2001-2002 school year.

Doorway into Nature’s Classroom ($5,855)

Blue Ridge Elementary

Rub a Dub-Dub … Reading in a Tub ($5,015)

Midway Heights Elementary

Audio/Video Equipment To Create Magic ($3,037)

Writing Right ($3,034)

Russell Elementary

TI-83 Graphing Calculators ($2,450)

7th grade at Lange Middle School

Expository Expedition ($1,600)

Field Elementary

Readers with Character ($1,600)

Fairview Elementary

Project STAR ($1,500)

Gentry Middle School

CPSF awarded the following educational grants for the 2002-2003 school year.

Digital Technology School Based Business ($4,086)

Douglass High – Technology equipment and software enhance learning, and seed money started a school based business focusing on training in marketing, accounting, public relations, and design.

Non-Fiction Genre Study Kits ($4,000)

Parkade Elementary – Non-fiction books and materials enhance learning in reading, writing, and science.

Non-Fiction Inquiry Kits ($4,000)

Mill Creek Elementary – Non-fiction inquiry kits expand instruction of language arts, science, and social studies.

Calculating Literacy ($4,000)

Midway Heights Elementary – Literacy centers, volunteer/student activities and increased parental involvement using the new books and materials improve reading and math skills in kindergarten through third grade.

‘Greatest Hits’ Author Kits ($3,700)

Cedar Ridge Elementary – Author study boxes introduce students to a wide variety of current children’s authors. Classrooms shsare the kits containing several book titles, related materials and enrichment ideas.

SMART Board with Data/Video Projector ($3,567)

Gentry Middle School – The SMART Board functions as a fully interactive computer interface for whole class use, allowing students and teachers to use the touch-sensitive surface to open and control PC applications.

S.T.E.P.(Special Tools to Enhance Performance) ($1,670)

Paxton-Keeley Elementary – Reading camp is designed to use high-interest fiction and non-fiction books relating to the natural environment to help prevent the reading level regression that often occurs during the summer.

Summer Reading Camp 2002 ($1,179)

Russell Boulevard Elementary – Reading camp is designed to use high-interest fiction and non-fiction books relating to the natural environment to help prevent the reading level regression that often occurs during the summer.

The Anti-Bully Club ($918)

Shephard Boulevard Creek Elementary – Students learn to identify bullying characteristics and behaviors and explore strategies that are helpful to both the bully and victim in resolving their conflicts in a postivie manner.

CPSF awarded the following educational grants for the 2003-2004 school year.

Critter Program ($14,000)

All Elementary Schools

Partners in Education ($10,000)

Daring to Dream ($5,885)

Elementary Science Department – This project is a collaborative project between science specialists and fifth grade teachers to support both student interest and motivation in science and improvement in non-fiction reading skills.

Building Intelligent Robots ($5,000)

Jefferson Junior High – Through the design and development of intelligent machines, students will explore a variety of bothr scientific and technological “spin-offs” which include robotic design, electricity and electronic theory, computer programming, Web Page development, and physics.

Dynamic Geometry ($3,000)

West Junior High – A data projector in each geometry classroom will permit teachers to use Geometer’s Sketchpad in whole-class instruction and will allow students to interactively share data and demonstrate geometric principles.

Multimedia Projector and Dedicated Laptop ($2,500)

Russell Boulevard Elementary – The multimedia projector will allow and enhance “whole-class” instruction

Increased Reading Support ($2,000)

West Boulevard Elementary – This project will support the literacy program at the first grade level by providing books for students to read at home as support for student literacy and facilitate an increase in parent involvement.

More Than Child’s Play ($1,631)

Rock Bridge Elementary -

“This program is designed to work with special needs students, expands the curriculum by providing hands-on activities to support literacy instruction for alternative learners. ”

Language Arts Program for ESL Students ($1,537)

West Junior High – ‘Woodcock-Munoz’ , a language learning program, will be used in the language arts classes of ESL (English as a Second Language) in order to increase reading levels and writing abilities of ESL students.

Convenient Encyclopedia Project ($1,251)

Rock Bridge Elementary – The new World Book Encyclopedias on a cart will allow easy accessability to each classroom, making student research more efficient and convenient.

CPSF awarded the following educational grants for the 2004-2005 school year.

Media Centers ($30,000)

Douglass High, Hickman High, Rock Bridge High, Jefferson Junior High, Oakland Junior High, and West Junior High; each received $5,000 for Media Centers

Animal Excursion Program ($15,000)

Request submitted by:
Sara Torres

Commonly referred to as the “Critters Program,” this provides inspiration to students in all Columbia Public Schools, grades K-12 through the use of animals in curriculum.

Critter Program ($14,000)

All Elementary Schools

Improving the Academic Achievement of Social Studies: Grades 1 and 3 ($6,804)

Request submitted by:
Judy Trujillo

The purchase of additional literacy titles to be placed in already existing Social Studies kits in all 1st and 3rd grades throughout the district.

Classroom Performance System for Science Students ($5,885)

Hickman High

Notable Women of Missouri Biography Project ($5,866)

All Elementary 4th Grades

Dance into Fitness ($4,942)

Request submitted by:
Christy Hopper

An energetic, interactive dance program to improve cardiovascular fitness for students at Rock Bridge High School (after providing one to Hickman High School in 2005).

Dance into Fitness ($4,235)

Hickman High

CPSF awarded the following educational grants for the 2005-2006 school year.

Library Books ($29,000)

Request submitted by:
Dr. Curt Fuchs

$1,000 per 19 elementary schools for picture books totaling $19,000 and $10,000 for Douglass High School to purchase resource books, audio books, software updates, and data projectors.

Convenient Encyclopedia Project ($1,251)

Rock Bridge Elementary