North Wasco County Education Foundation Awards Over $6,700 in Fall Classroom Mini-Grants
From North Wasco County Education Foundation:
By Kelsey Alsheimer
The Dalles, OR Oct. 29, 2024 — The North Wasco County Education Foundation (NWCEF) is proud to announce the recipients of its Fall 2024 Classroom Mini-Grants. This year, NWCEF is awarding over $6,700 in grants to support innovative projects that foster enriched educational experiences and community engagement for students across the North Wasco County School District.
This grant cycle has funded projects that span environmental science, literacy, special education, and more, showcasing the dedication of local educators and NWCEF’s mission to support dynamic learning opportunities. Fall 2024 Classroom Mini-Grant Recipients
1. Amanda Moreno
Position: Math Teacher
School: Chenowith Elementary School
Project: Chenowith Elementary School Swing set
Funding: Large Tier
Description: This project will install four new T-style swings on the Chenowith Elementary playground, fabricated in partnership with Columbia Gorge Community College. The project offers hands-on learning and serves students and the community at large.
2. Melissa Hollister
Position: Teacher, 2nd Grade
School: Dry Hollow Elementary
Project: Privacy Screens for 2nd Grade
Funding: Small Tier Grant
Description: This project will introduce privacy screens to support focused learning for second-grade students, enhancing their ability to concentrate during classroom activities.
3. Jacqueline Carter
Position: Special Education Teacher, 7th-8th Grades
School: The Dalles Middle School
Project: Universal Design for Learning in Special Education
Funding: Small Tier Grant
Description: This initiative will support Jacqueline’s classroom with sensory-rich tools and manipulatives, making learning more accessible for students with diverse needs through Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles.
4. Janet Baker
Position: Literacy Teacher, K-5
School: Mosier Community School
Project: Literacy Mobility
Funding: Small Tier Grant
Description: Funding will support mobile teaching carts and resources for literacy sessions, allowing teachers to deliver small-group instruction in flexible spaces throughout the school.
5. Mary Ruth Stranz, Janell Geary, and Luke Vieira
Position: 5th Grade Teachers and Principal
School: Colonel Wright Elementary
Project: OMSI Overnight Science Adventure
Funding: Large Tier Grant
Description: Fifth-grade students will embark on an overnight field trip to OMSI in Portland, deepening their science knowledge and engagement as part of a year-long focus on science education.
6. Lori Blattel-Sam
Position: Media Assistant, Grades 6-8
School: The Dalles Middle School
Project: Native American Authored Book Purchases
Funding: Small Tier Grant
Description: To promote cultural understanding, this grant will add Native American authored books to the library, providing students with diverse literary voices and perspectives.
7. Wesley Mitchell
Position: 5th Grade Teacher
School: Dry Hollow Elementary School
Project: 5th Grade Science Review Stations with Parent Volunteers
Funding: Small Tier Grant
Description: This project will facilitate hands-on review stations with parent volunteers, helping students prepare for science assessments with interactive activities.
8. Mic Kelly
Position: High School Teacher
School: The Dalles High School
Project: Festival of Bands Championships and University of Oregon Tour
Funding: Small Tier Grant
Description: Students will attend the Festival of Bands Championships and tour the University of Oregon, gaining exposure to college-level music programs and observing competitive band performances.
9. Shawna Ortega
Position: 5th Grade Teacher
School: Chenowith Elementary School
Project: Bringing SECRETS to Ms. Ortega’s 5th-Grade Class
Funding: Large Tier Grant
Description: Through the SECRETS program at the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center, Shawna Ortega’s class will engage in 16 hours of immersive environmental education, culminating in a field trip that connects students to the local sagebrush steppe ecosystem.
10. Susan Harris
Position: 5th Grade Teacher
School: Chenowith Elementary School
Project: Bringing SECRETS to Ms. Harris’ 5th-Grade Class
Funding: Large Tier Grant
Description: Like Ortega’s project, Susan Harris’s class will participate in the SECRETS program, providing students hands-on experience with ecological principles and the opportunity to explore the local environment through a full- day field trip.
The NWCEF is proud to support projects that enhance student learning and strengthen our community by investing in innovative, equitable, and enriching educational experiences. Through the mini-grant program, the NWCEF has given our nearly 100 grants that provide funding to teachers and staff who create new ways to teach emerging topics, address educational equity gaps, or purchase much-needed enrichment materials and equipment. This program aligns with our mission to foster a vibrant, inclusive educational environment for all students. For more information about the North Wasco County Education Foundation or to support future grants, please contact us at nwascoedfoundation@gmail.com, or visit https://northwascoed.com/ to help our organization fund this important program for the Spring 2025 grant cycle.
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