2020-21 GRANT RECIPIENTS
BROWN ELEMENTARY
LIQUID TILES FOR ALL SUBJECTS! (Pre-K, $779.96)
The Pre-K classes are getting lots of liquid tiles in six shapes: hexagon, rhombus, square, circle, rectangle, and triangle. They’re pretty big, so you can jump and dance on them. You can use your finger to trace numbers, letters, and shapes--all the fun things you’re learning! Your class will also use these for brain breaks and when you have indoor recess.
KINDERGARTEN WORLD EXPLORERS (Kindergarten, $824.85)
Each kindergarten class is getting three Orboot Augmented Reality Interactive Globes. These globes work with iPads to help you understand the world and make connections to different cultures, environments, animals, and history. You’ll be able to use these when you’re learning science, writing, reading, and social studies.
HAND2MIND: DAILY MATH FLUENCY CENTER KIT (2nd through 5th grade Math, $1,189.90)
These math kits will allow students to build number sense for a better understanding of the 'why' for math. While your teacher is working with a small group, these kits will be used by students or in pairs to incorporate higher-level activities to help the students really think about the process besides just memorizing a math fact.
OSMO: OUTSTANDING STUDENTS MASTERING OBSTACLES (Pre-K, $636.00)
Your Pre-K class is getting OSMO kits! These kits attach to an iPad and have tangram puzzles, number tiles, word tiles, a drawing board, a coding kit, sticks, and rings to build letters, costume pieces, a play mat, and storage for all of the pieces. You’ll learn so much from these fun activities you can do during math, reading, and at centers.
OSMO-TASTIC LEARNING (Kindergarten, $504.00)
OSMO kits are coming to Kindergarten with new OSMO activities! You’ll be able to incorporate technology and hands-on learning at the same time with games like Pizza Co and Math Wizard. Each student will have their own individual "player" that keeps up with how much you’re learning while using the OSMO.
MO MONEY, MO *WORD* PROBLEMS (1st grade, $1,004.41)
First grade math centers are getting an upgrade so that word problems aren’t as big of a problem! The manipulatives will help you think through and better understand math problems. You’ll find new and creative ways to solve word problems.
WEATHER STATION (2nd, $1,471.02)
2nd grade is going to have so much fun learning about the weather with these new weather tools! You all are getting a weather vane, barometer, thermometer, and rain gauge that will be outside. You’ll observe, collect, and record data to record in your science journals. While you’re outside collecting data, you can look at the sky and observe the sky conditions such as cloud coverage and the weather for the day.
BRIGHTENING OUR FUTURE THROUGH PLAY! (Pre-K through 5th Grade, $5,000)
The Brown Farm is getting an upgrade! Your teachers asked for us to fund big games to go on the concrete behind the school. You can play on these at recess--and maybe even during a class. There will be a Chutes & Ladders Game, an alphabet snake, and a 1-100 multiplication grid.
CLOSING THE GAP WITH VOCABULARY VISUALS (Pre-K through 5th, $486.13)
Brown is adding words to its walls! As students walk the hallways, they’ll find vocabulary picture cards for math, reading, and science. This takes learning from the classroom to the hallway. The words on these cards are helpful to know when you take tests throughout the year.
CAIN ELEMENTARY
“BREAKING OUT” OF TRADITIONAL LEARNING (1st through 5th, $1,999.00)
Breakout EDU boxes are headed to the Makerspace! These boxes are similar to popular escape rooms and will be available for all teachers to use. By solving clues and riddles, students are using higher order thinking skills and developing the portion of the brain that helps with creative problem solving. Learners also become effective communicators as they work together in a team to "breakout.”
STEAM-ING UP THE MAKERSPACE (Pre-K through 5th, $4,068.02)
The Makerspace is getting STEAMed up! You all are getting 3D pens, Code and Go Mouse Robots, Squishy Circuits and Dough Kits, and lots of Ozobot robots! These tools help you think out of the box and help you feel confident taking risks to solve problems.
SENSATIONAL SCIENCE TABLE (Pre-K, $688.39)
You all are going to love your new science center! With this table, you will be able to create a garden, a butterfly house, a ladybug habitat, and lots more! Then it can become a sand and water center!
LEARNING IN A VIRTUAL WORLD (Pre-K through 5th, $3,464.00)
Imagine a classroom where students are transported to faraway oceans and countries, inside the human vascular system, or to an era that is otherwise lost in a history book. Imagine being in a classroom where students are actively engaged and exploring a world as if they were living inside of it. You all don’t have to imagine it--because you’ll be able to do all of this with your new virtual reality headsets!
EASY ASSESSMENTS WITH ESGI (Kindergarten, $225.00)
Your teacher wants to spend more time teaching you and less time checking what you’ve learned. With this program, Ms. Mills can do that! It’s important for her and your parents to know what you’ve learned, and this is an easy way to do that.
HIGGINS ELEMENTARY
HYDROPONIC FARMING (3rd, $825.44)
Third grade science students are becoming farmers--but it’s all indoors! This hydroponic system uses water and sponges to grow plants instead of soil. You all will learn how to plant, grow and harvest tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers, and more! You’ll learn about the structures and functions of plants while you learn how to farm.
SHINING A LIGHT ON LEARNING (Pre-K, $2,213.19)
You all are getting a light table and fun toys that go with it! This table shines light from the bottom and makes the tabletop bright. Not only will this be fun, but you can also learn letters and numbers and write while you use the light table.
WHAT DOES MY BRAIN NEED? MOVE & GROOVE SENSORY MOTOR LAB (Pre-K through 5th, $5,000.00)
Special education students each have individual goals which guide their specific educational programming. A sensory-motor lab addresses these goals and needs in the area of sensory processing. This grant provides a balance beam, spinner, hula hoops, cones, exercise mats, therapy balls, bean bags, crawl tunnel, hopscotch carpet, bouncing board, sensory table, swing, sensory floor tiles, tactile step-n-stones, building manipulative, hanging lights, and more!
THE WORLD NEEDS SCIENCE (3rd, $1,754.95)
Because we know kids are curious, we’re giving third graders microscopes and balances. These are usually for older kids, but Ms. Marin wants you to be able to investigate and explore science in a fun way! You’ll be able to look through the microscopes at organisms and matter and see things that you would not be able to otherwise see. And you’ll be able to investigate and explore using the balances.
TRAIN THE BRAIN...WE’VE GOT THE BEAT! (Counseling, Pre-K through 5th, $1,079.17)
Teaching strategies to address the social and emotional needs of all students is vital to ensuring that students feel they have a safe and caring environment at our school. A lack of focus and self-confidence can lead to the student feeling isolated, acting out in class, or a decrease in their grades. The Bal-A-Vis-X program is a way to motivate and teach those skills with exercises that use sandbags, racquetballs, and a balance board to incorporate full-body movement which results in sensory-motor-cognitive integration. The students are taught different patterns and rhythms using the racquetballs and sandbags which can then be used by just one student up to an entire classroom.
STANTON-SMITH ELEMENTARY
THE MAGIC OF MICROSCOPES (Kindergarten, $4,299.00)
You all are going to love these Smart Microscopes! These can go anywhere and get a closer look at anything! You can make discoveries about any object your class is studying! And you can take pictures or a video with sound to explain your thinking!
CRATE-ING CONFIDENCE (3rd through 5th, $1,727.34)
You all will have the opportunity to join After-School STEM Time where you’ll build a project from a Kiwi Crate. Depending on your grade, you’ll build a Robot Crawler, Drawbot, or Mechanical Claw. You’ll get to use your creativity and problem-solving skills during the build. The WHS engineering students will also help direct the builds. It’ll be so fun!
FAMILY IS THE FOUNDATION (Pre-K through 5th, $933.57)
With this grant, the littlest, most disadvantaged learners will be on the path to success. It partners siblings together in the effort to close inequality gaps, strengthen family relationships. Older siblings will learn how to engage and interact with younger siblings at home to reinforce learning letters and numbers--reading and math. This is a new and innovative approach to helping our students by supporting our sibling relationships and strengthening their academic future!
HOLLOWAY 6TH GRADE
STEP INTO THE PENALTY BOX (P.E., $4,000.00)
The Penalty Box is a fitness product and workout program you can take anywhere, so both in-person and at-home learners can participate. This piece of workout equipment can be used in conjunction with full access to the company's online library of workout videos. This is a unique and fun way to raise your heart rate in a safe and caring environment while staying socially distant from one another.
WHITEHOUSE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
THE GLOWFORGE: OPENING NEW LEVELS OF CREATIVITY (Makerspace, $3,490.00)
The Glowforge is a beginner-friendly, low-cost, laser cutter and engraver that allows the creation and manufacturing of just about anything. It works with a very large assortment of materials that are locally available. With this device, students can make plaques and acrylic rewards and all it costs is the price of the materials.
THE LITTLE DOCUMENT CAMERA THAT COULD (8th Math, $550.00)
When students are absent, quarantining, or struggling in math class, they will easily be able to view clear, high-quality videos to keep them on track with OKIOCAMS. These are small and portable so that if a teacher is sent home for quarantine, then they are easily able to provide high-quality instruction from home. The videos will always be accessible to help the needs of every student whether at home or in school. The project also gives teachers an added resource when being absent to give to substitutes. Allowing quality instruction to still go forward to students when they are absent.
PRINTIN’ WILDCATS (7th, 8th Art, $5,000.00)
From struggling learners to high achievers, every art student can use this printmaking equipment. It will provide students with a new, innovative opportunity to learn printmaking. This machinery opens the door for interdisciplinary projects, such as creating a business and working with the expenses, money, and everything else that comes with that. This will be an awesome resource for students to tap into their entrepreneurial sides and learn how to value their art.
WHITEHOUSE HIGH SCHOOL
FACE-TO-FACE MATH = VIRTUAL MATH (Math, $1,794.48)
Since teachers are currently teaching both in-person and virtually, technology to make this transition easier is a priority. The wireless microphones will allow teachers to be heard by their laptops even when they walk away from it. They will help provide crisp audio on the videos prepared for students. The document cameras will give us the ability to record our presentations by connecting the cameras to the computer through a USB port and focusing on documents and teaching materials quickly and clearly. These document cameras are compatible with Seesaw, Google, and other applications.
WILDCAT CS INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS (Technology, $1,424.54
WildcatCS students will gain real-world experience with mobile app development and will be able to design apps that provide innovative solutions to the needs of students and teachers of Whitehouse ISD and possibly even the great Whitehouse community.
A BREATH OF FRESH AIR (Outdoor Learning, $3,192.54)
This grant provides an outdoor classwork area that would allow our students to take a much-needed mask break. The classwork area will be located in the grassy area right outside the back of the building. The assembly of the benches and desks will be done by engineering students, along with Key Club members with assistance from the Rose City Kiwanis. The bench/desks will be spaced appropriately so that students can enjoy the fresh air and work on school assignments while not being required to wear a mask.
DISTRICT-WIDE
CO-WRITER: A WINDOW TO WRITING OPPORTUNITIES (Dyslexia, $2,790.92)
Co:Writer is a differentiated assistive technology that can mean the difference between struggle and success. Co:Writer uses grammar and vocabulary-smart word prediction, language translation, and speech recognition to help students write out their thoughts without the restriction of their disability. With Co:Writer ours students will learn to love the writing process and increase their confidence just by utilizing the right support.
GIVE OUR STUDENTS A VOICE (Dyslexia, $3,053.72)
When it comes to writing, most dyslexic students struggle with spelling and handwriting, as well as short-term memory problems. The stamina and time it takes to produce a piece of writing often curtail the students' ability to produce work that is reflective of their actual capabilities. With the use of speech-to-text capabilities, our students will be able to put their thoughts down on paper without worrying about the mechanics of our language or their handwriting. These headphones will allow them to access this accommodation, and write freely and expressively, drawing on their experiences like the rest of the students in their class.