2023-24 GRANT RECIPIENTS

BROWN ELEMENTARY

A Sensational Sensory Sanctuary for Spectacular Special Needs Students (Pre-K through Kindergarten, $2,549.34)

Imagine this: your very own quiet oasis, a place where you can think, learn, and unwind in total peace and comfort. Well, guess what? The ECSE program is going above and beyond to make it happen! We're talking about a magical sensory room, specially designed to help each and every one of you reach your own unique goals and objectives. Get ready to step into a world of soothing sensations and endless possibilities!

Playaway with Me: Making Reading Fun & Accessible for All (4th grade, $4,200)

“The more you read, the more things you’ll know. The more you learn the more places you’ll go.” This grant will be the launching pad for an accessible audio book library of 80 quality chapter books at your school. This could potentially expose a student to an additional 20 chapter books by the end of this school year!

Snap to It! Sight Words in a Snap! (Kindergarten through 2nd grade, $3,713.57)

Ready snap go! Memorizing sight words can be a bit of a puzzle sometimes, but guess what? Your amazing teachers have just cracked the code to make it super fun and easy! They're bringing in snap words teaching cards that are going to make learning a total blast. It's time to dive into a world of multisensory flashcards and let the sight words magic begin.

LISTEN UP!! (Kindergarten, $3,212.82)

Who likes having someone read you a story? Your amazing teachers are bringing the magic of storytelling to life with a brand-new listening station! You get to listen to the story while following along in a real book – it's like a double dose of awesomeness! Reading and listening have teamed up to create the ultimate adventure!

Igniting Power Pens through Literacy and Math Solutions (2nd grade, $2,454.16)

Would you rather do several math worksheets or play games? I bet most of you said games! Well get excited because your teachers are getting power pens for a fun experience with math station time. These fun tools offer an innovative solution to provide instant feedback to students, ensuring they are continuously motivated and are more likely to persevere through challenging content.

Ready, Pose, CLICK! - Photography & Yearbook Club (4th through 5th grade, $519.85)

Has anyone ever thought about being part of the yearbook in high school? Did you know that you can start learning those skills now in elementary school? The 23-24 Yearbook will be coming HOT off the press and directly from your students' talent this year! Get ready for an exciting new club that's about to take your creativity to the next level! Students will have access to cameras to capture precious memories and events from their school day, upload and edit photos, and create the layout of the yearbook.

Flexi-Seats - Seating for Success! (2nd grade, $2,913.11)

Imagine this: it's time to kick back, relax, and lose yourself in an incredible book. But hold on a minute...your reading adventure is about to get a major upgrade! No more sitting at a plain old desk – your teachers are bringing in a whole range of super fun seating options that enable students to stay more attentive to their task at hand! We're talking wobble stools, yoga ball chairs, portable lap desks, and even wiggle seats.

Lights. Camera. OYSTER! (1st grade, $1,251.25)

Light, camera, oyster? Wait…did someone say oyster? Yes, you heard it correctly. Your teachers are receiving Oyster kits to use with their fiction unit in the spring! After students finish writing their fiction stories, the materials and resources provided in the Oyster kits will allow them to turn their stories into movies. Get ready to be the director of your own epic tales!

CAIN ELEMENTARY

DUCKingham Palace - FUND it to FILL it (Pre-K through 2nd grade, $2,766.45)

What came first, the chicken or the egg? Your teachers are bringing in all sorts of hatching eggs to supercharge our yearly hatching adventure. Students from different grades are about to embark on a hands-on learning adventure to develop a more authentic understanding of life cycles, community, and responsibility.

Pioneering Through the Past (4th grade, $1,355.92)

Who wants to go on a field trip?? Get ready to step back in time on the most epic field trip ever! You'll see history come to life and learn all about the heroic struggles and triumphs of those who settled in Texas. It's going to be an unforgettable journey through the past, and by the end of it, you'll have a whole new appreciation for the technology you have today!

Transforming minds … AND rooms! (5th grade, $1,231.84)

Have you ever wanted to step right into the stories you're reading, see the characters in action, and feel like you're part of the excitement? Well, guess what? Your amazing teachers are about to turn our classrooms into magical, immersive worlds inspired by the books we're reading! Picture this: fun props, themed decorations, and a classroom that's like a portal to new adventures. Reading is about to get even more exciting, and you'll be right in the middle of the action!

Chuggin’ Into the Future with Coding (Pre-K through Kindergarten, $1,458.68)

Calling all future tech wizards and creative thinkers! Get ready to embark on an incredible journey into the world of coding! Our smallest Wildcats will be introduced to basic coding with 8 Coding Express Sets by Lego Education in the LRC. These learning opportunities will allow students the means to strengthen collaboration, creative thinking, and problem solving skills.

Ice, Ice, Baby! Life Skills Sonic Ice Business (1st through 5th grade, $3,454.92)

Who doesn't love that GOOD ice? You know that amazing, crunchy ice you can find at Sonic? Life Skills is getting their drink cart business rolling with the GOOD ice! This project will connect students who face extra challenges with other students and staff in positive, meaningful interactions while learning money concepts in a real-world situation.

See How My (Kinder)Garden Grows (Kindergarten, $2,718.14)

We heard you’re tired of trying to sprout sad lima beans in baggies that end up all moldy. Not this year! Kinder is getting Eco Root View Planters to teach the plant unit in science. They offer a top to bottom view of the entire growing process and allows students to see not only the plant but its' root system grow and expand as the plant reaches toward the sun day after day.

HIGGINS ELEMENTARY

It Begins with a Bin (Kindergarten, $1,298.96)

Get ready for an epic treasure hunt right in your classrooms! Your awesome teachers are bringing in STEM Bins, and these are no ordinary containers – they're like magical treasure chests filled with stuff that'll spark your creativity, help you invent amazing things, and send your imagination soaring.

Junior Engineering Club (3rd through 5th grade, $2,764.58)

Hey there, future engineers and problem-solving pros! Thanks to a special grant, we're about to get our hands on a School STEM Variety Kit that's packed with not one, not two, but a whopping nine different building project kits. Get ready to unleash your creativity and innovation!

Sounds of Learning (Pre-K through Kindergarten, $499.00)

Imagine a world where words come alive and you get sucked right into the story! This is the magic of Novel Effects. It adds sound and interactive elements to books, turning them into exciting adventures. This helps kids learn, be creative, and develop a love for reading.

And the Tonies Goes To…Building Reading Skills with Tonies and Tonibox (1st grade, $4,580.40)

First Graders, say hello to Tonies – they're like your personal learning buddies! Each Tonie is like a mini superstar, and you get to pick who you want to learn from. Toniboxes are imagination-building, screen-free digital listening experiences that brings a story to life. They promote language acquisition, listening skills, and creativity, which are fundamentals for first-grade students.

Lighting the Way to Innovative Learning (Kindergarten, $2,778.29)

Get ready for a bright and brilliant adventure in learning! Your amazing teachers are about to receive some magical portable light panels. They bring your materials to life in the most incredible ways to make math, science and language arts more engaging for kindergarten students.

STANTON-SMITH ELEMENTARY

Bringing 2nd Grade Stories to Life on the Big Stage! Featuring the WHS Theater Dept. (2nd & 9-12th grade, $1,000.00)

Have you ever read a book and wished you could see it as a play? Well now you can! Students, get ready to see your creative writing come to life. Your teachers are partnering with the High School theater department where they will choose several stories to act out on the high school stage!

Firstie Friends Reading & Writing Frenzy (1st grade, $2,148.08)

Learning to read can be so much fun and we are so excited about what your teachers have won! First-grade classrooms are upgrading with typewriters, microphones, and Bluetooth listening stations. Students will write and publish using typewriters, then record their stories as audiobooks to share with classmates and parents.

We’re All Wonders (5th grade, $1,200.00)

“When given the choice between being right or being kind, choose kind.” We are so excited that your teachers are receiving library-bound copies of the book Wonder. As students delve into the story, they will navigate themes of strength, acceptance, resilience, kindness, and respect, making this reading experience truly impactful.

Come Play with Us (Pre-K through 5th grade, $4,744.74)

Whose favorite part of the day is recess? Well, it just got better! Your awesome teachers are bringing in soccer goals, four square, and hopscotch games to supercharge your fun levels. It's time to crank up the excitement and have a blast like never before!

EmpowerED (Pre-K through 5th grade, $3,638.11)

Listen up, Stanton-Smith superstars! Something super cool is happening at our LRC! Mrs. Turner has secured a fantastic grant for the EmpowerED program, and it's going to make a big splash outside of the classroom from pre-k all the way to 5th grade. Imagine having TonieBoxes and Osmo Kits even after that last bell of the day.

HOLLOWAY 6TH GRADE

Poms with a Purpose: Enhancing Spirit and Unity (6th grade, $2,017.38)

5, 6, 7, 8… Who do we appreciate? Wildcat Elevation is all about building a strong dance community and skills that extend to junior high and high school programs. It's about nurturing a love for dance, boosting confidence, fostering teamwork, and creating leaders, all while providing a sense of belonging. In just one year, Wildcat Elevation has grown from 54 to 81 participants! Last year, they borrowed pom-poms from their big sisters and this year they are being awarded funding to buy their own sets, an integral part in developing their technique.

WHITEHOUSE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL

Work Skills for Life Skills (6th through 8th grade, $4,544.02)

Life Skills is creating a program that will help students develop valuable job skills and the ability to work independently. The goals include providing vocational training, diversifying instructional materials, reducing the need for adult prompting, and establishing routines that foster independence. This program will cover a wide range of tasks, including tool usage, technology skills, culinary expertise, home and industry skills, and proficiency in various crafts.

Out with the Old, In with the New (8th grade, $2,559)

Math classes are getting an upgrade with wireless Elmo MA-1 document cameras that let teachers move around the classroom during lessons and group activities. These immersive STEM-based document cameras help bring learning to life in the classroom. They even have a built-in microphone for recording lessons, creating extra resources for students.

WHITEHOUSE HIGH SCHOOL

EmpowerED Wardrobe: Fostering Professional Success (9th through 12th grade, $4,417.18)

Get ready to dress for success!!! EmpowerED Wardrobe will provide students with equitable access to professional clothing, ensuring they can confidently pursue educational and career-related opportunities. With this amazing support, tons of students are now free to shine and flaunt their talents without any worries about the cost of dressing up. It's all about letting your amazing talents steal the spotlight!

Living History (10th through 11th grade, $1,300.35)

Instead of reading about a significant historical event in a textbook, how about hearing it straight from someone who actually lived through it? Well, guess what? Your incredible teachers have secured funding to bring a Holocaust survivor right here to our auditorium! Students will hear from a local Rabbi about the Holocaust, followed by an incredibly moving account from the survivor and a Q&A session where students can engage and learn directly from this remarkable speaker.

Camera & Equipment for Art (9th through 12th grade, $1,615.06)

The Art Department is gearing up with DSLR cameras, tripods, and all the accessories needed for photographing artworks. With these tools, students will gain valuable skills in proper artwork documentation, create impressive electronic portfolios, and open doors to exciting career opportunities in photography.

DISTRICT-WIDE

April 8th, 2024, The Day the Lights Went Out (Pre-K through 12th grade, $1,230)

We're about to witness a historic event! The April 8th, 2024 total solar eclipse is going to be a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle, and here's the best part – thanks to these amazing teachers, we've got solar eclipse glasses for everyone in WISD! It's time to gear up and get ready for a celestial show like no other!