LCEF Awards $35,000 in Educational Enrichment Grants
![LCEFAwards35000InEducationalEnrichmentGrantstoLDISDTeachers]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1706279177/ldisdnet/xo2tlspeavrvfsrdafro/LCEFAwards35000InEducationalEnrichmentGrantstoLDISDTeachers.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1706279177/ldisdnet/xo2tlspeavrvfsrdafro/LCEFAwards35000InEducationalEnrichmentGrantstoLDISDTeachers.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1706279177/ldisdnet/xo2tlspeavrvfsrdafro/LCEFAwards35000InEducationalEnrichmentGrantstoLDISDTeachers.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1706279177/ldisdnet/xo2tlspeavrvfsrdafro/LCEFAwards35000InEducationalEnrichmentGrantstoLDISDTeachers.png","width":940}])
The Lake Cities Education Foundation visited LDISD Campuses last week to award $35,000 in grants to teachers!
These grants will support educational enrichment initiatives within Lake Dallas ISD. The foundation aims to enhance the learning experience of students by providing financial assistance to teachers for innovative and creative projects. This funding will enable teachers to implement new programs, purchase educational materials, and provide unique learning opportunities for their students. Through these grants, the Lake Cities Education Foundation demonstrates its commitment to fostering educational excellence and supporting the dedicated teachers in our community.
Project Title: The Westing Game Novel Study
Grant Amount Received: $736.40/Walmart Teacher Grant Endowment
Grant Director: Chioe Ethridge, Lake Dallas Middle School
Abstract: While studying the novel The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin, the students will be given a choice board of projects that require creative thinking, appropriate written responses, and deep understanding of the characters, the plot, the theme, and inference (6th-grade TEKS). Examples of the projects are character interviews, a soundtrack, and comic strips. The expected outcome is that students will develop a deeper understanding of the novel and make multiple connections to other texts and real life.
Project Title: High Noon Books for Grades 3-5
Grant Amount Received: $13,676/Carol Heidemann Memorial Teacher Grant/Endowment/Robin Hasserd Memorial Teacher Grant Endowment
Grant Directors: Ann Lenard, Shady Shores, Corinth, and Lake Dallas Elementary Schools
Abstract: Research shows that beginning readers who have difficulty decoding often benefit from reading decodable texts. In decodable texts, most of the words follow previously taught sound-spelling patterns and include known irregular words. According to experts, reading this type of text is an intervening step between students’ acquisition of phonics knowledge and their ability to read authentic literature. This grant will provide students in grades 3-5, who are not reading at grade level, books that are targeted for them.
Project Title: Budding Blooms: Cultivating Curiosity with Out Elementary School Garden
Grant Amount Received: $4,051.62/CoServ Charitable Foundation Grant
Grant Director: Shelby Austin, Lake Dallas Elementary School
Abstract: The Lake Dallas Elementary School Garden Project seeks to establish an interactive outdoor learning space for hands-on experiences in horticulture, nutrition, and environmental science. The upcoming school year will focus on cultivating flowers and vegetables, with a strategic partnership with local AgriLife to implement the Learn, Grow, Eat, Go Program. This interdisciplinary initiative fosters academic achievement, sustainability through gardening, exposure to nutrient-dense foods, physical activity, and enhanced school and family engagement, aiming to cultivate well-rounded students.
Project Title: A Voice for Everyone
Grant Amount Received: $500/Atmos Energy Teacher Grant Endowment
Grant Director: Rebecca Haire, Shady Shores Elementary School
Abstract: Communication may come easy to most of our students, while others struggle with expressing their feelings and wants. This can be especially difficult in a gym setting for students with learning disabilities and anxiety. Communication boards were designed to meet the needs of students who are either non-verbal or need support with communicating to peers or adults. This grant will provide a communication board for use in the PE classes with to allow these students to be more involved during their time in the gym.
Project Title: Bringing 9 Square to Lake Dallas
Grant Amount Received: $1,673/Robin Goodale Memorial Teacher Grant Endowment
Grant Director: Rebecca Haire, Shady Shores Elementary School
Abstract: The physical education program at Shady Shores Elementary looks for new ways to expose students to staying active. Involving students in multiple games, exercises, and activities allows students to find things that they enjoy. “9 Square” is a game that challenges students to work together in a group setting. This game can be used with student teams or students can be challenged solo. The funding from this grant will help implement this fund and exciting game in the PE classroom.
Project Title: Adaptive playground equipment for Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) services
Grant Amount Received: $5,000/TW Hicks Teacher Grant Endowment
Grant Director: Camella Weedon, Shady Shores Elementary School
Abstract: This grant will provide funding for an adaptive playground initiative in our ECSE program, catering to children with disabilities. The project aims to install specially designed swings and equipment, fostering inclusivity, motor skill development, and social interaction. The implementation of this grant will empower our ECSE program to provide an enriching outdoor play experience for the current batch of 26 special populations students and all the future students enrolled in LDISD PPCD, promoting physical and emotional well-being.
Project Title: Play with a Purpose/CoServ Teacher Assistance Grant/Drozd Family Teacher Grant Endowment
Grant Amount Received: $5,000
Grant Director: Alexis Aaumoeualogo and Victoria Bozarth, Shady Shores Elementary School
Abstract: The purpose of this grant is to help bring more experiences to our Pre-K students that involve gross motor movement as well as the enjoyment of making music. The result will be opportunities for improving larger gross motor skills in a safe manner while allowing students a space to experiment with new musical concepts.
Project Title: Communication of Play
Grant Amount Received: $600/Boeing Teacher Grant Endowment
Grant Director: Jennifer Bryant, Shady Shores Elementary School
Abstract: Our non-verbal students often struggle with communicating their needs. Communication devices, such as iPads, may not be appropriate in an outdoor setting. A printed and installed weatherproof PECS* sign will allow students to show their teachers, aides, or peers what their needs are on the playground. A QR code is provided, so that adults can scan and use their phone to extend the communication tool.
*PECS are the Picture Exchange Communication System most commonly used with non-verbal students to teach communication.
Project Title: Vacuum Chamber
Grant Amount Received: $289/LCEF Directors Teacher Grant Endowment
Grant Director: Isaac Pearson, Lake Dallas High School
Abstract: A vacuum chamber presents an invaluable opportunity to inspire and educate the next generation of engineers and scientists. The grant will provide LDHS Engineering students the opportunity to be involved in constructing and ensuring the effectiveness of the vacuum chamber. They will also use it to run tests to better understand the structure of different materials. Physics students will use the vacuum chamber to conduct experiments in the absence of air resistance to understand the motion of objects through space, the effects of air resistance, gravitational forces, and much more.
Project Title: Strengthening Literacy Skills in Spanish
Grant Amount Received: $1,000/Lora McCarty Henderson Memorial Teacher Grant Endowment
Grant Director: Lorraine Starks, Lake Dallas Middle School
Abstract: The purpose of this grant is to purchase new books for the LDMS Spanish elective course. Free reading time in the classroom helps students relax, focus, and prepare for the next level of language learning. Because of the huge difference in abilities, one of the best ways to differentiate instruction and learning is by offering a wide range of books in Spanish, from short stories and novels written specifically for language learners to picture books with text written for native children to longer narratives, stories, poems, songs, and novels written for speakers of Spanish.
Project Title: Falcons Learning Today, Leading Tomorrow
Grant Amount Received: $575/LCEF Directors Teacher Grant Endowment
Grant Director: Heather Chambers, Lake Dallas Middle School
Abstract: LDMS is looking to implement a media announcement system. This grant will purchase a system that will provide students with opportunities to enhance their skills in technology, media, film, videography, and public speaking, all while strengthening their
leadership abilities.
Project Title: Falcons Free Read
Grant Amount Received: $1,897.27/Gary and Deena Peppers Teacher Grant Endowment
Grant Director: Staci McKinley, Lake Dallas High School
Abstract: The purpose of this grant is to naturally increase student proficiency in Spanish through reading. Free voluntary or choice reading is a second language acquisition strategy for building proficiency naturally in the language. It involves giving students a choice of a book to read in the target language at their fluency level. Students spend a short time reading in the target language and increase that amount of time as the year progresses. In doing so, students acquire vocabulary and grammar naturally as they look up words, use the context, and recognize patterns. This grant will provide materials that will assist in implementing this program in the LDHS Spanish classrooms.