Rural schools receive mini-grants to help support classrooms
Education Adventure Mini-Grants are limited, one-time education-based grants made to community educators for the purchase of additional learning tools and resources, aimed at enhancing student engagement and not funded by school budgets. United Way funded eleven projects in two rural school districts - RBB and Eastern Greene - from elementary through high school during the 2022-2023 school year.
These grants were pilot-tested with teachers at Richland Bean-Blossom Schools during the 2020 - 2021 school year. Starting in the fall of 2021, teachers from Monroe, Owen, and Greene counties were able to apply for the mini-grants as well.
The grants have funded a variety of project areas and grade levels spanning preschool through twelfth grade including:
- Classroom enrichment
- Tools to help with student engagement and comprehension in the classroom
- Hands-on STEM materials
- Accessible outdoor equipment for preschool children of all abilities to use
Using assistive technology? Full text of impact report below.
Education Adventure Mini-Grants: 2022-2023
Education Mini-Grants are limited, one-time education-based grants made to community educators for the purchase of additional learning tools and resources, aimed at enhancing student engagement and not funded by school budgets. United Way funded eleven projects in two rural school districts - RBB and Eastern Greene - from elementary through high school during the 2022-2023 school year.
1,143+ Students Impacted
Total Amount Granted: $5,000
- Science: $1,000
- Engineering: $2,000
- Math: $750
- Reading: $1,250
Impact:
- 100% of projects will benefit future students
- 82% of projects increased student engagement
- 73% of projects increased comprehension
What teachers are saying:
Anna Wall, recipient of GLOW Crazy for Reading in Third Grade! grant, shared, “Many students had become bored with quiet reading. This project had students asking for quiet flashlight reading time! The students loved reading with flashlights and using the cushions and mats on the hard floor.”
Katelyn Myers, recipient of Agricultural Awareness in Middle School grant, reported, “Students have demonstrated an increase in genuine curiosity and involvement. They are asking questions, volunteering, and exhibiting more self-direction. Students want to know how the fish and plants are doing, what the water quality levels are like, and how they can help!”
Using assistive technology? Full text of impact report below.
Education Mini-Grants: 2021-2022
Education Mini-Grants are small, one-time education-based grants made to community educators for the purchase of additional learning tools and resources that are not normally funded by school budgets. United Way of Monroe County funded eleven projects within all grade school levels through the Education Mini-Grants program during the 2021-2022 school year.
462 Students Impacted
Total Amount Granted: $4,991
- Adaptive Classroom: $1,870
- STEM: $1,471
- Technology: $1,350
- Outdoor Equipment: $300
Impact:
- 91% of projects will benefit future students
- 73% of projects increased student engagement
- 64% of projects increased comprehension
What teachers are saying:
Harrison Carmichael, High School Teacher, shared, “On top of putting up Norman’s Bluebird Trail, monitoring the trail, and taking data weekly… the class has plans for sustainability of the area. We also have started planning on four 10’ x 10’ circles of native pollinator flower gardens. These gardens will attract a variety of pollinators and bugs alike, and in turn, pollinating the local flora but also providing a food source for the bluebirds and other insect eating birds in the area.”
Alissa Drews, Kindergarten Teacher, reported, “My kiddos are so engaged when we practice writing words while using the Boogie Boards! It has been great not only during group work time but also during interventions. This has been a great tool to help kiddos during interventions to work on their skill gaps.”
