The Sequim Education Foundation has announced its most recent series of teachers grants, distributing funds to Sequim school projects from robotics and math books to more technology for students with special needs.
The foundation was formed in 2001 as a nonprofit public charity by a small group of concerned business and community leaders seeking to help Sequim youth.
As a nonprofit education foundation, the Sequim Education Foundation is approved to receive donations, gifts and bequests; to manage and administer resources, and to distribute funds, scholarships and grants in support of Sequim’s school children.
The foundation recently transitioned its school grants into two types of funds: Teaching and Learning grants, and Teaching Fellowships.
Teaching grant guidelines are available on the SEF Website at www.sequimeducationfoundation.org.
The 2015-2016 grants include:
District-wide
• Assistive Technology Committee, $3,500; teachers Peter Walchenbach and Amy Young; a committee to review, procure, train and manage assistive technologies for special needs students
• Family Reading Night and Book Gift, $1,000; Sequim school librarians; for all grades, with sessions highlighting different cultures and languages
• Rosetta Stone subscriptions for English Language Learners, $1,000; teacher Sonja Younger; a three-year, web-based subscription for 35 students
Sequim High School
• Knowledge Bowl Expansion, $1,800; teacher Laura Gould; program has grown to 30 members thanks to student enthusiasm
• Robotics Club, $2,000; teacher Brad Moore; first robotics competition fees, a kit of parts and other expenses
• Math Convention Fellowship – Sequim High School Algebra Failure Initiative, $3,100; teachers Carol Harms and Kelly Bell; two teachers to attend a convention in San Francisco to learn more about curriculum research
• Expansion of Food Production Skills and Knowledge, teacher Scott Chichester, $1,200; raised beds in greenhouse and hydroponic system for growing more vegetables year-round
Sequim Middle School
• Flexible Library Tables, $2,500; teacher Elizabeth Lawson; a multi-use space, convertible for testing, classes, multimedia
• Big Ideas math books, $1,000; teacher Casey Lewis; 12 reusable, hardcover books, an alternative curriculum to improve special education teaching
Sequim Options
• College exploration, $2,200; teacher Kim Minard; exploration of careers, speakers and college tours that’s designed to inspire alternative program students to consider college or vocational/technical careers/options.
