Rockwood Teachers Win Grants for Creative Classroom Programs

During the 2011-2012 grant cycle, the Rockwood Schools Foundation awarded 10 grants totaling more than $17,000 to teachers throughout the district.  Teachers and administrators had the opportunity to apply for matching grants, innovative grants or community partnership grants to pay for creative programs in classrooms. 

The 2011-2012 grant winners include:   

Emilee Kellerman at received a $1,000 matching grant titled, "Rock Stars."  This grant helps provide materials for students to learn to compose music and play guitars in grades 3-5.

Adam Gabris, Debbie Odlum and Jason Neal at LaSalle Springs Middle School received a $5,000 community partnership grant titled, "The Green Club."  The grant will be used to fund an outdoor amphitheater which will host cross curricular and community events.  Plans and preparations will be made by The Green Club at LaSalle Springs Middle, the Missouri Conservation Department, an Eagle Scout group and a local nursery.

Steve Brim at Ridge Meadows Elementary School received a $1,400 innovative grant titled, "My Pen is Smarter than Your Pen."  The grant will fund Livescribe pens, which help students, listen to words they are unfamiliar with.  Above level students will use the pens to record their voices reading books as models for other students.  

Talayna Marco at Green Pines Elementary School received a $900 innovative grant titled, "Reflecting through Digital Portfolios."  The grant will help fund multimedia tools such as Flip Cameras so students can track their growth and goals in preparation for student-led conferences. 

Kim Catau, Kim Gerth, Kathy Larocco and Kelly Harris at the Early Childhood Center at Clarkson Valley was awarded a $4,500 innovative grant titled, "The Skoog and Beamz Player."  This grant will fund Skoog and Beamz players, which enable students to play and make music.  These tools are especially helpful for students with special needs. 

Dana Stiebel and Kevin Walters at Selvidge Middle School received a $600 innovative grant titled, "Learning through Lending."  This grant will fund a student giving project for six classrooms as they collaborate and select deserving individuals to receive support in another part of the world through www.kiva.org. 

Wendy Reis at Stanton Elementary School received a $440 matching grant to fund eReaders.  Using Kindles, students will have the opportunity to build their reading skills by working in small groups and accessing books from the St. Louis County Library's online book catalogue. 

Katie Talleur at was awarded a $1,000 matching grant to fund the program, "Everyone a Leader."  This grant will help fund materials for Vision Day, which is an activity that helps identify leadership skills in all students through Franklin Covey’s Leader in Me Program. 

Alice Patton at LaSalle Springs Middle School was awarded a $1,000 matching grant to begin the Leader in Me program at the school.  This funding will provide training to school counselors so they can learn how to effectively facilitate the seven habits identified in this program to help students.  

Mekea Johnson at Woerther Elementary School received a $1,000 matching grant to fund eReaders.  These tools will be targeted to students participating in the eReader Book Club, during which teachers will equip students with specific skills and comprehension strategies.  

The Foundation’s mission is to enhance educational opportunities for Rockwood students, and help teachers develop positive innovations and enrich the communities it serves.  “Every year, the Foundation awards teachers and administrators thousands of dollars worth of grants to help enhance classroom learning,” said Debbie Fluchel, executive director of the Rockwood Schools Foundation.  

For more information about the Rockwood Schools Foundation, contact Debbie Fluchel at 636-207.6800 or visit www.rockwoodfoundation.org.