Foundation awards SPS nearly $240K in grants

The Foundation for Springfield Public Schools awarded nearly $240,000 in grant money for 80 projects across the district.

The funds were distributed Sept. 13 among 32 Springfield Public Schools to teachers, librarians and principals who applied for grants, according to a news release.

“We are so pleased to be able to contribute this significant amount to Springfield Public Schools. Doing so enabled us to fund 80 of the much-needed, innovative back-to-school grants and projects requested by our dedicated SPS teachers and principals across the district. The money awarded today will impact students at all grade levels,” foundation board President-elect Marc Mayer said in the release.

Forty Foundation for SPS volunteers delivered the checks from donations made by community members and businesses.

This year, grants were awarded in the following categories: student experience, modern learning environment, classroom projects and community engagement.

The following are the top 10 projects receiving funding, and the applicants, ranked by dollar amount:
    •    Glendale High School, librarian Nicole Bueno, $10,400 modern learning environment grant, 1,400 students impacted;
    •    Kickapoo High School, $10,000 college and career readiness coordinator Lynn Coffey, student experience grant, 467 students impacted;
    •    Bissett Elementary School, principal Marcie Stallcup, $8,172 modern learning environment grant, 280 students impacted;
    •    Pipkin Middle School, history teacher Deb Fine, $7,500 modern learning environment grant, 2,000 students impacted;
    •    Fremont Elementary School, teacher Ashley Horton, $6,023 modern learning environment grant, 150 students impacted;
    •    Sherwood Elementary School, music teacher Vicki Bunn, $5,799 classroom projects grant, 550 students impacted;
    •    Pipkin Middle School, teacher Julia Armstrong, $5,136 student experience grant, 250 students impacted;
    •    Hickory Hills Elementary School, teacher DeeDee Harris, $5,074 classroom projects grant, 450 students impacted;
    •    Sequiota Elementary School, teacher Michelle Slominsky, $2,058 classroom projects grant, 35 students impacted; and
    •    Kickapoo High School, teacher and Chief TV media director Kyle Loudis, $5,000 modern learning environment grant, 210 students impacted.