The AEF board of directors approved 24 grants totaling nearly $20,000 in the first of four grant cycles during the 2022-23 school year.
Appleton East High School
$2,100 – embroidery equipment for the Maker Space
Appleton North High School
$400 – cleaning and storage supplies for donated caps and gowns – so every graduating student will have the ability to participate in the graduation ceremony, regardless of financial circumstances
Appleton West High School
$299 – students will learn and practice executive functioning skills necessary for academic and social-emotional success
$200 – classroom space dedicated to celebrating and showing off exemplary student work
$3,000 – Shoulders to Stand On 1:1 tutoring program
Central Program
$500 – equipment to update the food science lab
$200 – 3D puzzles to promote problem solving, collaboration, and pre-planning skills
$250 – incentives to encourage achievements in and out of the classroom and help students feel connected to their school home
Badger Elementary School
$500 – age-appropriate playground games and equipment to engage older students during recess
Janet Berry Elementary School
$719 – subscription to IXL – an interactive math website – to deepen sixth-grade students’ understanding of math concepts
$215 – students will learn to crochet to practice fine motor skills, as well as math, reading, and social studies skills
Franklin Elementary School
$600 – equipment for a special education classroom
Stephen Foster Elementary Charter School
$174 – Camp Read A Lot – mini tents and flashlights to encourage Kindergarten students’ excitement about independent reading
$336 – support purchase of Mightier – an evidence-based biofeedback program that provides a visual way for kids to understand and control their emotions
Edna Ferber Elementary School
$968 – supplies for music cardio drumming – a program that turns music and drumming into exercise for physical, academic, and mental health benefits
$595 – manipulatives to increase student understanding of math concepts
Houdini Elementary School
$350 – take-home folders with math games to encourage students to practice math with their families
$400 – materials to encourage students to read at home
$390 – equipment to create an inviting and supportive classroom space
McKinley Elementary School
$435 – a loom for the art room, students will learn to weave and will use recycled materials to create art
Richmond Elementary School
$2,400 – a Talk To Me Technologies playground communication board to support all students, especially students who are nonverbal or who are not able to talk when upset
$750 – supports monthly, hands-on experiences with a naturalist from the Apple Creek YMCA.
Kaleidoscope Academy
$1,196 – addition of – emWave – a biofeedback tool to help students self-regulate to support mental health
The Building for Kids
$3,000 – Supports a collaboration with The Building for Kids and Appleton Area School District for an immersive learning experience that teaches 2nd grade students about money. All AASD 2nd graders will attend.
Funding for these projects came from the following charitable funds within the Appleton Education Foundation: AEF Fund, Betsy Melzer Endowment Fund, Gruner Family Community Mental Wellness Fund, John Mielke and Sally Morey Mielke Education Fund, Scheuerman Family Fund, and Vira and Alan Stoner Education Fund.