by Logan Gruber
operations@thenewsleaders.com
The Sauk Rapids-Rice Education Foundation shuttled around the school district on Friday, Dec. 18, handing out grants to various classrooms which had submitted applications to the foundation.
The grants varied in size from $100-$925.
Founded in 2012, SRREF funds special projects that go far beyond the district’s operating budget and has donated about $30,000 in grants to the Sauk Rapids-Rice School District.
SRREF members who rode along for the tour include: Dr. Daniel Bittman, Wendy Pikus and Trisha Hendrickson.
Rice Elementary second-grade teacher Donna Buckner, seen here next to Sauk Rapids-Rice Superintendent Daniel Bittman, explained to her class that they received $400 for the Minnesota Storytime At-Home Reading Project for Grade 2. This project creates take-home literacy bags for second-grade students. Bags along with books from a list of Minnesota authors will be purchased with the money. The goal is to provide an easy, non-threatening way for parents and children to interact with books and promote positive reading experiences.
Fifth-grade teacher Kelsey Bean, pictured here with Rice Elementary Principal Christina Bemboom and Sauk Rapids-Rice Superintendent Daniel Bittman, applied for and received $500 to purchase keyboards for the students to use with their iPads, of which there is one for every student. The keyboards give students of all levels equal access when using iPads, especially when writing essays and other projects.
Pleasantview Elementary hird-grade teacher Valerie Martin received a grant for $100 to help fund an all-day visit from Minnesota author Rusty Gwost, who will talk about his writing experiences and becoming a publisher to all classes in the grade.
Second-grade teacher at Pleasantview Elementary Carissa Solarz was extremely surprised to learn her application for take-home bags and books was approved for $925. A wide variety of books of all reading levels will be purchased to support the diverse reading needs of all second-graders. Pleasantview Principal Aby Froiland is next to Sauk Rapids-Rice Superintendent Daniel Bittman.
Mississippi Heights Elementary teacher Aaron Jurek applied for $300 to make maple syrup with students. Supplies will be purchased to collect maple sap and turn it into pure syrup. The project will touch on topics related to social studies, science and life skills. The plan includes bringing in parent and community volunteers. Pictured, from left to right, are: Sauk Rapids-Rice Supertintendent Daniel Bittman, Jurek, Mississippi Heights Principal Sue Paasch, and Sauk Rapids-Rice Education Foundation members Trisha Hendrickson and Wendy Pikus.
Mississippi Heights Elementary teacher Theresa Maas was busy with students at lunch, and so was surprised in the hall. She applied for $500 to reach high-potential learners through purposeful teaching of critical-thinking skills. The money will purchase educational activity games from Think Fun to foster critical-thinking skills. The games will benefit all kindergarten students. Pictured are Maas, Mississippi Heights Principal Paasch and Sauk Rapids-Rice Superintendent Daniel Bittman.
High-school math teacher Jon Roesch accepted the award for a group of teachers who applied for $325 each for a Bamboo tablet, Camtasia software and a headset. The software and hardware will be used to make math tutorial videos which students can access from any device at any location. Other math teachers who applied are: Patty Tamble and Megan Urbatch. Pictured, from left to right, are: High school Principal Erich Martens, Roesch, Sauk Rapids-Rice Education Foundation members Trisha Hendrickson and Wendy Pikus, and Sauk Rapids-Rice Superintendent Daniel Bittman.
