Foundation Provides Nearly $10K In Grants To Enrich Student Experience
Lakewood Rangers Education Foundation Executive Director Terri Richards (at right) and Board of Trustees President Vicki Smigelski presented the teacher grants at the District's annual Convocation Aug. 22.
For the last eight years, money from the Margaret Warner Educational Grants Fund of the Lakewood Rangers Education Foundation has provided Lakewood City Schools teachers the ability to offer enrichment opportunities to its students. This year is no different as the Foundation awarded more than $9,000 in grants. The awards, along with a grant from the Meinke Creative Teaching Grant Fund, were announced at the District's annual Convocation on Monday, Aug.22.
The Rangers Education Foundation has a long history of helping enrich Lakewood students’ educational experiences. That is why the estate of Margaret Warner, who had a long and distinguished career as a social studies teacher at Lakewood High, decided to donate to the foundation in 1998. The grants fund was established in 2007 from that initial money.
The fund was set with the specific purpose of supporting the district’s teaching staff. Over the years, nearly $65,000 has gone to teachers in their efforts to broaden their students’ horizons and enrich their learning. The grant winners are selected by a three-person committee that includes a Foundation trustee, a retired administrator and a retired LHS teacher.
The grants help fund projects that help our students academically, culturally, socially and physically. Some examples of projects funded for the 2016-2017 school year include:
- Family book club at Lincoln Elementary
- After-school yoga club at Harrison Elementary
- Great Lakes Theater residency program at Lakewood High
- A girls' leadership group that brings refugee and American girls together at Lakewood High
- A middle school soccer club
- An Underground Railroad experience at Garfield Middle School
These are just some of the creative programs Lakewood Schools teachers have developed to make sure that the District's students are well-educated and well-rounded!