Your gifts at work: $113,000 to CCSD educators and schools!
Students in Ms. Brumfiel’s music class at Arrowhead Elementary love getting hands-on when it comes to music. For many, school is the one place they’ll get to experiment with musical instruments. Ms. Brumfiel was excited by the prospect of introducing her students to the guitar this year. It’s an instrument they’re all interested in learning, and a chance to teach students about music they hear every day. Her students will soon be rocking out with new guitars in hand thanks to funds provided by CCSF donors.
At Eastridge Elementary, on the heels of the pandemic, Ms. Firedman saw a critical need when her students returned to the classroom. Building relationships, developing social skills, and being physically present with peers is critical for young students. Teaching all of last year online herself, Ms. Firedman knows first-hand how important in-person connections are. After returning from remote learning, her students needed to an opportunity to reestablish relationships and strengthen connections with one another. With her grant, she plans on getting students away from screens and use special games to help students move their bodies and reestablish connections they lost, or never had the chance to make, with their peers.
At Smoky Hill High, Mr. Harmon knows one of the best ways to learn something is to teach it. With his grant, he’s finding a new way to help struggling seniors master reading skills. His program will pair seniors with a 4th and 5th grade student to read together. Seniors will take a leadership role, but the benefits of reading with a buddy are reciprocal. Both seniors and elementary students have a chance to actively build reading strategies, create positive connections, and add additional time each day for reading.
These are just a few of projects made possible thanks to contributions from our community. “We’re so grateful to the donors that made these grants to our educators possible”, said Chris Smith, Cherry Creek Schools Superintendent. “I love seeing the creativity and energy our staff brings with their grant projects. Each one is a chance to engage students in different ways and get them excited to learn. We are incredibly lucky to have community members that invest in our teachers and classrooms. Your donations provide more tools and resources for our teachers, and in turn benefit thousands of our students.”
Lisa Mixon, CCSF Board member who participated in the grant selection committee, was impressed to see all the different ways teachers across the district are working to engage students and address their needs. “I was able to see the passion these teachers and staff have for our students. I’ve seen it in the past through my kids, but it was amazing to see all the creative ways CCSD’s educators seek to make differences in their students’ lives”, said Lisa.
This school year, our donors have funded over 100 projects at schools across the district. Altogether, our donors have provided more than 1,000 grants like these to CCSD educators – positively impacting generations of students.
Getting a chance to see all of this year’s classroom grants, Lisa’s message to CCSF donors was: “You are helping make a difference! You are helping teachers as they serve students.”
Congratulations to all of this year’s grant recipients! Learn more about the EIG program and each of this year’s grant projects here.
The EIG program is made possible thanks to support from our community. Donate today to support our students, teachers, and schools.
