BBH Schools Foundation awards $98,982 in classroom grants

by Denise Gawlik

Innovation is the key word when it comes to writing a winning grant proposal to the Brecksville-Broadview Heights Schools Foundation.

The foundation’s grant program is not intended to supply funds for routine, day-to-day educational needs of teachers and staff.  But rather, successful grant applications propose unique classroom experiences and push the boundaries for engaging and instructing students in the BBH school district. In other words, the foundation is looking for grants that offer something not typically provided by the district and that will expand beyond the students’ traditional educational experience.

The foundation was founded, in part, with the purpose of enriching the educational experience of BBH students. One of the ways the foundation accomplishes this goal is through its classroom enrichment grant program. Classroom enrichment grants are annually awarded to BBH teachers and staff who apply and meet the established criteria. Applications are submitted in late spring, evaluated by foundation members during the summer and awarded at the district’s convocation, welcoming staff back each August.

This year, the foundation awarded 11 grants totaling $98,982 to BBH teachers and staff representing each of the district’s three schools.

The following BBH teachers and staff submitted successful grant applications: (from the elementary school) Tricia Astey Radak, Rachel Burkholder, Nina Carvell, Susan Folta, Effie Konstas, Shari Hodgson, Sarah Potts, Sarah Amick, Dawn Corrigan, Chris Hartland, Tina McCauley and Morgan Kolis; (from the elementary school and middle school) Dayna Daltorio, Lisa Feldner, Christina Fischer, Brittany Hyde and Corey Shingleton; and (from the high school) Ryan Goubeaux and Andy Hansen. These grants include funds to purchase a 3-D scanner, 3-D camera, musical keyboards and the supplies necessary to construct a wind tunnel for a middle school STEM project. Grant monies will also be utilized to provide therapeutic horseback riding and music and art therapy to the district’s special needs students.

For more information regarding the Schools Foundation, its grant program and/or grant winners, visit www.bbhsf.org. ∞