Mini-Grant Recipients at Libertyville Elementary District 70

Adler Park School Student Council Leadership Invitational

Awarded to Holly Simon at

The purpose of this program is two-fold: First, the fifth grade team, along with Student Council elect, will be immersed in an inclusive day of leadership and team building development.  Second, the Student Council will be offered three after school workshops focusing on communication with confidence.

Read and Feed

Awarded to Erin Carr at

Each month students in grades three to five will be invited to a book cub called Read and Feed. Working with grade-level groups, the students will eat their lunch in the Learning Center, communicating their thoughts about a book that the group selected to read.  Copies of the chosen books and a small dessert will be provided to the students through the funding of this mini-grant.

Parents are Partners!

Awarded to Leah Shepard at

This project involves making available for loan, six books that are frequently recommended to parents who are trying to help their children with school related problems. Having a book to hand to a parent as they leave a meeting regarding a school concern increases the likelihood that they will learn more about how to help their child.

While some parents are in a position to purchase these books for themselves, many of our parents are dependent on the library, and the library often requires waiting for the book. 

In addition to being able to offer a book directly to parents, availability of the books will be publicized in the Adler Gazette and on the Social Work website.

Speak for the Trees a Recycling Project

Awarded to Denise Dorf and Angelia Pontarelli at , and Maggie Barrett and Jaine Hogan at

The kindergartners in Libertyville’s Adler Park and Butterfield schools will be focusing on recycling, along with other environmental issues, throughout the school year.  After learning about recycling and the protection of trees via The Lorax and other books, students will track the amount of paper recycled each with a goal of recycling enough to plant a new tree in Libertyville.

Buddy’s Backyard

Awarded to Bill Etnyre, Pat Krech, Candice Kehoe and Andy Elbert at

Butterfield will transform the new, asphalt hardscape into a colorful arrangement of games students love to play.  Hopscotch, alphabet grids and number girds are a few examples of the many games that will be created.  Permanent playground activities will make playtime more positive and productive.

I Know That.com/First Grade

Awarded to Krista Panock, Amy Reichart, Linda Knoll and Maureen Rogers at

Children can explore, through this interactive website, a wide variety of academic subject matter designed to engage their thinking and test their problem solving skills.

21-Century Writer: Using Service-Learning Projects to Develop Third Grade Writing Skills

Awarded to Julie Jermakowicz, Becki Jo Miranda, Beth Weaver, and Amy Hay at

Will purchase materials that can be used by third grade students to publish informative letters, books and poetry collections.  These published writing projects will be shared with selected local, state and national non-profit organizations.

Fostering the Relaxed and Focused Classroom

Awarded to Amy Hay at

With use of the The Calm Classroom Training Manual, The Calm Classroom Focusing Chime and The Calm Classroom Focusing Bell, the classroom teacher will look to reduce students’ stress levels, anxiety and broaden attention using this program.  The teacher will share with Copeland Manor staff the strategies that were successful or helpful in the classroom.

A Positive Behavior System for Rockland School

Awarded to Danya Greenberg at

The objective of this grant is to monitor student behaviors throughout the school setting utilizing the SWIS data system, as well as celebrating the success of those children whom are doing what is expected. This grant, in line with District 70 Strategic Planning will be used as a pilot concept to support student behavior.

The evaluation will be done both informally and formally.  By comparing SWIS data on a month-to-month basis, as well as a location basis, school personnel will be able to celebrate the positive areas of student behaviors.  Additionally, the data will also help staff to see what locations and/or times of the year in which certain behaviors must be re-taught.

Reading Around Town

Awarded to Danya Greenberg at

The objective of this grant is to offer differentiated instruction that is motivating, easily accessible and custom suited to individual needs both inside and outside the classroom. 

Reading allows children to enter a realm of imagination and exploration.  Students who struggle in reading often lack motivation to pick up a book outside of the classroom. 

The potential for enhancing texts with images, embedding audio and providing the ability to alter the text size are all possible with the assistance of an eReader. If children are provided this outlet at home, the chances of reading outside the classroom are increased.

Grammar Rocks!

Awarded to Linda Snader at

Students will learn basic grammar concepts and parts of speech through the use of various multisensory activities.  As an alternative to traditional grammar worksheets, students will interact with one another and learn grammar while singing, acting drawing, coloring, reciting poetry and playing grammar games.

Let’s Hear MORE TRUE Stories Providing Engaging Nonfiction Titles for 6th Graders

Awarded to Linda O’Connell and Katie Schwind at

Students will work collaboratively as a team to read, discuss, question and make connections to non-fiction texts.  They will also use the Applications of Learning as a way to present information and demonstrate their learning. 

Virtually Connected: Authors and Students Discuss Reading and Writing

Awarded to Kara Dirst, Carey Fox, Linda O’Connell, and Erin Wyatt at

This proposed project will connect students at Highland Middle School with published authors for discussions about literary elements and the craft of writing. Through the use of video-conferencing, an avenue to connect with experts will be utilized to help students build their knowledge of literature as well as gain inspiration for their own writing.

Co: Writer 6 Initiative: A mini-grant for Innovation in Education

Two grants were awarded to Crysta Sharp and Brianne Smith at

This grant is to work cooperatively with our students in both the regular Language Arts/Literature and resource classrooms to increase students’ success with the writing process. The software will be able to be used in both settings in order to meet all of the students’ needs.

Digital Drawing: For Images and Animations

Awarded to Melissa Rosen and Kim Hauman

Digital Art, Digital Storytelling and Animation are 8th Grade Applied Technology Electives. These classes work extensively with electronic drawing image manipulation and storytelling.

The projects in these classes are usually extremely detailed and parts can often be redrawn multiple times. Using a mouse to draw is difficult and cumbersome, and students are more capable of drawing using a pencil and piece of paper. By using graphic tablets in these classes students are able to create digital illustrations and animations with greater ease.

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