District 39 Educational Foundation
Inspiring Minds
The District 39 Educational Foundation Board voted on May 15th to approve a donation towards the Board of Education’s strategic planning initiative to outfit innovative classrooms in all six D39 schools. A total of $42,000 will be donated — $6,000 earmarked for each elementary school, $9,000 for Highcrest Middle School, and $9,000 for Wilmette Junior High School.
Cheri Bridge and Jill Forti, Technology Specialists at WJHS, were awarded a grant to purchase 29 MERGE cubes to support the initiation of the D39 Augmented Reality program, which builds upon the existing Virtual Reality program. MERGE cubes allow students to visualize complex systems by turning 3D models into a virtual object that students can manipulate, allowing them to better ‘experience’ the content they are studying.
All four elementary schools will benefit from the grant for Sensory Paths to be installed in each of the schools. A Sensory Path is an organized course typically placed in a school hallway that encourages a routine, predictable motor break and provides students with an additional place to take ‘brain breaks’ during the school day. This grant was a collaborative effort involving 10 staff members, namely: Elyse Adamo (Romona LBS), Michelle Mermelstein (Romona OT), Lindsey Barnes (Romona Early Childhood OT), Gabrielle Young (Romona 1st Grade Teacher), Muffy Pinney (Harper Librarian), Anne Clark (Harper LBS), Emma Hearty (Central LBS), Kathleen Peth (Central PE Teacher), Andrea Zito (Central Nurse), Paula Lundell (McKenzie OT).
On June 4th, WJHS students displayed creative self portrait photographs at a public art show and wowed viewers with their captivating images. They should all be very proud! The D39 Educational Foundation’s SAM Arts Fund sponsored the project for WJHS students.
[Read more…] about “Empowered to Be Yourself” Creative Self Portraiture Photography Project
The Wilmette Pub Crawl on Thursday, May 16th was a great success with perfect weather this year!
It was be a fun night to meet friends and enjoy Wilmette dining and bar establishments.
Many thanks to the Wilmette Pub Crawl founders, Ted Zaller and Peter Lipsey, for the $4,070 gift they bestowed upon the D39 Educational Foundation. We are very grateful for your support.
Space is freaking awesome! This year’s Math in the Real World speaker was Dr. Michelle Larson, President and CEO of The Adler Planetarium.
[Read more…] about Dr. Michelle Larson, President & CEO of The Adler Planetarium, Shares Love of Space With WJHS Students
The D39 Educational Foundation proudly announces the Ray of Light Fund in honor of Superintendent Dr. Ray Lechner at his retirement. The fund celebrates Dr. Lechner’s background, support, and advocacy of special education and inclusion programming over his 20-year tenure. Dr. Lechner’s steadfast encouragement of all students to learn and grow together not only strengthened the Wilmette community throughout all six of D39’s schools, but also positively impacted children to be advocates for one another throughout their lives.
The Ray of Light Fund was designed to support and enhance inclusion efforts by encouraging positive, mutually respectful educational experiences to inspire students of all needs and abilities to learn alongside one another while fostering positive relationships. The fund will sponsor a variety of programs to benefit all D39 students, staff, and the Wilmette community to continue the inclusion efforts Dr. Lechner enriched during his time as Superintendent.
The D39 Educational Foundation endowed the Ray of Light Fund with $5,000, not only to honor his leadership but also to recognize his impact and influence as a member of the Foundation board. All contributions to the Ray of Light Fund will be directed towards these efforts.
If you would like to donate to this fund in honor of Dr. Lechner’s retirement, please click here.