District 39 Educational Foundation
Inspiring Minds
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.
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.
Four Gripp Grants were awarded on November 14th for the Fall 2018 grant season.
Jeneane Pence, Highcrest PE teacher, was awarded a grant for 30 Zone watches to assist students with heart rate monitoring during PE activities. Students will get accurate, real time feedback while still active to help them make a connection between their intensity level and heart rate. Teachers will also be able to use this information to personalize the students’ fitness goals.
D39 Student Services Coordinator, Taylor Harvey and Romona/Harper Assistant Principal, Elena Ryan were
awarded a grant to purchase 20 Qballs and JBL Flip portable speakers which will be used in all D39 elementary schools. A Qball is a ball-shaped microphone that sends a user’s voice via Bluetooth to a speaker that amplifies their words for all to hear. It can be passed or tossed around the classroom as students answer questions, read papers, and contribute to conversations. It supports collaboration in the classroom and an inclusive and shared learning environment for all students including those with speech and hearing special needs.
All elementary schools will benefit from the grant for 32 Sphero BOLT robots awarded to the four schools’ technology teachers Julie Garry, Lauren Wysocke, Beth Cummo and Christina Rosario. Each school was granted 8 robots which will provide students with a hands-on opportunity to expand their coding skills. With three different coding canvases – Draw, Block and Text – that move from beginner to advanced coding skills, the robots can be differentiated by age group and coding ability. Robots will be used in many different classes including math, social studies, art, etc.
Central PE teacher, Kathleen Peth, was awarded a grant to purchase 5 Gameballs to be used in PE. These balls link via Bluetooth to nine game apps that voice directions for each activity as well as updates
scores, distance, etc. These games give students immediate feedback on their game skills and technique. These games can utilize math, measurement and competitive skills as well.
It’s hard for us to believe we’ve been part of the District 39 community since 1993. Our mission continues to be:
We’ve do this through the awarding of Gripp Grants named in honor of Phyllis Gripp (foundation member and former D39 teacher). These encourage teachers, administrators, and others in the community to pursue innovative ideas and think beyond traditional classroom teachings. We fund what the district cannot support with tax dollars alone.
What have Gripp Grants Provided?:
