Yoto Player
The D39 Educational Foundation also awarded McKenzie elementary for $1,881 for Yoto Devices with audiobooks, music, and podcasts. The Yoto device offers a unique way to engage students through a screen-free, audio-driven platform. By using age-appropriate content such as audio books, music, and even educational Podcasts, students can immerse themselves in learning in a way that keeps their attention and curiosity. This engagement promotes focus, helps develop listening comprehension, and makes learning feel more like play, which is particularly appealing to younger students. One of the most empowering aspects of the Yoto device is its ability to promote self-directed learning. Students can use the device independently, selecting content that matches their interests and learning pace. This is especially beneficial in a differentiated classroom where students have varying levels of literacy and comprehension. The Yoto device gives students the opportunity to practice reading and listening skills in a non-intimidating environment, building…
Toniebox Audio Player
The D39 Educational Foundation awarded $1.054 to Romona Elementary for the purchase of Toniebox Audio Players and several Tonies Audio Play Characters and Audiobooks. The Toniebox provides a screen-free digital audio experience, which is especially beneficial for early childhood and elementary classrooms as well as the special education population. This allows students to develop listening skills, imagination, and focus without the distractions of the screens. The soft squeezable speaker with simple controls allows young children to independently operate the device. The tactile interaction helps develop fine motor skills, while giving students control over their audio experience. The Toniebox supports multiple learning styles, with auditory, tactile manipulatives and encourages movement. The Toniebox also allows repetition for students who benefit from additional exposure to content. For developing readers, it builds vocabulary and comprehension skills. By having several devices available for the school library we are able to provide this opportunity to the…
Logitech Crayons
The D39 Educational Foundation also awarded $24,808 to all 4 elementary schools. Technology has revolutionized the way students learn and teachers instruct. There has also been emerging research on the benefits of handwriting versus typing and the positive effects it has on learning. Logitech Crayons will help integrate the benefits of handwriting with our current learning environment on I-Pads. The Logitech Crayon will provide opportunities for enhanced interactivity and engagement for students, foster creativity and critical thinking, collaboration, and promote accessibility and inclusivity for all students. Students will be able to actively participate in lessons using the Logitech Crayon to annotate, draw, and interact with digital content, becoming contributors to their own learning process. They can explore their talents through sketchnoting, digital art and design, as well as use the Logitech Crayon for brainstorming and mind mapping activities. Students will be able to think critically and express their ideas in…
Class VR
The D39 Educational Foundation awarded $19,517 to Highcrest Middle School for the purchase of a class VR. There are many benefits to adding ClassVR to our classrooms. ClassVR is an immersive virtual reality platform that allows students to experience a wide range of educational content in a way that is engaging and interactive. With ClassVR, students are able to explore historical sites, scientific concepts, and cultural landmarks from all around the world in a safe and controlled environment. In addition to curricular connections, another benefit of Class VR is its ability tosupport social and emotional development among students. Research has shown that virtual reality experiences can help students develop greater self-awareness, emotional regulation skills, and empathy for others. They will build relationships and social skills by participating in shared VR experiences. Congratulations to Maayan Sloan, HMS Technology Specialist for 5th Grade and Samantha Smith Technology Specialist for 6th Grade!
StringRise Instruments
The D39 Educational Foundation awarded $952 to Highcrest Middle School for the purchase of Stringrise instruments, which are designed as pre-instruments to support the development of proper technique and posture for students in beginning orchestra. The grant covers the cost of four ½ size box violins, two ¾ size box violins, four ½ size cellos, two ¾ size cellos, one ⅛ size box bass, and one ¼ box size bass. The Stringrise instruments look, feel, and function in the same way as traditional instruments, but are significantly lighter, don’t produce sound, and include guides to help scaffold the learning process for students. This allows beginning orchestra students a new way to connect with their instrument to develop proper posture and technique which will ultimately allow students to achieve higher levels of musicianship.
Communication Boards
The D39 Educational Foundation also awarded $4,249.81 to Romona Elementary for the purchase of communication boards to help facilitate communication among all students. The goal with this project is to create a culture of belonging at Romona. A communication board is a board that displays symbols, pictures, or photos that a person can use to communicate with those around them. These boards will provide students with differing language capabilities the ability to express themselves thus helping them feel included and understood. The grant includes purchasing one permanent communication board for the main playground, two removable communication boards for the kindergarten and early childhood playgrounds, and two traveling communication boards that can be moved from the cafeteria to gym and other places within the building. The communication boards represent a new and innovative model of neurodiversity affirming education, which seeks to uplift students of differing abilities and create environments that foster…
Railyard Fitness System
Students in all four D39 elementary schools now have access to a Railyard Fitness System which can be used in a multitude of configurations that support the District’s elementary curriculum and philosophy, which states “movement and activity are essential components of total body wellness and academic achievement.” Because the system is made up of many components, it can be easily dismantled and transported so the two systems will be shared among the four elementary schools. The obstacle courses will develop students’ upper body, lower body and core strength, as well as flexibility and cardio fitness.
Innovative Learning through Apple Pencils
After piloting Innovative Learning through Apple Pencils in the WJHS Math Department this fall, the team felt every classroom could be improved through the use of the smart tool which connects at home learners with in person learners seamlessly and effectively. (more…)
Romona Mud Cafe
Students at Romona Elementary School and the D39 Early Childhood program now have an all-season outdoor classroom where they can let their imaginations run free. The wooden structure includes a ‘mud kitchen’, ‘dining area’, and ‘work table’ and is called the Romona Mud Cafe. (more…)
Shoebox Tasks
Students at D39 elementary schools can now be creative and independent while working on our “Shoebox Tasks.” (more…)
Sensory Paths
All four D39 elementary schools installed Sensory Paths over summer 2019. 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. Students are thrilled with the fun physical challenges that relieve brain fatigue. (more…)
Zone Watches for Highcrest
During the Fall 2018 Gripp Grant award cycle, Jeneane Pence, Highcrest PE teacher, was awarded a grant for 30 Zone watches to assist students with heart rate monitoring during PE activities. (more…)
Qballs and JBL Flip portable speakers
In November 2018, 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 for use in all D39 elementary schools. (more…)
Sphero BOLT Robots
In Fall 2018, the four D39 elementary school technology teachers Julie Garry, Lauren Wysocke, Beth Cummo and Christina Rosario were awarded funds for 32 Sphero BOLT robots. Each school was granted 8 robots to provide students with a hands-on opportunity to expand their coding skills. (more…)
One Book, One District
The district schools received a grant to fund One Book, One District, which was co-funded by each of the district school’s PTAs and PTOs. The program connected all schools and students in District 39 through one common book.
Highcrest Middle School Broadcast Live!
In November 2017, Mayaan Sloane and Samantha Sutton, Highcrest Technology Innovation Specialists, were granted the purchase of video and recording equipment to transition the weekly WHMS News into a live student written, directed and executed broadcast. The broadcast is aired every Monday morning to Highcrest and the Wilmette community. (more…)
WJHS Science Moticams
Dr. Peter Ower, WJHS 7th grade science teacher was granted funding for 24 Moticams, which are special cameras that mount on the lab microscopes already in use at WJHS. (more…)
Harper “Only You” River Rocks Path
Harper art teacher, Kathleen Robinson, was awarded a grant to create a school-wide art installation that fostered conversations about individuality and making the world a better place for all.
Romona Outdoor Learning Gazebo
Students and teachers are thoroughly enjoying the opportunity to learn in their new outdoor classroom. From preschool reading time to elementary science exploration the gazebo provides the school community with a unique extension of the main school building. It’s almost like a one room school house from years gone by!
Breakout EDU Boxes
Teachers and students at all elementary schools and WJHS have been wildly enthusiastic about these boxes and their potential uses. They have been used at every grade level in multiple classes from science to music to social studies. A Harper School social worker and an LBS ran a Breakout focused on the skills they are teaching to students in their social skills group. “This box helps target SO many skills – and works with ANY curriculum,” said Harper DST Sue Flachsbart.