Ed Foundation Awards Star Grants
The Education Foundation of Hudson awarded Star Grants for innovative classroom projects and curriculum training. The foundation awarded nine grants totaling $20,929.21 for project involving educators at the Hudson School District, St. Patrick School and Trinity Academy.
Foundation Board President John Kromer, and other board members, presented the awards during ceremonies at Hudson High School December 5th. Kromer told recipients that the foundation and community are proud of the educators’ efforts to bring innovative ideas to the classrooms of local schools.
Winners of Star Grants from the Education Foundation were recognized at a ceremony at Hudson High School, among those recognized were, front from left, Melissa Gruenes, Samantha Thrane, Karla Willaby, Sarah Cook and Amy Anderson; back from left, Foundation Board President John Kromer, Heather Fey, Lisa Dumont, Amanda Fedor, Dan Weiland and Foundation Board member Scott Snyder.
Grants
- Celebration of Nations submitted by teacher Samantha Thrane from River Crest Elementary School on behalf of the Hudson School District. The annual Celebration of Nations is a district-wide event offering displays, food and entertainment highlighting the many diverse cultures present in the district. The annual event is scheduled April 17, 2025 at the high school and is open to the public. The foundation awarded $3,000.
- Tech Ed equipment submitted by teacher Dan Weiland from Hudson High School. The grant will assist in acquiring additional new technology equipment, including multi-meters for testing circuits. The foundation awarded $2,236.
- Phonics Fun submitted by teacher Jenna Weiland on behalf of all six elementary schools in the Hudson School District. The grant is designed to engage elementary students in literacy through interactive games. The program is designed to improve student proficiency in phonics and reading. The foundation awarded $2,700.
- 4K/Early Childhood Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC) submitted by teachers Amy Anderson, Karla Willaby and Sarah Cook from River Crest Elementary School on behalf of the Hudson School District. The program is designed to assist preschool children with developmental disabilities involving difficulties in communicating with family members, teachers and peers. The foundation awarded $1,652.
- Digital microscopes submitted by teacher Lisa Dumont at St. Patrick School. The grant was for the purchase of two Andonstar digital microscopes to be used by fourth grade students at the school. The foundation awarded $499.98.
- Let’s Play Learn submitted by teacher Heather Fey at St. Patrick School. The proposal aims to identify phonological awareness learning gaps in kindergarten and first grade students. The program is designed to increase spelling accuracy and writing. The foundation awarded $1,495.
- Sibling Support Group submitted by Amanda Fedor (counselor) and Dan Bell (principal) at St. Patrick School. The program is designed to form a support group for siblings of children with special needs. The foundation awarded $1,162.
- Digital Display for multipurpose space submitted by teacher Tammy Langness at Trinity Academy. The proposal involves the purchase of a large screen television and protective equipment in the school’s multipurpose gym space (gym, cafeteria, auditorium). The foundation awarded $3,184.23.
- Reading Intervention Materials/Resources submitted by teacher Melissa Gruenes at Trinity Academy. The grant will assist in obtaining necessary materials and resources to establish a reading intervention program at the school. The foundation awarded $5,000.
The foundation is funded by private donations, mostly coming from local and area businesses, individuals and foundations. Star Grants offer financial support for projects that would not typically be funded in the normal budgeting process. The foundation, founded in 1990, is a private organization established to strengthen community participation in all local schools and inspire both teachers and students. With these recent grants, the foundation has funded just over $2,120,000 in local education projects and awards since the organization’s inception.
In addition to Kromer, current foundation board members are Lynn Krueger, Dr. Ron Bernth, Jodell Krause, Doug Stohlberg, Heidi Gilbert, and Scott Snyder. Steven Keller is the organization’s volunteer executive director.
Star Grants encourage creative ideas that improve the education of students. The program provides resources to students and teachers to implement new initiatives in their schools and the community. Grants can be used in a variety of ways including, but not limited to, classroom innovations, curriculum development, and staff training. Funding may be granted to individuals or groups as sole or matching resources. The grants are to be a means of exploring, developing, and refining ideas for the improvement of education. The maximum grant amount is $5,000.
The foundation awards Star Grants twice each year. Application deadlines are November 1 and April 1. The foundation also selects winners of the Star Excellence Award each year. The award is presented to outstanding educators in the spring. Those individuals are nominated by the public and nominations are due April 1 of each year.
The foundation, founded in 1990, is a private organization established to strengthen community participation in local schools and inspire both teachers and students. With the November 2023 grants, the foundation has funded just over $2,120,000 in local education projects and awards since the organization’s inception.
The foundation is funded by private donations, mostly coming from local and area businesses, individuals, and foundations.