Underwriting Success at Every Level Liberty Hill Foundation Grants

Building student confidence, electric race cars, and an elementary STEM lab district educators are fostering innovation and connection with equal conviction thanks to more than $51,000 in grant awards from the Liberty Hill Education Foundation. “We all know teachers pay out of pocket for innovative things more often than they should. They shouldn’t have to do that,” Foundation President John Newberg says.

Since 2020, thanks to generous donors and community partnerships, the grants program has raised more than $156,000 for educator grants and student scholarships. Grants are awarded for projects that support the district’s education plan but for which there are no current budget allowances. Each year, teachers and staff are encouraged to submit proposals for innovative instructional concepts that foster higher levels of learning at one or multiple grade levels.

HOPPERS NOT DROPPERS — LET THE GAMES BEGIN

Katie Ann Prescott, Monica Miller, and Rhanda Schrank want every student to be a Smartie kid so they are incentivizing student improvement throughout the year, up to and including the 2023 STAAR tests. Their mission is to increase the number of students who 'meet standards' in math from 59 to 75 percent, and help a targeted subgroup reach 50 percent on the reading portion.

All students who show growth in its smallest measure receive a Smartie card, good for namesake candy treats and the honor of writing their names on the Hopper wall. Katie Ann explains, "It's not really about the candy. The cards are a badge of honor because growth is the goal and they can be proud of every achievement, no matter how small."

In April, all students who received a card will be able to participate in Hopper Day a field day with games, food, and activity stations. Grant money will be used to purchase items for a friendship bracelet station, popcorn and sno-cone machines, corn hole, sidewalk chalk, and more.

Katie Ann says the impact has been tremendous. "It is simple but powerful. The kids are obsessed with signing their names on the wall and the games day will be a special celebration knowing they pushed themselves all year." The teachers also hope to raise new funds to add a Gaga Ball pit for 2023.

Solar Car Club

Michael McGregor is helping Liberty Hill High School students build a car from the ground up. His project proposal, submitted with Sarah McGill, and Mathew Gately is helping purchase metal, batteries, and solar panels plus everything from brakes to turn signals to install in their road-worthy electric vehicle. Michael adds, "As exciting as it is to build the car, my primary focus is on the students' work ethic and team mentality, so we're more than a club, we are the Solar Car Team." (above)

He is also excited to observe and support the students who will take turns driving in their first road race this spring. "Teams from the across the nation drive their cars, over a seven-day period, from Fort Worth to Palmdale, California. This is about science so it's not about the speed cars top out at about 20 mph it's about endurance and the car that is built the best is the winner."

He adds that the car is eligible to race for up to three years before they are required to build a new one so future students will be in charge of maintenance and upkeep of the finished vehicle. "It's all hands on deck and the biggest priority is making sure they can stay on task and work together to master the details and intricacies of the build."

S.T.E.M. INNOVATION LAB

It is never to early to get a leg up on building the world's next A.I. and Lind- sey Jameyson, Anel Ellsworth, Cheryl Russell, Jeni Reddick, Wendy Pleak are making sure all our elementary students have the opportunity to do so.

Their grant will fund a STEM lab on wheels, which can be easily taken to any classroom in the district and provide students with materials and supplies for enrichment lessons. The group are delighted they will be able to help students with 21st century skills. Lindsey says, "Some schools have more materials than others but the lab will give students access to everything they need, from robotics to Legos and canvasses, which will create equity of opportunity for all our schools. We will present them with a problem and watch as they create and put into action a plan or product to solve that problem."

The lab will also foster peer collaboration, which is a valuable skill in all areas of learning. Lindsey adds, "This lab is for all our students, not just the GT program, and will enable exercises in critical thinking and creativity that are not part of their typical classroom setting."

2023 GRANTS • $51,130

 Dimitra Becker (LHHS) • INCubator Final Pitch Funding

 Caroline Montgomery (LNES) • Phonics Based Texts

 Jenny Day (LHMS) • Crochet Service Project

 Jamie Zorn (LHHS) • Building a Scholastic Journalism Program

 Ashton Allison (SRES) • Toniebox Listening Center

 Kasie Kline (LHMS) • Yamaha PA

 Jennifer Norris (SRMS) • Turning the Abstract Concrete with Manipulatives

 Rebecca Leo (LHMS) • Bookshelf & Classroom Library

 Alison Jalufka (RSES) • Decodable Phonics Books Will Improve Reading Skills

 Patience R Lange (LHMS) • Lange’s Listening Lounge

 Janis Kidd (LHES) • Fostering Biliteracy

 Katie Ann Prescott, Monica Miller & Rhanda Schrank (LHMS) • Hoppers Not Droppers, Let the Games Begin

 Julie Bowse, Jessica Landers, Christine Huppee, Mikyela Tedder (LHHS) • Carnipalooza 2023

 Lynn Rogers • Corey Smith • Liberty Hill High School • Farm-to-Table Through Hydroponics

 Jolie Jennings, Jennifer Coates (LNE), Laura Cartier, Janis Kidd, Amanda Flournoy (BBES) • Read Across LH

 Lindsey Jameyson, Anel Ellsworth (LNE), Cheryl Russell (BBE), Jeni Reddick (SRE), Wendy Pleak (RSE) • Innovation Lab (GT Program - District Wide)

 Megan Garner, Danielle Graham (SRES) • Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

 Alesha Tolbert, Jessica Mills (LHES) • School Wide Calm Corner Kits

 Christi Poulter, Leslie Havelka, Elisha Richardson (BBES) • Sensory Paths for Student Success

 Magen Schott, Sarah Imeny (LHMS) • LCD Writing Tablets for Math Intervention

 Shannon Jones, Corina Andrews (RSES) • Attracting Young Minds With S.T.E.A.M

 Misti Schulz, Marie Layne (LHMS) • Empty Bowls

 Michael McGregor, Sarah McGill, Mathew Gately (LHHS) • Solar Car Club

by Charlotte Kovalchuk