Teacher Mini-Grant Program

one-five Foundation Kathy Buesching Memorial Mini-Grant Application Guidelines

2024-2025 School Year

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The one-five Foundation is once again offering an annual mini-grant program open to staff members of Community Consolidated School District 15. These grants can support a wide range of opportunities for the students of the District with a focus on programs or technology.

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The application window is now closed. Thank you for your interest!

 

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Mini-Grant Timeline

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Sunday, September 1, 2024
Grant application materials published on the one-five Foundation website: www.one-five.org.

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Friday, November 8, 2024

Deadline to submit grant applications.

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Monday, December 2, 2024

Grant applicants will be notified of the final award decision.

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Friday, April 25, 2025: Deadline to submit all receipts for reimbursement.

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Friday, June 30, 2025: Deadline to submit impact report for the project

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Questions regarding the mini-grant process can be directed to Adriana Koenig, one-five Foundation Chairman, and Mini-Grant Committee Chair, at chairman@one-five.org .

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Application Materials
 

To complete the form, the following information will be requested; see the online form for additional details including the scoring system and word counts:
• Applicant’s name, school and contact information
• Name of project or program
• Principal’s name and approval for submission
• Type of project: program or technology
• Area of curriculum supported by the project
• Targeted student population
• The number of students that will benefit from the project
• The grade level(s) of students that will benefit from the project
• Project description
• Rationale/Need
• Evaluation/Impact
• Project Calendar
• Project Budget

 

Application Guidelines

• The deadline for submitting all applications is Friday November 8, 2024

• DO NOT include the name of your school or any staff member names anywhere in the application other than on the cover page.

• Submission of an application form does not guarantee selection for a monetary award.

• Depending on the number of grant applications and the amount of total funds requested, the Foundation may make the decision to provide partial funding for projects.

• The Foundation will not provide money for refreshments, personal time staff may use to implement the program, salaries, commercially produced programs, or student field trips.

• Acquisition of all materials required to execute awarded grants is the responsibility of the grant recipient. All receipts as approved in the awarded submission must be submitted for reimbursement prior to April 25, 2025, and will be paid out no later than June 30, 2025.

• Recipients should be prepared to provide the Foundation with an impact report no later than June 30, 2025. Failure to submit this report will make the recipient ineligible for future grant consideration.

• On the cover page, applicants will need to attest that their principal has reviewed and approved the project for submission.

• On the final page, applicants will need to attest that they have read and understand these guidelines as well as all information provided on the online application form.

 

Questions regarding the mini-grant process can be directed to Adriana Koenig, one-five Foundation Chair and Mini-Grant Committee Chair, at chairman@one-five.org .

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Over its lifetime, the one-five Foundation has donated more than $2 million to District 15 to enhance classroom learning opportunities.

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Part of this funding goes to teacher mini-grants each year. In 2023-24 the following grants were awarded:

 

Middle School Ceramic Studio: Winston Campus Junior High 8th grade students were thrilled by the addition of new pottery wheels.  We had a brief overview of the functionality of the wheels, their purpose, history, including technical skills and the surprising difficulty.  Students began experimenting and exploring the process, slowly developing an understanding of technical skills.  Although not all efforts were successful, the students found the process fun and continue to ask for more.  I can’t wait to start next year with the same energy and excitement, formally starting a ceramic studio with the focus on using a pottery wheel. Joanna Angelopoulos - Winston Campus Jr High

 

Midday Mindful Movement: The Midday Mindful Movement Club, or Yoga Club as our 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade students call it, has been a big success!  Our intention was to provide students with a safe and fun environment to learn and practice mindfulness and yoga to develop skills that could be used with both home and school related stressors.  Students and certified instructors met twice a week from January through May and the Mini-Grant project provided us with the equipment students used each session to engage in breathing exercises, mindful movement, yoga poses, yoga challenges, restorative poses, community poses, yoga games and relaxation. Students report that attending yoga club has helped them relax, learn how to calm their bodies, improve their concentration, boost their confidence and make new friends.  We are so grateful to the One-Five Foundation for the opportunity to support the mental health of our students and are eager to continue our mission next year!  Please know that your gift has made an incredible difference! Myriam Brito, Katelyn Menas, Lori Schmidt - Virginia Lake

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Yoga Club:

Thank you for supporting Central Road’s Yoga Club! Thirty-one, first and second graders joined Yoga Club this year! During each forty minute session, students learned Yoga poses and participated in SEL mindfulness activities through books and games. Students created and co-taught two of their very own Yoga classes this year! They designed one class for the teachers and one for their peers. Each student took the lead during one part of the class, modeled the pose, and explained how to move your body to help others learn Yoga. They were so proud of themselves, and did an amazing job! Sharon Fink - Central Road

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Literature That Looks Like Me in Verse: My 8th grade students were able to enjoy the gifted novels in verse for independent reading purposes. As they read, the students were asked to determine whether the book was a window into the life of another or a mirror of their own experiences. After reading, the students shared highlights of the text with their table groups. The students were excited to read these verse novels as they are dramatically different in appearance than a traditional novel. For many, it was a breath of fresh air to read something more manageable while still being challenged. Additionally, they loved having the ability to simply read & discuss a text as they would in a book group outside school. To conclude, each student will be creating a book trailer for future classes of readers! Thank you for your generous donation! Nicole Gabryel - Sundling Jr. High

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Vertical Whiteboards to Build Thinking Skills: We currently have 6 classrooms in full swing with using the vertical wipeboards! Each day, students spend part of their math block working in groups at various vertical whiteboards throughout the room. We began by developing expectations of how to work with partners at the board using these visuals. Holly Lannert - Sanborn School

 

Independence in Art: The MILE students at GMS have been so excited to have more independence in art with cutting using the switch scissors. Students now focus on pushing the button on their own or with a little assistance. These scissors have really enhanced their experiences in visual arts increasing participation and independence. There are many smiles from students that use them while creating beautiful works of art. Having these scissors with the help of the mini grant has also increased awareness and acceptance across my school of student needs and a wide range of abilities. Many students couldn’t believe the price of one pair of adapted scissors and how much of an impact they make on a student’s life. Thank you for supporting me and my students, it has made a huge impact in my classroom and school! Elizabeth Letellier - Sanborn School

 

Interactive Sensory Panel Installation: The sensory panels have been installed at four doorways around the WRS Library. Many students visit these areas on their way in or out of the Library, or during passing periods. They are also a frequent stop for students who are taking a sensory break. These panels provide pleasant visual, tactile and auditory input. The mounting rails have allowed us to change the locations of the various panels. We are looking forward to re-installing these in or around our new library and look forward to sharing photos once these are in a more permanent location! Sarah Lillquist - Sundling Jr. High

 

Colonies Come Alive: Over two weeks students learned and played like children did in Colonial America in the library. They worked together to learn the rules and explore the games of long ago like Hotch Potch, A Game of Graces, Whits and others in the library. They explored colonial documents and money and tried their hand at calligraphy using quill and ink. As groups moved through each center they were prompted to immerse themselves in the everyday experience of colonial kids like them, how they worked, learned, and played. 5th grade teachers and students were engaged and excited to partake in these experiences that I am so thankful. Mrs. Marrs - Paddock School

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Middle School Makerspace: The Carl Sandburg 7th and 8th graders have enjoyed using the STEM Makerspace materials provided by the One-Five Foundation every day, all day throughout the year.  Students engage in these stations before school, during lunch hour, and with their classes that are using the library spaces each week.   Students have also earned time in the library to explore these stations as a reward.  These activities allowed students to be creative, collaborative, and think critically and have helped create a positive atmosphere for student agency and learning here at CSJH. Tracy O'Malley - Carl Sandburg Jr. High

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Sensory Bins/Materials: Students within our SIP (Structure for Independence Program) have been provided with many new sensory materials to fill up our sensory tables and bins. These materials not only let them explore many different tactile experiences but they tie into our monthly themes, helping us build on core words and concepts being taught. These sensory experiences are beneficial for learning and sensory/emotional regulation. By using all of our new materials, we’re allowing our students  a way to explore while encouraging social interaction, language development, and challenging their tactile, visual, and olfactory sensory systems. The students in the six SIP classrooms are really enjoying these new sensory items and experiences. Thank you for supporting our students! Lauren Schniers & Heather Klikas - Conyers Learning Academy

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Vex Robotics Challenge: Plum Grove VEX club participants worked in three teams this year to address the competition challenge posed by the VEX Robotics organization. After picking apart the challenge, each team designed a robot to complete tasks within the overall challenge to score points. While some had previous design and building experience, many of the students were brand new to VEX robotics and had to learn how to make their ideas reality. Students learned to work through roadblocks in design and build and ultimately all three teams had designs ready to go for competition. Competition day is intense - a full day of competition, redesign, building and coding challenges and it’s exhausting for all. The teams learned to work together in stressful, time-sensitive situations to repair, rebuild and even improve their designs in response to how they performed, other teams’ robot designs and their own experience. Our teams did well against seasoned high school teams and finished the year with a sense of accomplishment and a whole lot more experience with robotics. Carol Coutts-Siepka - Plum Grove Jr. High

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Healthy Habits Hub: I created the Healthy Habits Hub at Marion Jordan and it was a SUPER success. Since the implementation I was asked to present at the Illinois Association for School Nurses Conference at ISU at the end of October as well as write an article for the National Association of School Nursing Journal. I am hoping to be accepted as a presenter for the NASN conference next summer in Texas as well. Thank you for all that you do and supporting me to begin the implementation of the Healthy Habits Hub. Jillian Spellacy - Marion Jordan School

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Inclusive Recess: Lincoln School has had many changes over the last year with the new construction inside the building and thanks to the One-Five Foundation Grant a new “Inclusive Recess” area outside! Since the implementation of the “Inclusive Recess” areas, students have had the opportunity to partake in Hopscotch, Four-Square, and a Sensory Pathway! Students engaging in the Four-Square area have opportunities to continue to strengthen relationships through team building activities. Students' sensory needs can be met, by accessing the sensory pathway! The sensory pathway also allows students the opportunity to work on gross-motor skills such as balancing, walking, marching, and hopping. Students have been loving the new Hopscotch area. While hopping, students can continue to work on academic skills such as color identification and counting. Most importantly, the students are having fun!!! They love all the new opportunities that they have been given thanks to the One-Five Foundation Grant! The One-Five Grant will support students for years to come at Lincoln, thanks to the reusable stencils that were purchased for the school!! Thank you so much for all that you have done to support the staff and students at Lincoln School. I will be forever grateful for the difference you have made!! Cindy Friesen - Lincoln School

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