Mini-Grants
Mini-grants are awarded annually in the spring to as many requests as the current funding level allows, opening doors to young minds that might have otherwise been closed.
-
Only teachers, staff and administrators of IL CUSD #424 may apply.
-
Mini-Grant applications for the 2023 cycle are currently closed.
Examples of Past Awards
Proceeds from the mouse races are used to fund mini-grants that allow teachers to make innovative, educational purchases for their classrooms. Leading up to our 10th annual Mouse Races, we wanted to give a quick update on what a few of the district employees have done with their grants.
Grant to GKHS Library
Tara Wilkins, Genoa-Kingston High School Librarian, requested a grant for fiction and nonfiction young adult books.
Tara felt this grant was needed because the GKHS library has a very low budget which makes it very hard to accomplish her goal, which is to build up the library in a few different ways. She received $1990.55 in 2019 in order to purchase more books for the GKHS library. With this money, Ms. Wilkins was able to update the nonfiction section, providing literature more recent and relevant events to the students of GKHS. So far, this grant has benefited students that identify with specific minorities, since they now have more relevant books to read. Tara shared that the Genoa-Kingston Education Foundation “keeps us afloat.”
The Genoa-Kingston Education Foundation is proud to help Tara build up the Genoa-Kingston High School Library. Books are an important tool for the development of a young person’s life and we are thankful to be able to grant her the funds she needs.
We hope everyone is able to come to the 2020 Mouse Races so that we can continue to assist in the funding of wonderful projects, such as Tara’s.
Grant to KES Physical Education Program
Stacia Hale, Kingston Elementary School Physical Education Teacher, requested a grant for books that discuss a variety of movement directions, pathways, levels, manipulative skills, locomotor skills, and fitness skills. Some books also include information about creative movement, dance, disability awareness and some scientific concepts of force and speed.
Stacia felt this grant was needed because “the face of literacy is changing to a time where students must be able to think critically, communicate, and reason.” The students are very excited when they read the books and it has helped students focus on the objective for the day.
The Genoa-Kingston Education Foundation is proud to help Stacia innovate teaching at Kingston Elementary School. Books and physical education are both important tools for the development of a young person’s life and we are thankful to be able to grant her the funds she needs.
We hope everyone is able to come to the 2020 Mouse Races so that we can continue to assist in the funding of wonderful projects, such as Stacia’s.
Grant to GKHS Math Department
Tiffany Rauman and Amy Barr, Genoa-Kingston High School Math Teachers, requested a grant for TI Smart View software. This software models a TI-84 graphing calculator and can be easily projected, which allows learning how to use calculators to go quickly.
The GKHS Math Department thought this grant was needed because a graphing calculator is required for Algebra II. Additionally, it teaches students how to use their calculator in the most efficient way possible so they can move more quickly while taking the SAT. While interviewing Mrs. Rauman about this software, many of her students expressed that they have a deeper understanding of how their calculators work. The Math Department is very excited to continue to use this software for many years to come.
The Genoa-Kingston Education Foundation is proud to help the GKHS Math Department enable their students to understand how to use their graphing calculators.
We hope everyone is able to come to the 2020 Mouse Races so we can continue to assist in the funding of important projects, such as Tiffany and Amy's.
Grant to GKMS Science
Sandy Arndt, 7th Grade Science Teacher, requested a grant for 10 new compound microscopes so that "students think like scientists and use the tools real scientists use as opposed to just memorizing facts." Before receiving this grant, Sandy felt it was difficult for her students to do this because the old microscopes did not always work correctly.
Sandy felt this grant was needed because "The microscopes have provided more options for lab stations throughout my classroom and has given each student more individual time with microscopes that work properly. I have even had the high school science teachers comment on how they can tell I have the students use microscopes more now, since when they get to Biology class they are significantly more familiar with them than previous years."
Grant to Genoa Elementary School
Sandy McPherson, 4th Grade Teacher, requested a grant for 6 desk bikes and 16 accordion seats "to help students integrate themselves effectively in the traditional classroom setting. It became clear to me that alternate seating would not only benefit my students with focus issues, but the entire class."
The Genoa-Kingston Education Foundation is proud to help Sandy integrate new ideas into teaching at Genoa Elementary School. The desk bikes and accordion students are a necessity for helping students maintain their focus in class and we are thankful to be able to grant her the funds she needs.
Previous Awards
Click An Option Below to View/Download