GRANTS
The District 230 Foundation helps staff at Sandburg, Stagg and Andrew High Schools bring their innovative ideas to life for students through its grant program. By providing approximately $550,000 to support more than 175 projects, the Foundation has made a significant impact on students' education.
Grants have supported social studies, art, foreign language, sports medicine, democracy, special services, science, literacy, college preparation, character development, international studies, environmental awareness, business, physical education, family and community connections, and so much more.
Hover over the photos below to learn more about the grants currently being implemented.
VJA Wellness Room Expansion
Student Wellness Room & SEL Enrichments
Stagg High School
Jocelyn Wysocki
The overarching goal of the Wellness Room is to enhance students' access to, knowledge of, and ability to practice self-care strategies, with access to this space scaffolding students’ ability to self-identify when they may need a break. Ideally, this will become a space that students can preemptively utilize to self-regulate prior to needing further, more intensive Guidance, Dean, or Teacher intervention.
T-Bolt
Trailblazers
D230 Band Showcase
District-wide
Bob Mecozzi,
Stewart Bailey, Brian Hillhouse and Mark Iwinski
The D230 Band Showcase is an opportunity for 165 student musicians from all three school wind symphonies to perform in a world-class concert hall and work with a professional collegiate music educator. The goal is to have each school play one song by the same composer and have that composer guest conduct their work.
Pediatric Nursing Manikin
Andrew High School
Taylor Metlovas
This grant provides a Pediatric Nursing Manikin, which will enhance health science simulations. This manikin provides students with the opportunity to practice over a dozen essential pediatric nursing skills and improve their clinical competence. Real time, directed feedback on the rate and depth of chest compressions will help students perfect their technique in Basic Life Support.
PE Schoolwide Triathlon
Sandburg High School
Donna Driscoll
Two years ago, Donna Driscoll received a Foundation grant to launch the Sophomore PE Triathlon. She has expanded her idea schoolwide. The Sandburg PE Schoolwide Triathlon grant will challenge students to try something new, develop different physical skills, work with partners, and stretch themselves out of their comfort zone.
VJA Wellness Room Expansion
Empowering Independence
Small kitchen appliances, cooking utensils, cleaning supplies, organization supplies, and other vocational training tools to support structured instruction within the school setting will be purchased thanks to a Foundation grant. The goal is to enhance the functional independence and employability of students with disabilities through these hands-on, skill-based learning experiences.
Vocational/Life Skills for Students w Disabilities
Stagg High School
Colleen Regan and Stephanie Young
T-Bolt
Trailblazers
EcoWellness
Stagg & Sandburg High Schools
Shannon Haberkorn, Shannon Kleczka, and Jocelyn Wysocki
EcoWellness is a framework designed to strategically infuse nature throughout the school counseling program by getting students outside in nature during the school day. Students who self-report a low sense of well-being and those who do not feel connected to their school community are invited to participate. The grant will help fund new experiences and programming for students.
Expansion of the Eagle Relief and creation of Eagle Relief Care Kits
Sandburg High School
Janine Wilkins
Specialized care bags for students would include: Diabetic Bags, Mental Health Bags, Feminine Care Bags and more. Available in the nurse’s office, the bags will contain essential items and tools designed to support students and provide comfort. Educational materials and training resources will also be included to assist students in managing their needs.
Innovative 3D Educational Opportunities
Andrew High School
Paul Garbrecht and Alice Cooler
This grant supports creativity, innovation, and learning with up-to-date 3D printers. The 3D printer will allow Andrew students the opportunity to use technology to design and produce three-dimensional objects.
Ultima Woods Collective
Interdisciplinary work, empathy, leadership, and community are at the heart of this grant. The Ultima-Woods collective will use this grant to purchase materials for a project where woods students are paired with students from the Ultima program. A win-win for both groups, students gain new friends and build connections. Charcuterie boards/cutting boards are in the works for this year.
Andrew High School
Jeff Cassidy and the Ultima Program
Connecting Community Internships
and Shadowing in Health Careers
The grant would allow them to host a health career job, volunteer and shadowing fair from various community health and medical organizations. Stakeholders will explain what positions are available and what the requirements for those positions entail. Then students will go to a resume and cover letter bootcamp to help them develop or enrich their current resume to apply for one or more of those potential experiences.
Stagg High School
Kristin Pila, Matt Seibt and
Rich Kowalczyk
Postsecondary Planning
College & Career Center
Students across the district will
learn about a wide variety of
post-secondary opportunities
and hear from professionals in
all aspects of college and career.
District-wide
Sarah Schultz, Rich Kowalczyk and Lakeisha Kizer
Interactive Math Classroom
A math classroom where
students are on their feet,
talking through ideas, and
working together at whiteboard
tables where math feels alive
and collaborative.
Sandburg High School
Leanna Pitsoulakis
Forging a Path
What started as a few care packages for students in need of essentials has blossomed into the Eagle Relief project. With this grant, they envision a place where any student can receive not just everyday necessities, but also perhaps clothes for a job interview or a prom dress. One step further, the Eagle Relief “store” could be staffed by Special Services students, with some help from PE Junior Leaders - helping enhance employment and business skills for both.
Toward Communication & Collaboration
Andrew High School
Chris Spiel
Eco-engineers
Students will implement a sustainable water management system for the school’s existing garden beds. Students will install three rain barrels and utilize gravity-based drip irrigation. Battery-powered gravity-based irrigation times will allow for automated and precise watering schedules.
Sandburg High School
Jennifer Snyder
Expansion of the Charlie Charger Cart
After hundreds of cups of coffee sold, the Stagg ULTIMA program would like to expand the Charlie Charger Cart. This grant will continue to develop a student-run business within the ULTIMA Occupations and Instructional Occupations program. Based on customer feedback, ULTIMA students would like to expand their business to include the sale of iced coffee!
Stagg High School
Emma Hansen
Robot Transportation
This grant will provide an
authentic learning experience
for Team 3488 Eagle Army to
design and construct a robot
cart in six short weeks.
Sandburg High School
David Brewczynski
Unjudge Someone
Stagg's "Unjudge Someone" project will give students one-on-one
conversations with unfamiliar
peers, hear their stories, and
possibly experience a shift in
perspective.
Stagg High School
Courtney Kennedy Beninato,
Jay Jakocko, Jessica Kaffel, Amanda Melgar, Nitya Viswanath, Chris Wendelin & Kristin Mastejulia