2026-27 Grant Recipients

A collaboration between AP Environmental Science and AP Human Geography, A Day of Sustainability will focus on sustainable consumerism, ethical purchasing, food choices, and lifestyle habits. Key activities include simulations, guest speakers, and a sustainability challenge where students thrift for outfits and explore upcycling. The day concludes with a virtual fashion show showcasing the environmental impacts of their chosen clothing. Aiming to strengthen students’ sustainable habits, students will create a curated list of local sustainable businesses to help them make environmentally responsible choices.

This grant provides an interactive Concussion Education Kit to help students in Sports Medicine and Medical Terminology classes, as well as members of the HOSA (Health Occupation Students of America) Club learn about the effects, symptoms, treatment, and prevention of concussions. The kit provides a hands-on learning experience that allows up to 10 students to simultaneously experience a concussion simulation, giving them a firsthand understanding of how concussion symptoms can feel and the challenges associated with these injuries. Students in the HOSA club will have an opportunity to practice hands-on skills for competitions and will serve as an assessment tool to evaluate student knowledge through early clinical-examination style practices.

This grant supports the District 230 Band Showcase, a concert featuring the most advanced wind ensembles from Stagg, Sandburg, and Andrew at a professional performing arts venue. The funds will cover the concert hall rental, percussion rental, programs, and the fee for a professional clinician to provide feedback and work with the ensembles, with plans to also professionally record the performances. The project's goals are to provide students with the opportunity to perform on one of the premiere stages in the Midwest, share a collaborative musical experience, celebrate each other's music, and foster a sense of pride as positive representatives of the District 230 community.

This grant supports the annual D230 Special Games, an inclusive Field Day event for the District PEOPEL Programs (Adaptive PE classes) that rotates among the three high schools and benefits 250 students. The event features equitable, engaging, and developmentally appropriate activities designed to promote movement, social interaction, and confidence for students with varying physical and intellectual abilities. Funding will be used to purchase equipment and sensory-friendly materials, such as an Inflatable Gaga Ball Pit and a parachute, which will ensure all students, including those from the ULTIMA Program and general education PEOPEL Tutors, can participate and will be used year-round in adaptive physical education classes.

EcoWellness incorporates nature into the school counseling program by selecting 30 students across Sandburg and Stagg who report low well-being and school connectedness via the Panorama SEL survey. EcoWellness fills a gap in service for students who wouldn’t typically qualify for other interventions, helps them feel more connected to the school community, and increases their sense of well-being. EcoWellness provides an opportunity for students to step away from screens and connect with themselves, each other, and nature throughout the school day. Activities include gardening, natural dyeing, and field trips to locations like the Little Red Schoolhouse. The intended outcomes are to increase students’ overall sense of well-being and school connectedness, aligning with research showing nature access reduces behavioral problems and increases positive feelings toward school. The program builds a robust network of peer and mentor support, fostering a greater sense of belonging through intra-group bonding and intergroup interaction across both campuses.

This grant aims to elevate the quality and capability of media content produced by the 30-student Sandburg Broadcasting Club by purchasing higher-quality audio and video equipment. The project will directly benefit students by giving them hands-on experience with advanced production equipment and skills, while the resulting media (highlight videos, social media posts, and livestreamed sports games) will impact a large portion of the school community. Social media post views and livestream viewership will increase, with the goal of significantly increasing engagement and student interest in joining the club.

The project seeks to fully equip Leanna Pitsoulakis’s math classroom by purchasing four additional whiteboard tables and necessary supplies like markers and erasers, ensuring all 130 students can consistently benefit from this student-centered learning environment daily. The whiteboard tables have already proven to promote collaboration, critical thinking, and communication, making students more willing to share, take risks, and quickly revise their work, which reduces the fear of making mistakes. Evaluation data from Honors Math 1 showed a measurable positive impact, including an overall average increase of 4.57% in summative assessment scores, and the project aims to continue this growth while serving as a model for innovative instruction.

This grant supports two inclusive, semester-based experiences for the 120 students in Andrew’s ULTIMA (special education) and PEOPEL Tutor (general education peer leader) programs: a PE takeover day at Andrew and a field trip to the Lincoln-Way Special Recreation Association facility for specialized instruction and activities. These activities are designed to promote movement, social interaction, and confidence, addressing barriers to full participation for students with disabilities. The project is expected to increase participation and engagement, improve physical/motor skills for adaptive students, enhance social-emotional development, and foster student leadership among PEOPEL Tutors in differentiating instruction, with the potential to evolve into a yearly program.

This grant aims to increase the number of post-secondary exploration opportunities for approximately 1,500 students by hosting various events and workshops, such as career speakers, college admission representative discussions, career fairs, and FAFSA/resume writing workshops. A core goal is to offer these opportunities during the school day—including advisory, intervention, and lunch—to ensure every student has access regardless of their after-school commitments or socioeconomic status. The events will use SchooLinks data for tailored communication and will help students gain knowledge, practice interview skills, and network, ultimately increasing their confidence and engagement in planning for their future, which will be evaluated through attendance data and student exit surveys.

This grant will fund a two-day community service project to honor the 25th anniversary of 9/11 and promote civic duty by participating in the National Day of Service. The goal is to involve potentially hundreds of students in packing at least 600 care packages - including 200 hygiene packages for the unhoused, 200 birthday cake boxes for the food pantry, and 200 Chargers Who Care food packages for students in need- with sorting and organization taking place during lunch hours over two days. The project is intended to transform a historical event into a "lived experience of empathy and service" for students born after 2001, allowing student leaders from clubs like NHS and Student Council to organize a large-scale volunteer effort and reinforcing a collective identity of kindness and resilience within the Stagg school community.

This grant aims to expand the successful Human Library pilot from Stagg to Sandburg and Andrew, benefiting up to 500 students by fostering a culture of empathy across the district. The event involves students ("readers") checking out human "books"—community members who share their unique, diverse stories (regarding culture, religion, ability, etc.) and answer questions in a safe, 15-minute in-person setting. The goal is to normalize in-person interaction, reduce judgment, and help students develop crucial interpersonal skills for adulthood, such as listening and curiosity, ultimately establishing the district as a safe space where students feel recognized, valued, and connected.

This project seeks a second year of nearly $1,400 in funding to ensure the long-term sustainability and meet the growing demand (638 drop-ins in one semester) for the Stagg Wellness Room, a dedicated space for promoting student social-emotional well-being. The room offers a safe, quiet environment with resources like comfortable seating, low lighting, weighted blankets, and sensory items for students to manage stress and develop healthy coping skills. Every student has access to the room during non-instructional time (lunch/study hall) and intervention for Wellness Enrichments, allowing them to preemptively self-regulate before needing more intensive interventions, thereby increasing focus and classroom engagement. The funds will be used to purchase additional items like zero gravity loungers and sensory sets to maintain the space's capacity and demonstrate the school's commitment to holistic student success.

For the fourth year, the Woods Ultima Collective will receive a grant. This program pairs traditional woodworking students with special needs students in a collaborative, hands-on learning environment, involving a total of 60 students. The project for this year is to design and build a fully functional mini golf experience, including custom courses and handcrafted putters, which will culminate in a community event for families. The initiative promotes the D230 mission by combining technical skill development with inclusion, fostering leadership and empathy in woodworking students who mentor their peers, while ULTIMA students build confidence, independence, and fine motor skills by actively contributing to a tangible, shared goal.

A collaboration between AP Environmental Science and AP Human Geography, A Day of Sustainability will focus on sustainable consumerism, ethical purchasing, food choices, and lifestyle habits. Key activities include simulations, guest speakers, and a sustainability challenge where students thrift for outfits and explore upcycling. The day concludes with a virtual fashion show showcasing the environmental impacts of their chosen clothing. Aiming to strengthen students’ sustainable habits, students will create a curated list of local sustainable businesses to help them make environmentally responsible choices.

This grant provides an interactive Concussion Education Kit to help students in Sports Medicine and Medical Terminology classes, as well as members of the HOSA (Health Occupation Students of America) Club learn about the effects, symptoms, treatment, and prevention of concussions. The kit provides a hands-on learning experience that allows up to 10 students to simultaneously experience a concussion simulation, giving them a firsthand understanding of how concussion symptoms can feel and the challenges associated with these injuries. Students in the HOSA club will have an opportunity to practice hands-on skills for competitions and will serve as an assessment tool to evaluate student knowledge through early clinical-examination style practices.

This grant supports the District 230 Band Showcase, a concert featuring the most advanced wind ensembles from Stagg, Sandburg, and Andrew at a professional performing arts venue. The funds will cover the concert hall rental, percussion rental, programs, and the fee for a professional clinician to provide feedback and work with the ensembles, with plans to also professionally record the performances. The project's goals are to provide students with the opportunity to perform on one of the premiere stages in the Midwest, share a collaborative musical experience, celebrate each other's music, and foster a sense of pride as positive representatives of the District 230 community.

This grant supports the annual D230 Special Games, an inclusive Field Day event for the District PEOPEL Programs (Adaptive PE classes) that rotates among the three high schools and benefits 250 students. The event features equitable, engaging, and developmentally appropriate activities designed to promote movement, social interaction, and confidence for students with varying physical and intellectual abilities. Funding will be used to purchase equipment and sensory-friendly materials, such as an Inflatable Gaga Ball Pit and a parachute, which will ensure all students, including those from the ULTIMA Program and general education PEOPEL Tutors, can participate and will be used year-round in adaptive physical education classes.

EcoWellness incorporates nature into the school counseling program by selecting 30 students across Sandburg and Stagg who report low well-being and school connectedness via the Panorama SEL survey. EcoWellness fills a gap in service for students who wouldn’t typically qualify for other interventions, helps them feel more connected to the school community, and increases their sense of well-being. EcoWellness provides an opportunity for students to step away from screens and connect with themselves, each other, and nature throughout the school day. Activities include gardening, natural dyeing, and field trips to locations like the Little Red Schoolhouse. The intended outcomes are to increase students’ overall sense of well-being and school connectedness, aligning with research showing nature access reduces behavioral problems and increases positive feelings toward school. The program builds a robust network of peer and mentor support, fostering a greater sense of belonging through intra-group bonding and intergroup interaction across both campuses.

This grant aims to elevate the quality and capability of media content produced by the 30-student Sandburg Broadcasting Club by purchasing higher-quality audio and video equipment. The project will directly benefit students by giving them hands-on experience with advanced production equipment and skills, while the resulting media (highlight videos, social media posts, and livestreamed sports games) will impact a large portion of the school community. Social media post views and livestream viewership will increase, with the goal of significantly increasing engagement and student interest in joining the club.

The project seeks to fully equip Leanna Pitsoulakis’s math classroom by purchasing four additional whiteboard tables and necessary supplies like markers and erasers, ensuring all 130 students can consistently benefit from this student-centered learning environment daily. The whiteboard tables have already proven to promote collaboration, critical thinking, and communication, making students more willing to share, take risks, and quickly revise their work, which reduces the fear of making mistakes. Evaluation data from Honors Math 1 showed a measurable positive impact, including an overall average increase of 4.57% in summative assessment scores, and the project aims to continue this growth while serving as a model for innovative instruction.

This grant supports two inclusive, semester-based experiences for the 120 students in Andrew’s ULTIMA (special education) and PEOPEL Tutor (general education peer leader) programs: a PE takeover day at Andrew and a field trip to the Lincoln-Way Special Recreation Association facility for specialized instruction and activities. These activities are designed to promote movement, social interaction, and confidence, addressing barriers to full participation for students with disabilities. The project is expected to increase participation and engagement, improve physical/motor skills for adaptive students, enhance social-emotional development, and foster student leadership among PEOPEL Tutors in differentiating instruction, with the potential to evolve into a yearly program.

This grant aims to increase the number of post-secondary exploration opportunities for approximately 1,500 students by hosting various events and workshops, such as career speakers, college admission representative discussions, career fairs, and FAFSA/resume writing workshops. A core goal is to offer these opportunities during the school day—including advisory, intervention, and lunch—to ensure every student has access regardless of their after-school commitments or socioeconomic status. The events will use SchooLinks data for tailored communication and will help students gain knowledge, practice interview skills, and network, ultimately increasing their confidence and engagement in planning for their future, which will be evaluated through attendance data and student exit surveys.

This grant will fund a two-day community service project to honor the 25th anniversary of 9/11 and promote civic duty by participating in the National Day of Service. The goal is to involve potentially hundreds of students in packing at least 600 care packages - including 200 hygiene packages for the unhoused, 200 birthday cake boxes for the food pantry, and 200 Chargers Who Care food packages for students in need- with sorting and organization taking place during lunch hours over two days. The project is intended to transform a historical event into a "lived experience of empathy and service" for students born after 2001, allowing student leaders from clubs like NHS and Student Council to organize a large-scale volunteer effort and reinforcing a collective identity of kindness and resilience within the Stagg school community.

This grant aims to expand the successful Human Library pilot from Stagg to Sandburg and Andrew, benefiting up to 500 students by fostering a culture of empathy across the district. The event involves students ("readers") checking out human "books"—community members who share their unique, diverse stories (regarding culture, religion, ability, etc.) and answer questions in a safe, 15-minute in-person setting. The goal is to normalize in-person interaction, reduce judgment, and help students develop crucial interpersonal skills for adulthood, such as listening and curiosity, ultimately establishing the district as a safe space where students feel recognized, valued, and connected.

This project seeks a second year of nearly $1,400 in funding to ensure the long-term sustainability and meet the growing demand (638 drop-ins in one semester) for the Stagg Wellness Room, a dedicated space for promoting student social-emotional well-being. The room offers a safe, quiet environment with resources like comfortable seating, low lighting, weighted blankets, and sensory items for students to manage stress and develop healthy coping skills. Every student has access to the room during non-instructional time (lunch/study hall) and intervention for Wellness Enrichments, allowing them to preemptively self-regulate before needing more intensive interventions, thereby increasing focus and classroom engagement. The funds will be used to purchase additional items like zero gravity loungers and sensory sets to maintain the space's capacity and demonstrate the school's commitment to holistic student success.

For the fourth year, the Woods Ultima Collective will receive a grant. This program pairs traditional woodworking students with special needs students in a collaborative, hands-on learning environment, involving a total of 60 students. The project for this year is to design and build a fully functional mini golf experience, including custom courses and handcrafted putters, which will culminate in a community event for families. The initiative promotes the D230 mission by combining technical skill development with inclusion, fostering leadership and empathy in woodworking students who mentor their peers, while ULTIMA students build confidence, independence, and fine motor skills by actively contributing to a tangible, shared goal.