Auburn Education Foundation: Nine grants supporting fitness, literacy and more

Over the past 20 years, AEF has funded more than 140 projects in the Auburn Enlarged City School District encompassing grades K through 12.

Funding is awarded to projects that cannot be supported through the regular district budget and fall within at least one of the following six areas: academics, arts, life skills, character education, physical education and wellness, and technology.

“As chairperson of the awards committee, I am always impressed with the variety of projects that district staff seek to incorporate into their classrooms and or school building,” said AEF Immediate Past President Janie Hutchinson. “This spring cycle of approved grants will impact hundreds of students by creating diverse educational opportunities at all levels.”

Through its extensive fundraising efforts, which include Gobble ‘N’ Go for Education in the fall and the Auburn Alumni Hall of Distinction reception in the spring, as well as corporate gifts and other donations, AEF offers grants in the fall and spring. Auburn educators must submit grant applications for their projects, which are reviewed by AEF in a competitive process.

Nine projects were recommended for grants for spring 2024:

Bulldog Cafe: Casey Park Elementary staff sought a “calm, fun and welcoming environment” for students after they eat lunch in the cafeteria. A grant will be used to purchase games and activities.

“Let’s Go! Fitness, Friendship & Fun”: A grant will go toward activities that will “contribute to a comprehensive and enjoyable physical education experience” for Auburn High School students. Funds will help implement two new units into physical education curriculum, 9 Square in the Air and DotBall360, both activities that “enhance psychomotor skills, teamwork and overall well-being.” Primary goals include improving students’ “physical fitness, teamwork, coordination skills, agility and tactical thinking.”

VersaTiles literacy kit: Seward Elementary kindergarten students will use VersaTiles during extended learning time and math workshops to improve proficiency, address gaps and review skills and content.

Read-to-self wiggle seats: Intended for Seward kindergarteners, wiggle seats help “children who have a hard time focusing and sitting still.” The seating devices provide subtle movement and “will be used during silent reading time to maintain focus.”

Jarrett Krosoczka evening program books: In March, the New York Times best-selling children’s author and illustrator came to Auburn High School and spoke to students about his unique upbringing and creative process. The grant funded the purchase of 50 copies of Krosoczka’s books that were distributed to students who could get them signed.

“Sparking a Flame of Curiosity: Illuminating Science with Black Lights”: The grant funded the purchase of black light kits and basic luminescent tools that Owasco Elementary staff can use to transform science classrooms into “captivating learning environments.” A sample lesson in grades three through five is Mineral Mania, where students would shine a black light to identify fluorescent minerals to learn about their properties and identification methods.

Solar eclipse activities: This grant funded activities that the elementary STEM teachers implemented at each grade level to educate students about the eclipse.

Sensory play in kindergarten: Casey Park staff have noticed students entering kindergarten have decreased fine motor control, which impacts learning. The grant will fund a sensory table for each kindergarten classroom and one set of sensory items to share between four classrooms.

Flexible seating to increase student engagement: The grant will be used to purchase flexible seating, such as yoga balls with bases and legs, doughnut balls, wobble stools, wobble cushions and padded stools for Casey Park classrooms. Flexible seating allows students to adapt to a new classroom environment and helps them improve interest and better engage in learning.

“Empowering Voices” author visit with Jason Reynolds: Funds would go toward a potential visit at Auburn High School with acclaimed author Jason Reynolds, known for his young adult novel “Long Way Down.” Students in grades 10-12 will be involved in a “dynamic and interactive session” aimed at deepening their understanding of his book while fostering critical thinking and diverse skill sets.