Grant INITIATIVES

Grants to
Educators

Professional development funds

grants to educators
2023-2024

3rd GRade field trip to Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute (Pari)

This grant funded a trip to the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute (PARI) for the 3rd graders at Lucy S. Herring Elementary. The students had the opportunity to create their own scale models of the solar system, attend an engaging planetarium show, and deepen their understanding of space during a "space walk." This field trip served as the culminating experience for the Wit & Wisdom module "Outer Space," reinforcing grade-level standards and connecting classroom content to real-life experiences. The unit emphasized recognizing the major components and patterns observed in the Earth-Moon-Sun system. Congratulations Kenzie Bell, Kayli Duchan, Paige Sargeant, and Gaven Bell!

step into swim at asheville jewish community center

The program funded the AHS Pre-K class and 12 early childhood education interns for 8 weeks of swim lessons at Asheville JCC. This program not only offered essential swimming and water safety lessons but also strengthened the bonds between the pre-K students and their interns, fostering valuable relationships and mutual support.

Wendy Lawrence, JCC Aquatics Director wrote: "What made this venture truly special and unique was not only teaching the preschoolers, but also mentoring the young adults and future educators from the high school. It has truly been a wonderful, fun, and rewarding experience for everyone involved. Our first class was filled with many tears and fears and by week 8 every student was familiar with the routine. Trust was built between the kids and instructors, which led to less fear, hardly any tears at all, and increased comfort levels that has led into body awareness while in the water and understanding the importance of respecting water. It has always been amazing to experience the growth with the kids and young adults."

Congratulations Maria Malone, Ariel Crump, Eilidh Bell, Susanna Smith, and Dr. Cheeks!

AHS DANCE students’ field trip to the diana wortham theatre

This grant supported a trip for Asheville High School’s Dance 1-4 students to the Diana Wortham Theater to see the world-renowned modern dance company, Pilobolus, perform as part of the student series. Pilobolus is an acclaimed dance organization known for its collaborative creation process, discovering beauty in unexpected places, and pushing the boundaries of human physicality to explore the power and grace of connection. Before the performance, students learned about the company, and afterward, they reviewed what they had seen. They also learned to demonstrate proper audience etiquette and articulate how artistic decisions conveyed ideas in the performance. Congratulations Caroline Althof Salas and Holly Sutter!

out of sight, out of mind: Cell Phone lockers at AHS

This grant funded the installation of cell phone lockers at Asheville High School to shift focus away from cell phones and foster a stronger sense of community within the school. Students are required to lock up their phones during class time, taking responsibility for securing their devices in personal lockboxes for which they hold the keys. This system ensures that students feel in control and reduces concerns about theft. Additionally, it eliminates classroom disputes over inappropriate cell phone use during lessons. Congratulations to the Math Department at AHS!

NOvels in verse book club at AMS

This grant funded the Asheville Middle School novel-in-verse book club, where students explored stories told through poetry rather than traditional prose. These poetic narratives, often presented from multiple characters' perspectives, offer a unique and engaging way to experience a complete story. The students read a diverse selection of texts that addressed themes such as self-discovery, family complexities, anxiety, body positivity, friendship, and more. Congratulations to Kelli Madkins!

Brain Pop Jr. Subscription

The educator grant program provided funding for a BrainPOP Jr. subscription at Hall Fletcher Elementary. BrainPOP Jr. offers a wide range of short, animated movies and corresponding activities aimed at captivating and educating young learners. These resources were seamlessly integrated into the elementary curriculum, serving as a valuable supplement to classroom instruction. Congratulations to all teachers at Hall Fletcher Elementary!

STAMPED (For KiDS): race, antiracism, and you

This grant supported the acquisition of a set of "Stamped (For Kids): Racism, Antiracism, and You" by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi for a book study conducted at Asheville Middle School. Students made personal connections to the material and actively pursued additional related resources after completing the study. Congratulations to Jesse Pitt, Ann O'Brian, and De'Angelo Collins!

Wonder Workshop: Make Wonder Classroom

This grant enabled the purchase of a Make Wonder Classroom Subscription, offering interactive coding lessons, puzzles, and challenges that reinforce grade-level content comprehension. The program also supports students' coding efforts for participation in the Wonder League Robotics Competition. In the morning Makerspace Club at Ira B. Jones Elementary, students apply engineering design thinking to identify problems, brainstorm solutions, design, test, redesign, and retest their projects. Participation in the Wonder League Robotics Competition connected them with peers who are engaged in similar challenges. Congratulations to Cathy Sorensen!

Connecting Math to Real life

This grant facilitated the acquisition of a subscription to Scholastic Math Magazines at Asheville Middle School. Each issue features stories about real-world events intertwined with a math lesson. The subscription provides both print and digital access, enabling students to utilize the physical magazines and access additional online resources. Addressing the common student query of "How will I use this in real life?" the magazine offers direct and practical applications of mathematical concepts. Congratulations to Courtney Malone and Cheyenne Perry!

GRANTS TO EDUCATORS
2022-2023

procure pointers for our microscopes at SILSA

This grant funds procure pointers for SILSA microscopes. Trying to describe which cell the student should be looking at is almost impossible, so this grant works to procure "pointers" to be installed into our microscopes to facilitate discussion and collaboration between students and between students and teachers. Congratulations Fritz Robinett!

Vocabulary.com subscription at Montford North Star Academy

This grant funds a license for 1 year to vocabulary.com. This online teaching and learning resource is through IXL, and provides students with direct access to a vast library of word lists from books across a variety of genres. Many students struggle with accessing practice to meaningful vocabulary for the books they are reading in class and for pleasure. Joshua has used this online resource in the past with excellent results with regards to student growth and engagement. Congratulations Joshua Gray!

new books at silsa

Ariel Robinson is hoping to maximize classes that engage with dedicated reading time in class to optimize student comprehension, stamina, and enjoyment of reading in all classes. One strategy is ISR (or SSR) at the beginning of class to both set the tone for reading, but also to help invigorate choice into the classroom about WHAT the students are reading. Because of this, ACSF has funded several news books for SILSA students to read. We want to both engage student voices, and take requests from students to provide choice in their reading. Congratulations Ariel Robinson!

StoryWorks at asheville middle school

This grant funds the interactive publication "StoryWorks" to the 7th grade as a valuable resource to promote interest in reading. This publication has been used with AMS students and has always received nothing but positive feedback and results throughout. Storyworks is "designed to support today's challenging ELA standards with authentic texts that help students in reading, writing, speaking and listening, and language domains." The material included in this media includes material from current events, classic literature and popular literature, to reach every student and promote equity across all "lines" present in today's public schools. Congratulations Sonja Swensen!

social emotional learning kits at Asheville Middle School & montford north star academy

These projects are to provide classrooms with tools in the form of "calm down kits" so that students can access them in that space. Teachers will be trained on the brain science behind self-regulation and how emotional regulation impacts student learning. Teachers will be introduced to the calming kits and how they can be utilized with students in their classrooms. Students will be taught the brain science behind emotional regulation through classroom counseling lessons and we will practice tools that support regulation skills. Teachers will train students on how to use the calm down kits in their classroom and provide opportunities to practice. Congratulations Karen Evans and Ashley Grant!

Drums at Isaac Dickson Elementary School

In the fall of 2022, Jennifer Fowler attended a "Drumming Up Character" Professional Development with the local business "Dancing Drum." They have quoted a class-kit of percussion instruments designed to teach the curriculum. The drums are are intending specifically for a Specialist-driven Random Acts of Kindness week in the spring, and it will be a permanent installation used in the music classroom daily, as well as for special events both on campus and in the community. This is a contribution of many to make the drums a reality at IDES. Congratulations Jennifer Fowler!

ULTRATRAVERSE complete climbing wall at isaac dickson elementary school

Getting an 8 foot high and 20 foot wide traverse climbing wall for students at IDES is what Tami Ramsey is all about! Students LOVE to climb, and numerous students are interested in a climbing club. IDES has ropes, which the kids ask to climb on a regular basis. From talking with the students, a climbing wall would get used on a regular basis during PE with all K-5 students. This would also allow for more of a variety of climbing activities for the ones interested in an after school club. This is a contribution toward the wall, which will hopefully be a reality soon. Congratulations Tami Ramsey!

Escape Room Kits at Hall Fletcher Elementary school

This grant funded resources to expand hands-on stations for math and science, self-directed learning projects and the implementation of the House system. Resources for projects include art supplies, disposables for science experiments, and pre-made learning tasks. Students are incredibly excited about these escape rooms, as they feel agency to complete and build their own. Congratulations Brian Randall!

Physical Education equipment at lucy s. Herring elementary school

This grant funded the Railyard Obstacle Course Starter. There are 7 components in this starter set that can be used in tandem with existing equipment to create many activities for PE students K-5th grade. All students currently enrolled at Lucy S. Herring will use the equipment as well as future students. Keeping students interested in physical activity and excited about movement can change their mindset about exercise for the rest of their life. This grant supports the goal to create an environment in which students of all skill levels can thrive and improve. Congratulations Lynn Dingle!

brain pop at hall fletcher elementary school

This grant supports access toward Social Studies, Science and Health topics. Brain Pop, Jr. is a digital subscription service that offers thousands of videos in those subject areas along with concept mapping, games and quizzes. Congratulations Janna Hoekema!

high powered microscope at asheville middle school

This microscope allows students to get curious and think of their surroundings in a more scientific way. These are students who might finish their work early, simply learn more with hands-on, have a curious mind, get to school early and are looking for something to do, etc. Measurable outcomes include: higher student engagement with this science curiosity station, students sharing observations with each other, journal writing of what has been observed, and overall genuine student learning excitement. Students love bringing in cool outdoor finds to look at closer. Congratulations Barbara Zlatkin!

vocabulary practice at asheville middle school

This grant funds access to Flocabulary, which provides 800 units featuring reading passages, writing activities and assessments that hook, teach, review and assess student learning. These lessons cover topics in Reading/ELA, Math, Science and Social Studies as well as life skills and current events. Each lesson includes a music video that pairs content with infectious beats that gets students moving and learning at the same time. Congratulations Kelli Madkins and Geoffrey Warren!

school newspaper at Asheville high

Set to begin in spring 2023, this paper include articles and photography created by the journalism class for the rest of the study body to read. This grant supports more students have access to news, teachers to get newspapers delivered to their classrooms for their students and eventually for teachers to create a lesson plan respective to their courses involving the student-made newspaper. Congratulations Becca Mericle!

the robotics team at ira b. Jones elementary

This grant encourages students to collaborate, problem solve and think critically to solve problems using robots by funding ‘Class Connect,” which allows the students to submit the code they write. This enables the robotics team will be a part to join the competition. Students enjoy using the robots and this Wonder League Robotics Competition will allow a more structured activity for them to learn coding. Students will feel empowered when they successfully complete each challenge. Congratulations Cathy Sorensen!

Asheville Voices Inclusive & Diverse at AHS

This grant provides opportunities for students in AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) classes to learn more about the unique ways people of color have contributed to our society. This grant will fund opportunities for students to participate in local tours led by Hood Huggers, learning more about Asheville's rich and often hidden history. Student discussions will focus on the art of resilience, equity and inclusion. Congratulations Jerome Hughes, Kim Fink-Adams, Vern Lepa, and Amy Wiesner!

the House System at asheville middle

This grant provides Asheville Middle 6th grade teachers with opportunities to increase thematic projects, service learning, competition, and collaboration among the Hurricane Team through their House System; students will participate in Escape Rooms, Digital Productions, Classroom Kitchens, and STEAM Projects where they will assume leadership roles, discover and pursue their passions. Congratulations Brian Randall, Sawyer Johnston, Barbara Zlatkin, Taylor Rathbone, and Stuart Annad!

Hokki Stool & Wobble Seating at Claxton

Grant funding provided resources to purchase a set of HOKKI Stools and wobble seats for a classroom of 1st grade students at Claxton Elementary. HOKKI stools transform students' stationary sitting into an activity. These stools allow for movement in all directions, which is critical to student development as physical movement both increases well-being and encourages the physical and intellectual maturing process. Congratulations Lindsay Barta and Holly Cattanach!

Second Step Early Learning Kit at IDES

Grant funding provided resources to purchase the Second Step Early Learning Kit as a critical resource for social and emotional learning for Isaac Dickson Elementary students. This kit is designed specifically for the multi-age preschool classroom and includes activities and materials that can be embedded into daily schedules to support and strengthen self-regulation skills, the ability to focus, friendship skills, and problem solving. These activities and materials enhance the ACS Conscious Discipline strategies and support student families. Congratulations, Elisa Klingel, Tammy Laffitte, Donna Macon, and Bryan Gillette!

Cultivating Wellbeing for Black Educators

This grant will provide over 80 Black educators with opportunities to enhance their mental and physical wellbeing through trainings with chiropractors, primary care physicians, yoga teachers, and other health professionals through the Student Services Department. This initiative is part of a larger district-wide effort to support the retention of educators of color so that students of color see themselves reflected in their teachers, mentors, and role models. Congratulations, Kidada Wynn and Kim Robinson!

ACS Band Trainings with Colonel Jeff Warner

Grant funding will provide opportunities to bring retired Air Force Band conductor, Colonel Jeff Warner, to Asheville City Schools. Colonel Warner, a master pedagogue and teacher, will instruct band teachers and teach the band classes at Asheville High and SILSA, Asheville Middle, and Montford North Star Academy. Colonel Warner will visit every middle and high school band class in ACS to observe and consult with directors, ensuring that instruction and student mastery are improving. Congratulations Rodney Workman, JaQuan Wiley, Ana Bulluck, Tina Robinette, and Trey Simpson!

THE writing center

This grant provides $30,000/year in funding for The Writing Center at Asheville High and SILSA. This grant responds to the needs, concerns, and opportunities raised by students in the Listening Project report. The Writing Center creates an energetic and creative space for teachers, community volunteers, and college students to collaborate with our high school students and provide a valuable resource to support writing skills.

The Someone Cares Fund

The Someone Cares Fund was established in 2020 as a bequest from Maria Mason to ACSF with the sole purpose of increasing mental health supports for students in our high schools. Someone Cares provides support for young people as they navigate the extreme social and economic issues, obstacles, and disparities facing them. This fund increases access to mental health services with more trained adults listening to, validating, and guiding our students towards positive outcomes.

NEW OPPORTUNITIES

The New Opportunities grant for ACS educators was aimed to increase access to opportunities by reducing barriers, increasing understanding, and/or expanding resources. This grant provided up to $10,000/year for two years (the school years of 2019-2020 and 2020-2021) and was used for work that directly created opportunities for students.

Click here to learn more about previously funded grants.

change agents

Change Agents was a grant opportunity for ACS educators to address targeted equity gaps. This grant provided up to $5,000 to support student or parent-led work. This grant was intended to create a specific change that would address a specific problem that could be addressed with additional time and resources over a short period of time.

Click here to learn more about previously funded grants.

For questions or more information before applying, please contact:

Copland Arnold Rudolph
Executive Director
copland@acsf.org
(828) 350-6174