The District 51 Foundation announced this week the recipients of its second round of Technology and Innovation Grants, with 11 Mesa County Valley School District 51 staff members receiving more than $7,500.
The D51 Foundation uses proceeds from its White Iced Celebration and other fundraising efforts to fund various needs throughout the school district. These grants go toward technology to be implemented in the classroom.
Grant recipients include:
• Larry Sanders, Grand River Academy, $1,500 (15 Sphero robots with power pack);
• Brittany Garcia, Redlands Middle School, $600 (70-inch Smart TV with Google and mounting brackets);
• Elyza Willms, Grand Mesa Middle School, $600 (70-inch Smart TV with Google and mounting brackets);
• Becky Brandon, West Middle School, $600 (70-inch Smart TV with Google and mounting brackets);
• Matthew Bohling, Tope Elementary, $149 (digital camera for the yearbook);
• Susan Berg, Fruita Monument High School, $439 (digital camera for journalism);
• Stephanie Rush, Palisade High School, $600 (70-inch Smart TV with Google and mounting brackets);
• Britni Westbrook, Broadway Elementary School, $1,200 (two 70-inch Smart TVs with Google and mounting brackets);
• Marye Helms, Rim Rock Elementary School, $489 (Canon EOS: National Elementary Honor Society);
• Cameron Ricks, Shelledy Elementary School, $600 (70-inch Smart TV with Google and mounting brackets);
• Megan Henry, Independence Academy, $500 (10 Light Boards: Technology for Future Artists).
Some of the recipients provided remarks in the D51 Foundation’s announcement.
“This technology will have such an impact on my yearbook staff,” said Berg of Fruita Monument. “They work so hard to be creative and provide their classmates with a great book, and more cameras will allow them to go above and beyond!”
“This grant not only enhances my students’ ability to explore and express themselves but also reinforces the importance of art education in a rapidly evolving world,” said Henry, an art teacher at Independence Academy. “I cannot thank the D51 Foundation board members enough for this gift that will have such a long lasting impact on my students!”