On October 27, 2021, the Topeka Public Schools Foundation "grant patrol" made its rounds, presenting big checks to grant awardees. The following grants were awarded during the 2021-2022 school year, 13 grants were funded, totaling $22,000.
Tidwell Educational Grant Recipients 2021-2022
Robinson Middle School Classroom Library
This project creates a diverse library of books available as resources in Language Arts classrooms. Books will serve as sources, extensions, and inspiration for students.
Jardine Elementary Growing Through Gardening
The Growing Through Gardening project provides Jardine Elementary students with hands-on learning opportunities, while increasing environmental awareness and vital experiences in problem-solving.
In a school garden, students are learning to grow more than plants. The garden is a marvelous place where children learn to come up with solutions to challenges they might not otherwise encounter. School gardens also help change student eating habits.
Jaguar Academy Recess for All
The Recess for All project provides adaptive physical education equipment, such as basketballs, soccer balls, and frisbees, specifically designed for Jaguar Academy special education students to use during PE and recess.
French Middle School Incentives for Good Behavior
Often, incentives are needed in order to help increase positive behavior and ensure student success. This project provides small fidget items, snacks, and lunch dates as incentives for good behavior for French Middle School students.
Topeka Public Schools Summer Music Program
The TPS Summer Music Program provides an opportunity for participation in band, strings, and choir beyond the regular school year. The program will be held at Highland Park High School, June 1 - June 26, 2022 from 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM.
The program provides musical instruction during the summer to enhance skills of band students in grades 5-8, strings students in grades 5-8, and choir students in grades 4-8, with high school students serving as peer mentors based on music teacher recommendation.
Topeka Public Schools Instrumental Music Scholarships
The TPS Music Library maintains an instrument pool that provides musical instruments at a very low yearly cost. The pool remains self-sustaining due to the collection of rental fees.
The scholarship program allows TPS to provide instruments free of charge to 110 students, who would otherwise be unable to participate in the band or strings program at their school.
Pine Ridge Prep Happy Birthday Bags
The Happy Birthday Bag provides every student at Pine Ridge Prep Preschool with items necessary to celebrate their birthday at home with their family! Cake mix and pan, measuring cups, frosting, candles, and balloons will be placed in the bag. The gift of an activity book will be added to the bag. This will aid in guiding parents as they help their child learn at home.
Whitson Elementary Breakout Boxes
This project introduces the concept of Escape Rooms to the classroom for Whitson Elementary students, who must work together and use critical thinking skills to solve the Breakout Box puzzle.
TCALC Website & Digital Communications Creative Graphics
This project provides year 2 students at TCALC with the tools necessary to start their own student-run graphics shop, allowing for the creation of banners, stickers, window clings, floor/wall signs, t-shirts, and more. Students in the Website & Digital Communications pathway will also create a website to market their business and allow for online orders.
Landon Middle School Picnic on the Patio
This project provides four picnic tables for Landon Middle School educators to utilize in the school patio area for outdoor lunches as a team.
French Middle School Art in History
The Art in History: Terra Warriors of Ancient China project provides 6th-grade students at French Middle School with materials to recreate the Terra Cotta Army through hands-on artwork. The focus of the projects will be on the Qin Dynasty and Qin Shi Huang Chi's rule, laws and rights, beliefs, trade and accomplishments, ancient art, and much more.
Early College Prep Academy at Lowman Hill Ukulele Leopards
This project provides ukuleles for all 1st through 5th-grade students at Early College Prep Academy at Lowman Hill. Each student will learn to play during the 2021-2022 school year and perform at community events at the Topeka Shawnee County Public Library and at their respective grade-level music concerts. Progress will be reported by video and social media.
Ross Elementary Kindergarten Reading Program
The Ross Elementary Kindergarten Reading Program creates a comprehensive English Language Arts (ELA) plan to be used by all kindergarten classrooms in order for all students to achieve 80% or better ELA mastery. The plan supplements existing phonics and reading materials, student books, and iPads with guided reading books, headphones, writing journals, and whole group reading carpets.