The Fort LeBoeuf Foundation has been awarding Educational Excellence Grants since 2011 totaling well over $80,0000. These grants have been used to help achieve the Foundation’s goal of enhancing educational opportunities by providing for projects and trips that may not be funded and are innovative. These grants would not be available without the support from donors that include alumni, community members and faculty. We are pleased to announce that this year we are awarding 14 grants totaling over $6,000.00.

We are so fortunate to have such creative and caring teachers in our district that go above and beyond every day to provide the best education they can for their students. We are proud to award the following grants for the 2022-2023 school year.

High School teacher Heather Proctor was awarded a grant for her “Arts for Everyone” She will use the money for her Life Skills classroom to purchase paints, canvases and art supplies the students will complete one art project a month. They will then have a traveling art show to showcase their beautiful pieces of art. They visit the staff, support staff, and the special education department at the Middle and High School. This gives her students socialization skills and a sense of accomplishment and pride, it encourages them to talk to other people about their art and build some confidence.

Jamie Travis High school Autistic Support teacher requested a shelving, stocking area where the students can practice job site skills such as stocking and sorting. The students will gain employment skills through the use of this organization system.

Middle School teacher Stacy Bukoski who runs the robotics club asked for funds to purchase new parts for each of the three teams. These teams work very hard from August to May designing, building and programming competition robots. This provides these students with experience in engineering, fabrication, programming, technical writing, marketing and budgeting.

Jayme Nies at Robison Elementary requested 2 IPads to use with her current special education program. The desired outcome would be to encourage the students to learn more and instill a desire to achieve goals set in the classroom. There would be incentives to be able to use the IPads.

Becky Goetz who is in charge of the District Health & Wellness challenge has asked for funds for a monthly challenge drawing for a chance to win prizes for those that participate. She is challenging all district staff to enhance their mental, physical and emotional health with these challenges. Research shows that in order to be an effective educator you have to take care of yourself first.

Joanne Krahe and the sixth grade team run a “Heinz Day” This is an incentive program that rewards students for completing their work on a timely manner. There is one held every nine weeks. Their awarded funds will be used for indoor and outdoor games and treats for this event.

Brent Swain one of our Middle School teachers has started a “Hot Wheels Club” It will be an after school activity using hot wheels and a track system. Students will conduct science and math related experiments involving speed, velocity, engineering/design and other stem related activities. It is a great group for students that are interested in science, math and cars. The funds requested will be used to purchase cars, tracks and other needed supplies.

Angela Tarr, Winnie Oberrath and Patrish Jones have asked for Ipad shockproof cases and screen protectors, hand straps and stands to protect their Ipads. This enables the students from the high school and middle school to protect this expensive equipment. One of the projects they will be using the IPads for is to create broadcasting video announcements. They will also be doing STEM experiments, historical news reporting and book reviews.

Lindsey Klins from Waterford Elementary will be using her funds for STEM equipment. She wants to add more STEM activities on a daily/weekly basis to increase her student’s exposure to science and math concepts in the classroom. This will allow students to work together and come up with creative and problem solving ideas.

Patricia Jones Middle School teacher also asked for STEM supplies that include consumable materials. Every other Friday the students will have a STEM challenge they will pair up to complete a project that requires problem solving. This increases student engagement and enthusiasm in science. This promotes a positive atmosphere where students must work together with new people and different ideas.

Another one of our Middle School teachers Stacy Bukoski was seeking funds for a “Stock Market Game” that introduces students to saving and investing through a simulation of the stock and bond market.Each team of 3-5 students will pay an online registration fee to participate in this online simulation.This will help build a fundamental understanding of finances and investing. Other skills will also involve math, English language arts, economics and social studies.

Natasha Tucci from the High School is filling a closet with essential items that our lower income special needs students are lacking clothing, food, shoes and hygiene items. This can cause students to struggle academically while worrying about not having these everyday essentials. This would help those students get the items they need. She will be using her grant money to purchase items to start her closet.

Middle School teacher Laura Friedman has started a “Novie Project” Students read a novel then with parent permission borrow the movie adaptation to watch at home. They then have discussions comparing the similarities and differences between the two versions. Most homes do not have access to a DVD player so Mrs. Friedman asked for funds to purchase some portable DVD players that the students can take home to watch the movies.

Jason Beer one of our High school teachers sought funds to help students to be able to attend the educational Field trip to Washington DC. Each student is asked to raise $400.00 this would help the students that have financial burdens to be able to receive some financial help. This is a great educational trip that introduces the nation’s capital to our junior students.

The Fort LeBoeuf Foundation is a community based 501(c)3 non-profit corporation founded in 1995 comprised of community members, alumni, and district employees. The mission of the Foundation is to enhance the educational opportunities of students in the Fort LeBoeuf School District. The Foundation works towards it mission by providing scholarships to graduating seniors, offering grants for innovative projects and programs in the classroom, giving mini grants to students pursuing educational opportunities outside of the classroom, and recognizing and encouraging excellence inside and outside the classroom. The Foundation currently houses twelve scholarships funded by members of the community. The current president of the Foundation is Denny Fortin and the current chairperson of the Foundation board of directors is Leigh Williams. For additional information please email foundation@fortleboeuf.net or visit their website at flbfoundation.com. The Fort LeBoeuf Foundation can also be found on Facebook and Twitter.