FEPS awarded three $5,000 grants in 2006. Recipients were:
Forest Hills - A $5,000 grant for Lexia reading software and transportation in support of struggling readers. Jeff Thielen, Forest Hills Literach Specialist stated: "The funding provided for transportation for students to attend our Extended Day/FREE tutoring program and has led to dramatic changes. Students who previously had no access to these before/after school services now have access! Also, when students arrived to Extended Day/FREE Tutoring, they were able to do meaningful things with the Lexia software that was purchased because of the funding provided. The results have been dramatic enough that the other elementary schools are now purchasing Lexia for their schools. This software has proven effective, and this wouldn't have been as attainable had it not been for the funding provided by the Foundation for EP Schools. 13 Lexia licenses were purchased impacting around 80 students. The remaining balance was paid to Transportation for the M,W,F bus. 37 students were impacted by this. In other words, over 100 students were supported by this $5000 grant! Thank you!"
FEPS hopes to serve as an incubator for ideas that can be expanded and spread to other schools. This grant is a perfect example of how a great idea can be proven effective and passed on to other schools.
Oak Point - A $5,000 grant for Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) dance pads and software in support of new physical education curriculum. Physical education often fails to receive funding for innovative ideas yet the news is full of stories regarding the physical fitness of our children. This grant funded an innovative idea for an application that is instantly recognizable by most kids. It was implemented in the Fall of 2007 to rave reviews. (link to EP News Article)
Eden Prairie High School - A $5,000 grant for the creation of a cross-disciplinary course in Geometry and Art. The class was targeted at math students who struggle with geometry.
The goal was to create a more visual application of the subject matter while teaching both geometry and art. Unfortunately, the applicant ultimately withdrew the request. Nevertheless, this serves as a good example of the ideas the Foundation wants to foster.
