​2023 Grant Day - March 3rd

LFHS Foundation Grant Day!

We are thrilled to share that we will be funding 12 new grants and one standing grant in 2023. These grants represent a total of approximately $137,000 that will be invested in educational excellence at LFHS.  We are deeply grateful to our generous community because your support makes this all possible!

The Forest Scout Video Gear, Glen Leyden & Ray DelFava, English
Graphing Calculators for Algebra 1, Tia Rebecca, Math
Driver Hubs & Batteries for Robotics, Joe Dudeck, Matt Wilen, & Sydney Kirages, Science, Applied Tech, & Robotics Club
Independent Living Skills Technology & Equipment, Samantha Medland, Special Education
Savannah College of Art and Design Summer Educator Forum, Carolyn Bielski, The Arts
Enclosed Plasma Cutter, Jen Thomas, Bill Strommel, & Corey Holmer, The Arts & Applied Tech
Choir Projector & Screen, Matthew Begale, The Arts
Climbing Wall Volumes & Holds, Mike Mizwicki, Wellness
Weight Room Equipment, Matt Jerina, Wellness
Climbing Wall Volumes & Holds, Chris Landvick, Wellness
Latin Novella Library, Ariel Landvick, World Language
SIIP Leadership to Learning Forward Conference 2023 & 2024, Jeff Summy, Administration
MVP Funding for Business Incubator, Standing Grant

---

Announcing the 2023 Grants . . . 

Forest Scout Video Gear

Driver Hubs & Batteries for Robotics

Independent Living Skills Technology & Equipment

SCAD Summer Educator Forum

Enclosed Plasma Cutter

Choir Projector & Screen

Climbing Wall Volumes & Holds

Latin Novella Library

Weight Room Equipment

SIIP Leadership Conference

---

2023 Grants!

Video Equipment for the Forest Scout

​Writing for Journalism students are increasingly using video content to report news and views for the student-run media outlet, The Forest Scout. The English Department received a grant for two “starter packs” of the equipment (tripods, microphones, and gimbals) needed to produce higher quality videos using smartphones. The gimbal has become a staple for mobile journalists, as it allows flexibility and provides smoother footage in changing and/or moving settings. 

​Graphing Calculators for Algebra 1

Graphing calculators are an essential learning tool for high school math students. Consistently using graphing calculators and becoming familiar with its capabilities can help a student be more prepared for classroom and standardized tests. With 160 students in Algebra 1 classes each day, it is likely that someone is showing up without a calculator. The Math Department was awarded a grant for 50 TI-84 Plus graphing calculators to provide backup classroom calculators and to increase the number of calculators that are available in the school’s lending library.

Enclosed Plasma Cutter

The Foundation granted an industry-grade CRP Enclosed Plasma Cutter and basic materials to the school for use in STEAM-focused technology classes and activities. The cutter could be used in all Crafts & Design, Ceramics, 3D AP Studio Art, Graphic Design, Engineering, Robotics, Guitar Making, Woods 2, Engineering 2&3, Science, and other applied arts classes. Exposure to laser cutters at the high school has already allowed students to design and create forms using materials such as wood, acrylic and paper. The enclosed plasma cutter will now open up the medium of metal and provide additional opportunities for students to work with high-quality equipment and materials.

Independent Living Skills

The Special Education Department has been awarded a grant to purchase a Promethean smart board, cash register, pots, pans, and a digital air fryer. The smart board will allow students to learn in a multi-modal environment, fostering student participation and increasing overall accessibility for all learners. The other items in this grant will enhance hands-on learning opportunities and further promote the development of independent living skills, including money management, job skills, hygiene, cooking, and other interactive, hands-on learning experiences. Many of these skills are often overlooked in the high school setting in favor of rigorous academic subjects. This grant will provide exposure to these skills and prepare students for life after high school. 

Savannah College of Art and Design - Art Teachers Professional Development

Five teachers from the Arts Department were awarded grants to attend the Summer Educator Forum at the Savanah College of Art and Design (SCAD). This week-long professional development opportunity involves 16 hours of coursework in tech-forward classes (such as jewelry-making, Shibori, VR, UX, Animation and Industrial Design), as well as lectures, networking, and keynote speakers. Having all of the art teachers attend the forum together will provide real-time opportunity for them to collaborate and plan curriculum designed to deliver career-focused, forward-thinking classes and projects for years to come.  

MVP Funding Business Incubator

This is a standing grant provided to fund the Minimum Viable Product for the Business Incubator program. 

Choir Projector & Screen

The choir classroom is set up for group learning. However, the technology used in the classroom is not conducive for teaching a large group. While the choir teacher already uses a projector on a daily basis (to connect to an iPad and/or computer to stream videos and digital interaction), the screen is tiny, which makes it difficult for many of the students to see the details needed to follow along. The foundation awarded the Arts Department a new projector and a significantly larger screen to create a more ideal, efficient, and equitable learning environment for all choir students. 

Driver Hubs & Backup Batteries for Robotics

Robotics students are using outdated android phones to control robots in the classroom and at competitions. The phones are unreliable, provide inconsistent Wi-fi connections and have minimal battery life, which results in lost time and inefficiency. Fifteen REV Driver Hubs (a compact mobile android computing device that interfaces with robots) have been granted to the Science and Applied Tech Departments to upgrade devices used in robotics classes and by the Robotics Team. Using the driver hubs, students will be able to seamlessly deliver programming to the robots and experience more effective trial and error program testing.  

Latin Novella Library

In efforts to expand Latin students’ reading skills and interests, the World Languages Department has been granted a library of Latin novellas. Latin novellas are entertaining mini novels that exist for the joy of reading (in Latin). The novellas, which will range from basic beginning readers to upper-level Latin books, support the Latin curriculum’s focus on reading theory without students having to stress about accompanying grammar lessons.

Weight Room Equipment

The Wellness Department was awarded a grant to add updated strength training equipment to the high school’s weight room. A new leg press machine will replace a decades old leg press that is worn out and ill-fitting for smaller students. The leg extension and calf raise machines will be new additions to the weight room. The weight room has a full schedule of classes throughout the day and is also used by athletes and other students during open gym hours. The new equipment is safer and easier for beginners to use. 

Leadership Professional Learnings

The School Innovation and Improvement Plan (SIIP) team has received a two-year grant to take cross-sectional staff and administrators to the 2023 and 2024 (nine each year) Learning Forward Conference. The insightful conference provides collaborative learning opportunities to bridge research and implementation in order to improve best practices in classrooms, teams, buildings, systems, and regions. The knowledge gained from attending this conference will influence the SIIP Team’s efforts to reinvent professional learning at LFHS. 

Climbing Wall Upgrades: Landing Mat, Volumes, Holds & Hardware

The Wellness Department has received two grants to upgrade the climbing wall and surrounding area. The first grant will be used to replace the landing mat, which is in disrepair from being regularly moved to allow space for the other sports and activities to take place in the field house. The new mat will be custom fitted to the irregular shape of the wall and will fold into itself (toward the wall) when additional space is needed, which will significantly reduce future wear and tear. The second grant will be used for new volumes (extensions of the wall that give depth to flat walls), holds (grips for climbers to grab or step on) and related hardware. In addition to creating new technical features and challenges, the volumes and holds will be placed over sections of the wall where the surface has peeled off. This will reduce sharp edges and mask imperfections on the wall.

Come on in! 
​Join us on a video tour to see how the LFHS Foundation helps transform your student's education.​

Through the support of our generous community, the LFHS Foundation allows staff to dream big to enhance curriculum, create innovative learning spaces and provide cutting-edge technology to our students. Innovative ideas + Foundation Grants = Educational Excellence  Support Educational Excellence at LFHS by donating today at http://www.lfhsfoundation.org 
​To join the video tour click the photo below or go to youtu.be/VslVt6wuhgw

Click the photo to view the video

Our Generous Community Makes It Possible

​THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS & SPONSORS!

Each year we ask our community to support the LFHS Foundation through donations and sponsorships for the Annual Spring Luncheon and Pitch Night.  Every donation and sponsorship is valued and vital to our success, making it possible for us to continue investing in educational excellence.  Foundation grants support, enrich and enhance the Lake Forest High School experience for all students, faculty, and staff.  Over the last 19 years, the Foundation has awarded more than 300 grants totaling over $2.5 million, impacting all areas of the school.  THANK YOU!

The Lake Forest High School Foundation celebrates its 20th annual Grant Day on Friday, March 11, 2022.  Which faculty, staff and student grants will be awarded on that day?  Stay Tuned.

Flexible Science Lab Furniture