CAMPAIGNS & EVENTS.
When you give to the FISD Education Foundation you invest in the future of our community. We are asking You—our community, our parents and our friends—to help our efforts to build a better future for all of us.
EVERY DOLLAR COUNTS.
Your donation dollars WILL drive excellence at FISD.
We focus on awarding annual, one-time grants to teachers, administrators, and District staff who participate in an anonymous grant process. As the Foundation continues to grow, these awards will increase, resulting in more annual grants and larger amounts paid. With your help we will grow the foundation into a material funding stream that guarantees the quality of FISD for years to come.
Your donations will fuel the following initiatives:
1. Recruiting and Retaining Teachers
2. Rewarding Innovation in the Classroom
3. Covering Incidental Costs of teaching
THESE ARE SOME OF OUR GRANTS. COME BACK THIS WEEK TO SEE THE REST!
TODAY IS 3/7/2023
Grants Awarded 2020 Spring $79, 500
FISD’s #1 personnel challenge is its shortage of Bilingual and Dual-Language Teachers. With a matching grant from the Dian Graves Owen Foundation, our foundation gave $79,500 for the second year in a row to fund stipends and retention bonuses for bilingual teachers. The foundation is ensuring that our schools will be able to employ and retain high quality and certified Bilingual and Dual Language Teachers.
FREDERICKSBURG ELEMENTARY/
PRIMARY SCHOOL
Bilingual & Dual Language Teachers
Retention & Recruiting Stipends
$79,500
Grants Awarded 2020 Fall $43, 137
FREDERICKSBURG ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL
Science
Science Club
$1688
“I would like to support the rigor of the current science curriculum through a hands-on science club that progresses to a local science fair and eventually to the Austin Regional Science Fair for selected participants. We will focus our energy on drafting girls and economically disadvantaged students into the club to boost the equality of underrepresented populations but also any student interested, so as to increase the Science STAAR scores for Fredericksburg Elementary School.”
JESSILYN SCHELLMAN & CAROL MERRILL
FREDERICKSBURG ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL
Music & Special Events Sound System
$1633
“Over 880 students per year perform in music concerts at the Elementary school. The Anchor Audio Go Getter will provide speakers, Bluetooth capability for ipad, iphone, ipod and cordless microphone. It will be used daily in the music room. It will replace the broken, rolling speaker box that I purchased with my own money ten years ago. With COVID-19, there is a possibility to perform outside this year. We can also move this sound system outside since it is portable!”
JENNIFER HALLFORD
FREDERICKSBURG MIDDLE
SCHOOL
Special Education Funding Digital Learning
$3059
“I serve students with profound disabilities. Currently we have outdated and insufficient technology. This was a huge issue during the COVID break. I am requesting new ipads for every one of my students so that they can access the curriculum whether we are in class or virtually. Ipads can be used as both assistive technology and instructional technology because students with disabilities can download apps that provide visual, auditory and tactile learning opportunities, but can also be used as learning tools to gain access to our Google classroom.”
MARISSA CORMIER
FREDERICKSBURG MIDDLE SCHOOL
Math
Wobble Chairs for Small Group
$346
“It is proven that small group instruction is the best way to fill the gaps of struggling students so they can freely ask questions, make mistakes, and improve their work. In a classroom of about 25 students, one of the best ways to create this small group, is to pull them off to the side at a kidney table. To interest my students, I would like 4 wobble chairs. These chairs have an ergonomic design, allow a 360 degree movement, enhance focus, provide flexible seating, can easily adjust height, and are anti-tip.”
NATALLIE VOGEL
FREDERICKSBURG MIDDLE/ HIGH SCHOOL
Career & Technical Education Are FISD Students Career Ready?
$8000
“The grant will help students be prepared for College, Career, and Military Readiness by offering IBC’s (Industry-Based Certification) at both the High School and Middle School level including 322 industry certifications, 67 OSHA 10 certifications, 4 Auto Service Safety certifications, and 57 Food Handler certifications. These industry certifications reflect the skills and competencies needed for real world career expectations.”
ROBIN DERINGTON & SHERYL WALLACE
FREDERICKSBURG MIDDLE SCHOOL
Principles of Architecture/Wood Shop Sawmill
$6500
Table Saw
$2700
“Purchase of a Frontier Portable Sawmill for the students of my Principles of Architecture/Wood Shop classes at FMS would allow more students to build projects since we would have a continual supply of lumber. My class sizes have steadily increased since 2010 (41 students) to Fall 2020 (approx. 175 students). I budget and spend nearly $2000 a year on lumber, having a sawmill would allow that money to be spent elsewhere in the shop.”
“I would like to purchase a Grizzly G0696X table saw for the students of my Principles of Architecture/ Wood Shop classes at FMS. The current table saw is very old and is not functioning well. I don’t want it to become a safety or fire hazard as the motor overheats quickly. A new table saw will allow my classes to continue making projects. Since my class sizes have steadily increased, the shop would benefit from a new, safe and effective table saw.”
CHRIS TURNER
FREDERICKSBURG HIGH SCHOOL
US History
OnRamps
$3000
“This is a request for paid enrollment for students taking the new to Fredericksburg University of Texas OnRamps Courses for U.S. History. This is a dual enrollment course, where students will receive a high school grade and a college grade. This course could reward a student 6 credit hours from the University of Texas.”
*This partial funding will be spread out among ALL students taking the course giving them all a discounted rate.
BO WILSON
FREDERICKSBURG HIGH SCHOOL
UIL Computer Applications Program UIL Academics
$3338
“FHS would like to expand the UIL Academics program by adding a computer applications team. The team will need laptops and printers so students can practice skills and use at tournaments throughout the year.”
TARA SWEET
FREDERICKSBURG HIGH SCHOOL
Social Emotional Learning Purpose Prep - Quality Curriculum for Social Emotional Learning Success
$6845
“I am requesting the Foundation cover the cost of the site license for the purpose Prep curriculum as well as the required webinar for staff training. Purpose Prep is a web-based course provider that offers social emotional learning focused curriculum. Purpose Prep courses and lessons are available as a curriculum option on the Edgenuity platform. Because the high school campus already has a site license to Edgenuity Courseware, the Purpose Prep curriculum would simply be an addition. Once acquired, students and teachers would be able to access Purpose Prep through their Edgenuity login.”
SARAH SOUTHARD
FREDERICKSBURG HIGH SCHOOL
Career & Technical Ed CTE Food Science Program-Laboratory Supplies
$1814
“This grant will better equip our students in the Food Science Course to complete labs in class. Students conduct laboratory and field investigations, use scientific methods during investigations, and make informed decisions using critical thinking and scientific problem solving.”
KATIE TAYLOR
FREDERICKSBURG HIGH SCHOOL
English
Flexible Seating
$3467
“Many teenagers struggle sitting at a desk all day long in every class. Standing desks would enable me to intermingle the tables providing more room for students and allow for social distancing and movement for kids who do not want to șit all day every day. I am also requesting standing teacher desks for the front of the classroom. This is a year teachers may be forced to work from behind their desks more than normal in order to attempt to stay healthy. By adding this simple piece of furniture, the teachers would be able to be more visible, interact with and see the students better and display a small form of social distancing.”
KRISTY DANZ
Grants Awarded 2019 Spring $87, 890
FISD’s #1 personnel challenge is its shortage of Bilingual and Dual-Language Teachers. With a matching grant from the Dian Graves Owen Foundation, our foundation gave $79,500 for the second year in a row to fund stipends and retention bonuses for bilingual teachers. The foundation is ensuring that our schools will be able to employ and retain high quality and certified Bilingual and Dual Language Teachers.
FREDERICKSBURG ELEMENTARY/
PRIMARY SCHOOL
Bilingual & Dual Language Teachers
Retention & Recruiting Stipends
$79,500
FREDERICKSBURG ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL
Classroom Instruction Chromebooks
$6099
Third grade teacher, Alyssa Mohr, received $6099 to purchase 25 Chromebooks, 25 headphones, and a computer cart for her ELA and Social Studies classroom. She uses the Chromebooks to provide individualized instruction and practice for her students and to give them immediate feedback. Her students also participate in virtual field trips, group projects, and reading interventions using the Chromebooks.
FREDERICKSBURG MIDDLE
SCHOOL
Gifted & Talented Program Professional Development Training
$500
Shane Willis, FMS Pre-AP Texas History instructor, received a grant in the amount to $500 to cover the costs of Gifted and Talented Certification training. He uses what he learned during this training to create rigorous and compelling lessons that inspire imagination and insight in his students. His ultimate goal is to engage all of his learners.
FREDERICKSBURG HIGH
SCHOOL
Journalism
Photoshop/InDesign Workshops
$1790
Using her $1790 grant, FHS Journalism, Yearbook, Photojournalism, and Newspaper instructor Kim Zuberbueler was able to attend a four-day workshop on using Photoshop, InDesign, and Lightroom. She passes what she learned about these Adobe tools on to her students so that they are better equipped to use them in the design process…both in school and beyond.
Grants Awarded 2019 Fall $63,037
Stonewall Elementary’s science program got a boost through a $795 grant to purchase a subscription to Generation Genius. Created in partnership with the National Science Teachers Association, Generation Genius brings science to life through vibrant videos, engaging lesson plans and activities, reading materials, assessments, and more.
$795
Science
Generation Genius Supplemental
Curriculum
STONEWALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Stonewall Elementary received a second grant of $1356 to enhance math instruction through additional opportunities for students to practice their mental math skills. The funds enabled the school to purchase Number Talks resources and Math Shakers, both of which ask students to solve mathematical problems and then communicate their thinking to others… a skill that enhances learning and retention.
$1356
Math
Mental Math Strategies Manipulatives
STONEWALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Amy Thomas and Sharon Curl, FES Librarians, used a $1095 grant to encourage and celebrate reading among their students. Students were challenged to read a book of their choosing and then complete a minimum of three creative projects based on the book. Those students who met the requirements were invited, along with an adult guest, to celebrate their accomplishments at an exciting “A Night at the Oscars” event.
$1095
Language Arts
A Night at the Oscars Reading Program
FREDERICKSBURG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
While all students need time for movement in the classroom, some students require almost constant movement to help them focus and release energy. A grant of $360 allowed Tasha Remschel to purchase six “wobble chairs” that give some of her students the movement and flexibility in seating that they need
Math/Science
Staying Flexible in Seating and Learning Wobble Chairs
FREDERICKSBURG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
$360
Math
Google Classroom Chromebooks
FREDERICKSBURG MIDDLE SCHOOL
$8,365
The 30 Chromebooks and computer cart granted to Rachel Stotz and Elaine Renaud allow these math teachers to incorporate into their teaching a math app that responds to students’ individual needs and improves math retention. This technology also allows them to provide real-time feedback to their students and to communicate more effectively with parents. All of this means decreasing achievement gaps and increasing learning.
Cross-curricular connections ensure that students have opportunities to practice basic skills while working with different content. This $1500 grant, used to purchase classroom sets of four books, enables these connections by giving students the opportunity to read and respond to high-level, engaging literature that connects to the Texas history they’re studying.
$1500
History
Reading-A Lifetime Skill
4 sets of History Literature
FREDERICKSBURG MIDDLE SCHOOL
A $5000 grant allowed Sheryl Wallace, Middle School Principal to purchase 11 Dell laptops to help increase FMS’s computers on wheels (COWs) to full classroom sets. Students construct their understanding in collaboration with their peers. Projects are supplemented by discussions and other activities designed to help students hone the skills and strategies of learning with computers.
$5000
Technology
Campus Grant
FREDERICKSBURG MIDDLE SCHOOL
$3500
Vocational Agriculture Science
VATAT Conference
FREDERICKSBURG HIGH SCHOOL
Because of a $3500 grant, Patrick Padgett, Joel Bush, Caleb Elrod and Erica McMurray, Fredericksburg Ag Science Teachers, will attend the Vocational Ag Teachers Conference in Corpus Christi. They attend professional development sessions, receive Texas Education Agency updates and learn new teaching techniques and skills as they relate to agriculture education and FFA. They use what they learn to enhance and maintain a strong ag science program at FISD.
FHS students participating in the Health Sciences Program complete the clinical portion of their training at Hill Country Memorial Hospital, and while there, they are required to wear scrubs that identify them as students. This $1200 grant allowed the school to purchase 40 sets of scrubs for the students so that this cost would not be passed on to the students and their families. The scrubs are checked out and returned each semester.
FREDERICKSBURG HIGH SCHOOL
Health Science Student Scrubs for
Hospital Clinical Rounds
$1200
OSHA 30-Hour Industry Training Course promotes safety in the construction trades. With a grant of $2000 that enabled a FHS CTE instructor to become an OSHA 30 instructor, FHS can now provide this training to its CTE students for $8. Prior to this, students seeking OSHA training were required to take an online course costing $130 per student. This grant not only saves students and their families money but also gives these students an advantage when they enter the workforce.
$2000
Career & Technical Education(CTE)
OSHA 30hr Industry Training Course
FREDERICKSBURG HIGH SCHOOL
Engineering Laser Cutter/Engraver Fabrication of Custom Parts
FREDERICKSBURG HIGH SCHOOL
With a grant of $16,000, FHS Engineering students are now able to make their own CAD designs come to life. Using the program’s new laser cutter, these students create custom, stand alone parts that they then assemble, giving them full ownership of their designs from concept to product.
$16,000
Junior and Senior FHS Engineering students routinely use different software programs to design component parts and rockets. Once they’ve created their designs in blueprint form, they use the CAD plotter to print their designs in large-scale, usable formats. A grant of $1250 allowed for the repair of the program’s plotter so that students can resume large-scale printing.
$1250
Engineering
CAD Plotter Service Repair
Large Format Paper Printing
FREDERICKSBURG HIGH SCHOOL
Melissa Hall, FHS Art Teacher, used a grant of $1391 to purchase advanced art supplies for her students. These supplies, including Prismacolor Art Markers, a table trimmer, and a mat cutter, enable her students to compete in art competitions and complete their AP Art portfolios.
$1391
Art
Advanced Art Supplies
FREDERICKSBURG HIGH SCHOOL
A grant of $18,445 to the FHS OnRamps Chemistry and Physics classes covered tuition costs for 52 students in this dual enrollment program and purchased the required software and hardware for lab activities. The ultimate goals of this grant are to increase the percentage of students earning college credit through the dual enrollment program and to increase student diversity in the program.
$18,445
Chemistry & Physics
OnRamps Program- Advanced Lab
Materials and Instruction
FREDERICKSBURG HIGH SCHOOL
$780
Flexible Workspace Desks
GILLESPIE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL
Many of the students attending Gillespie County High School learn best in a non-traditional environment, and all of them participate in a computer-based, self-paced program of learning. A grant of $780 allowed their teachers to purchase six adjustable standing desks that provide students with a more flexible workspace and allow them to stand and move as they work.