2023 Classroom Education Grants Announced

We’re thrilled to reveal the recipients of the 2023 Classroom Education Grants, which totaled $11394.54.

Karen Teusch from the Parkview Huntington Family YMCA Preschool was awarded a grant of $1,011.69 that will purchase supplies to support the Huntington Y’s Early Childhood program expansion, increase access to literacy materials, provide sensory experiences, and provide cooperative play opportunities and social-emotional learning. The grant was sponsored by the Donald & Lou Rayne Scheiber, Fred & Becky Scheiber, Dr. Ron & Judy Frischman, Groff Eberhart, Harold &Pauline Bailey Memorial, Hiner Family, Howell-Ehler-Wiley, James & Regina Ditzler, and the Robert & Vera Deal Community Funds.

Amber Nevius of Huntington Catholic Preschool was awarded a grant of $431.00 to improve the classroom experience, including a Bluetooth speaker and storage bins.  Ms. Nevius’ grant was sponsored by the Stephen & Alyce Zahn Community Fund. Jami Eckert, also of Huntington Catholic Preschool, was awarded a grant of $600 to purchase items for pretend play, which promotes higher-level thinking, problem-solving, taking turns, and language development. Ms. Eckert’s grant was sponsored by the Dr. Ron & Judy Frischman and the Howell-Ehler-Wiley Community Funds.

Huntington Catholic School Assistant Principal Brandy Aschliman received a grant of $869.00 for storage cabinets and containers for the school’s new guided reading books. The Fred Bailey Community Fund sponsored Ms. Aschliman’s grant.  Huntington Catholic 5th Grade Teacher Amy Ball received a grant of $358.95 to purchase nonfiction reading books to encourage reading and math-related skills. Ms. Ball’s grant was sponsored by the Culp CPA Group, Donald & Lou Rayne Scheiber, Fred & Becky Scheiber, Fred Bailey, and the Stephen and Alyce Zahn Community Funds.

Lauren Davis, a 4th-grade teacher at Flint Springs Elementary School, was awarded a classroom education grant of 108.00 to purchase a Tulip tree, the official tree of the State of Indiana, which will be planted on the school grounds and serve as a symbolic reminder to the students attending Flint Springs today and those attending in the future. The Gina & Scott Canady and Robert & Vera Deal Community Fund sponsored Ms. Davis’ grant.

Amy Degitz, Physical Education Teacher at Horace Mann Elementary School, was awarded a grant of $1,003.45 to purchase “Brainball,” which is a unique physical education learning system that combines physical education and academic learning through play.  Ms. Degitz’s grant was sponsored by the Dean & Anne Stonebraker, Groff Eberhart, John & Midge Decker Community Funds, and an Anonymous Community Fund. Horace Man Principal Mindy Reust was awarded a grant of $2000 towards the purchase of a Gaga Ball Pit to expand the existing playground equipment needed to accommodate the growing school enrollment. The Culp CPA Group Community Fund sponsored Ms. Reust’s grant.

Cari Neal, Special Services Teacher at Lincoln Elementary School, was awarded a grant of $639, which will provide funding to purchase Lego Education SPIKE Essential kits. These kits focus on a cross-curricular STEM program that engages students with hands-on learning while working on beginning computer science skills. This grant was sponsored by the Bippus State Bank, Groff Eberhart, and Hiner Family Community Funds.

Megan Eller and Jill Webb of Roanoke Elementary received a grant of $993 to purchase decodable chapter books with accompanying workbooks that focus on the important science of reading skills, such as vocabulary and comprehension. Ms. Eller and Ms. Webb’s grant was sponsored by the Bippus State Bank, Donald & Nancy McDaniel, Harold & Pauline Bailey Memorial, John & Midge Decker, and Roger & Debbie Dyson Community Funds.  Melissa Kline, Jane Daas, and Heather Polson, 3^rd grade teachers at Roanoke Elementary, were awarded a grant of $245 to purchase a variety of math and language board games to enhance student engagement through strategy, critical thinking skills, social interactions, and fun. Ms. Kline, Ms. Daas, and Ms. Polson’s grant was sponsored by the Bippus State Bank, Dean & Anne Stonebraker, Donald & Nancy McDaniel, James & Regina Ditzler, and John & Midge Decker Community Funds. 

Leah Long and Nicole Witherspoon of Salamonie Elementary School were awarded a grant of $994.24 to purchase an iPad, supplemental phonics kits for small group instruction, and calm-down kits to help meet the social and emotional needs of their first-grade students. Ms. Long and Ms. Witherspoon’s grant was sponsored by the Daugherty Family, Donald & Nancy McDaniel, Howell-Ehler-Wiley, and Jim & Linda Howell Community Funds. Melinda Huber, also of Salamonie Elementary School, received a grant of $655.82 to purchase items for planned school activities for Red Ribbon Week, a nationwide annual event that raises awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and encourages a commitment to a drug-free life. Ms. Huber’s grant was sponsored by the Daugherty Family, Fred Bailey, Gina & Scott Canady, Jim & Linda Howell, and Roger & Debbie Dyson Community Funds.

Marla Becker and Rick Brown, Physical Education Teachers at Crestview Elementary School, were awarded a grant of $649 that will provide funding to purchase a 9-Square Volleyball Game. This game will increase participation from students of all athletic abilities. Over 600 students will utilize this game throughout the school year. Ms. Becker and Mr. Brown’s grant was sponsored by the Culp CPA Group and Dean & Anne Stonebreaker Community Funds.

Heather Hiple of Riverview Middle School was awarded a grant of $533.86 to purchase two Instax cameras, film, and a digital picture frame for her 7th-grade students. Students will learn to take pictures of family, friends, pets, and adventures, which will be displayed in the classroom as “mountaintop experiences.” Ms. Hiple’s grant was sponsored by the Dr. Ron & Judy Frischman, Gina & Scott Canady, and Robert & Vera Deal Community Funds. Mellissa Ross, also of Riverview, received a grant of $302.53 to purchase civics course materials that will ensure her 6th-grade students take part in an innovative and purposeful program based on new state standards, thereby helping them grow into curious and caring citizens of Huntington, Indiana. The Hiner Family, James & Regina Ditzler, Jim & Linda Howell, and the Roger & Debbie Dyson Community Funds sponsored Ms. Ross’ grant.