Innovation Grants

Great teachers/staff are always looking for ways to create innovative instruction to engage their students. With your support, SchoolForce has increased the budget for the Innovation Grants program every year since 2017.

In 2023/24, SchoolForce approved just over $200,000 district-wide for 153 projects. This is possible due to the generous gifts from our donors. Innovation means impact. In these times, ALL staff has an impact on our students’ daily experience. Innovation does not need to be technology, it is books, experiences, creating safe spaces, and other ideas which allow students to engage in learning.

We are proud to have funded two projects which received Kent Awards in 2023. These were the intercession program at Sandpiper Middle School and the vast Cipriani garden projects across multiple grades with the leaders of the grant being TK & K teachers.

  • image description Sheep Heart Dissection
  • image description Light Table for Animation
  • image description “Hamilton, A Short Muscial”

Who is eligible to apply for innovation grants?

To qualify, Michelle Green SchoolForce Innovation Grants (MGSFIG) applicants must be:
• Actively employed as a teacher or staff member by the Belmont-Redwood Shores School District during the 2024-2025 school year
• In good standing with outstanding grant criteria, i.e.: if you have received a grant in previous years, you must have complied with all aspects of previously awarded grants

What is the application process and timeline?

Read and understand grant guidelines, eligibility, and grant timeline. Fill in the MGSFIG request form below and submit it by September 30, 2024. The grant will be reviewed and applicants will receive a response by October 12th, 2024. Grants must be initiated and all work completed by the end of the school year. Receipts must be submitted by May 31st unless an alternative date is previously agreed upon.

Who do I contact with questions?

We are happy to help! Send an email: execdir@schoolforce.org.

Guidelines

The Michelle Green SchoolForce Innovation Grant (MGSFIG) Program is meant to creatively engage students, directly relate to the curriculum, and impact the learning atmosphere.

  1. Applicants should read and understand grant guidelines, eligibility, and grant timeline.
  2. Only one application is permitted per person. Staff can participate in collaborative grants, just not be the lead in multiple grant requests per grant cycle.
  3. Applicants need to have full support from their supervisor for this project application and its implementation.
  4. Technology requests must be compliant with the BRSSD technology policy and be able to be supported by the district technology staff.
  5. Amendments to approved grants are permitted upon written request by the applicant and approval by the MGSFIG review committee.
  6. Applicants must initiate and complete all work outlined in their MGSFIG description by the end of the 2024-2025 school year.
  7. All items purchased are property of BRSSD. The serial numbers must be registered at the time of reimbursement.

Restrictions

  1. The budget for the MGSFIG application should not include expenses incurred before MGSFIG approval, nor non-academic items.
  2. Grants cannot include substitute expenses, food, other items which do not comply with the BRSSD health and wellness guidelines, or gift cards.
  3. NO SECONDARY field trips will be awarded unless they are virtual and do not require buses.
  4. If you have actively pursued funding through a fundraising source outside of site-based requests, e.g., “DonorsChoose”, you will automatically be disqualified for grant requests.
  5. Any non-compliance with terms and conditions of grants will render the applicant ineligible for future grants applications.
  6. If a recipient does not comply with the conditions of this program, it will be necessary to reimburse grant funds to SchoolForce, up to the total grant awarded.

Reimbursement & Feedback

Following completion of the project:

1.  Applicant will submit receipts and an expense report for reimbursement:
DOWNLOAD  the  Expense Report Form (click on the link, select File > Download, and choose your preferred format)
Fill it in, and attach it AND RECEIPTS in an email to Ardythe Andrews (execdir@schoolforce.org)
2.  Any unused grant money will be returned to SchoolForce for future grant cycles.
3.  Applicants will provide SchoolForce with a short wrap up report summarizing project status and successes/failures on this Feedback Form

2024 Innovation Grants

2024 – CENTRAL

  • TK – 5th – Vanessa Liao, SLP – Materials and Subscriptions to Aide Teaching
  • K – 5th – Danielle Kim – Social Emotional Books and Materials for Counseling Center
  • K – 5th – Darci Pfremmer – Books & Displays
  • 1st grade – 1st Grade Team – Mentor Texts for Writer’s Workshop
  • 1st grade – Andrea Roberts – Hands-on STEM and Math Learning Tools
  • 1st grade – Kerry Schroeder – Math Materials / Manipulatives
  • 1st grade – Laura Seawell – Math & STEM Manipulatives
  • 2nd grade – Candace Temer – Calm Zone for Classroom
  • 2nd grade – Gina Bruno – Exercise & Alternative Seating
  • 4th & 5th – 4th/5th Grade Science Specialist Team – Hands-on STEM Learning Consumables
  • 4th & 5th – Laura Better – Bringing STEM and Social Studies to Life Consumables for Hands-on Learning

2024 – CIPRIANI

  • TK – Diane Quiery Sexton – TK Gardening Project at Cipriani School
  • TK – 5th – Cipriani Staff – Cipriani Community Garden
  • TK – 5th – Darci Pfremmer – Library Outdoor Patio Reading Area
  • TK – 5th – Gina Alves , SLP – Software & Classroom Resources
  • TK – 5th – Min Kim,Occupational Therapist – Sensory Integration Continuing Education Course
  • TK – 5th – Sara Nelles – CTA Special Education Conference, Garden Grove CA
  • TK-5 – Vickie Garcia De Alba – Counseling Office Start Up Resources
  • Kindergarten – Ann Snelling, Kristen Walls, Alison Beltramo – Sensory and Garden
  • 1st grade – Kim Suydam and Tiffany Durand – Reading Strategies for Students with dyslexia and reading challenges
  • 3rd – 5th – Principal Sheila Walters – Wipeboards for Math and other content area instruction.
  • 4th & 5th – 4th & 5th Science Specialist Team – Hands-on STEM Learning Consumables
  • 4th grade – Alice Mylod-Vargas – Flexible Seating
  • 5th grade – Jana Coyle – Physical Classroom Accommodations
  • 5th grade – Justine Phipps Ingram – Fifth Grade Mural
  • 5th grade – Pamela Miller, Jana Coyle, Justine Phipps Ingram – Hands on STEAM Activities

2024 – FOX

  • TK – Brandon Whiteman – STEM Collaborative Resources
  • TK – Yvonne Olcomendy – Sensory Bin Materials
  • TK – 3rd – Principal Taliah Carter – Garden Education Classes with Each Green Corner
  • TK – 5th – Jeanne Delano, Librarian – Multiple Language Listening Center
  • TK – 5th – Lizz Atwood, Taliah Carter, All Fox Teachers – Fox Fridays – to create special Friday events throughout the year including visits from Barnyard Buddies
  • TK – 5th – Luis Mayen, Lead Custodian – Pressure Washer
  • TK – 5th – Marla Levy, SLP – Speech Caseload Materials
  • TK – 5th – Min Kim, Occupational Therapist – Sensory Integration Continuing Education Course
  • TK – 5th – Principal Taliah Carter – Conference Fees
  • TK & K – Brandon Whiteman, Yvonne Olcomendy, Sarah Muscolina, Mariette Nunez – Lego League Curriculum and Materials
  • Kindergarten – Mariette Nunez, Sarah Muscolina – Ever Block-Playground Play Mixed Block Set
  • Kindergarten – Sarah Muscolina – Reading manipulatives and STEM activities
  • K – 5th – Ivan Quiteno, Mental Health Therapist – School therapy supports, curriculum, resources, etc..
  • K – 5th – Lara Goldman, Angel Hession, Bruna Pinheiro – Decodable Readers
  • 1st grade – 1st Grade Team – Mentor Texts for Writer’s Workshop
  • 2nd grade – Hao-Cheng Liang (Daniel) – STEM Manipulatives
  • 3rd grade – Julie Grogan-Crane – Books focused upon cooperation, creativity and problem solving. Book club set expansion
  • 3rd grade – Julie Pusker – Books Set and Construction Building Materials
  • 4th grade – Lynnette Dowling – Flexible Seating & Book acquisition
  • 4th & 5th – 4th & 5th Science Specialist Team – Hands-on STEM Learning Consumables
  • 4th & 5th – Anne Strehlow – Engineering Design Challenges
  • 4th & 5th – Corie Silva – Expansion of PE Resources to teach cooperation & sportsmanship
  • 4th & 5th – Corie Silva, Lynette Dowling, Erik Moll – Headphones for Tech
  • 5th grade – Nerina Carpenter – PE and Wellness materials

2024 – NESBIT

  • TK – 3rd – Kelly Fernandez, Breena Hohe, Jen Liu, Bahar Moradifar – Animal Assisted Happiness
  • TK – 8th – Min Kim, Occupational Therapist – Sensory Integration Continuing Education Course
  • TK – 8th – Vanessa Maass, SLP – Teaching materials, subscriptions, books, and games
  • Kindergarten – (Katie) Thanh Lu – Books, Flexible Seating & PE equipment
  • Kindergarten – Christine Brady – Student Organization & Small Group Tools
  • Kindergarten – Michelle Rothe – Decodable Readers
  • K – 5th – Reading/ELD/Intervention Specialist, Stephanie McMaster – Decodable Texts: supporting students learning phonics in sequential and explicit ways
  • K – 6th – Pranali Kalle, SLP – Speech and Language Therapy Program Tools
  • K – 8th – Ivan Quiteno, Mental Health Therapist – Therapy Classroom Materials
  • K – 8th – Jeanne Delano,Librarian – Multiple Language Listening Center
  • K – 8th – Principal Ryan Hansen, Asst Principal Christina Spicker – Inclusive Seating For All
  • 1st grade – Jamela Shaban – Classroom Library Books
  • 1st grade – Tara Dolin, Tristan Young, Jamela Shaban – Decodable Small Reading Group Books
  • 1st grade – Tristan Young – Guided Reading Books
  • 1st – 5th – Reading/EL Specialist, Meghan Ghassemzadeh – Books & classroom materials
  • 1st – 8th – Lisa Mudd – Reading & Intervention Specialist – Decodable Readers
  • 2nd grade – Nicole Medeiros – Flexible Seating
  • 3rd grade – Carla Shao – Classroom Organization
  • 3rd grade – Tripta Joshi, Jeannette Martinez, Carla Shao – Classroom Library Books
  • 3rd – 4th – Jeannette Martinez, Tripta Joshi, Carla Shao, Mark Fox – Art Supplies
  • 3rd & 4th – Mark Fox, Jeannette Martinez, Tripta Joshi – Flexible Seating and Fidgets
  • 4th grade – Carolyn Fogarty – Maker and Breaker Space
  • 4th grade – Katey Marsh, Mark Fox, Carolyn Fogarty – Books: Historical Fiction & Weather Reading Units
  • 4th grade – Mark Fox – From Beats to Fractions: Making Math Fun with Drumming
  • 4th grade – Mark Fox, Katey Marsh, Carolyn Fogarty – Create, Explore, and Grow Through Art!
  • 4th & 5th – 4th & 5th Science Specialist Team – Hands-on STEM Learning Consumables
  • 4th & 5th – Teri Robinson, Derek McGovern, Ryan Hansen, Christina Spicker, James Bolton – Puma Garden
  • 5th grade – Danielle May Nuezca-Tibbs – Flexible Seating
  • 5th grade – Keli McHugh – Classroom Library Books
  • 5th – 8th – Katey Marsh, Keli McHugh – Frozen Jr! Play License & materials
  • 6th grade – Kyle Ting, Tim McIntyre – New book clubs, eReaders, and translated resources
  • 6th – 8th – Cassandra de Wood – Digital Altimeters
  • 6th – 8th – Jessica DeLeuw – Cooking Class Materials
  • 7th grade – Katie Hunter, Jay Herington – Classroom Library Books
  • 8th grade – Travis Whitebread, Chandra McKeon – IB Reading Materials

2024 – RALSTON

  • 6th – 8th – Fleur Uptegraft – Repurposing Food Waste Project
  • 6th – 8th – Jennifer Gross, Mental Health Therapist – Mental Health Supplies and Furniture
  • 6th – 8th – Kelly Jorgensen, Brian Kersey, Franziska Bussiek, Lisa Kafka – Garden Curriculum
  • 6th – 8th – Kira Painchaud, Librarian – Non Fiction Books
  • 6th – 8th – Lisa Kafka, Felah Murray, Brittany Jolivette, Kelly Thompson, Patrick Wilson, Principal Sabrina Adler – School Wellness Programs & Space
  • 6th – 8th – Min Kim, Occupational Therapist – Sensory Integration Continuing Education Course
  • 6th – 8th – Suba Marti – RAMS STEAM Maker Space
  • 6th & 7th – Franziska Bussiek, Lynn McVey, Jason Sanchez, Sheila Woods – Software Subscriptions
  • 6th grade – Kirsten Knudson – Ancient Writing Kits
  • 6th grade – Principal Sabrina Adler, Kelly Jorgensen, Patrick Wilson – Marine Science Institute
  • 6th grade – Robert Banker, Fleur Uptegraft, Susan Welter – Wind Turbine Engineering Project
  • 6th grade – Sheila Woods – Nonfiction Books
  • 6th grade – Susan Welter – Consumables for Engineering projects
  • 7th – 8th – Ivan Quiteno, Mental Health Therapist – School therapy supports, curriculum, resources, etc..
  • 7th & 8th – Brian Kersey – Software Subscriptions
  • 7th & 8th – Elizabeth Slivinski – Sewing Machines for Textile Arts
  • 7th & 8th – Jamie Sanchez – Drama Performance Equipment
  • 7th grade – Alison Kim, Kathy Tofigh, Laura Parks – Greek and Latin Roots Vocabulary Curriculum
  • 7th grade – Heather Staniszewski – Building Powerful Proportional Reasoning Problem Solvers
  • 7th grade – Jackie Peters – Nature Journaling
  • 8th grade – Kaleigh Jozwiak – Rolling White Board

2024 – REDWOOD SHORES

  • TK – Michael Pulley – Classroom Resources
  • TK & K – Darya Buchholz, Paraeducator – Special Education Classroom Supply
  • TK – 5th – Leah Sevillia, Behavior Analyst – Sensory Activities
  • TK – 5th – Ashley Doss, School Counselor – School Counseling Program/Wellness Center
  • TK – 5th – Juliana Hsu, Occupational Therapist – Professional Development on Sensory Integration
  • TK – 5th – Vanessa Liao, SLP – Materials and Subscriptions to Aide Teaching
  • K – 8th – Ivan Quiteno, Mental Health Therapist – School therapy supports, curriculum, resources, etc..
  • 1st & 2nd – Norma Meza Lopez – Classroom materials for station work
  • 2nd grade – Lisa Ildefonzo, Kirsten Ivazes, Heather Bassett – Supplemental Science Materials
  • 2nd – 5th – Lisa Kaiser – Hi/Lo Reading Books
  • 3rd – 5th – Nodira Dadabaeva, Education Specialist – Hands-on classroom learning resources
  • 3rd grade – Heather Hoover – Flexible Seating for Inside & Outside the Classroom
  • 3rd grade – Sheri Norman – Engaging Math & Science Resources
  • 4th & 5th – 4th & 5th Science Specialist Team – Hands-on STEM Learning Consumables
  • 4th and 5th – Lisa Fahey, Sara Teeple, Kyana Nguyen – Math Support & Environmental Studies Materials
  • 4th grade – Carolyn Fougerty – Art Supplies
  • 4th grade – Lisa Fahey, Sara Teeple – Book Club Materials
  • 4th grade – Sara Teeple, Lisa Fahey, Kyana Nguyen – Parks Unlocked: Exploring Our National Treasures.
  • 5th grade – Beth DeStefani, Kara Talledge – Book Club Materials

2024 – SANDPIPER

  • TK – 8th – Anisha Ramani, School Counselor – Wellness Center & Programming
  • TK – 8th – Melanie Hendersen, Behavior Analyst – Calming Corner
  • TK – 8th – Miguel Hernandez, Adriana Toribio, Eduardo Razo, Custodial Staff – Pride in School Campaign & Materials
  • TK – 8th – Min Kim, Occupational Therapist – Sensory Integration Continuing Education Course
  • TK – 8th – Principal, Gloria Higgins – Staff Development Resources for Inclusion & Creativity
  • TK – 8th – Rachel Thompson, OT; Jody Hamon, SLP; Allison Jessup Psychologist;, Blakely Bass, Melanie Henderson – Sensory Supports
  • TK – 8th – Yulia Riera, LC Paraprofessional; Anisha Ramani, School Counselor – Sandpiper Mindfulness Garden
  • Kindergarten – Jennifer Schultz – STEM/Hands-on Learning Materials
  • 1st & 2nd – Norma Meza Lopez – Classroom materials for station work
  • 1st grade – Jessica Dong – Flexible Seating & enhancements to learning environment
  • 1st grade – Tracy Westerlund – Decodable Readers & other reading resources
  • 2nd grade – Jenell Marquis – Author of the Month Study Project
  • 2nd grade – Kathryn Poeschl – Calming Corner
  • 3rd grade – Katie Rosas, Miranda Correll – Native American Speaker & experiential learning materials
  • 3rd grade – Miranda Correll – Flexible Seating
  • 4th & 5th – 4th & 5th Science Specialist Team – Hands-on STEM Learning Consumables
  • 4th grade – Katherine D’Amico – Classroom Library Books & Flexible Seating
  • 5th grade – Caroline Baldonado – Integrating Technology and Interactive Materials into our Math Curriculum
  • 6th grade – Nikole Buret – Nonfiction books for classroom library
  • 8th & 6th – Francesca Karkoski, Valerie Gow – Dissection Materials
  • 8th & 6th – Valerie Gow, Andrea Manchester, Francesca Karkowski, Nikole Buret – Intercession Materials
  • 8th grade – Andrea Manchester, Valerie Gow – Math Consumables & Book Club Materials
See Earlier Grants