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.
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Sheep Heart Dissection - Light Table for Animation
- “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.
- Applicants should read and understand grant guidelines, eligibility, and grant timeline.
- 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.
- Applicants need to have full support from their supervisor for this project application and its implementation.
- Technology requests must be compliant with the BRSSD technology policy and be able to be supported by the district technology staff.
- Amendments to approved grants are permitted upon written request by the applicant and approval by the MGSFIG review committee.
- Applicants must initiate and complete all work outlined in their MGSFIG description by the end of the 2024-2025 school year.
- All items purchased are property of BRSSD. The serial numbers must be registered at the time of reimbursement.
Restrictions
- The budget for the MGSFIG application should not include expenses incurred before MGSFIG approval, nor non-academic items.
- Grants cannot include substitute expenses, food, other items which do not comply with the BRSSD health and wellness guidelines, or gift cards.
- NO SECONDARY field trips will be awarded unless they are virtual and do not require buses.
- 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.
- Any non-compliance with terms and conditions of grants will render the applicant ineligible for future grants applications.
- 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:
2023 Innovation Grants
2023 – CENTRAL
Principal – Mr Donovan – Collaborative Space Beautification
1st grade – Andrea Roberts – Flexible Seating
1st grade – Kerry Schroeder – STEAM Materials
3rd grade – Anne Marie Nobrega – Maker Space Materials
3rd grade – Molly Johnson – Reflex Math Software
4th grade – Cheryl Fong – Student/Classroom Organizational Tools/Engineering Challenge
4th grade – Jennifer Grey – STEAM Tools
3, 4 & 5th – Jennifer Gray, Cheryl Fong, Laura Better, Janet Mastiliar, Molly Johnson, Ann Marie Nobrega, Erin Hanau, Andrea Buck – FRAX Math Software
4 & 5th – Anne Strehlow, Mia Fanourgiakis, Luke Chen, Lisa Sweeney – Hands -on Science Materials
4 & 5th – Laura Better – Breakout EDU Software for critical thinking
K-5 – Danielle Kim – SEL tools
K-5 – Vanessa Liao – Tools for struggling learners
K-5 -Linda Wilkinson- Flexible Seating
TK – 8 – Leah Sevillia (Behavior Analyst) – Sensory Materials
2023 – CIPRIANI
Principal – Ms Walters – Collaborative Space Beautification
Kindergarten – Ann Snelling, Alison Beltramo, Kristen Walls – Garden Project
1st grade – Kim Suydam – intervention materials to support struggling learners & organizational supplies
1st grade – Tia Cilia, Kim Suydam, Tiffany Durand – Reading and Math Support Tools
1st grade – Tiffany Durand – Pollinator Garden
3rd grade – Stefanie Berini/Christine Allen, Kim Donoho, Jeri Crook – STEAM Materials
3rd grade – Tressa Sabo, Julie Gin – Garden Project
4th grade – Sean Nakamura – Flexible Seating
5th grade – Jana Coyle – Flexible Seating
5th grade – Justine Phipps – Diverse & Current Books
5th grade – Pamela Miller – Math Visuals and Manipulatives
5th grade – Pamela Miller, Justine Phipps, Jana Coyle – Docent for field trip
TK – 5th – Julie Oeser – Professional Development & Software
TK – 5th – Stephanie Jacobovitz, Sheila Walters, Leah Sevillia – sensory room for students
TK – Diane Quiery Sexton – Exploring Backpack Project
K – 5th – Ivan Quiteno – School Mental Health Supports
4 & 5th – Anne Strehlow, Mia Fanourgiakis, Luke Chen, Lisa Sweeney – Hands -on Science Materials
2023 – FOX
Principal – Ms Carter – Collaborative Space Beautification
Principal – Ms Carter – Executive Functioning & Tier 1 interventions tools
Kindergarten – Mariette Nunez, Sarah Muscolina – Music Program
Kindergarten – Sarah Muscolina – Boogie Boards
1st grade – Carol Raisner – First-Grade Learning through Alternative Floor Seating
1st grade – Carol Raisner, Teresa Thompson – Music Education for a Multidisciplinary Approach
1st grade – Teresa Thompson – Floor Seating
2nd grade – Karen Bowman – Books
2nd grade – Karen Bowman, Jennifer Duffy and Jennifer Pusker – Music Program
3rd Grade – Shelly Menz – Building Materials for free choice time
3rd grade – Julie Grogan-Crane – Construction Materials & Books
3rd grade – Susan Hall – SEL Tools & Supports
4th grade – Corie Silva – Art Materials for SEL expression
4th grade – Lynnette Dowling – Flexible Seating
K – 5th – Ivan Quiteno – School Mental Health Supports
TK – 5th – Jeanne Delano (Librarian) – Accessible, Dynamic Shelving & Audio Books
TK – 5th – Jennifer Liebhaber – Weighted Blankets & SEL Supports
TK – 5th – Maria Acevedo – Color Printer
TK – 5th – Luis Mayen – Tools to teach students to care for environment
TK – 5th – Marla Levy – Speech Software
TK – 5th – Angel Hession – Insta-Learn Multisensory Learning Tools
Tk – 5th – Stephanie Jacobovitz, Taliah Carter; Melanie Henderson – Student Wellness Center
4 & 5th – Anne Strehlow, Mia Fanourgiakis, Luke Chen, Lisa Sweeney – Hands -on Science Materials
4 & 5th – Nerina Carpenter – Math Centers
4 & 5th – Olivia Taylor – Lego Robotics
4 & 5th – Anne Strehlow – Engineering Design Challenges
2023 – NESBIT
Principal – Ms Hansen-Vera – Collaborative Space Beautification
Kindergarten – Christine Dewart – Books
Kindergarten – Katie (Thanh) Lu – Books
Kindergarten – Michelle Rothe – Recess Equipment
1st grade – Tristan Young, Jamela Shaban, Tara Dolin – Trout Lifecycle Project
2nd grade – Debra Wilson – Books
2nd grade – Najlaa Qattawi – Flexible Seating
2nd grade – Nicole Medeiros – STEM Bins
3rd grade – Tripta Joshi, Tara Russell, Jeannette Martinez – STEAM Materials & Flexible Seating
4th grade – Carolyn Fogarty – STEAM Materials
4th grade – Carolyn Fogarty, Katey Marsh, Mark Fox – Flexible Seating and PE Equipment
4th grade – Mark Fox, Katey Marsh, Carolyn Fogarty – Minecraft for Education, sets of Sphero Mini coding robots, and tinker kit replacements
5th grade – Keli McHugh – Books
7th grade – Jay Herington , Katie Hunter – Books to create a literacy rich learning environment
8th grade – Chandra McKeon – Books
8th grade – Travis Whitebread – Book Club Books
TK – 8th – Paulina Nwuba, Paula Crosatto – Speaker Series
K – 5th – Paula Crosatto – Professional Development & Software
K – 5th – Ivan Quiteno – School Mental Health Supports
K – 4th – Vanessa Maass – Picture Exchange Communication System
K – 8th – Jody Hamon – Learn & Grow Together Software
K – 8th – Paul Lucich – Nesbit Wellness Intiative
K – 8th – Jeanne Delano (Librarian) – Audio Books
K – 8th – Min Kim, Kristi Neu, Kelly Fernandez, Kristi Connolly – Nesbit Sensory Room
1 – 8th – Meghan Ghassemzadeh, Lisa Mudd, Stephanie McMaster – Decoded Text Books
1 – 5th – Stephanie Pappas-McMaster – Decodable Books
2, 3, 4 & 5th – Meghan Ghassemzadeh – Tech for ELA engagement
4 & 5th – Anne Strehlow, Mia Fanourgiakis, Luke Chen, Lisa Sweeney – Hands -on Science Materials
4 & 5th – Luke Chen – Science Projects
4, 5, 6, 7 & 8th – Katie Hunter, Mark Fox – IB Art Program
4, 5, 6, 7 & 8th – Katey Marsh, Keli McHugh – Shrek Jr
6, 7 & 8th – Kyle Ting – eBooks
6, 7 & 8th – Teena Farrell – Scientific Calculators
6, 7 & 8th – Cassandra de Wood – White Lab Coats
6, 7 & 8th – Jessica DeLeuw – Second Language Acquisition to align with IB programming
2023 – RALSTON
Principal – Ms Adler – Collaborative Space Beautification
6th grade – Dawn Graves – Classroom Writing Tools
6th grade – Fleur Uptegraft – Adaptation creatures (fall) & Save the Penguins (energy transfer)
6th grade – Kirsten Knunsen – Bouncy Bands
6th grade – Robert Banker – Life Science Curriculum
6th grade – Sabrina Adler, Kelly Jorgensen, Patrick Wilson, Fleur Uptegraft, Susan Welter, and Robert Banker – Marine Science Institute Program
6th grade – Susan Welter – Engineer Projects
6th grade – Susan Welter, Rober Banker, Fleur Uptegraft – Wind Turbine Engineering Project
7th grade – Afnan Nicola Asmar – Creating Ecosystems Project
7th grade – Heather Staniszewski – Student Whiteboards
7th grade – Michael Snyder – Multifunctional Detector of Nuclear Radiation and Gamma Spectrometer
7th grade – Stephanie Wald – 20W Halogen Simul-Focal Trinocular Darkfield Microscope w/Optional Digital Camera
8th grade – Brian Kersey – Enhance Student Learning Environment
8th grade – K Jozwiak – Classroom Pet
6, 7 & 8th – Angela Sveda – Conference Fees
6, 7 & 8th – Anh Truong – Everyday Speech Software
6, 7 & 8th – Clare Marks , Peter Thielen – Orff-Schulwerk Instrumentarium
6, 7 & 8th – Ivan Quiteno – School Mental Health Supports
6, 7 & 8th – Jenny (Jennifer) Gross – Mental Health Wellness Tools
6, 7 & 8th – Kelly Jorgensen, Brian Kersey, Franziska Bussiek, Anh Truong, Tatiana Kutuzova, Ann Romani, Dan Stark, Lisa Kafka – Expanding the Ralston Garden Club for Student Enrichment
6, 7 & 8th – Kira Painchaud – BLibrary Book Clubs
6, 7 & 8th – Lisa Kafka, Brian Kersey, Dan Stark, Christy Lange, Heather Staniszewski, Alicia Ferrari – Pet therapy Sessions for all students
6, 7 & 8th – Lynn McVey, Alison Kim, Jaime Sanchez, Kathy Tofigh, Mary Hurley, Franziska Bussiek – Vocab.com
6, 7 & 8th – Patrick Wilson, Sabrina Adler, Dan Stark, Lisa Kafka, Sarah Gedney – Black and Latino Student Union Clubs
6, 7 & 8th – Steve Pomeroy – Computer Drawing Tablet with Screen for Creating Films
7 & 8th – Kathryn Marinos – Cultural Cookbook Project
7 & 8th – Laura Parks – Yearbook Elective Cameras
2023 – REDWOOD SHORES
Principal – Mr. Nagle – Collaborative Space Beautification
1st grade – Molly Bartlett – Books and Flexible Seating
2nd grade – K Ivazes – Technology & Literacy Center/Book Materials
2nd grade – Lisa Ildefonzo, Heather Bassett – Social Studies Project based Learning
3rd grade – Heather Hoover – Mathematics Manipulatives
3rd grade – Sheri Norman – Flexible Seating & Generation Genius
4th grade – Jessica Cobb – Virtual Field Trip/Assembly
4th grade – Jessica Cobb, Jennifer Kirmse – Flexible Seating
5th grade – Caroline Baldonado – Outdoor Speaker
Preschool – Gina Alves – Boardmaker Software
TK – Nadia Moskaluk, Alison Williams, Katie Evans – Meditation and yoga instruction
K – 5th – Juliet Taylor – Calming Corners
K – 5th – Ivan Quiteno – School Mental Health Supports
K – 5th – Danielle Kim – SEL tools
1 – 5th – Sara Simmons – Reading Club
3 – 5th – Katy Pasion – Spring Musical Production
3, 4 & 5th – Nodira Dadabaeva (SDC) – SEL Supports
4 & 5th – Beth DeStefani – Future Designers and Engineers
4 & 5th – Anne Strehlow, Mia Fanourgiakis, Luke Chen, Lisa Sweeney – Hands -on Science Materials
Preschool – 5th – Sara Teeple, Kirsten Ivazes, Lisa Ildefonzo, Heather Bassett, Molly Bartlett, Shannon Thayer – Imagination Playground
TK – 3rd – Kasandra Rueda – SEL/Sensory Tools
2023 – SANDPIPER
Principal – Ms Higgins – Collaborative Space Beautification
1st grade – Jennifer Schultz – Engaging Math and ELA centers
1st grade – Jessica Dong – STEM for growing minds
3rd grade – Katie Rosas – SEL Supports
3rd grade – Katie Rosas, Miranda Correll, Kathryn Poeschl – 21st Century Inclusivity
3rd grade – Miranda Correll – An Inclusive Classroom
5th grade – Jules Dizon – 5th Grade Design Thinking Challenges
6th grade – Francesca Karkoski – Books
6th grade – Nikole Neugebauer Buret – Elective Update
8th grade – Andrea Manchester – Books and classroom materials
8th grade – Valerie Gow – Innovative Hands on Math
TK – 8th – A Ramani – Counseling Program & Wellness Center
TK – 8th – Carmen E Rogers – Printer
TK – 8th – Gloria Higgins, Stephanie Scala -Create Engaging Learning Spaces
TK – 8th – Miguel Hernandez; Adriana Toribo; Eduardo Razo – Teach student how to use tools
4 & 5th – Anne Strehlow, Mia Fanourgiakis, Luke Chen, Lisa Sweeney – Hands -on Science Materials
6, 7 & 8 – Meghana Kakade – Sandpiper Middle School Art Club
6, 7 & 8th – Lynn Bjorkquist, Andrea Manchester, Valerie Gow, Nikole Buret, Fran Krakoski, Kristen Ozorio – Innovative Intersessions
- Earthquake Proof Structures Fox 4th/5th Grade Science
- STEAM Maker Station 1st Grade, Central
- Lamb Heart Dissection Fox 4th/5th Grade Science
- Breakout Boxes Ralston Middle School English
- Light Table, Animation Ralston Middle School
- STEAM Challenge Materials 5th Grade, Fox
- STEM Matrials 5th Grade, Cipriani
- Stepping Stones, Outdoor Play RWSE Preschool
- Snap Circuit STEM Kits 3rd Grade, Central
- Plant Unit Supplies 4th Grade Science, Nesbit
- One World Classroom Conversation 6th Grade, Sandpiper
- Incubator/Chick Unit Kindergarten, Nesbit