Innovation Grants

Great teachers are always looking for ways to create innovative instruction to engage their students. For the past five school years, with your support, SchoolForce increased the budget for the Innovation Grants program.

In 2021, SchoolForce provided just over $89,000 district-wide for 139 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.

  • 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 2022-2023 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 23rd. The grant will be reviewed and applicants will receive a response by October 12th. 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.

Apply for a Grant

Who do I contact with questions?

We are happy to help! Send an emaill 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 for this grant cycle.
  3. Applicants need to have full support from their supervisor for this project application and its implementation.
  4. 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. 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 2022-2023 school year.
  7. Following completion of the project, applicants will provide SchoolForce with a short wrap up report summarizing project status and successes/failures.
  8. Any unused grant money will be returned to SchoolForce for future grant cycles.
  9. If an applicant does not comply with the conditions of this program, it is necessary to reimburse SchoolForce for grant funds, up to the total grant awarded.
  10. Any non-compliance with terms and conditions of grants will render the applicant ineligible for future grants applications.
  11. All items purchased are property of BRSSD. The serial numbers must be registered at the time of reimbursement.

2021 Innovation Grants

CENTRAL – 2021

  • Molly Johnson, Breakout EDU kits
  • Laura Better, Maker Space & Hands-on STEM
  • Michelle Green, Generation Genius for Science & Math Enrichment
  • Candace Temer, Leveled Reading Books
  • Sheridan Reyes, Tinker Kits
  • Kerry Schroeder, Flex Seating
  • Megan Carloto, STEAM Materials
  • Jennifer Gray, Flexible Seating
  • Laura Seawell, STEAM Materials
  • Cheryl Fong, STEAM Materials
  • Sara Nelles, Leveled Books
  • Michelle Spadia, Leveled Books
  • Lisa Azzopardi, Flex Seating & classroom document cameras
  • Erin Hanau, STEM Materials and materials to better use courtyard space
  • Andrea Buck, Flex Seating
  • Nannette Mahar, Outdoor Options for Library
  • Dr. Chris Della Pietra, Prodigies Music Lessons, Body Beat Pulsating Metrodome
  • Lisa Sweeney, Teri Robinson, Cheryl Lau, Mia Fanourgiakia, Christine Flores, Owl Pellet Dissection, Frog Decomposition, Cow Eye Dissection, Safety Googles, UV Sanitizers
  • Ivan Quiteno, Mental Health Online Resources
  • Vanessa Liao, Speech Software to provide auditory feedback

CIPRIANI – 2021

  • Pamela Miller, Justine Phills Bre Lawrence, Worlds Of Comparison cross-curricular lessons
  • Tiffany Durand, Alison Beltramo, Kim Suydam, 1st Grade Garden Project
  • Diane Sexton, TK Garden Project
  • Anne Snelling, Kristin Wall, Tia Cilia, Kindergarten Garden Project
  • Jana Coyle, Flex Seating
  • Dr. Gwendolyn DeWees, Kick Bands to promote self-regulation
  • Sean Nakamura, BrainPop software
  • Chris Suydam, Leveled Reading Books
  • Beth Boldt, Katarina Cook, Juliet Taylor, Art Cart
  • Nannette Mahar, Outdoor Options for Library
  • Dr. Chris Della Pietra, Prodigies Music Lessons, Body Beat Pulsating Metrodome
  • Lisa Sweeney, Teri Robinson, Cheryl Lau, Mia Fanourgiakia, Christine Flores, Owl Pellet Dissection, Frog Decomposition, Cow Eye Dissection, Safety Google UV Sanitizers

FOX – 2021

  • Nerina Carpenter, Kortney Kaa, Julie Grogan-Crane, Computer Science For All
  • Teresa Thompson, Soft Start Materials/Morning Tub Exploration
  • Corie Silva, Classroom Library Materials
  • Marla Levy, EveryDay Speech Software
  • Susan Hall, Math Stories & Manipulatives
  • Nina Reyes, Culturally Diverse Library Books
  • Lynnette Dowling, Beast Academy Subscription
  • J Warren, Alternative & Augmentative Speech devices
  • Lesley Louie, CarePlan Updates
  • Katarina Cook, Mental Health Games & Tools
  • Vanessa Liao, Speech Software to provide auditory feedback
  • Dr. Chris Della Pietra, Prodigies Music Lessons, Body Beat Pulsating Metrodome
  • Lisa Sweeney, Teri Robinson, Cheryl Lau, Mia Fanourgiakia, Christine Flores, Owl Pellet Dissection, Frog Decomposition, Cow Eye Dissection, Safety Google UV Sanitizers

SANDPIPER – 2021

  • Rebekah Willing, BrainPop & News2You subscriptions
  • Kathryn Poeschl, Handwriting Tools
  • Sherrene Fu, Verbal Assessment Program
  • Lynn Bjorkquist, Historical Fiction Graphic Novels
  • Monique Burtschell, Hands-on Building Tools
  • Katie Rosas, Library Diversification Books
  • Simwejit Bains, Classroom Library Books
  • Jennifer Schultz, Alissa LaPorte, Emma Wilson, LETRS Training
  • Valerie Gow, Rainbow Alliance
  • Carolyn Marinaro, Ohlone Student Books
  • Josha Porter, Design Thinking
  • Shauna Small, Mindfulness Corner
  • Gloria Higgins, 3D Printer
  • Jody Hamon, Everyday Speech
  • Jules Dizon, In Person Science Labs
  • Stephanie Scala, Classroom Library Materials
  • Anh Truong, Boom/TPT/Elevate subscriptions
  • Juliana Chia-Jung Hsu, Osmo Software
  • Danielle Kim, Inclusive Corner
  • J Warren, Alternative & Augmentative Speech devices
  • Dr. Chris Della Pietra, Prodigies Music Lessons, Body Beat Pulsating Metrodome
  • Lisa Sweeney, Teri Robinson, Cheryl Lau, Mia Fanourgiakia, Christine Flores, Owl Pellet Dissection, Frog Decomposition, Cow Eye Dissection, Safety Google UV Sanitizers

REDWOOD SHORES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL – 2021

  • Sheri Norman, Generation Genius Subscrition
  • Kirstin Ivazes, Leveled reading Books
  • Alison William, Nadia Moskaluk, Outdoor Activities
  • Rachel Imura, Beth DeStafani, Lisa Fahey, Books Are Windows and Mirrors Series
  • Jessica Cobb, Caroline Baldonado, Social Justice and Mental Health focused books
  • Molly Barlett, STEAM Materials
  • Jill Studebaker, Leveled Reading Books
  • Lisa Ildefonzo, Math Workshop 
  • Heather Bassett, Flex Seating
  • Juliana Chia-Jung Hsu, Osmo Software
  • Alyssa Baker, Assessment Preschool Software 
  • Stacey Okumura, Outdoor Reading Space
  • Danielle Kim, Inclusive Corner
  • J Warren, Alternative & Augmentative Speech devices
  • Dr. Chris Della Pietra, Prodigies Music Lessons, Body Beat Pulsating Metrodome
  • Lisa Sweeney, Teri Robinson, Cheryl Lau, Mia Fanourgiakia, Christine Flores, Owl Pellet Dissection, Frog Decomposition, Cow Eye Dissection, Safety Google UV Sanitizers

NESBIT – 2021

  • Mark Fox, Sphero Bolts to learn to code
  • Amira Escherich, Soft Start Materials
  • Tripta Joshi, Jeannette Martinez, Tara Russell, Flex Seating
  • Travis Whitebread, Classroom Library books
  • Jamela Shaban, Classroom Library Books
  • Keli McHugh, Katie Hunter, Level Up Book Club
  • Kelly Fernandez, BrainPop Subscription
  • Katey Marsh, Ancient Civilizations Project
  • Meghan Ghassemzadeh, Flex Seating
  • Katey Marsh, Seussical the Musical support
  • Tara Dolin, Flex Seating
  • Marla Soares, Doodle Pens
  • Julia Kailath, Flex Seating
  • Katie Evans, Explain Everything Software
  • Kyle Ting, Hardwired Mice
  • Stephanie McMaster, Leveled Reading Books
  • Carolyn Fogarty, ELL Leveled reading Books
  • Michelle Rothe, Katie Lu, Joanne Bosque, Christine Brady, Soft Start Materials
  • Cassandra de Wood, Skelton & Legends of Learning Software
  • Paula Crosatto, Everyday Speech
  • Ashley Johnson, Flex Seating
  • Chandra McKeon, Hardwired Mice and Calculators
  • Katie Lu, outdoor activites
  • Ravi Tadepu, Mental Health Tools 
  • Cassandra De Wood, David Ortolan, Jennifer O’Hara, Engineering Tools
  • J Warren, Alternative & Augmentative Speech devices
  • Dr. Chris Della Pietra, Prodigies Music Lessons, Body Beat Pulsating Metrodome
  • Lisa Sweeney, Teri Robinson, Cheryl Lau, Mia Fanourgiakia, Christine Flores, Owl Pellet Dissection, Frog Decomposition, Cow Eye Dissection, Safety Google UV Sanitizers

RALSTON – 2021

  • Heather Staniszewski, Psychology of Happiness – VIA Characters Strengths
  • Laura Rocha, Mindful Garden Supplies
  • Noel Ekstrom, Jamie Sanchez, Sheila Woods, WeVideo license
  • Susan Welter, Transfer of Heat Unit
  • Dionysis Perez, Microscope Camera
  • Brian Kersey, Storyboard That subscription
  • Franziska Brussiek, Erica Rein, Flex Seating
  • Tiffany Sam, Counseling Enrichment Tools
  • Jennifer Frey, The Big Dig
  • Chris Voisard, Art Room Consumables
  • Stephanie Wald, Michael Snyder, Dan Perez, Chemistry for Life
  • Lynn McVey, Alison Kim, Brian Kersey, David Pickett, Vocab.com Subscription
  • Alisha Ferrario, Adam Reitman, Wendy Lyn, John Kim, Maia Bromberg, Data Scientist Future Work
  • Fleur Uptegraft, Dan Perez, Susan Welter, Life science consumables
  • Cassandra De Wood, David Ortolan, Jennifer O’Hara, Engineering Tools
See 2020, 2019 and 2018 Grants