CHALLENGE!

We changed things up just a bit this year with our grant program, and we are excited about how things are evolving!

What have traditionally been known as “Teacher Grants” or “Classroom Grants” are now called Challenge Grants! One reason for this change is to encourage those who might not be teachers, and those who might not work exclusively in classrooms, to apply for grants.

We also want to encourage a “challenger mindset” when applying for a grant. Think big, think non-traditional, challenge the norm…

Additionally, we added a couple of new steps to the process this year. Applicants began by submitting an abstract (or summary) of their idea. These ideas were reviewed by district leadership, and then applicants received feedback and recommendations for next steps before proceeding to the application stage.

We received a number of wonderful and passionate applications, and had quite a time making our final selections.

This year, we are proud to have awarded over $35,000 in Challenge Grants to support new programs and initiatives throughout the Maize School District.

We are able to continue this amazing grant program thanks in part to all the generous donations from teachers and staff and proceeds from our two annual fundraisers - the Annual Charity Golf Tournament and the Annual Spring Breakfast.

Recipients were announced at this year’s Convocation held at Maize South High School and presented with Big Checks. We are excited for these new programs and initiatives, and can’t wait to see them all in action!

Here are the names of the grants and the grant team leaders of this year's recipients.  Check out the gallery of all our recipients receiving their big checks!

- A Fresh Learning Space - Jessica Buchanan - ($1,549.23) 
- Lab Demonstration Camera - DeeDee Vermillion - ($2,000.00) 
- Conscious Discipline Training, Resources, and Mateirals - Mandy Glasse - ($8,529.41) 
- Calm Corners - Caitlin Hamilton - ($1,350.00) 
- Social Emotional Growth in Trauma Informed Schools - Eric Nachtigal - ($10,000.00)
- Stop Everything and STEAM - Callie Harris - ($11,633.97)