Website: www.calhanschool.org

Address: 800 Bulldog Drive, Calhan, Colorado 80808

Grade Level: 9-12

Region: Southeast

Project Title: Hydration Station

Category: Supporting Special Populations (English Language Learners, Special Needs Students, Gifted Education)

Funding Amount Requested: $1500

Project Description:
The Eastern Plains Career Accelerator (EPCA) is the alternative high school for Calhan School District, serving students from Calhan High School and four other rural high schools: Ellicott, Miami Yoder, Big Sandy in Simla, and Peyton. Located 37 miles northeast of Colorado Springs, EPCA provides education to students from the Eastern Plains. Our classroom would greatly benefit from a refrigerator with a filtered water and ice dispenser. Currently, students go through many bottled waters, and having this resource would allow us to use reusable bottles, reducing waste. The refrigerator would also be used for storing lunches, banquet food, and classroom supplies.

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Impact:
Providing a refrigerator with a filtered water dispenser would encourage hydration, reduce reliance on disposable bottles, and help students stay focused and healthy. This resource would also support food storage for various classroom needs, contributing to a more organized and environmentally conscious learning space.

Use of Funds:
We are requesting $1500 to cover the cost of a refrigerator with a filtered water dispenser.

Website: www.lajuntaschools.org

Address: 901 Smithland Ave., La Junta, CO 81050

Grade Level: 6th - Social Studies

Region: Southeast

Project Title: Supporting Special Populations

Category: Supporting Special Populations (English Language Learners, Special Needs Students, Gifted Education)

Funding Amount Requested: $1,000

Project Description:
I am seeking funding to provide essential educational resources for my students in La Junta, Colorado, a rural community. Our school population includes English Language Learners, gifted and talented students, and students with special needs, all of whom require customized support to thrive academically. Unfortunately, I've struggled to find appropriate or Colorado-standardized social studies materials for the entire class, and the specialized resources that offer extra visual support for my diverse learners often come at a cost I cannot cover on my own. Funding this project will empower these students, ensuring they receive the education and the support they need to be successful.

Impact:
This project will support 95 students by enhancing our current unit on the U.S. Constitution and extending to all areas of social studies, including geography, civics, history, and economics. The resources will be tailored to meet the needs of English Language Learners, gifted students, and students with special needs, ensuring that all learners are engaged and able to fully participate in lessons. By providing visual and bilingual materials, students will have access to the tools they need to succeed.

Use of Funds:
- **Acrylic paint** (white, brown, yellow) and paint brushes for projects
- **Laminated geography maps** and U.S. Constitution posters
- **Bilingual vocabulary flashcards** and visual word wall resources
- **Visual timeline** of U.S. history
- **Glue sticks, scissors, and markers** for classroom activities

School Website: brhs.rfsd.k12.co.us

Project Description:
Chelsea Robson, a special education teacher at Bridges High School in Carbondale, CO, is seeking funds to support an adaptive climbing and swimming program for students with significant needs. Bridges High School is an alternative high school that also houses a life skills and post-secondary transition program. By providing students with access to adaptive sports, this project aims to improve motor skills, safety, and leisure skills that will benefit students both during their school years and well into adulthood.

Project Proposal:
The "Adaptive Climbing and Swimming" project will offer students specialized instruction in two adaptive sports: climbing and swimming. These activities will not only support physical therapy, problem-solving, and safety skills, but also provide a meaningful way for students to engage in recreational activities. Adaptive sports give students the opportunity to develop leisure skills that they can continue to participate in after they leave the school system. This project will have a lasting impact on their physical and mental health while fostering personal confidence and a sense of belonging in a group activity.

Budget Narrative:

Adaptive Climbing Lessons: $57/hour, alternating weekly with swimming.
Adaptive Swim Lessons: $10/student for 30-minute lessons, alternating weekly with climbing.
The funds requested will cover lessons for one semester, allowing students to alternate between these two sports throughout the school year.

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Teacher: Melissa Caudill
School: Red Sandstone Elementary
District: Eagle County School District
District Website: https://rses.eagleschools.net/
School Address: 551 North Frontage Rd West, Vail, CO 81657
Grade Level: K-5 Reading Interventionist
Region: Central Mountains
Project Title: Really Great Reading Decodable
Category: Supporting Special Populations (English Language Learners, Special Needs Students, Gifted Education)
Amount Requested: $1,420

Project Description:
High in the Colorado mountains is the beautiful town of Vail. Our small elementary school is blessed with views of the surrounding mountains, and we strive to meet the needs of our diverse learners and cultures. Over the past several years, we have seen a growing population of second language learners, as well as students with various learning needs. As a K-5 Reading Interventionist, I work with students for 25-45 minutes a day, five days a week, helping them overcome reading challenges, including dyslexia. I have been using the Really Great Reading program with great success, and they recently introduced decodable books that match the scope and sequence of my lessons. I am requesting funds to purchase these decodable books to support my students' learning, both in the classroom and at home.

Proposal:
This grant will help me purchase multiple copies of decodable books from Really Great Reading to enhance the learning experience for my students. The books follow the phonics sequence we practice in class, providing consistency and reinforcement for struggling readers. Students will use these books during lessons and can take them home to practice with their families. These books will significantly improve reading comprehension, fluency, and confidence. Additionally, I am requesting two phonics assessments and a spelling grapheme mapping text to further support my progress monitoring and spelling instruction.

Budget Breakdown:

• Blast Decodables 7 sets: $308
• HD Word Decodables 7 sets: $455
• Countdown Decodables 7 sets: $252
• Phoneme-Grapheme Mapping text: $55
• HD Word and Phonics Skills Assessments: $220
• Shipping: $129

Total: $1,416.80

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Teacher: Tammi Geisler
School: North Fork High School
District: Delta County School District
District Website: Deltacountyschools.com
School Address: 438 Miners Way, Hotchkiss, CO 81419
Grade Level: 9 - 12
Region: Central Mountains
Project Title: The Love of Cooking
Category: Supporting Special Populations (English Language Learners, Special Needs Students, Gifted Education)
Amount Requested: $1,000

Project Description:
Our project, "The Love of Cooking," is part of the entrepreneurship class at North Fork High School. This year, the students have decided to create two businesses. The first is "The Miners Shack," where students will make and sell treats every other Wednesday. The second business involves cooking full-course meals for teachers and staff on alternating Wednesdays. This project provides students with the chance to learn how to cook, manage a small business, and positively interact with their peers. Our school is located in Hotchkiss, Colorado, and this grant will help the students build something meaningful from their love of cooking.

Proposal:
In my entrepreneurship class, students will launch two cooking-related businesses. Every other Wednesday, they will sell treats such as muffins, breakfast burritos, and egg muffins. Additionally, they plan to sell boba tea alongside coffee drinks from the Sunrise Cafe at our school. On alternate Wednesdays, the students will prepare full-course meals for teachers and staff. This initiative offers a hands-on learning experience in business, social interaction, and cooking, which will be especially beneficial for my students who spend much of their day with me and have limited opportunities to connect with other teachers.

Budget Breakdown:
The requested funds will be used to purchase food and supplies to help the students launch their businesses. Each cooking session for the full-course meals costs approximately $100 - $150, and the same amount applies for the treats they will sell. The grant will provide a surplus to cover any potential losses, teaching students the realities of failure in the food business without it jeopardizing the entire project.

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Teacher: Sabrina Whitehouse
School: Sopris Elementary School
District: Roaring Fork School District
District Website: rfschools.com
School Address: 1150 Mt. Sopris Dr., Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
Grade Level: Gifted and Talented, Grades 1-5
Region: Central Mountains
Project Title: Big Life Journals!
Category: Supporting Special Populations (English Language Learners, Special Needs Students, Gifted Education)
Amount Requested: $300

Project Description:
We live in the small mountain town of Glenwood Springs, and I'm requesting $300 to pay for 25 Big Life Journals (from Big Life Journal) for my 3rd-5th grade gifted and talented students to help support their social-emotional needs.

Proposal:
The Big Life Journals address topics such as growth mindset, resilience, confidence, gratitude, kindness, and more. The gifted and talented students I work with are high-level thinkers and feelers, many of whom struggle with things like perfectionism, worry, and social interactions. These journals are a good, positive way to work through some of these traits together in a small group. I hope you will consider supporting our students! Thank you!

Budget Breakdown:
$300 is the cost for 25 Big Life Journals (free shipping)

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Teacher: Trista Romocki
School: Lake County Elementary School
District: Lake County
District Website: Lake County
School Address: Lake County Elementary School, 130 West 12th St. Leadville, CO 80461
Grade Level: Kindergarten and Grades 1-2
Region: Central Mountains
Project Title: Reading in Two Languages
Category: Supporting Special Populations (English Language Learners, Special Needs Students, Gifted Education)
Amount Requested: $600

Project Description:
Leadville is a small town located in the mountains that has a unique population consisting of many Spanish-speaking families. As the English Language Development teacher for the children in grades kindergarten to second grade, I teach children identified as multilingual learners in developing their academic and social language skills in English. Research shows that multilingual children who continue with their home language can transfer literacy skills to their second language. Yet, oftentimes children do not continue with their home language. Therefore, with the funds from this grant, I would like to purchase bilingual literacy materials such as books and flashcards to support the children's literacy skills in both languages. This would also reinforce the importance of building the children's Spanish literacy skills along with their English literacy skills.

Project Goals:
Currently, there are 58 students in the English Language Development (ELD) classes at Lake County Elementary School. With the bilingual literacy resources, the children would have time during our language block to engage with the materials and they would have the option to check out the items to share with their families at home. This would enable the children to build an interest in reading and multilingual skills. In many parent meetings, I have heard parents say they cannot speak English and are unable to support their children in English, however, research has shown that maintaining their own language at home actually benefits the child's literacy in both languages. Also, children who maintain their home language tend to do better academically than children who do not continue using their home language. Therefore, having the resources available also in the house will give the families a chance to read in Spanish with their children.

Budget Breakdown:
I would use $400 on purchasing bilingual books and the other $200 for purchasing bilingual flashcards. This way there would be enough materials for both the classroom and home use.

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Teacher: Tracy Ihnot
School: North Fork High School
District: Delta County School District
District Website: nfhs.deltaschools.com
School Address: 438 Miners Way, Hotchkiss, CO 81419
Grade Level: 11th-12th Alternative Ed
Region: Central Mountains
Project Title: Alternative Seating
Category: Supporting Special Populations (English Language Learners, Special Needs Students, Gifted Education)
Amount Requested: $1,350

Project Description:
Alternative Seating for Alternative Students. I coordinate the Alternative Education Program at North Fork High School. My students are a year or more behind on the credits they need to graduate. A majority of my students are behind on credits due to habitual absenteeism in the years following the COVID pandemic. In order to recover credits, my students are completing all of their academic courses online. It is a long day of learning on a screen and the chairs provided by the school are uncomfortable. When I asked my students what would help them the most with their learning, they said "comfortable chairs." It makes sense to me! These are really good kids who have seen really hard times. They are trying very hard to catch up and graduate with their peers. And I would like to make them as comfortable as possible.

Project Justification:
This project was created from start to finish with input from my students. They chose comfortable and flexible seating as the priority for their success this year and assisted me in researching seating options. My students do a majority of their academic work online and improved seating will help them focus and increase their comfort. We also move around a lot during the day. Sometimes we work outdoors, sometimes we move to a different area of the school, and every morning we start out the day by sitting in circle. I use proactive circles, a strategy of restorative practices, every day for classroom discussions, activities, and community building. Proactive circles support the creation of a student-centered learning environment in our classroom. In the Alternative Education Program, we start every single day with a proactive circle to build trust, mutual understanding, and shared values. My students are working hard to overcome many challenges, both academic and personal. The seating options we selected will give us various options for mobility, comfort, and flexibility. My students are already proud of the project we have created to share with you and we thank you in advance for your consideration.

Budget Breakdown:
The budget of $1,350 will go entirely to improving student seating. We have selected 3 different styles of seating; yoga balls with bases, fold-up saucer chairs, and bean bag chairs. We are requesting 4 yoga ball chairs @ $46 per chair, 4 saucer chairs @ $55 per chair, 5 bean bag chairs @ $120 per chair, and 1 loveseat bean bag chair at $260 + shipping.

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Website: wpsdk12.org

Address: 175 E. Kelley's Rd, Woodland Park, CO

Grade Level: K-6

Region: Central Mountains

Project Title: Wiggle Chairs for Wiggly Kids

Category: Supporting Special Populations (English Language Learners, Special Needs Students, Gifted Education)

Funding Amount Requested: $420

Project Description:
I teach focus groups (small groups of 5-15 students) to grades kindergarten through 6. Our school, Columbine Elementary, is located in the mountains just west of Colorado Springs, and many of our students need movement while learning. Currently, I have 4 wiggle chairs that help students stay focused by providing an outlet for their energy, and there is a growing need for more of them. These chairs prevent students from tipping over, as they tend to lean back on regular stools, which is both distracting and unsafe. With adjustable heights, these stools can accommodate all grade levels, ensuring safety and comfort for students from kindergarten to 6th grade.

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Impact:
The students I work with are energetic and benefit from opportunities to move while learning. These students are primarily advanced learners who require a variety of teaching methods to stay engaged. The wiggle chairs provide a safe and effective way for students to release energy while maintaining focus during lessons. By reducing disruptions and allowing students to move without tipping over, these chairs improve learning outcomes and classroom safety.

Use of Funds:
- **6 Adjustable Wiggle Chairs:** $67 each, totaling $419.93 after estimated tax

Website: eagleschools.net

Address: 100 Grundel Way, PO Box 1009, Gypsum, CO 81637

Grade Level: Special Education K-5

Region: Central Mountains

Project Title: Digiblocks Build Base-10 Sense

Category: Supporting Special Populations (English Language Learners, Special Needs Students, Gifted Education)

Funding Amount Requested: $1,730

Project Description:
Students with learning disabilities struggle to understand why 10 ones make 1 ten. The DigiBlocks tool, with the place counter, allows students to place the ones into a holder. When 10 ones fill the holder, it pops out of the place counter. This provides a tactile and visual way to teach students why they cannot have 10 in the ones place and helps them understand the concept of "carrying over" to the next place value. These tools will help many students who struggle with understanding base-10 concepts.

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Impact:
Our special education team serves between 35 and 40 students in kindergarten through fifth grade with learning disabilities. Our school is about 60% Hispanic, and 40% of our students qualify for free or reduced lunch. Many of our students are also native Spanish speakers and come from low socio-economic backgrounds. This project will allow us to provide these students with a critical learning tool that can help make abstract mathematical concepts more tangible and easier to understand, which is particularly important for students who struggle with math.

Use of Funds:
- 4 Place Counters: $85 each, total $340
- 4 Block Sets of 1000: $320 each, total $1,280
- Comprehensive Teacher Guides: $36 each, total $108
Total (before taxes and shipping): $1,728

Website: cchs.ccsdre1.org

Address: 185 Beaver Brook Canyon Rd. Evergreen, CO 80439

Grade Level: 7-12 ELD for Multilinguals

Region: Central Mountains

Project Title: Buttons for Cultural Heritage!

Category: Supporting Special Populations (English Language Learners, Special Needs Students, Gifted Education)

Funding Amount Requested: $100

Project Description:
Our wonderful Multilingual Learners want to celebrate and showcase their beautiful cultural heritage! By creating and wearing buttons that highlight our Multilingual Learner students' unique cultural and linguistic backgrounds, we can help to create a school culture of inclusion, acceptance, and diversity.

Impact:
Clear Creek School District has a small but mighty student population of Multilingual Learners. These students come from other countries and unique cultural backgrounds. We want to find fun, creative ways to be inclusive and celebrate cultural diversity. We would like to purchase a button maker so that ALL students - our Multilingual Learners and our native Coloradans - can create artistic buttons that celebrate their cultural heritages. Students can wear their buttons, put them on their backpacks, or give them as gifts. These buttons can also uplift linguistic diversity by featuring slogans in both native languages and English, fostering cultural pride.

Use of Funds:
I will purchase a button maker from Amazon for $99.99. This includes the button maker machine and supplies for making 300 buttons of different sizes. Here is the link to purchase the button maker: Button Maker on Amazon

Website: wpsdk12.org

Address: 175 E Kelley's Rd, Woodland Park, CO 80863

Grade Level: K-6 (Special Education)

Region: Central Mountains

Project Title: Empowering Special Education

Category: Supporting Special Populations (English Language Learners, Special Needs Students, Gifted Education)

Funding Amount Requested: $2,000

Project Description:
We are seeking $2,000 to enhance our special education program at Columbine Elementary in Woodland Park, where we serve a diverse student body, including many with learning differences and disabilities. Our district has been through significant changes and challenges over the last few years, and our students need extra support. Our goal is to purchase adaptive learning tools and resources that cater to the unique needs of our students, helping them build critical skills in a supportive environment. These resources will provide personalized, hands-on learning experiences, boosting confidence and engagement in the classroom. Funding this project will empower our special education students, giving them the tools they need to thrive academically and reach their full potential.

Impact:
This project will directly impact our students by creating a more accessible, supportive, and inclusive classroom environment. Sensory tools and academic resources will help improve focus, reduce anxiety, and make learning more engaging and hands-on. By integrating these tools, we aim to boost student confidence and help them develop important academic and emotional skills that will set them up for future success. Our goal is to see measurable improvements in student engagement, academic performance, and emotional regulation, fostering a classroom where every student can thrive.

Use of Funds:
We are requesting $2,000 to enhance our special education classroom with the following resources:

• Literacy Learning and Curriculum Resources - $400: Leveled readers, phonics games, reading strips, and writing aids to support literacy development.
• Math Intervention Curriculum and Manipulatives - $450: Numberlines, math games, manipulatives, and targeted resources for hands-on learning.
• Sensory and Emotional Regulation Items - $600: Sensory tools, fidget toys, noise-canceling headphones, and sensory mats to help students self-regulate.
• Timers, Organizers, and Independence Tools - $350: Visual timers, task boards, and organizers to encourage independence and time management.
• General Supplies - $200: Pencils, notebooks, dry-erase markers, and other classroom essentials.

These resources have been carefully chosen to address the needs of our students, providing both academic and emotional support that will make a meaningful difference in their education.

School Website: lonestarschool.net

Project Description:
Lone Star School, located in the rural community of Otis, CO, serves around 125 students, including 14 special education students and those testing as gifted and talented. In such a small school, finding passionate advocates for diverse learners can be challenging, making this project critical. This initiative seeks to provide resources, learning tools, and curriculum to support students with special needs as well as gifted learners. By addressing the unique needs of each student, we aim to foster a love of learning, particularly for those who may already feel self-conscious about needing extra help.

Project Proposal:
Funding this project will allow our special education and gifted students to access more workshops, tools, and learning materials that are otherwise unavailable in our rural setting. These additional resources will help expand our SPED classroom, providing students with the opportunity to grow and succeed in a supportive environment. Our goal is to make learning unique to each student's needs, helping them regain confidence in their abilities and find joy in education once more.

Budget Narrative:
The requested $2,000 will go toward providing essential resources, workshops, and learning tools that cater to both special education and gifted students, allowing them to thrive academically and emotionally in a small rural school setting.

Website: es.pvre7.org

Address: 601 Clark Street, Kersey, CO 80644

Grade Level: Gifted Program: 3rd-8th Grade

Region: Northeast

Project Title: Destination Imagination Teams

Category: Supporting Special Populations (English Language Learners, Special Needs Students, Gifted Education)

Funding Amount Requested: $1,500

Project Description:
Teams from Platte Valley Elementary and Middle School will develop solutions to project-based STEAM challenges and present their solutions live at regional tournaments in Denver, CO in March 2025. This project will allow two teams-an elementary and a middle school team-from our small, rural district in Kersey, CO, to participate. Our students will explore the creative process to solve challenges and practice instant challenges where they must solve a problem on the spot. Platte Valley Elementary has approximately 500 students, while the middle school has 270 students.

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Impact:
This extracurricular club offers a fantastic opportunity for students to engage in problem-solving and creativity within specific criteria. Students will develop teamwork and collaboration skills through the creative process, enhancing their future success. The project will allow students to participate in the regional tournament, exploring STEAM through engaging, hands-on challenges.

Use of Funds:
- Colorado Destination Imagination Team Fee + Regional Tournament Fee: $315 per team ($630 total)
- Team Manager Background Checks: $20 per manager ($40 total)
- Team Budgets for Challenge Completion: $300 per team ($600 total)
- National Destination Imagination Team Membership: $165 per team ($230 total)

Website: https://www.briggsdaleschool.org/

Address: 515 Leslie Street. Briggsdale, CO. 80611

Grade Level: SPED - Elementary and SSN

Region: Northeast

Project Title: SPED Development Project

Category: Supporting Special Populations (English Language Learners, Special Needs Students, Gifted Education)

Funding Amount Requested: $2,000

Project Description:
Briggsdale School is a K-12 institution with a student body in the 70s. This is the first year Briggsdale is educating students with severe needs (SSN), a group that focuses on teaching adaptive behaviors, life skills, and career readiness. My goal is to provide the basics for this new SSN program, such as a refrigerator for teaching cooking and food sorting skills, groceries for teaching household chores, and sanitary supplies like toothbrushes and toothpaste. Additionally, I would like to acquire curriculum and resources like LessonPix and Everyday Speech to help students communicate nonverbally, develop social skills, and prepare for career readiness. If possible, I would also love to take students to participate in local Special Olympics events for social interaction, physical activity, and self-esteem building.

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Impact:
This project will help our severe needs students develop essential life skills, gain independence, and prepare for life outside of public education. The curriculum resources will support social and communication skills, while hands-on learning with household tasks will boost their confidence. The Special Olympics trips will provide a rare opportunity for students to interact in public, foster relationships, and improve their self-esteem.

Use of Funds:
- Small Refrigerator: $100
- Speech and Social/Emotional Online Resources (annual memberships): $100 each
- Groceries and Sanitary Supplies: $300
- Special Olympics Field Trip Expenses (transportation, supplies): $300

Website: hoff.re3j.com

Address: 7558 County Road 59, Keenesburg, CO 80643

Grade Level: Kindergarten

Region: Northeast

Project Title: Daily Nutritious Snacks

Category: Supporting Special Populations (English Language Learners, Special Needs Students, Gifted Education)

Funding Amount Requested: $2000

Project Description:
Mrs. Jennifer Lamph is requesting funds to supply nutritious snacks for her kindergarten class at Hoff Elementary for the 2024-2025 school year. This project aims to ensure that all students receive the same healthy snacks, eliminating the need to ask parents for donations or depend on students to bring their own, which often leads to unhealthy options like cookies, candy, and chips.

Impact:
By providing a consistent and nutritious snack every afternoon, the project will help students maintain their focus and energy levels. Mrs. Lamph has observed that the lack of healthy snacks often contributes to hyperactivity and a decline in focus in the classroom. With the funding, every student will have access to nutritious options like fruits, vegetables, cheese, and crackers, promoting healthier eating habits and improved afternoon engagement.

Use of Funds:
The funds will be used to supply daily snacks for 17 kindergarteners for approximately 30 weeks. The estimated cost is $66 per week, which would cover healthy snacks such as fruits, vegetables, crackers, pretzels, and cheese. Total requested: $2000.

Website: flms.weld8.org

Address: 201 S. McKinley

Grade Level: Grade 6 - ELA/Math Special Ed

Region: Northeast

Project Title: Calling Special Asst. Mr. iPad

Category: Supporting Special Populations (English Language Learners, Special Needs Students, Gifted Education)

Funding Amount Requested: $2,000

Project Description:
In today's digital world, Special Education students are in need of proper testing tools. One of the main data testing tools used by Fort Lupton Middle School is going completely digital, which is why the Title 1 school is in need of iPads for data collection. These iPads will support students by helping assess their individual needs through digital tools like the Woodcock Johnson (WJ) screener, providing vital information to develop effective accommodations and testing strategies for students with special needs.

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Impact:
These iPads will assist in testing and providing accommodations for students in Special Education, ensuring they are assessed properly and given the support they need to succeed. With up-to-date technology, data collection for student assessments will be more accurate and efficient, leading to better educational outcomes for students with diverse learning needs.

Use of Funds:

• iPads: $1,876
• iPad cases: $107.96

Teacher: Evelyn Nelson
School: Ouray Elementary, Middle, and High School
District: Ouray R-1
District Website: www.ourayschool.org
School Address: 400 7th Ave, PO BOX N, Ouray, CO 81427
Grade Level: K-12
Region: Southwest
Project Title: Special Ed. Adaptive Ski/Sport
Category: Field Trips & Outdoor Learning
Amount Requested: $1,000

Project Description:
We are requesting funds to provide students with disabilities the opportunity to participate in adaptive skiing and snowboarding experiences in Telluride. Ouray is a small town with around 200 students from PreK-12. I case manage 11 students K-4, and my colleague manages 13 students in grades 5-12. We serve a diverse population of students with developmental delays, Down syndrome, Autism, Emotional, and Specific Learning Disabilities. Many of our families are from low SES backgrounds and struggle to afford these outdoor opportunities. This grant will help cover the costs for lunch, snacks, and drinks while our students participate in the Telluride Adaptive Sports Program (TASP), where they gain physical skills, confidence, and build peer relationships.

Proposal:
While we receive some funding to cover registration and rental costs, this grant would help cover any increases in fees, as well as meals for the students during their lessons. The goal is to eliminate the financial burden on families, so students can fully engage in the adaptive outdoor experience. Students who attend TASP show tremendous growth in physical abilities, self-confidence, and social interactions with peers.

Budget Breakdown:

$900 for pizza, drinks, and snacks for 13 students over 3 lessons
$100 for assistance with potential increases in registration or rental fees

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Teacher: Kylie Rivera
School: Florida Mesa Elementary School
District: Durango 9R
District Website: https://floridamesa.durangoschools.org/
School Address: 216 Highway 172, Durango, CO 81303
Grade Level: Reading and Math Intervention
Region: Southwest
Project Title: Empowering Student Council
Category: Supporting Special Populations (English Language Learners, Special Needs Students, Gifted Education)
Amount Requested: $2,000

Project Description:
The Florida Mesa Elementary (FME) Student Council aims to give greater student voice and choice throughout the school. As a Title 1 School, where more than 50% of students qualify for free and reduced lunch, we believe this initiative will foster engagement, community spirit, and personal development. The Student Council will consist of fifth graders in leadership positions, alongside classroom representatives from other grades. The council will work on initiatives such as school-wide programs, enhancing after-school activities, and providing snacks to ensure no student goes hungry.

Proposal:
The FME Student Council is in its initial stages, and funding is needed to start this program. The Student Council will create a budget to enhance the school, engage in community service projects, and learn leadership skills. We hope to take the council on a field trip to town hall, develop new after-school programs, and provide snacks for all classrooms. The initiative will positively impact the school by promoting student voice, engagement, and leadership.

Budget Breakdown:

• Community service projects: $1,000
• Enhancing the school (decor, snacks, new programs, school store supplies): $250
• Field trip to town hall: $100
• Student Council shirts: $100
• Prizes for Mustang Round-Up Competitions: $50
• Student Council choice for budget: $500

Total Request: $2,000

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Teacher: Brady Downey
School: Vista Charter School
District: Montrose RE-1J
District Website: Vista Charter School
School Address: 1810 St. Mary's Drive, Montrose, CO 81401
Grade Level: 9-12
Region: Southwest
Project Title: Water Bottle Filling Project
Category: Supporting Special Populations (English Language Learners, Special Needs Students, Gifted Education)
Amount Requested: $2,000

Project Description:
The outdoor education class at Vista Charter School in Montrose, CO is respectfully requesting Nathan Yip grant money to install a Water Bottle Filling station to be purchased and installed. Vista Charter School is an Alternative Education High School that serves 180 students that were not successful in a traditional school setting. Vista Charter School serves its students through an individualized educational plan and a project-based hands-on approach to teaching and learning. The At-Risk High School is a part of the Montrose County School System.

Project Goals:
At Vista Charter School, we currently do not have a water bottle filling station and must get water from a drinking fountain, sink, or plastic water bottles purchased in bulk. Through their research on Landfills and Environmental Impact of Waste, the Outdoor Education Class at Vista Charter has taken it upon themselves to research the problem of plastic water bottles and their impact on all of us and has identified a solution to the environmental problem. The class feels that the purchase of a water bottle filling station will reduce plastic waste, further create a sense of school community by addressing problems as a school family, and allow all staff and students to access filtered water for their health and wellbeing.

Budget Breakdown:
Water filling station: $1209
Install / Materials / Plumber Cost: $800

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Teacher: Jennifer Urich
School: Garnet Mesa Elementary
District: Delta County 50J
District Website: https://gmes.deltaschools.com/en-US
School Address: 600 A Street Delta CO 81416
Grade Level: K-5 English Language Learners
Region: Southwest
Project Title: Teaching ELLs with Technology
Category: Supporting Special Populations (English Language Learners, Special Needs Students, Gifted Education)
Amount Requested: $2000

Project Description:
I am hoping to be awarded this grant in order to fund new iPads for my classroom. I am an ELL teacher at a K-5 elementary school, where over the past few years we have had more and more students enter school with no English language. My school is located in a small town in western Colorado. The school is home to over 500 students, with 1/4 of the population of these students from a Hispanic background. Of those students, about half of them have started school with no English language. Our school is a low-income school with the entire student body receiving free lunch and breakfast. I am hoping to be awarded this money to purchase new iPads for my students to use as a way to break the language barrier. The iPads we had are no longer able to update and are no longer usable for my students. New iPads would allow my students the ability to succeed.

Project Justification:
Being the ELL teacher is a very rewarding job. I get to see how my kids not only advance in a year but all through their years in elementary school with both language acquisition and academic content. The past few years our school has seen an increase in the number of students who have immigrated to the United States and come to us with no English. This year alone I had 19 students that were added to my roster with very limited to no English language. I am only with these students for 30 minutes to an hour depending on my schedule and caseload, which means the rest of the day they are in their content classrooms where only English is spoken. This is a challenge for these non-English speaking students because they don't understand what they are supposed to do and aren't understanding how to do it. I would like to purchase iPads for my students that would allow them to not only translate their work but also break the language barrier with other students and their teachers. At this time, most of the iPads I have will not allow for the necessary applications or are too old to use. This grant money would allow me to purchase new iPads or tablets that would be able to accommodate my students and their needs.

Budget Breakdown:
The $2000 would allow me to purchase between 6-8 iPads for my classroom. Each iPad costs anywhere between $225-$299. This would spend almost the entire $2000 budget; any money left over I would use to purchase cases for the iPads.

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Website: mcsd.org/cottonwoodelementary_home.aspx

Address: 3500 Woodgate Road, Montrose, CO 81401

Grade Level: 3rd

Region: Southwest

Project Title: Instructional Audio System

Category: Supporting Special Populations (English Language Learners, Special Needs Students, Gifted Education)

Funding Amount Requested: $1,677

Project Description:
My name is Lisa Romero and I teach at Cottonwood Elementary, located in Montrose, Colorado. I am seeking funding for an instructional audio system to enhance my students' ability to hear and understand lessons in the classroom. Effective communication is vital in teaching, and a microphone system will ensure that all students are able to hear instructions clearly the first time, helping them engage more actively in learning. Additionally, the system will reduce the strain on my voice, as I often need to speak loudly to ensure students hear over classroom noise.

According to CDE, 41% of our school population receives free/reduced lunch, and district-wide that number is 59.3%. These systems will not only improve student participation and understanding but also preserve the teacher's voice, helping avoid vocal strain throughout the day.

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Impact:
The instructional audio system will allow all students to hear instructions clearly and fully understand what is being taught, raising both listening and participation rates. Additionally, the system will reduce the need for me to raise my voice constantly, promoting a more effective and stress-free learning environment. I am hoping this project will lead to improved student engagement and better learning outcomes.

Use of Funds:
- Lightspeed Instructional Audio System: $1,677 (including system and a Sharemike for student use)

Website: huerfano.k12.co.us

Address: 375 W Pine Street, Walsenburg, CO 81089

Grade Level: K-6, Special Education

Region: Southwest

Project Title: Online Math Interventions

Category: Supporting Special Populations (English Language Learners, Special Needs Students, Gifted Education)

Funding Amount Requested: $1,000

Project Description:
I am requesting funds for an online program for students to use to practice math skills and help fill in gaps in their learning. I work with special education students in a rural part of southern Colorado who often struggle to keep up with their peers in the classroom, and this program is designed to help them learn the skills they need to access their grade-level math. Our special education population at this K-6 school accounts for over 20% of our total enrollment. This systematic approach will help reduce the amount of time needed to teach the skills, and will target the specific areas where students need the most help.

Impact:
The online math intervention program will provide targeted support for special education students, helping them close the achievement gap in math and giving them the skills needed to succeed in the classroom. By using a systematic and individualized approach, the program will focus on areas where students need the most help, ensuring that they are able to progress toward grade-level proficiency. This will greatly benefit students who are struggling and empower them to succeed academically.

Use of Funds:
The funds will be used to purchase a schoolwide license for the online math intervention program, which costs $1,000 for the school year. This will provide access to the program for all special education students at Peakview School, ensuring that they have the tools they need to improve their math skills.

School Website: ssms.steamboatschools.net

Project Description:
Meghan Alexander, a Literacy Intervention Specialist at Steamboat Springs Middle School in Steamboat Springs, CO, is seeking funding to enhance literacy instruction for her students, many of whom have IEPs or reading deficits. The project aims to provide headphones with microphones for students to record their reading, track vocabulary development using the Morpheme Magic assessment book, and subscribe to WordWall, a platform for creating interactive learning activities. These tools will improve reading fluency and vocabulary development, empowering students to become more confident readers and learners.

Project Proposal:
The project focuses on improving literacy outcomes for students with diverse needs through a multi-faceted approach:

Reading Fluency: Headphones with microphones will allow students to record and listen to their reading, helping them improve fluency, phrasing, and prosody.
Vocabulary Development: The Morpheme Magic assessment book will help track progress in understanding word origins and meanings, reinforcing key vocabulary skills.
Interactive Learning: A WordWall subscription will offer access to engaging and interactive learning games, enhancing vocabulary and comprehension skills in a fun, interactive format.

Budget Narrative:
The funding will be used to purchase the following items:

• 10 Headphones with Microphones: $186.99
• Morpheme Magic Assessment Book: $37.00
• WordWall Subscription: $129.60 (for one year)
• Total: $353.59

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School Website: egsd.org

Project Description:
Granby Elementary Preschool is seeking funds for "Fun Spanish Classes for Pre K," a full-immersion Spanish program led by an experienced Native Speaker. This program will benefit all students by providing language immersion in a fun and natural way. In particular, it will support new immigrant students and Spanish-speaking only students, helping them feel more comfortable and welcome in the classroom. With a 15% Spanish-speaking student population, this initiative will foster a classroom environment where all students feel seen and heard, and language barriers are overcome through engaging and interactive learning.

Project Proposal:
This project will impact 45-50 preschool students by providing one hour of Spanish immersion classes per week for 20 weeks. The funds will cover the cost of a Nativa Spanish instructor, along with materials, craft activities, and take-home sheets that allow students to share their learning with their families. The lessons are designed to make foreign language learning easy, engaging, and accessible to both English-speaking and non-English speaking students. The goal is to create an inclusive environment that fosters relationships among students and between students and adults in the classroom, while making language learning an exciting and positive experience.

Budget Narrative:

$100/hour for a Nativa Spanish instructor
1 hour per week for 20 weeks = $2,000
The package includes monthly learning units, materials, crafts, and take-home sheets.

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School Website: wgsd.us

Project Description:
Disabled students often require additional support to achieve the same level of education as their non-disabled peers. In our special education classroom at West Grand High School, students' needs vary widely-one may need instruction in reading, while another needs help with motor skills. Tablets are an invaluable tool, offering students the opportunity for self-paced, virtual instruction tailored to their individual needs. Whether it's practicing writing with a stylus for students with fine motor deficits or providing guided instruction for an autistic student, a tablet's versatility makes it a critical learning resource.

Project Proposal:
I currently have one tablet in my classroom, and this project seeks funding for two additional tablets to create a dedicated tablet center. This center will allow me to assign each student a specific app or task based on their unique needs, providing a more personalized and accessible learning experience. The tablets will help foster engagement and skill development for students who might struggle with traditional methods, empowering them to perform at the same level as their peers.

Budget Narrative:
The requested $700 will be used to purchase two SAMSUNG 2022 Galaxy Tab A8 tablets ($660) and two protective cases with screen protectors ($40), ensuring that the technology remains durable and functional for years to come.

School Website: spe.steamboatschools.net

Project Description:
Jill Rowan is seeking funding for Strawberry Park Elementary's Integrated Learning Room (ILR), where K-5 Special Education students receive one-on-one support, learn life skills, and have a space to regulate their emotions. This project will support SPED students by creating a welcoming and calming learning environment, while also introducing essential life skills like food preparation, cleaning, and personal care. Additionally, the funds will help purchase the research-based Touch Math program, designed to engage students with multisensory learning and prevent them from falling behind in math.

Project Proposal:
This project aims to create a learning space that feels safe and inviting, offering flexible seating, sensory rugs, and calming toys to help students regulate their emotions. With the purchase of Touch Math, the goal is to provide early intervention in math for SPED students, making learning more engaging and accessible through manipulatives and hands-on activities. The funding will also be used to purchase supplies to teach life skills, including tools for food preparation, cleaning, and maintaining a tidy environment, giving students the skills to care for themselves and their surroundings.

Budget Narrative:

• Touch Math for grades K-3: $1,052.59
• Additional materials for the learning and regulation space are itemized in Jill's Amazon Wishlist.

Teacher: Katie Gumnic
School: West Grand K-8
District: West Grand School District
District Website: wgsd.us
School Address: 715 Kinsey Ave., Kremmling, CO 80459
Grade Level: Special Education, 6-8
Region: Northwest
Project Title: We're on the move!
Category: Supporting Special Populations (English Language Learners, Special Needs Students, Gifted Education)
Amount Requested: $870

Project Description:
In our middle school, as in many others, students are finding it increasingly difficult to sit still and focus for an entire class period. While our amazing educators at West Grand Middle School are flexible in their approaches and instructional methods, we still have the need for further accommodations for these students. This money would fund the purchase of ten standing individual student desks. With these desks, the students who need movement and flexible seating options the most would have a comfortable option that would not single them out as such. After careful observation, discussion with classroom teachers and school leaders, as well as review of students' IEPs and individual needs, I know these desks could make an amazingly positive impact in our classrooms for our students.

Proposal:
Our rural community is in Grand County, Colorado. Our small town of Kremmling has a population of about 1,500 people and is located between two affluent ski communities. Our families and staff are dedicated, hard-working, determined folks. Because of the location of our beautiful community, the cost of living is very high and our resources are limited. Despite this, our families support the school district in ways they can, and our staff return day in and day out to brighten the futures of our children.

As a special education teacher, I want to support the classroom teachers and our most vulnerable students-those with disabilities. The number of students who have difficulty focusing and attending to instruction and activities is increasing, and we are taking many steps toward addressing this issue.

Having these standing desks would be an additional support for many students and could be included as one of the tools they have to reach their academic and behavioral goals. It is our intention, if these desks prove as helpful as our observations, discussions, and understanding suggest, to purchase more in the future for the elementary and high school levels, reaching a much larger number of students who share a similar need.

Budget Breakdown:

Individual desks (10) - $79.99 each
Tax - $65.60
Regulatory fees - $0.29
Total: $865.79

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Teacher: Danielle Laird
School: Sleeping Giant School
District: Steamboat Springs School District
District Website: Steamboat Springs School District
School Address: 40250 Giant View Drive, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487
Grade Level: K-2 SSN Special Education
Region: Northwest
Project Title: Sensory Regulation/Task Boxes
Category: Supporting Special Populations (English Language Learners, Special Needs Students, Gifted Education)
Amount Requested: $2,000

Project Description:
Danielle Laird is a K-2 Significant Severe Needs (SSN) Special Education Teacher in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. She works with students who have low-incidence disabilities, including Autism and lower cognitive abilities. Each of her students requires substantial support, such as 1:1 adult assistance to help them access their environment, perform functional life skills like toileting and eating, and learn foundational academic skills through alternative curriculums. Emotional regulation is a top priority as many students are non-verbal, and they can get overstimulated without being able to communicate their wants and needs with words. To address this, sensory breaks are regularly provided by paraprofessionals, aiming to proactively manage sensory input.

In addition to sensory regulation, the students are working on foundational literacy and math skills such as sorting, matching, sequencing, and discrimination. Danielle is seeking funding to expand her paraprofessional team's ability to teach essential skills, highlighted in students' individualized education plans (IEPs), through errorless learning and sensory input. The requested funds would also help improve progress monitoring by providing task boxes and sensory learning tools like a light table.

Budget Breakdown:

• Liquid Floor Tiles for Sensory Regulation: Helps students ground themselves during communication sessions.
• Light Table: Supports sensory learning experiences and can be used with math manipulatives, alphabet tiles, magnetic blocks, and interactive games.
• Other sensory and interactive materials: Provide meaningful learning experiences throughout the day.

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Website: https://fves.egsd.org/en-US

Address: 125 Eastom Ave Fraser, CO 80442

Grade Level: Special Education K-5

Region: Northwest

Project Title: Fraser Eagles Adaptive Skiers

Category: Supporting Special Populations (English Language Learners, Special Needs Students, Gifted Education)

Funding Amount Requested: $2000

Project Description:
Fraser Valley Elementary School is located 7 miles from Winter Park Resort, a world-class ski destination. However, many students with disabilities, including those with physical challenges, autism, or trauma histories, are unable to access this opportunity due to financial and logistical barriers. The Fraser Eagles Adaptive Skiers program, in partnership with the National Sports Center for the Disabled, will allow these students to experience skiing and snowboarding with adaptive equipment and instruction. This program will boost their confidence, self-esteem, and social-emotional skills, while also building physical strength and improving self-regulation. The benefits extend beyond skiing, empowering students academically, physically, and socially.

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Impact:
This program will foster inclusion and provide students with disabilities the chance to participate in recreational activities alongside their peers. The tailored skiing experience will improve their physical fitness, self-confidence, and social interaction. Without this funding, students will miss the opportunity to engage in a life-enriching activity, which has the potential to improve their quality of life and future success.

Use of Funds:
The funds will cover transportation, adaptive ski instruction, equipment, and lift tickets for a four-week program with the National Sports Center for the Disabled.

Website: https://ssms.steamboatschools.net/

Address: Steamboat Springs Middle School

Grade Level: 6th Grade SPED Resource

Region: Northwest

Project Title: Chairs for Sensory Needs

Category: Supporting Special Populations (English Language Learners, Special Needs Students, Gifted Education)

Funding Amount Requested: $1,915

Project Description:
I am a special education teacher at Steamboat Springs Middle School in rural, mountainous Northwest Colorado. Our school has approximately 450 students in grades 6-8. I have seventeen 6th grade students with mild to moderate disabilities in my classroom for daily support and literacy intervention time. Many of my students have difficulty with attention and focus, requiring sensory input to engage in instruction and learn effectively. Currently, I only have hard chairs that do not move. It would be wonderful to have student sensory rocking chairs in my classroom to meet the sensory needs of my students.

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Impact:
The Steamboat Springs Middle School is located in the Rocky Mountains in the northwest corner of Colorado. Our students live active lives outside the classroom, skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, swimming, and hiking. At SSMS, our mission is to nurture and educate all children to be healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged. Through positive relationships, we create an inclusive environment where students thrive. My role is to nurture and support students with disabilities. We have a full inclusion model in Colorado where my students participate in the general education classroom as well as small groups for academic support and interventions.

Sensory rocking chairs would greatly benefit my students with ADD and ADHD, who struggle with sitting still for long periods, focusing on tasks, and paying attention in class. Movement has been shown to increase blood flow to the brain and boost neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine, which support attention, alertness, and focus. Sitting in hard, immovable chairs can lead to behavior problems, lack of task completion, and disruptions to the learning environment. My goal is to meet the sensory needs of my students so they can stay on task and feel a sense of accomplishment. These chairs would be lightweight and easy to transfer to other classrooms if needed, supporting the accommodations in their IEPs.

Use of Funds:
I am requesting funds to purchase nine sensory rocking chairs for my SPED Resource classroom. Each chair costs $212.77, and the total for nine chairs is $1,915.00. If I were unable to get the full amount, I would purchase fewer chairs. The chairs are available in Kelly Green and Yellow and are Greenguard Safe and comfortable for classrooms, providing moderate sensory motion.