Title: Pierce Salmon in the Classroom
School: Pierce Elementary School
Teacher: Thomas Seley
Amount: $1,145
Salmon in the Classroom is a statewide program that equips 3rd through 12th grade classrooms with salmon eggs, curriculum materials, and training so students can raise fish and later release them, gaining hands-on lessons in ecology and the Great Lakes. The program fosters environmental stewardship, while offering meaningful cross-curricular experiences that build character, leadership, and community engagement.
School: Pierce Elementary School
Teacher: Thomas Seley
Amount: $1,145
Salmon in the Classroom is a statewide program that equips 3rd through 12th grade classrooms with salmon eggs, curriculum materials, and training so students can raise fish and later release them, gaining hands-on lessons in ecology and the Great Lakes. The program fosters environmental stewardship, while offering meaningful cross-curricular experiences that build character, leadership, and community engagement.
Title: BPS 5th Grade Physical Education Run
School: District-wide
Teacher: Derek DiGiovanni
Amount: $750
This grant will help us extend our goal of making kids physically literate and having them demonstrate it outside of the school day by completing a mile run event.
School: District-wide
Teacher: Derek DiGiovanni
Amount: $750
This grant will help us extend our goal of making kids physically literate and having them demonstrate it outside of the school day by completing a mile run event.
Title: Book Break and Virtual Author Visits
School: Elementary and Middles Schools
Teacher: Ann Truesdell
Amount: $7,050
Inspires the next generation of readers by making bestselling author events accessible to all students. Author talk events are livestreamed and include Q & A interaction between author and students.
School: Elementary and Middles Schools
Teacher: Ann Truesdell
Amount: $7,050
Inspires the next generation of readers by making bestselling author events accessible to all students. Author talk events are livestreamed and include Q & A interaction between author and students.
Title: Seaholm DeafBlind Tactile Books
School: Seaholm High School
Teacher: Joshua Dodge
Amount: $760
Students create tactile children's books for DeafBlind students allowing them to explore DeafBlind culture deeply, and use their creativity while learning how to design tactile features and Braille pages. They also learn from a DeafBlind guest speaker who shares real-world communication techniques. Finished books are donated locally.
School: Seaholm High School
Teacher: Joshua Dodge
Amount: $760
Students create tactile children's books for DeafBlind students allowing them to explore DeafBlind culture deeply, and use their creativity while learning how to design tactile features and Braille pages. They also learn from a DeafBlind guest speaker who shares real-world communication techniques. Finished books are donated locally.
Title: FIRST Robotics STEM
School: Seaholm and Groves High School
Teacher: Amy Bowman
Amount: $6,000
The FIRST robotics STEM grant gives students an opportunity to compete in the FIRST Robotics Competition. Teams from all around the World compete in local and regional competitions in an effort to reach the FIRST Championship.
School: Seaholm and Groves High School
Teacher: Amy Bowman
Amount: $6,000
The FIRST robotics STEM grant gives students an opportunity to compete in the FIRST Robotics Competition. Teams from all around the World compete in local and regional competitions in an effort to reach the FIRST Championship.
Title: STEM Robotics World Championship
School: Seaholm and Groves High School, Berkshire (8th grade)
Amount: $2500
Funds registration fees and robot related purchases for qualifying students to participate in the FIRST Robotics World Championship in Houston Texas, competing against 400 teams from around the world.
School: Seaholm and Groves High School, Berkshire (8th grade)
Amount: $2500
Funds registration fees and robot related purchases for qualifying students to participate in the FIRST Robotics World Championship in Houston Texas, competing against 400 teams from around the world.
Title: BCS Robotics
School: BCS
Teacher: Jason Hill
Amount: $2,000
An initiative to establish 10 new robotics teams, each equipped with state-of-the-art robotics kits. The teams have an opportunity to compete in Lawrence Tech's Robofest competition which is an annual event that showcases the incredible talent and innovation of budding robotics enthusiasts.
School: BCS
Teacher: Jason Hill
Amount: $2,000
An initiative to establish 10 new robotics teams, each equipped with state-of-the-art robotics kits. The teams have an opportunity to compete in Lawrence Tech's Robofest competition which is an annual event that showcases the incredible talent and innovation of budding robotics enthusiasts.
Title: BCS Video-Podcasting Production
School: BCS
Teacher: E. Dominic Nepa
Amount:$2,759
Podcasting provides 7th and 8th graders the opportunity to research, script, record, and edit their own podcasts and shows while managing equipment using advanced technology and building skills that prepare them for future success.
School: BCS
Teacher: E. Dominic Nepa
Amount:$2,759
Podcasting provides 7th and 8th graders the opportunity to research, script, record, and edit their own podcasts and shows while managing equipment using advanced technology and building skills that prepare them for future success.
Title: DECA State and District Competitions
School: Seaholm High School and Groves High School
Teacher: Amy Bowman
Amount: $6,000
DECA is a co-curricular competitive club that focuses on preparing emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe. Grant funding helps to cover entry fees for both district and state competitions.
School: Seaholm High School and Groves High School
Teacher: Amy Bowman
Amount: $6,000
DECA is a co-curricular competitive club that focuses on preparing emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe. Grant funding helps to cover entry fees for both district and state competitions.
Title: Seaholm & Groves Book Club
School: Seaholm and Groves High Schools
Teacher: Ann Truesdell
Amount: $700
This is the official book club of the high school libraries. It promotes lifelong reading and engaging discussions which are student moderated and helps to develop literary analysis skills.
School: Seaholm and Groves High Schools
Teacher: Ann Truesdell
Amount: $700
This is the official book club of the high school libraries. It promotes lifelong reading and engaging discussions which are student moderated and helps to develop literary analysis skills.
Title: Groves Metals Lab Equipment
School: Groves High School
Teacher: Anthony Fink
Amount: $655
Grant funding replaces necessary equipment for processes in the Metals curriculum at Groves High School. Students have access to these tools to create, fix, and design delicate and practical works, enhancing their understanding of metal’s role in chemistry, industry, transportation, and other modern-day applications.
School: Groves High School
Teacher: Anthony Fink
Amount: $655
Grant funding replaces necessary equipment for processes in the Metals curriculum at Groves High School. Students have access to these tools to create, fix, and design delicate and practical works, enhancing their understanding of metal’s role in chemistry, industry, transportation, and other modern-day applications.
Title: Groves Recharge / Sensory Room
School: Groves High School
Teacher: Celica Lasanta
Amount: $1,500
The Groves Specialized Instruction and Student Support Team created a sensory room and used BEF grant funding to equip it with sensory objects and tools to improve focus, learning, and well-being. The goal is to create a safe environment where special education students can reduce sensory input, decompress, and have opportunities for self-regulation
School: Groves High School
Teacher: Celica Lasanta
Amount: $1,500
The Groves Specialized Instruction and Student Support Team created a sensory room and used BEF grant funding to equip it with sensory objects and tools to improve focus, learning, and well-being. The goal is to create a safe environment where special education students can reduce sensory input, decompress, and have opportunities for self-regulation
Title: Harlan Robotics
School: Harlan Elementary School
Teacher: Erin Phillips
Amount: $2,620
Grant funding provides the necessary robots to utilize the Explore program, so that each team can have their own robot to build and code with. Through the FIRST robotics nonprofit organization, students are able to participate in team-based robotics that encourage discovery, innovation, and teamwork.
School: Harlan Elementary School
Teacher: Erin Phillips
Amount: $2,620
Grant funding provides the necessary robots to utilize the Explore program, so that each team can have their own robot to build and code with. Through the FIRST robotics nonprofit organization, students are able to participate in team-based robotics that encourage discovery, innovation, and teamwork.
Title: Middle School Robotics
School: Derby and Berkshire Middle Schools
Teacher: Phillip Goeman and Kathleen Westerlund
Amount: $4,000
FTC is a state sponsored robotics program that is a part of FIRST, an internationally recognized organization. The program not only builds the technical skills involved in robotics such as mechanical engineering, wiring, coding, CAD, and machining, but also the soft skills such as problem solving, budgeting, collaboration, public speaking, fundraising, and much more.
School: Derby and Berkshire Middle Schools
Teacher: Phillip Goeman and Kathleen Westerlund
Amount: $4,000
FTC is a state sponsored robotics program that is a part of FIRST, an internationally recognized organization. The program not only builds the technical skills involved in robotics such as mechanical engineering, wiring, coding, CAD, and machining, but also the soft skills such as problem solving, budgeting, collaboration, public speaking, fundraising, and much more.
Title: Seaholm Band Instrumental Clinicians
School: Seaholm High School
Teacher: Tim Cibor
Amount: $3,000
Instrument-specific local clinicians help assist in instruction and preparation for concerts. The clinicians give feedback and instruction to our band students in a small-group setting.
School: Seaholm High School
Teacher: Tim Cibor
Amount: $3,000
Instrument-specific local clinicians help assist in instruction and preparation for concerts. The clinicians give feedback and instruction to our band students in a small-group setting.
Title: West Maple Calming Sensory Room
School: West Maple Elementary School
Teacher: Megan Fairless
Amount: $250
The West Maple Sensory Room aims to provide a calming environment that can reduce stress, teach self-management skills, and promote sensory regulation. This space allows all students to concentrate on focused attention and engagement, learning how to transition between activities, and having emotional stability, helping them inside the classroom and promoting overall well-being.
School: West Maple Elementary School
Teacher: Megan Fairless
Amount: $250
The West Maple Sensory Room aims to provide a calming environment that can reduce stress, teach self-management skills, and promote sensory regulation. This space allows all students to concentrate on focused attention and engagement, learning how to transition between activities, and having emotional stability, helping them inside the classroom and promoting overall well-being.
Title: Groves RealCare Baby Simulator
School: Groves High School
Teacher: Abigail Mencotti
Amount: $1,158
Using the RealCare babies as part of the Child Development and Parenting A curriculum provides a unique learning aid to teach early childhood, parenting, and infant health lessons. By keeping students accountable, this program creates relevant and career-driven learning experience, and offers an opportunity for students to discover potential careers related to childcare.
School: Groves High School
Teacher: Abigail Mencotti
Amount: $1,158
Using the RealCare babies as part of the Child Development and Parenting A curriculum provides a unique learning aid to teach early childhood, parenting, and infant health lessons. By keeping students accountable, this program creates relevant and career-driven learning experience, and offers an opportunity for students to discover potential careers related to childcare.
Title: Empower Her: girls, sports, bright futures
School: District Wide
Teacher: Kelly Salter
Amount: $1,800
An event that celebrates Women In Sports month by bringing together young women in Birmingham Public Schools to celebrate the value that any sport can have in their life and show them possible future career options. This experience also equips them to care for their bodies with nutrition, recovery, and mental health education, and helps them build lifelong confidence that transcends sports.
School: District Wide
Teacher: Kelly Salter
Amount: $1,800
An event that celebrates Women In Sports month by bringing together young women in Birmingham Public Schools to celebrate the value that any sport can have in their life and show them possible future career options. This experience also equips them to care for their bodies with nutrition, recovery, and mental health education, and helps them build lifelong confidence that transcends sports.
Title: Seaholm Ecosystems in the Classroom
School: Seaholm High School
Teacher: Allyson Holloway
Amount: $470
This project involves creating a terrarium-based ecosystem in the classroom, driven by student ideas and collaboration. It provides an interactive and engaging learning experience that directly impacts students by deepening their understanding of ecological and biological concepts through hands-on involvement.
School: Seaholm High School
Teacher: Allyson Holloway
Amount: $470
This project involves creating a terrarium-based ecosystem in the classroom, driven by student ideas and collaboration. It provides an interactive and engaging learning experience that directly impacts students by deepening their understanding of ecological and biological concepts through hands-on involvement.
Title: Derby Guest Speaker-Jimu Robots
School: Derby Middle School
Teacher: Stephanie Hicks
Amount: $250
This grant provides students with hands-on, interactive Jimu Robots, fostering curiosity, excitement, and creativity in coding and robotics. Derby students in the Engage class were able to learn about this program from a guest speaker.
School: Derby Middle School
Teacher: Stephanie Hicks
Amount: $250
This grant provides students with hands-on, interactive Jimu Robots, fostering curiosity, excitement, and creativity in coding and robotics. Derby students in the Engage class were able to learn about this program from a guest speaker.
Title: Groves DSO Sectionals
School: Groves High School
Teacher: Paul Shawver
Amount: $4,000
Groves students have the opportunity to work in small groups with Detroit Symphony Orchestra musicians in preparation for festivals and performances.
School: Groves High School
Teacher: Paul Shawver
Amount: $4,000
Groves students have the opportunity to work in small groups with Detroit Symphony Orchestra musicians in preparation for festivals and performances.
Title: Pierce Accessible Recess Equipment
School: Pierce Elementary School
Teacher: Nicole Nahigian
Amount: $475
Provided the development and installation of an inclusive playground designed to meet the diverse needs of all children, including those with physical, cognitive, and sensory disabilities. This equipment creates a safe, accessible, and stimulating play environment that encourages interaction, socialization, and physical activity for children of all abilities.
School: Pierce Elementary School
Teacher: Nicole Nahigian
Amount: $475
Provided the development and installation of an inclusive playground designed to meet the diverse needs of all children, including those with physical, cognitive, and sensory disabilities. This equipment creates a safe, accessible, and stimulating play environment that encourages interaction, socialization, and physical activity for children of all abilities.
Title: Pierce Lego League
School: Pierce Elementary School
Teacher: Nicole Nahigian
Amount: $1,292
The Pierce Lego League allows 4th and 5th grade students to build, code, modify, and collaborate on their robots to identify and solve real-world, STEM related problems. This program offers an opportunity for students to learn more about STEM programming, expand their critical thinking skills, and possibly inspire future engineers.
School: Pierce Elementary School
Teacher: Nicole Nahigian
Amount: $1,292
The Pierce Lego League allows 4th and 5th grade students to build, code, modify, and collaborate on their robots to identify and solve real-world, STEM related problems. This program offers an opportunity for students to learn more about STEM programming, expand their critical thinking skills, and possibly inspire future engineers.
Title: Greenfield STEAM Night
School: Greenfield Elementary School
Teacher: Cindy Sowle
Amount: $880
Greenfield’s 5th annual STEAM Night offered new hands-on stations and experiences allowing students to learn specific science concepts and phenomena in different ways, and providing a new, exciting experience for returning students.
School: Greenfield Elementary School
Teacher: Cindy Sowle
Amount: $880
Greenfield’s 5th annual STEAM Night offered new hands-on stations and experiences allowing students to learn specific science concepts and phenomena in different ways, and providing a new, exciting experience for returning students.
Title: BCS Cranbrook Science Institute Field Trip
School: BCS
Teacher: Erin Coletti
Amount: $2,592
The Cranbrook Institute of Science field trip allows students to analyze and learn about challenging concepts outside of the classroom, fostering a deeper, more personal, and engaging understanding of the new ELA curriculum this past year. This field trip also provides an opportunity for students to make impactful connections between different subjects and between their textbooks and real-world situations.
School: BCS
Teacher: Erin Coletti
Amount: $2,592
The Cranbrook Institute of Science field trip allows students to analyze and learn about challenging concepts outside of the classroom, fostering a deeper, more personal, and engaging understanding of the new ELA curriculum this past year. This field trip also provides an opportunity for students to make impactful connections between different subjects and between their textbooks and real-world situations.
Title: Bingham Farms STEM Night
School: Bingham Farms Elementary School
Teacher: Cindy Blakely
Amount: $750
STEM night provides science and technology experiences for Bingham Farms’ preschool through 5th grade families, fostering discovery, curiosity, and creativity through fun and engaging hands-on activities.
School: Bingham Farms Elementary School
Teacher: Cindy Blakely
Amount: $750
STEM night provides science and technology experiences for Bingham Farms’ preschool through 5th grade families, fostering discovery, curiosity, and creativity through fun and engaging hands-on activities.
Title: Quarton Solar Powered Cars
School: Quarton Elementary School
Teacher: Jason Smith
Amount: $455
Quarton students had the opportunity to build a working solar powered car and take them home with them, allowing for engaging improvement in their understanding of their energy unit, and providing a hands-on experience to see energy in action.
School: Quarton Elementary School
Teacher: Jason Smith
Amount: $455
Quarton students had the opportunity to build a working solar powered car and take them home with them, allowing for engaging improvement in their understanding of their energy unit, and providing a hands-on experience to see energy in action.
Title: Middle School Drone Innovation Curriculum
School: BCS, Berkshire and Derby Middle Schools
Teacher: E. Dominic Nepa, Stephanie Hicks
Amount: $18,525
The Rocket Drones/Engage program offers an engaging and hands-on approach to STEM learning through drone technology. Integrating this program allows students to learn more about diverse science concepts through coding and flight-based projects, while building teamwork, collaboration, and strategic problem-solving.
School: BCS, Berkshire and Derby Middle Schools
Teacher: E. Dominic Nepa, Stephanie Hicks
Amount: $18,525
The Rocket Drones/Engage program offers an engaging and hands-on approach to STEM learning through drone technology. Integrating this program allows students to learn more about diverse science concepts through coding and flight-based projects, while building teamwork, collaboration, and strategic problem-solving.
Title: Auditorium Short-Throw Projector
School: Districtwide
Teacher: John Hummel and John Rutherford
Amount: $24,573
This advanced equipment allows performance arts students to design creative scenery backdrops specifically customized to their show without availability limitation, while enhancing the experience for the students and families that are watching.
School: Districtwide
Teacher: John Hummel and John Rutherford
Amount: $24,573
This advanced equipment allows performance arts students to design creative scenery backdrops specifically customized to their show without availability limitation, while enhancing the experience for the students and families that are watching.
Title: Spanish Games
School: Districtwide
Teacher: Gustavo Barajas-Perez
Amount: $1,611
These interactive activities engage students in different ways to enhance their language skills for all students with varied learning styles, while creating a fun and hands-on experience to excite students about learning Spanish.
School: Districtwide
Teacher: Gustavo Barajas-Perez
Amount: $1,611
These interactive activities engage students in different ways to enhance their language skills for all students with varied learning styles, while creating a fun and hands-on experience to excite students about learning Spanish.
Title: West Maple Power Pens
School: West Maple Elementary School
Teacher: John Gurganus
Amount: $576
The West Maple Power Pens 2nd grade reading set focuses on essential grade-level reading skills and provides daily practice to supplement and reinforce classroom instruction. It allows students to learn, build and review their skills independently and collaboratively, with instant reinforcement.
School: West Maple Elementary School
Teacher: John Gurganus
Amount: $576
The West Maple Power Pens 2nd grade reading set focuses on essential grade-level reading skills and provides daily practice to supplement and reinforce classroom instruction. It allows students to learn, build and review their skills independently and collaboratively, with instant reinforcement.
Title: Groves BBBS Freshmen Orientation Key Note Speaker
School: Groves High School
Teacher: Shannon Torres
Amount: $1,500
A Key Note speaker will facilitate orientation day for 9th graders and their mentors in the Big Brother Big Sister program at Groves, encouraging students to work together, listen to motivational high school advice, and develop connections before even the first day of school. The BBBS program aids the transition from middle school to high school with student mentors who are trained in communication and support for their peer “siblings” as they welcome these students into their new school.
School: Groves High School
Teacher: Shannon Torres
Amount: $1,500
A Key Note speaker will facilitate orientation day for 9th graders and their mentors in the Big Brother Big Sister program at Groves, encouraging students to work together, listen to motivational high school advice, and develop connections before even the first day of school. The BBBS program aids the transition from middle school to high school with student mentors who are trained in communication and support for their peer “siblings” as they welcome these students into their new school.
Title: Pierce Paintings
School: Pierce Elementary School
Teacher: Amanda Papaghanian
Amount: $850
A Pierce alumna returned to paint smaller mascot and "Pierce path" themed artworks throughout the school, reinforcing values like respect and cooperation. These curriculum-linked paintings enhance visual learning, boost morale and school identity, and serve as engaging discussion tools in both arts and ELA classrooms.
School: Pierce Elementary School
Teacher: Amanda Papaghanian
Amount: $850
A Pierce alumna returned to paint smaller mascot and "Pierce path" themed artworks throughout the school, reinforcing values like respect and cooperation. These curriculum-linked paintings enhance visual learning, boost morale and school identity, and serve as engaging discussion tools in both arts and ELA classrooms.