Title: Book Break Author Talks
School: Districtwide Elementary and Middle Schools
Teacher: Carrie Betts
Amount: $11,006
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: Districtwide Elementary and Middle Schools
Teacher: Carrie Betts
Amount: $11,006
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: Derby & Berkshire Robotics
School: Derby and Berkshire Middle Schools
Teacher: Phillip Goeman
Amount: $5,000
The FIRST robotics program gives students hands-on experience in engineering, coding, design, and manufacturing while developing leadership, teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills. As part of Birmingham Public Schools' K–12 STEM pathway, the growing program now serves up to 60 students across Berkshire and Derby.
School: Derby and Berkshire Middle Schools
Teacher: Phillip Goeman
Amount: $5,000
The FIRST robotics program gives students hands-on experience in engineering, coding, design, and manufacturing while developing leadership, teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills. As part of Birmingham Public Schools' K–12 STEM pathway, the growing program now serves up to 60 students across Berkshire and Derby.
Title: BCS Robotics
School: BCS
Teacher: Jason Hill, Laura Amutilli
Amount: $2,669
BCS was able to establish a robotics team with this grant, providing students with hands-on engineering experience while fostering excitement about robotics and inspiring future careers in engineering.
School: BCS
Teacher: Jason Hill, Laura Amutilli
Amount: $2,669
BCS was able to establish a robotics team with this grant, providing students with hands-on engineering experience while fostering excitement about robotics and inspiring future careers in engineering.
Title: Journeys Cultural Experience
School: BCS, Derby, and Berkshire Middle Schools
Teacher: Lindsey Walton
Amount: $1,500
Journeys provides students with immersive learning experiences that include visiting faith communities, participating in dynamic presentations, sharing culturally connected meals, and engaging in discussions about different religions and cultures. Through these hands-on activities, students deepen their understanding of diversity, build empathy and connections across communities, and bring their learning back to their classrooms to share with their peers.
School: BCS, Derby, and Berkshire Middle Schools
Teacher: Lindsey Walton
Amount: $1,500
Journeys provides students with immersive learning experiences that include visiting faith communities, participating in dynamic presentations, sharing culturally connected meals, and engaging in discussions about different religions and cultures. Through these hands-on activities, students deepen their understanding of diversity, build empathy and connections across communities, and bring their learning back to their classrooms to share with their peers.
Title: Quarton Therapy dog
School: Quarton Elementary School
Teacher: Linda Sackett
Amount: $4,000
BEF funding supported the purchase and training of a support dog for Quarton, creating a resource that benefits every student in the school. The support dog helps reduce anxiety and stress, strengthen students' social-emotional well-being and confidence, and foster a calmer, more positive learning environment that supports both academic success and student engagement.
School: Quarton Elementary School
Teacher: Linda Sackett
Amount: $4,000
BEF funding supported the purchase and training of a support dog for Quarton, creating a resource that benefits every student in the school. The support dog helps reduce anxiety and stress, strengthen students' social-emotional well-being and confidence, and foster a calmer, more positive learning environment that supports both academic success and student engagement.
Title: 5th Grade Nez Perce Storyteller
School: Districtwide
Teacher: Stacy Gotz
Amount: $1,847
Bringing a Nez Perce speaker to all 5th grade students enriched the Arts and Letters curriculum by providing an authentic, firsthand perspective on Nez Perce history, culture, and traditions through the living practice of storytelling. The experience aimed to deepen students' understanding, foster empathy and respect for Indigenous cultures, and create a memorable connection to their learning that extended beyond the classroom.
School: Districtwide
Teacher: Stacy Gotz
Amount: $1,847
Bringing a Nez Perce speaker to all 5th grade students enriched the Arts and Letters curriculum by providing an authentic, firsthand perspective on Nez Perce history, culture, and traditions through the living practice of storytelling. The experience aimed to deepen students' understanding, foster empathy and respect for Indigenous cultures, and create a memorable connection to their learning that extended beyond the classroom.
Title: BCS Native American Presentation
School: BCS
Teacher: Erin Coletti
Amount: $800
Reg Pettibone, a member of the Ho-Chunk Nation, visited 3rd and 4th grade students to share Native American culture through dance, music, storytelling, artifacts, and a traditional tipi, bringing Michigan history to life. His presentation provided students with an authentic learning experience that deepened their understanding of Indigenous cultures and highlighted that Native traditions continue to thrive today.
School: BCS
Teacher: Erin Coletti
Amount: $800
Reg Pettibone, a member of the Ho-Chunk Nation, visited 3rd and 4th grade students to share Native American culture through dance, music, storytelling, artifacts, and a traditional tipi, bringing Michigan history to life. His presentation provided students with an authentic learning experience that deepened their understanding of Indigenous cultures and highlighted that Native traditions continue to thrive today.
Title: Derby Glowforge Laser Printer
School: Derby Middle School
Teacher: Stephanie Hicks
Amount: $2678
This laser printer tool empowers students to transform their ideas into tangible creations, bringing their imagination to life through the design and engineering process. By integrating this technology into our Engage classroom, students will gain experience with real-world design applications, fostering creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills
School: Derby Middle School
Teacher: Stephanie Hicks
Amount: $2678
This laser printer tool empowers students to transform their ideas into tangible creations, bringing their imagination to life through the design and engineering process. By integrating this technology into our Engage classroom, students will gain experience with real-world design applications, fostering creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills
Title: Quarton 4th Grade Solar Cars
School: Quarton Elementary School
Teacher: Kelli Lewis
Amount: $548
This project provided every Quarton 4th grade student the opportunity to build and test their own solar-powered car as part of the Energy unit in the BPS science curriculum. This allows students to explore solar energy, circuitry, motion, engineering design, and problem-solving in a hands-on, engaging way, while also giving students the empowerment of building something functional that they can take home and continue exploring.
School: Quarton Elementary School
Teacher: Kelli Lewis
Amount: $548
This project provided every Quarton 4th grade student the opportunity to build and test their own solar-powered car as part of the Energy unit in the BPS science curriculum. This allows students to explore solar energy, circuitry, motion, engineering design, and problem-solving in a hands-on, engaging way, while also giving students the empowerment of building something functional that they can take home and continue exploring.
Title: Community Based Cooking Class
School: Groves High School
Teacher: Heather Roesner
Amount: $250
Crispelli's Bakery and Pizzeria offered an in-person cooking class for Groves students with disabilities, giving them the chance to work on their cooking/baking skills, social skills and problem solving in an adaptive manner.
School: Groves High School
Teacher: Heather Roesner
Amount: $250
Crispelli's Bakery and Pizzeria offered an in-person cooking class for Groves students with disabilities, giving them the chance to work on their cooking/baking skills, social skills and problem solving in an adaptive manner.
Title: Facing Fear Reptarium
School: Berkshire Middle School
Teacher: Jen Kacin
Amount: $400
The Berkshire Women's Empowerment Club and Black Girls Rock Club hosted an interactive assembly focused on overcoming fear and building confidence to make positive choices and embrace leadership. Students reinforced these lessons through an interactive experience with live reptiles from the Reptarium of Utica, giving them a memorable opportunity to practice courage in a supportive environment.
School: Berkshire Middle School
Teacher: Jen Kacin
Amount: $400
The Berkshire Women's Empowerment Club and Black Girls Rock Club hosted an interactive assembly focused on overcoming fear and building confidence to make positive choices and embrace leadership. Students reinforced these lessons through an interactive experience with live reptiles from the Reptarium of Utica, giving them a memorable opportunity to practice courage in a supportive environment.
Title: Canine Crew Dog Vest
School: Quarton Elementary School
Teacher: Amy Palmer
Amount: $119
The Quarton Support Dog vest acknowledges the support dog’s relationship to the school district and support from the local community.
School: Quarton Elementary School
Teacher: Amy Palmer
Amount: $119
The Quarton Support Dog vest acknowledges the support dog’s relationship to the school district and support from the local community.
Title: Groves TV Studio Equipment
School: Groves High School
Teacher: Michelle Snyder
Amount: $1,810
BEF funding provided new and reliable equipment for the Groves TV Studio, giving students the tools to create quality video broadcasts for the Groves community, and ensuring that students can work more confidently with reliable equipment.
School: Groves High School
Teacher: Michelle Snyder
Amount: $1,810
BEF funding provided new and reliable equipment for the Groves TV Studio, giving students the tools to create quality video broadcasts for the Groves community, and ensuring that students can work more confidently with reliable equipment.
Title: Seaholm Shakespeare Festival
School: Seaholm High School
Teacher: Jeff Gonzales
Amount: $1,475
9th grade English students attended a live, in-school performance of Romeo and Juliet by the Michigan Shakespeare Festival, enhancing their study of Shakespeare through an engaging theatrical experience and post-performance interaction with the cast.
School: Seaholm High School
Teacher: Jeff Gonzales
Amount: $1,475
9th grade English students attended a live, in-school performance of Romeo and Juliet by the Michigan Shakespeare Festival, enhancing their study of Shakespeare through an engaging theatrical experience and post-performance interaction with the cast.
Title: Groves Film Cameras
School: Groves High School
Teacher: Alana Iafrate
Amount: $808
Funding provided five additional film cameras, allowing Photography students at Groves to fully participate in hands-on analog photography and darkroom experiences. The expanded access to equipment supported skill development in exposure, composition, film processing, and creative problem-solving while ensuring an equitable, sustainable arts education experience for all students.
School: Groves High School
Teacher: Alana Iafrate
Amount: $808
Funding provided five additional film cameras, allowing Photography students at Groves to fully participate in hands-on analog photography and darkroom experiences. The expanded access to equipment supported skill development in exposure, composition, film processing, and creative problem-solving while ensuring an equitable, sustainable arts education experience for all students.
Title: Lincoln Street Gardens
School: Lincoln Street Alternative High School
Teacher: Mallory Soffin
Amount: $1,012
Students in Lincoln Street’s Leadership class revitalized a neglected school garden, gaining experience in leadership, collaboration, problem-solving, and responsibility while growing produce for their families and community. Continued BEF funding supported the expansion of this project by providing gardening and kitchen resources that enhanced student learning, sustainability, and the garden’s farm-to-table impact.
School: Lincoln Street Alternative High School
Teacher: Mallory Soffin
Amount: $1,012
Students in Lincoln Street’s Leadership class revitalized a neglected school garden, gaining experience in leadership, collaboration, problem-solving, and responsibility while growing produce for their families and community. Continued BEF funding supported the expansion of this project by providing gardening and kitchen resources that enhanced student learning, sustainability, and the garden’s farm-to-table impact.
Title: BPS Broadcasting Club Equipment
School: Groves and Seaholm High Schools
Teacher: Steven Stein
Amount: $10,702
The BPS Broadcasting Club fosters student-led video production and livestreaming of district events, providing families and the community greater access to athletics, performances, ceremonies, and student achievements. The program gives students experience in media production, technology, leadership, and collaboration while supporting career readiness and strengthening district-wide engagement.
School: Groves and Seaholm High Schools
Teacher: Steven Stein
Amount: $10,702
The BPS Broadcasting Club fosters student-led video production and livestreaming of district events, providing families and the community greater access to athletics, performances, ceremonies, and student achievements. The program gives students experience in media production, technology, leadership, and collaboration while supporting career readiness and strengthening district-wide engagement.
Title: Groves Big Brother Big Sister Training
School: Groves High School
Teacher: Molly Gezon
Amount: $1,500
The Groves Big Brothers Big Sisters program supports incoming 9th graders by pairing them with trained upperclassmen mentors who help ease their academic, social, and emotional transition to high school. Funding provided high-quality mentor training that strengthened students’ leadership, communication, and empathy skills while fostering belonging, peer connections, and a positive school culture.
School: Groves High School
Teacher: Molly Gezon
Amount: $1,500
The Groves Big Brothers Big Sisters program supports incoming 9th graders by pairing them with trained upperclassmen mentors who help ease their academic, social, and emotional transition to high school. Funding provided high-quality mentor training that strengthened students’ leadership, communication, and empathy skills while fostering belonging, peer connections, and a positive school culture.
Title: Bingham Farms E-Lab Equipment
School: Bingham Farms
Teacher: Doug Baltz
Amount: $16,574
Birmingham Public Schools (along with Southfield Public Schools) were the first districts in Michigan to receive Volkswagen eLabs, providing students with access to advanced digital fabrication tools and innovative STEM learning experiences. BEF funding supported the completion of Bingham Farms Elementary’s eLab equipment and helped ensure students and teachers could fully engage in design thinking, engineering, and workforce-ready skills.
School: Bingham Farms
Teacher: Doug Baltz
Amount: $16,574
Birmingham Public Schools (along with Southfield Public Schools) were the first districts in Michigan to receive Volkswagen eLabs, providing students with access to advanced digital fabrication tools and innovative STEM learning experiences. BEF funding supported the completion of Bingham Farms Elementary’s eLab equipment and helped ensure students and teachers could fully engage in design thinking, engineering, and workforce-ready skills.
Title: Seaholm & Derby Vocal Arts Day and Music
School: Seaholm High School and Derby Middle School
Teacher: John Hummel
Amount: $2,000
Vocal Arts Day provides students with a focused, immersive learning experience featuring expert coaching in vocal technique, musicianship, beatboxing, and musical theater. The event strengthens students’ skills, confidence, and artistic expression while fostering collaboration and inspiring continued growth through a culminating group performance.
School: Seaholm High School and Derby Middle School
Teacher: John Hummel
Amount: $2,000
Vocal Arts Day provides students with a focused, immersive learning experience featuring expert coaching in vocal technique, musicianship, beatboxing, and musical theater. The event strengthens students’ skills, confidence, and artistic expression while fostering collaboration and inspiring continued growth through a culminating group performance.
Title: BCS Multi Color 3D Printer
School: BCS
Teacher: Dominic Nepa
Amount: $3,979
BEF funding allowed for an upgrade in the 3D printer at BCS, in order to create student projects that are larger in scale, more frequent, and with expanded design opportunity not limited by core tools.
School: BCS
Teacher: Dominic Nepa
Amount: $3,979
BEF funding allowed for an upgrade in the 3D printer at BCS, in order to create student projects that are larger in scale, more frequent, and with expanded design opportunity not limited by core tools.
Title: BATP “Sweet Success”
School: Birmingham Adult Transition Program
Teacher: Jodie Sikaitis
Amount: $655
“Sweet Success” provides students with special needs a hands-on vocational experience through a student-run baking microbusiness, building skills in cooking, budgeting, organization, communication, and entrepreneurship. The program helps students develop confidence and independence while gaining real-world employment skills applicable to food service, hospitality, and retail careers.
School: Birmingham Adult Transition Program
Teacher: Jodie Sikaitis
Amount: $655
“Sweet Success” provides students with special needs a hands-on vocational experience through a student-run baking microbusiness, building skills in cooking, budgeting, organization, communication, and entrepreneurship. The program helps students develop confidence and independence while gaining real-world employment skills applicable to food service, hospitality, and retail careers.
Title: Pierce Sensory Room
School: Pierce Elementary School
Teacher: Nicole Nahigian
Amount: $1,028
BEF funding provided tools such as flexible seating, fidgets, weighted items, and movement supports, aiming to help students with sensory needs develop self-regulation skills, reduce barriers to learning, and create a more inclusive and productive classroom environment.
School: Pierce Elementary School
Teacher: Nicole Nahigian
Amount: $1,028
BEF funding provided tools such as flexible seating, fidgets, weighted items, and movement supports, aiming to help students with sensory needs develop self-regulation skills, reduce barriers to learning, and create a more inclusive and productive classroom environment.
Title: 5th Grade Fun Run
School: Districtwide
Teacher: Derek DiGiovanni
Amount: $750
This grant helps 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: Districtwide
Teacher: Derek DiGiovanni
Amount: $750
This grant helps 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: Groves & Seaholm Book Club
School: Groves and Seaholm High Schools
Teacher: Ann Truesdell
Amount: $694
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: Groves and Seaholm High Schools
Teacher: Ann Truesdell
Amount: $694
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 & Seaholm DECA
School: Groves and Seaholm High Schools
Teacher: Amy Bowman, Jenna Haener, Haley Radin
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. BEF grant funding helps to cover entry fees for both district and state competitions.
School: Groves and Seaholm High Schools
Teacher: Amy Bowman, Jenna Haener, Haley Radin
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. BEF grant funding helps to cover entry fees for both district and state competitions.
Title: FIRST Robotics STEM
School: Groves and Seaholm High Schools
Teacher: Amy Bowman, Renee Ruiz
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: Groves and Seaholm High Schools
Teacher: Amy Bowman, Renee Ruiz
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: 4th & 5th Grade DSO Trip
School: Districtwide
Teacher: Bobby DeLisle
Amount: $7,740
All 4th and 5th Grade students have an opportunity to visit the extraordinary orchestra hall in Detroit, MI to see and hear the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.
School: Districtwide
Teacher: Bobby DeLisle
Amount: $7,740
All 4th and 5th Grade students have an opportunity to visit the extraordinary orchestra hall in Detroit, MI to see and hear the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.
Title: Empower Her
School: Districtwide
Teacher: Kelly Salter
Amount: $1,950
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: Districtwide
Teacher: Kelly Salter
Amount: $1,950
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 Band 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: Groves Orchestra DSO Clinicians
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.