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The Kaneland Foundation MissionOur mission is to support academic excellence through innovation.

Successful PartnershipsMaking lifelong learning a reality, driving our students to become effective, compassionate, visionary leaders of our community, this would not be possible without the Friends of the Foundation. Our friends, the residents and businesses of the Kaneland School District, are integral to our success.

Education is Our PriorityThe Kaneland Foundation is a non-profit organization that has contributed for decades to the educational needs of the students of Kaneland District #302.

Thank You to the Sponsors of the Foundation's
28th Annual Golf Outing!

2021 Golf Outing Sponsors

Beer Sponsor
Marquette Hamlin Group

Local Prize Donors
Eddie Gaedel Pub and Grill
Paisano's Pizza & Grill
Schmidt's Towne Tap
Bliss Creek Golf Course
Ream's Meat Market
SignFX
Obscurity Brewing and Craft Mead
Whiskey Acres
Four Seasons Contracting, Inc.
Lamb's Elite Detail
GSF USA
The Diamondaire
Erin Art by Creations, an Etsy shop
Glenn Fuchs
Laura Gampfer Photography
Skin Deep Day Spa
Elburn Liquors
The Corner Grind

Special Thanks
Bliss Creek Golf Course
Open Range Bar and Grill
Dave Anderson
Dave Rissman
Cheryl Krauspe
Kaneland High School Jazz Band

The 29th Annual Golf Outing will be held at Bliss Creek Golf Course
Friday, September 23, 2022
~ Please join us! ~

Grant Recipients

2018

Lisa Campise and Cynthia Campisi

Middle School
Our program would have general education students ...

Read more Peer Buddy ($150)

Alexandra Hay

John Shields
Seating options would include hokki stools, ball c...

Read more Personalized Seating ($1,605)

Stephanie Unger

Blackberry Creek Elementary
The materials I am requesting would be used to tea...

Read more Ozobots ($1,000)

The materials I am requesting would be used to teach math in conjunction with coding in my math classroom and give students the opportunity to showcase and produce their understanding of concepts as it related to their personalized learning pathways. In addition, this would make it possible to provide STEM related math activities for all students at KBK. With these materials accessible to all grade levels, I would be able to integrate coding into math instruction through engaging, hands on experiences for every student at KBK. These Ozobots would provide innovative and endless ways for all Blackberry Creek students to use along their personalized learning journey.    One of the components of Kaneland’s Strategic Plan is to create personalized learning experiences for our students that incorporate increased rigor. Coding is an engaging, 21st century skill that prepares students for the real world. In his blog, Josh Kwon, said, “Coding isn’t easy - learning it or teaching it. But, I think we can all agree that this skill will become more and more important over time.” Using Ozobots would help empower our students and encourage them to construct their knowledge through innovative designs, using computational thinking, and to be a creative communicator and a global collaborator.    With the Ozobots, students will be able to use coding skills to show their mathematically thinking on different concepts. Coding and programming teaches perseverance, patience, logical thinking, and attention to detail, all which are great skills to use in math and throughout life. Using the Ozobots, students learn code writing in an easy, engaging way. Students are using higher level thinking skills to push themselves in their learning and thinking. It is a tool that fits the needs of every and all learners because it can be as simple for a first grader to use, but complex for a fifth grader. They grow with the learner and are adjustable to each students level.

Stephanie Ortegel & Stephanie Unger

Blackberry Creek Elementary
Asking the majority of students to sit for an hour...

Read more Math Manipulatives ($487.98)

Asking the majority of students to sit for an hour of math instruction with only a pencil in their hand is not only a monotonous task, but an unrealistic expectation. We encourage hands-on learning whenever possible and that is when we see the best results. This opportunity to investigate on their own using manipulatives provides an opportunity that cannot be presented in any other way, verbal or written.   Students need math puzzles, games, and other manipulatives to explore math with a hands-on approach and to help grasp the common core standards. Studies show that students learn when they become responsible for their own learning. Think of the student who can use manipulatives to grasp a math concept or help problem solve by physically seeing why and how the conecpt works. They can also use them to help a classmate! These math manipulatives will provide not only the foundation to many math concepts, but allow students to explore and expand their knowledge for higher order of thinking!   The materials we are requesting would be used to teach math and give students the opportunity to showcase and produce their understanding of concepts as it relates to their personalized learning pathways. The materials would be housed in our math room, which is the math lab. Teachers come to us on a consistent basis to check out and borrow our materials, so all the students at KBK would be have access to these wonderful math manipulatives.

Marisa Nichols

Middle School
Bloxels are essentially a toy, but they're a smart...

Read more Bloxels ($250)

Tracy Mazurkiewicz, Elizabeth Orman, Carrie Svihlik, Anne Olsen

John Stewart
We are asking for funds to build a Lego Wall at KS...

Read more Lego Wall ($840)

We are asking for funds to build a Lego Wall at KST. We have collaborated with KBK and KME who already have Lego walls and learned that a Lego wall would provide additional opportunities for personalized learning by creating a space for all of the students to build three-dimensionally, collaborate, communicate and be creative. The Lego wall provides opportunities for a variety of learning.     --Math concepts can be created including shapes, fractions, area, perimeter and volume   --English Language Arts standards can be worked on when students write and tell stories using the Legos then create stop animation films   --Students can show what they learned in science or social studies   --It can be added to a menu of rewards to be earned by individual students  --Classroom reward   --Building and working on a vertical surface uses different muscles than working at a table  --Collaborate and communicate by planning and building together  --Low-risk way to fail and problem solve alternative solutions  --Technology integration - green screen and stop animation videos    The Lego Wall can be used by all age levels for a variety of purposes and content areas. Through all of these activities, students will problem solve, communicate, collaborate and be creative. The work done at the Lego Wall may inform some students about themselves as learners - some may find it meditative, some may find it frustrating, some may find it an invigorating challenge. These are attributes we want students to discover to learn more about themselves as learners.

Natalie Smith

Middle School, John Stewart
During the 2017-2018 school year, Cynthia Campisi,...

Read more Reading Buddy Program ($300)

During the 2017-2018 school year, Cynthia Campisi, special education teacher at Harter Middle School and KST co-teachers Natalie Smith, 1st grade, and Carissa Mingo, special education, piloted a reading buddy program. The 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students in the CCI Program at Harter Middle School visited Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Mingo’s co-taught 1st grade classroom once a month during their Social Emotional Lesson time. Holding the visits during this time was important because research shows that SEL time can have a positive impact on school climate and promote a host of benefits for students. The reading buddy program has fostered incredible academic, social, emotional, and leadership skills. Watching our students grow this year has encouraged us to continue this beneficial and successful program for our students again next year.     We would like to request $300.00 to continue implementing the reading buddy program for the 2018-2019 school year. This money would cover the cost of transportation for possible field trips (library, book store, etc.), the purchase of new books, our winter celebration (supplies for cookie decorating and supplies to make ornaments), and our end the year party (pizza, water, games, books, and craft supplies).    Thank you in advance for your consideration,      Mrs. Natalie Smith  Ms. Cynthia Campisi  Mrs. Carissa Mingo

Kyle Ahlmann, Raney Good

Middle School
The money from this grant would be used to support...

Read more Podcasting Equipment ($780)

The money from this grant would be used to support state standards in multiple content areas. It will also allow students to personalize their learning by giving choice in either process or product.This equipment would benefit students by providing an engaging method for demonstrating understanding of content. We would use the grant money to purchase microphones, soundproof shields, and tablets. Audio/video projects promote collaboration, presentation, reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. These all align with our grade level standards and can be applied across all content areas. Providing students different ways to demonstrate understanding allows more accurate assessment and can support a range of learning styles.     A few of the specific standards that this equipment would support are:  - Informative and explanatory writing to provide information about a subject or idea.  - Integrate and evaluate information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually and orally.   - Prepare and participate effectively in a range of conversations and collaborations... building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.   - Present information, findings, and supporting evidence so listeners can follow the line of reasoning.    Possible project ideas the equipment would support:  - Persuasive PSAs  - Lit circle novel discussions  - Podcasts to demonstrate comprehension and understanding of topics  - Video recordings of speeches or presentations for feedback  - Recording reading orally to assess fluency by creating audiobooks

Christine Lynn Kukovec

Middle School
Studies show that some students do much better whe...

Read more ($300)

Studies show that some students do much better when offered the opportunity to stand while learning and mastering new material. A standing desk, or a height-adjustable desk allows students stand comfortably while working. The height of the desk is adjustable to work well will all heights of students. Students can also alternate between sitting and standing with the same desk. These desks can have health benefits as well as increase productivity.    Standing desks can improve overall health as well as improve students’ mood and overall energy level. 87% of students using standing desks have reported less fatigue and increased energy throughout the day. Research has also shown that standing desks may also help reduce anxiety in some students.     I would love to have your help in providing for my students’ diverse learning styles and allow students the opportunity to choose one of 7 standing desks to help them increase productivity and boost their energy levels. Each day, the 140 students, approximately 28 in each class, would have choice in how they want to work in their math class. I would like to respect each student’s best learning environment and be able to provide for them the best learning opportunities for them to find success in the classroom.     I would also like to request a set of 3 noise cancelling headphones. As students become more confident with the district’s goal of personalized and independent learning, many students will be at different stations of learning throughout the classroom. Some will be working in small groups, others with a partner, some with a teacher, while others will need time to focus quietly on an independent activity. The independent activities may involve taking an assessment, working a challenging problem, or reading an explanation. It is difficult to find a quiet place to do these activities while students in the classroom are working with others to learn. Noise canceling headphones would be beneficial as students move through the various stages of personalized learning and periodically find themselves needing a quiet moment to focus.     Thank you for considering my requests for students as they continue to find their best learning environment and style. We would be grateful for your support. Thank you for any help you can provide.    7 standing desks- $100 x 7= $700   Example of desk  https://www.moving-minds.com/classroom/desks/lift-tabletop-standing-desk    3 noise canceling headphones- $100 x 3 = $300  Example of headphones  https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/3-affordable-noise-cancelling-headphones-every-student-should-consider/    Total $1000

Sharon Marcellis

Middle School
In support of and in alignment with the Kaneland 2...

Read more Standing Desks & Headphones ($564.53)

In support of and in alignment with the Kaneland 2020 strategic plan priority of personalized learning, I have been working towards transitioning from a traditional learning environment to a flipped learning environment (a form of personalized learning). From this I have discovered it would be extremely beneficial to have quality noise cancelling headphones available for student use, and I would be thrilled to receive five pair. In a flipped learning environment, on any given day students could be engaged in a variety of learning activities at different points in the curriculum. Students could be doing station work, completing homework assignments, watching instructional videos, working on a challenging problem or a project, doing skill building activities, participating in a mini-lesson, or completing assessments. Students could be working in a small group, with a partner, with the teacher or independently. This all results in a lively environment. During the previous school year some students told me this “productive chaos” is challenging for them when they need to focus on independent work ~ especially assessments. In order to support the learning styles and meet the needs of all students, I sought out solutions and found that other teachers in the Flipped Learning Network have addressed this through and highly recommend providing noise cancelling headphones. For times when students need to block out noise and reduce distractions in order to quietly on focus and successfully complete independent work, I believe this will be an excellent solution. When not being used for noise cancellation, these headphones could also be used to watch instructional videos or work on web-based skill building such as I-Ready or Prodigy. Thank you very much for considering my request. Any help you can provide will be deeply appreciated by me and my students!

Jason Lim, Dylan Donley, Samantha Gonzalez

Middle School
Middle School Spanish students will benefit from t...

Read more Spanish Novels & Reading Starter Packs ($884)

Elizabeth Orman

John Stewart
This past school year we opened our very first Mak...

Read more Ozozbots, Makey Makey, & more. ($292)

This past school year we opened our very first Makerspace in second grade. We had bins, drawers, cubbies and cabinets full of supplies. Students were challenged to use the Engineering Design Cycle to solve problems in our classroom and community and respond to rich literature by creating new products (they loved designing Galimotos). This year we would like take our students to the next level. Instead of just having cardboard, duct tape, wood sticks, clips, wire, rubber bands, etc., we want to expose them to Ozobots and coding, Makey Makey and circuits, 3D Pens, etc. The purpose is to foster a passion for design through the use of Engineering Design Cycle by giving students the opportunity to personalize their learning by exposing them to technology through choice and igniting their passions. Students will benefit academically, and socially, but they will also be challenged to think outside the box....create, thinking and designing "their" personal passion projects. Many students chose to work on project when class work was completed (it was even an incentive to many students...complete your work then you have a "choice"). They begged to work on their projects.

Cindy Babich, Katie Reilley, Stephanie Rogers

Blackberry Creek Elementary
Last year, Kaneland students worked to develop a l...

Read more Flexible Seating ($1,500)

Charri Trembley

Middle School
I am representing S.I.C.K. (Student Innovation Clu...

Read more Supplies ($1,025)

I am representing S.I.C.K. (Student Innovation Club at Kaneland) and we are asking for $1025 to help support the vision of S.I.C.K. I think a student member from last year can say it better than I can, "The Student Innovation Club at Kaneland not only provides opportunities for students to expand their best knowledge in the endless fields of both science and technology, but allows the freedom of creative expression within every project. -Amanda Barajas 7th grade" The club started April '18 as a simple idea. Give students an opportunity to truly explore technology and how to apply those ideas. I had 9 students that took a chance on the club and have now developed into the true leaders, I am merely the guide. The students are asking for funds to cover costs for:   team t-shirts (60 @ $13 from Amazon) = $780   Avery labels for badging (2000 for $21) = $21  two pizza lunches (6 Rosati's pizzas @ $29) = 174  $50 for supplies to make posters and to advertise the club =$50     Students attend S.I.C.K. once a week during their lunch period. Some activities that we did last year included exploring the “guts” of the computer (with Mr. Wise), engaging students with robotics (such as Sphero), using green screens with different apps, earning stickers for completion of goals within projects, website design, Photoshop and video editing. All seventh grade students will have the opportunity to sign up to join as well as all sixth grade students. The leaders of the club will benefit by continuing to develop their leadership skills, but all of the club members will be able to take back their knowledge to the classroom. We believe that S.I.C.K. also supports Personalized Learning by empowering students with technology skills that they can incorporate into classroom projects. Checkout the Club web site that was 100% designed by club members! https://sites.google.com/kaneland.org/khmssickclub/home

Kaneland Arts Initiative

All Schools
...

Read more Donation ($300)

2017

Jessica Weibler

Harter Middle School
Podcasting equipment will be used to support stude...

Read more Padcasting Studio ($360.00)

Patricia Pattermann

Harter Middle School
I am requesting funds to purchase 5 iPads for the ...

Read more Classroom iPads ($1,570.00)

Kelly DeGaetano, Autumn Gilchrest, Sharlene Momich

Blackberry Creek Elementary
We would like to allow students more choice in the...

Read more Flexible Seating Set ($1,500)

We would like to allow students more choice in their learning through offering flexible seating options.  Flexible seating is a choice provided to students that allows them to work around the room comfortably and focused. It provides students the environment they need to be their best. These seating arrangements can look wildly different from room to room, and the depth of implementation can too! Every year we have students who do their best when they can get their wiggles out, students who do their best standing, kneeling, or in a number of positions that only little bodies find comfortable.  Following our recent classroom discussions regarding Mindset and the environments where we learn our best, a variety of suggestions were shared.  Based on these student responses we are proposing a grant of $1500.  This would provide each classroom with a set of mats for tummy learning, cushioned discs for low table work, and cube chairs for students who need a more defined and flexible work space.  These choices will allow students to begin to understand their learner profile and the freedom to personalize their learning experiences.

Molly Lee

John Shields Elementary
I would like to request additional iPad minis for ...

Read more Classroom iPads ($2,070)

Erin Eickman and Jeremy Berger

McDole Elementary
Ozobot Bits are small robots that students can cod...

Read more Ozobots ($1,000)

Tina Schertzer

Harter Middle School
Studies have shown that offering students choice i...

Read more Floor Seating Space ($464)

Studies have shown that offering students choice in seating styles and creating a variety of spaces in the classroom, keeps students on task longer and aids in productivity. I need your assistance to help me meet the demands of my diverse learning styles.  I would like to create a floor space for reading, group work, and independent learning.  Because of germs, I am asking for a foam puzzle style mat that I can clean regularly. I this mat will allow for a comfortable and colorful place to work.  I am also requesting 4 vinyl floor gaming chairs so that kids can sit and work with some back support, and these chairs will be great for the students who like to rock or move while learning.  Finally I would like to ask for funds to purchase 5 laptop desks, so that students can safely support the Chromebooks while seated on the floor.  All of my 145 students can benefit through rotation and or choice.  I would like to have an inviting work area for student of all learning styles. I would be extremely grateful if you could support my endeavor.  Thank you for your consideration.

Tracy Mazurkiewicz

John Stewart Elementary
Rigamajigs can be used in the Critical Thinking ex...

Read more Rigamajigs ($700.00)

Rigamajigs can be used in the Critical Thinking exploratory class as a way for all of the K-5 students at John Stewart to engage in collaborative three-dimensional building.  The Rigamajig website describes them as "a building kit conceived for hands-on free play and learning. It's a collection of wooden planks, wheels, pulleys, nuts, bolts and rope designed to engage the inquisitive mind and creative spirit of children.  Through play, they think three dimensionally, create physically, and work collaboratively.  Building with this simple set of parts helps children combine imagination with cognitive thinking & invention,  embrace process over outcome,  and empowers them to be makers of their own world."  Students can be presented with a challenge and asked to create, in teams, a solution for the challenge by building with the Rigamajigs.  Collaboration, creativity and communicating ideas in a team will be the focus of the lessons that use Rigamajigs.  I am asking for enough money to purchase two Rigamajig Jr. sets.

Cindy Babich

Blackberry Creek Elementary
I am requesting 3 iPad minis to use in my ELA clas...

Read more iPad Minis ($818)

I am requesting 3 iPad minis to use in my ELA classrooms. I would like to integrate technology into ELA activities and give students the opportunity to utilize technology to demonstrate their understanding of a text and to share their learning with classmates and the community.  One of the components of Kaneland’s Strategic Plan 2020 is personalized learning.  We strive to create personalized educational experiences with rigor, relevance, and relationships to serve diverse student learning needs.  Within this plan, students are expected to demonstrate 21st century skills and make positive connections beyond our school.   Students need to take ownership of their learning and have choice in how they demonstrate proficiency and understanding of ELA standards.  Ipads can be used by students to demonstrate understanding of ELA concepts, literature, and writing. I want to give students the opportunity use iMovie to create original book trailers to share books with classmates and the community.  (An example of a student-made book trailer created on iMovie can be viewed on youtube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7xFu0xU5Rc.) Students in my class have watched iMovie book trailers created both by publishers and by other students. These trailers have increased their excitement for reading. They have started carrying that excitement home and are showing book trailers to parents, as well.  By creating their own trailers they will increase accountability, demonstrate understanding of text, encourage classmates to read, and share their learning with families and the local and global community through a class youtube channel.  Students can also use ipads to record themselves on a digital forum called FlipGrid.  They can discuss ELA content, record book chats, and comment on one another’s recordings. (More information about flipgrid can be seen at https://info.flipgrid.com/.)  Students can also use the ipads to share and communicate about their learning with family members through the Student Portfolio on Class Dojo. Students will be able to record and photograph their work and post it on their individual student stories for parents to view. Class Dojo is a primary tool used for communication with 4th and 5th grade families at KBK.

Maria Dripps-Paulson

All Kaneland Schools
The purpose of these events is to provide free opp...

Read more Technical Theatre Workshops ($500)

Rachel Ramos

Harter Middle School
Endeavoring to support and enhance the Kaneland 20...

Read more Learning Commons ($3,000)

Endeavoring to support and enhance the Kaneland 2020 strategic plan priority of "creating leading edge learning environments," it is my desire to create a "learning commons" in the library. A "learning commons" would provide a learning environment for students to meet and work. Students may interact and work across grade levels, receiving help/advice from other students. Ideally, it would provide a place where students could apply skills learned in classes such as Digital Art to core classes. In this environment, students could come to work on projects, in groups or individually, using the many resources available to them through the library. One of the things I would like to be able to do is provide flexible semi-private spaces for the students to work. Having the flexibility to create their own learning environment, will allow students the opportunity to have a supervised place to work on personalized learning projects.  Teachers could also use the space to create a "classroom" within the larger space for interactive lessons in the library.   To accomplish this, I have looked at several different options, prior to contacting a company called Everblocks. They make full sized interconnecting blocks, similar to LEGO. The blocks are made of a durable, but light, plastic material. This makes them ideally suited to our goal of being easily configured to any reasonable learning space. For example,  students could use these blocks to create any size or style of space around tables or groups of chairs for small group or individual work during a class period, and they could quickly be reconfigured to create a different environment in the next class period.

About the Foundation

The Kaneland Foundation is a non-profit organization that has contributed for decades to the educational needs of the students of Kaneland District #302. Our mission is to support academic excellence through innovation.

To achieve our goals, we are looking to expand our group of Foundation Friends. Foundation Friends are invited to join us at meetings, assist in the planning and execution of our fundraising activities, and impact the educational opportunities we provide to Kaneland students. Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have. Go Knights!

Successful PartnershipsMaking lifelong learning a reality, driving our students to become effective, compassionate, visionary leaders of our community, this would not be possible without the Friends of the Foundation. Our friends, the residents and businesses of the Kaneland School District, are integral to our success.

Education is Our PriorityThe Kaneland Foundation is a non-profit organization that has contributed for decades to the educational needs of the students of Kaneland District #302. Our mission is to support academic excellence through innovation.

© The Kaneland Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) organization