LHSEF commits to support six grants in 2018-19 school year

The Lemont High School Educational Foundation has committed to supporting six grants for nearly $14,000 for the 2018-19 school year. Grant proposals were submitted by Lemont High School faculty and staff, with the goal of enhancing educational opportunities for the school’s enrollment of more than 1,400 students

The LHSEF is funding – in part or in full – six Educational Foundation Grants for a total of $13,850, with a stipulation that the funds provided for the projects must be used during the 2018-19 school year. 

Included among the 2018-19 Educational Foundation Grants are the following proposals: 

• American Government - LegSim
• Breakfast Buddies
• Link Crew for the Class of 2022
• National Genographic
• Picture This - Phase VI
• Summer 2018, Science STEAM WOW!

Photo gallery of grants ceremony

2018-19 Educational Foundation Grant Summaries

In addition to these grants, the LHSEF is proud to be part of a project that will provide a fundamental change at Lemont High School. Its Learning Resource Center is about to undergo a major face lift, with the reimagined space facilitating student collaboration and encouraging creativity. The LHSEF has pledged multi-year support for the LRC project, committing to contribute $150,000 over the next three years to make the new vision of the LRC become a reality.

A complete description of all the supported grants, with recipient information and the amount awarded, may be found on the following page. Lemont High School teachers submitted eight proposals for grants, requesting more than $70,000. Since 2007, the LHSEF has supported nearly $410,000 in grants to benefit Lemont High School.

A primary reason the LHSEF has been able to provide such significant support to Lemont High School is the success of the “Food for Thought” series. For 11 years, the “Food for Thought” celebrations have drawn large crowds of enthusiastic supporters. Last fall’s “Taste of Lemont” event drew more than 3,000 supporters to downtown Lemont, making it the most well attended event in LHSEF history.

The LHSEF already is gearing up for this fall’s “Taste of Lemont,” which will take place in downtown Lemont on September 8, 2018. Ticket information will be available soon. The “Taste of Lemont” once again will be a family friendly event open to all ages and will feature a number of local food and drink establishments and outstanding live music from headlining band Mike & Joe.

The LHSEF provides revenue and support to Lemont High School in order to enhance educational opportunities and enrich the overall experience for its students. It operates independently from the school, yet fosters the district’s ongoing and systemic efforts to attain the next level of success in all areas of a comprehensive education for all students.

The LHSEF’s mission is to partner with the community to make lasting improvements to Lemont High School that will enhance the total educational experience for all of its students. Its desire is to fund and support programs and opportunities that aid students’ growth, both academically and as citizens of the Lemont community. The LHSEF is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization; all gifts are tax-deductible to the extent provided by the law

For more information, contact Lemont High School Director of School & Community Relations Tony Hamilton at (630) 243-3280.

2018-19 Educational Foundation Grants

“American Government - LegSim”
Funded at $250 — proposal by Rob Hammerschmidt, Carol Leonard, Jodi Nye & Rick Prangen
Previous Educational Foundation grants have provided Lemont High School seniors the chance to participate in “LegSim” – a website that offers all of the features students need to organize and operate their own legislation simulation. This grant will make that opportunity available to the Class of 2019 as well. Teachers have collaborated to design LegSim as a capstone activity for all American Government students, as they are provided with a realistic perspective on the legislative process. Each student plays the part of a member of Congress, which includes writing, proposing, amending, debating and voting upon legislation.

“Breakfast Buddies”
Funded at $2,100 — proposal by Krissy Bergles & Kelsey Pellus
Since 2006, Breakfast Buddies has helped with socializing for both students with disabilities and students who wish to be mentors. Breakfast Buddies is held before school on Wednesdays and attracts dozens of students weekly. Students with disabilities gain confidence and acceptance, helping to make them feel more a part of the Lemont High School community, while their peer mentors gain expertise in working with individuals with disabilities of all kinds. Social skills, respectful and polite behaviors, and appropriate friendly conversations all are learned and incorporated within the kitchen and classroom setting. Breakfast Buddies consistently has been funded by the LHSEF over the last 11 years.

“Link Crew for the Class of 2022”
Funded at $1,500 — proposal by Denise Dalton, Cara Forde & Jeana Parry
The Link Crew is a transition program that makes new students feel at home throughout their first year on campus. Previous Educational Foundation grants have covered the cost of Link Crew training, as well as implementation of the program for the most recent two school years. This grant will cover costs so that the Class of 2022 can benefit as well. Survey feedback has shaped revisions for orientation activities for incoming freshmen, allowing Link Crew leaders to more effectively promote a positive school culture through role modeling and peer mentoring.

“National Genographic”
Funded at $4,000 — proposal by Scott Collins & Dan Priestley
To facilitate interdisciplinary learning, students in the Big History and AP World History classes are encouraged to participate in a National Geographic Society project that analyzes historical trends and migrations through DNA analysis of people throughout the world. The project helps participants understand their shared ancestry. Students use their own genetic stories to compare to maps of human migration, with a goal of being able to connect their experiences and family migration to the shared global experience and community. This grant will cover the purchase of Genome 2.0 kits for students to participate.

“Picture This - Phase VI”
Funded at $1,000 — proposal by Ryan Hennebry
Previous Educational Foundation grants have funded cross-curricular projects that have merged various disciplines with art and computer aided design (CAD), exposing these areas to students, faculty, staff, and visitors to the building. Students research the world around them, helping them to discover art that intrigues them, and take pride in their creations and showcase their talents. These projects have resulted in hallways throughout the building being filled with the best student artwork. Connections between school work and the outside world allow students to appreciate the arts, cultures, creativity and imagination.

“Summer 2018, Science STEAM WOW!”
Funded at $5,000 — proposal by Michael Beranek, Scott Collins & Erin Horan
With the support of previous Educational Foundation grants, Lemont High School has developed and fostered a program of inclusion for both special needs and general education students to develop Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (STEAM) skills, as well as skills in the areas of social communication and digital resources. This program has generated national recognition for its innovative approach. General education students benefit by providing coaching and mentoring to their peers, while special education students receive instruction through hands-on activities while working on real-world problems.