Foundation
Supporting students. Enriching our community.
The Sauk Rapids-Rice Education Foundation provides opportunities for all students to excel by funding educational opportunities, special projects and engaging ideas that go beyond the district’s operating budget. The foundation enriches the communities of Sauk Rapids and Rice by uniting the generosity of those who care deeply about enhancing education with the students, staff and the Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools.
Learn more about the foundation!
Download a Framework & Priorities sheet
Alison Binsfeld was presented with a grant for 6th Grade Earth Science. This grant will allow the sixth-grade science department at the Middle School to purchase updated visual aids to use while teaching their earth science curriculum. This includes solar system models, weather maps and models, as well as plate tectonic models.
Zach Brown was presented with a grant for Molecular Model Kits. With this grant the Science department at the High School will be able to purchase Snatoms kits to help students through hands on activities, allowing them to better understand what is actually happening between atoms at a molecular level. These kits will be primarily used during chemistry instruction but, also can be applied in biology and earth science as instruction as well.
Jean Suska was presented with a grant for her Reading Haven. This will allow the Special Education Department at the High School to convert a space in a classroom to a Reading Haven, giving students a comfortable space to study, read, listen to music, meditate or relax with a game or puzzle.
Hannah Paggen was presented with a grant for Literacy Enhancement. This will allow the Early Childhood program, at both Hillside and Rice, to purchase additional materials to provide hands on learning. Helping students develop stronger phonemic awareness skills when they attend Kindergarten.
Emilee Mcgarthwaite was presented with a grant for Fine Motors Bins. This will allow the first-grade team at Mississippi Heights the ability to purchase different bins that will rotate between classrooms, and help students develop skills including zipping, tying, writing, and self-care.
Teresa Heck was presented with a grant for Math Fact Folder Game Libraries. This helps students in third grade at Mississippi Heights develop math skill in a more routine paper, and pencil method, while interacting with their peers and building memorable relationships in the process.
Heath Wilson was presented with a grant for an Indoor Hydroponics Farmstand. This will allow Mr. Wilson to purchase the hydroponics unit and glow rings for year round growing. Giving the students the experience of planting and harvesting their own fruits, vegetables, and herbs, without soil!
Jill Backchand was presented with a grant for Fine Motor Activities. This grant will allow the first-grade team at Pleasantview Elementary to purchase kits to enhance students fine motor skills. The goal is to use these kits as daily activities to help develop hand strength to improve activities including writing, zipping, and tying.
Sarah Tabatt excepts at grant for Physical Education equipment at Pleasantview - 2021
Mini Golf safe T putters and six dozen matching colorful golf balls will support students in K-5 at all three elementary schools in the district.
Students in 5th grade will design, in STEAM class, a mini-golf hole using PE equipment that we have in our equipment room. Students in K-5 will then get the opportunity to play mini-golf in the gym! This will be a brand new experience for the majority of the students. Mini golf is not only fun but it teaches students to be patient, use control, take turns, have coordination and use fine motor skills.
Ericka Berger excepts a grant for additional Xylophones for K-5 Music Classes at Pleasantview. - 2021
Xylophones provide excellent opportunities for students to practice rhythm, steady beat, note reading, melody, harmony, songwriting, improvisation, and independent and group playing. Students develop skills in playing with and listening to others while also learning to independently play their own parts within a group.
Tara Prom excepts a grant for diversity books at Mississippi Heights - 2021
Books will support students in grades K-5 at Mississippi Heights
The books will be highlighted on our daily morning broadcasts and made available for students to check out. Teachers will also be able to utilize the diversity books for read-aloud and healthy conversations on inclusion, diversity, and equity. The SRR public school's mission includes promoting and celebrating high achievement and equal access for all students. This initiative is one way to ensure that ALL students are included and feel a sense of belonging.
Rememberance Douglas excepts a grant for additional Xylophones for K-5 Music Classes at Mississippi Heights - 2021
Xylophones provide excellent opportunities for students to practice rhythm, steady beat, note reading, melody, harmony, songwriting, improvisation, and independent and group playing. Students develop skills in playing with and listening to others while also learning to independently play their own parts within a group.
Carmen Olmscheid accepts a grant for Middle School Physical Education - 2021
Spike Ball will support students in grades 6–8 at the Sauk Rapids-Rice Middle School
Fifteen Spikeball nets would currently be enough for every student to warm up and practice skills with a partner (class size permitting). This would provide students the opportunity to expand their knowledge of strategies and tactics related to movement and performance (national standard two), as well as improve their enjoyment, challenge, self-expression and/or social interaction (national standard five).
Erin Thompson accepts a grant for Empowering Young Writers - 2020
Providing students with access to iPad keyboards
This grant gives seventh grade students the opportunity to check out keyboards from the school to take home for the projects that require more typing. These keyboards will help students with writing projects that take a lot of typing time.
Crystal Davidson accepts a grant for Literacy for Littles - 2020
Literacy for Littles benefits 3- and 4-year-olds in the Sauk Rapids-Rice Early Childhood ECFE program at Rice Elementary
Growing the number of book titles in the preschool collection expands not only choices, but gives students a voice and a chance to share a good story with a caring grown-up. This sets the stage for a lifelong love of reading.
Steven Mick accepts a grant for Sight Reading Factory music technology - 2020
Music technology for the sixth- through twelfth-grade choirs
Sight Reading Factory is an online subscription tool that helps students develop in-person and large group music literacy skills both in distance learning or individual settings.
Steven Mick accepts a grant for Sight Reading Factory music technology - 2020
Jenny Bushman accepts a grant for Apple Pencils - 2020
The Apple Pencil allows teachers to provide feedback to students in a more efficient and effective matter, especially important in these unprecedented times.
Past grant winner at Sauk Rapids-Rice Middle School, 2018
Past grant winner at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School, 2018
Past grant winner at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School, 2018
Past grant winner at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School, 2017
Past grant winner at Pleasantview Elementary, 2017
Past grant winner at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School, 2017
Past grant winner at Sauk Rapids-Rice Middle School, 2017
Mrs. Johnson's third graders at Rice Elementary explored 3D printing, thanks to a grant by the foundation in 2017
About the Sauk Rapids-Rice Education Foundation
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