2021 Spring Grants Awarded

2021 Spring Grants Awarded

Each Spring, School District employees are invited to submit requests for DDEF-funded grants for the following school year.  A Grant Committee reviews the requests and makes funding recommendations to the Foundation evaluating whether the requests are appropriate for the DDEF Spring Grant program or should be funded through other sources such as the regular school district budget or the Multnomah Education Service District.

This year’s Spring Grant requests celebrated the reopening of schools with an eye toward student safety and special needs. The awards were finalized at the April 2021 DDEF Board meeting awarding approximately $4,937 in grants to teacher and district personnel requests. See below the pictures for a list of the approved grants.

Grants awarded for the 2021-22 school year include:

·         Safety and organization equipment to keep students/staff safe and distanced during class (cones, fitness spots, microphone, vinyl floor tape, dry erase spots).

·         Two large storage cabinets and a few mobile storage bins to help keep P.E. equipment stored and sanitized in a safe secure space.

·         Five floor rockers, 5 chair rockers and 2 standing desks to provide alternative seating options to support students of all ages across the district. These alternative seating options will be provided to students to support their attention, regulation and sensory processing needs, with the intention of improving access to classroom instruction.

·         Five pop-up canopies for the annual David Douglas School District Special Class Track & Field Meet. These canopies will provide much-needed shade and shelter for students with disabilities participating in this special event of inclusive athletic activities.

·         Replacement of a worn-out professional coffee bean grinder to use at the Sunshine Express Coffee Cart, located in the district office.  This Coffee Cart is a student run business that gives Community Transition Program high school students hands-on barista training using professional grade equipment while interacting with real customers.  It has been a valuable tool in building self-confidence and communication and problem-solving skills that can be used in the work force.

If you would like to see the previous years’ grants, click here.