5-20-2023 7:49pm

Hononegah's H.O.P.E Foundation gives back through teacher grants, helps meet needs in classrooms

Seven teachers from Hononegah Community High School were grant recipients. Pictured are Jason Glodowkski, Melissa Angeles, Amy Dalke, Tanya Beaulieu, Liz McLevige, Christine Meadors, and Mandy DelMastro.

Hononegah Community High School's H.O.P.E Foundation has once again given back through generous annual grants to teachers.

Staying true to what the foundation's name stands for, “Hononegah Opportunities for Public Education,” seven teachers at HCHS received a helping hand in meeting specific classroom needs, following the HCHS staff meeting on on May 2, 2023.

In 2023 the foundation awarded grants totaling $12,879.97.

Among this year's recipients was Jason Glodowski who is receiving bathroom fixtures for the Building 1 Construction classes, so his students can learn how to install them.

Melissa Angeles requested "Thermochemistry for All." The tools provided in this package will help to increase the understanding of the relationship of physical, chemical and energy changes.

Amy Dalke asked for a grow cart with lights for students in biology and horticulture classes to germinate seeds and to track the growth of certain annuals and perennials.

Tanya Beaulieu now has “Kinetics of Blue Dye.” This lab is used to determine the reaction order of Blue Dye #1, and the hypochlorite ion in order to write the rate law of the reaction.

Liz McLevige can now advance studies in “Computer Integrated Manufacturing.” This grant is created to assist students to fully understand the complete manufacturing experience by having them take an active role in the process, from beginning to end.

Christine Meadors will have T84 Plus CE instructional math calculators. They will help to assist instructional-level math classes for students with special needs who struggle with math concepts identified in their IEPs (Individualized Education Program.)

Mandy DelMastro can now provide both on-computer and off-computer lessons and activities through an evidence-based blended learning curriculum designed for students who are at a developmental age lower than their chronological age with the “TeachTown Basics.”

In order to provide the money to supply the grants, the H.O.P.E Foundation hosts annual "Touch of" spring events yearly, along with other fundraisers.

The grant application process is introduced at the September faculty meeting and H.O.P.E Foundation vice president Tom Polaski gives an overview on the application and expectations.

"The grant requests are due the third Friday in January to allow H.O.P.E trustees ample time to read the applications and to rank them," Polaski said.

“The teacher applicants are assigned an overall ranking based on the evaluations submitted by the trustees.”

After the annual H.O.P.E. Foundation events are held in the spring and revenues/expenses have been accounted for, the foundation determines the dollar amount to be assigned to the teacher grants.

This process is completed at an April meeting, allowing the teacher recipients to be notified. Then they can complete the purchasing before the end of the school year. The H.O.P.E. Foundation formally recognizes the winners at the May faculty meeting.

This year marks the 21st of H.O.P.E Foundation fundraisers. The H.O.P.E Foundation first came into being in 1997 under the direction of then Superintendent Ralph Marshal. A heritage mural, scholarships and tutorial programs are a few ways the foundation supports the school.

Teacher grants funded by these annual programs have provided more than $70,000 in the past 10 years, plus this year's recipients.

Past projects included the purchase of two AEDs for the athletic department, retractable batting cages, a 2014 renovation feasibility study, graphic calculators for the math department, laptops for the physics department, a new video scoreboard for the field house, digital training for the physical education department, new trophy cases, power tools for the wood shop and construction lab, $25,000 towards new digital scoreboards, and the purchase of a 40 acre tract of land for future use.

Community members can help support this work by making a donation to the Foundation or by attending fundraising events.

Because of these grants, teachers in various departments now have a chance to further educational opportunities in the classroom. This will benefit both teachers and students and will keep HCHS at the top of their game in producing a top grade education.