Butte Education Foundation Awards Grants for Fall 2022

The Butte Education Foundation has awarded the Great Ideas Grants for the fall of 2022. Grants are awarded twice during the school year to teachers and schools to provide funding for innovative projects and programs that are not funded by the Butte School District.  Since program inception in 2008 over $189,000 in grants have been awarded to Butte Silver Bow Public Schools.  

Although recess is a highlight of the school day for a lot of children, it is also important to student’s focus, brain activity, health, and emotional wellbeing.  The students at Hillcrest Elementary will get even more out of their recess time by “Going GaGa over GaGa Ball” after being awarded a grant for $2510.00.  A GaGa Ball Game specifically develops eye-hand coordination, strategic planning, social skills, and other gross motor skills.  This game is fast paced, high energy with quick turn-over to get everyone involved.   

The pandemic has had a negative impact on the social and emotional needs of our students.  A significant portion of the student population have difficulty recognizing and regulating their emotions.  Margaret Leary Elementary will be able to provide “Brain Breaks” to their students with $2155.00 grant awarded to them.  The grant to allow the school to purchase sensory path decals for the hallways and classrooms.  These decals will be available to all students, encouraging them to breathe, move, and activate their brains.   

 Butte High School, specifically the nurses and special education department, will be able to provide additional services to their students with the grant of $2000.00 for “Meeting Basic Mental & Physical Health and Hygiene Needs to Promote Quality Education.”  A significant number of the student population at BHS do not have access to basic health needs, transportation, access to computers, and social understanding.  The funds from this grant will go toward supporting these students in school and in their future. 

 Everyone gets a little fidgety at times, but it’s an everyday occurrence for the kindergarten and 1st Grade special needs students.  By awarding Emerson Elementary $710.00 these students will find an outlet to their jitters with bouncy bands, sensory lap pads, and wiggle wobble chair feet.  These items will be a daily part of their classroom to help maintain attention and interest, stimulate learning, sooth and relax, and create independence.