Pine Street School Foundation Awards $20,390 in Teacher Grants

From virtual reality software to a LEGO wall, educators at Pine Street School are putting more than $20,000 to work in their classrooms during the 21-22 school year through the Pine Street School Foundation grant program. With the goal of enhancing the overall educational experience at Pine Street School, the Foundation has awarded $322,282 in grants since its inception in 2009.

“As usual, the Pine Street teachers and administration not only met but exceeded our expectations with the ingenuity of the grant applications this year,” said Alexa Pack, board chair of the Pine Street School Foundation for 2021-2022. “There's no doubt that they want the very best for their students.”

This year’s broad-ranging grants support everything from a one-day STEAM experience for fifth graders to build functioning hovercrafts to a Swivl Solution video system that allows educators to record a variety of videos for delivering master lessons throughout Pine Street School.

“Our teachers are constantly looking for new opportunities to enhance the learning of each child,” explains Pine Street principal Dennis Regnier. “What a difference it makes when instead of watching a video about the North Pole – our students get to go there with the help of our VR goggles and software. Our students don’t just talk about working together and floating on air – they get to do that by working with the Hovercraft Project!”

2021-2022 funded projects include:

• Engaging Virtual Reality Expeditions – Lynsey Bullington (all grades)
• Generation Genius – Susan Hoffman (all grades)
• Art Designed in Science – Susan Hoffman (all grades)
• Can You See What I See? Part II – Kyla Jeter (all grades)
• LEGO wall for the Pine STEAM Lab – Kyla Jeter and Rachel McRoberts (all grades)
• Can You Hear Me Now? – Jessica King (all grades)
• Art Cart Make-Over  – Sarah Kate Scott (all grades)
• Teach, Swivl, Share – Mary Ann Stoddard and Erin Davis (all grades)
• Hooray for Headphones – Kelli Hardigree and Alicia Fulmer (5k)
• Full STEAM Ahead – Eve Shelton (1^st grade)
• It’s Electric! – Meghan Hinkle (3^rd grade)
• The Hovercraft Project – Susan Hoffman (5^th grade)
• Night of the Spadefoot Toads – Susan Hoffman (5^th grade)

“Pine Street family and friends make this possible. It's their financial support that allows teachers to have the resources they need to take the education of their students to the next level. It really sets our school apart,” said Pack.

The Pine Street School Foundation raises funds each spring to award for projects that will be implemented the following school year, creating an immediate and direct impact with its resources. The grant application process is open to Pine Street School faculty and staff, and includes a proposal submission and an interview with the Foundation’s grants committee.

“Through the generosity of donors – our students have continued to soar and make tremendous academic growth year after year,” explains Regnier.