The Community Foundation of NCW has awarded $70,000 from its Stronger Schools Grant to 15 public schools across North Central Washington.

Stronger Schools provides up to $5,000 to PreK-12^th grade public schools and school districts for programs that enrich experiences for students, support teacher development, and foster opportunities for schools to achieve their goals.

“The Stronger Schools Grant is a great opportunity to fund innovative projects that bring added value to the classroom and the building” said Claire Oatey, director of community grants. “These programs are making school more fun, interesting, and helping to build well-rounded student experiences. We’re really proud of what our teachers are doing outside of the box to engage their students.”

STRONGER SCHOOLS GRANT AWARDS

• Cascade and Lee Elementary – $4,000 Disability Education Awareness Program to promote empathy and understanding
• Foothills Middle School – $5,000 Sixth Grade Camp at Tall Timber Ranch in Lake Wenatchee
• Grand Coulee Dam School District – $5,000 Natural Helper Reboot peer to peer program that gives students tools and methods to handle traumatic and life situations
• Icicle River Middle School – $5,000 Healthy Lifestyle Trail Improvement Project, building a new improved trail system near the school for student use
• Independent Learning Center (Methow Valley) – $5,000 Support for Mentorship Coordinator
• Lincoln Elementary School – $5,000 Winter STEAM Learning Adventure, a 3day/2night adventure at the YMCA camp at Lake Wenatchee for 5^th graders
• Manson High School – $4,450 Drone Club Job Training and Community Services, enabling students to apply drone technology to local professions
• Manson School District – $5,000 Bilingual Summer School, supporting reading and math enrichment during the summer for English learners
• Methow Valley Elementary School – $5,000 Purchase of cellos and violins to provide no-cost participation for the student
• Methow Valley High School – $5,000 Orchestral bells for music program
• Pateros School District – $5,000 Leader in Me, a student empowerment and leadership program
• Peshastin-Dryden Elementary School – $3,500 Art classes for K-2^nd graders in partnership with the Wenatchee Arts Education Consortium
• Tonasket Elementary School – $3,500 Swim lessons for all 4^th and 5^th grade students
• Virginia Grainger Elementary School – $4,700 World Music and Rhythms program teaching students about various world cultures through music and dance
• Wenatchee School District – $4,850 Don’t Wait to Unmake a Bully, a student-run film production, education and training program

Funding for the Stronger Schools Grant comes from unrestricted funds at the foundation and individual donations.