The Foundation is proud to continue the Marion Grant program, providing funding to MISD teachers, staff, and coaches. The grants have been a cornerstone of the Foundation since 2000 and are made possible by generous donations received throughout the year from both individuals and businesses. The projects listed were brought to a committee in the spring for consideration and funding was approved for the summer and 2019 school year.
Heath Mueller – Vernon Middle School
Students will learn a new 21st century skill using tool kits to take computers apart, replace hardware components, and put them back together.
Jen Thilges – Marion High School
A new classroom set of iPad Pros and Apple pencils will help prepare students for college-level art courses. They will gain experience using the same technology professionals in the design, marketing and journalism world use regularly.
Annette Maier – Starry Elementary
Jennifer Fairbanks – Francis Marion Intermediate
Yoga and meditation are lifelong skills that have real mental and physical health benefits. A kids’ yoga expert will continue to visit Starry classrooms and the program is expanding to include FMI this year.
Nicole Harmer – Longfellow Elementary
The preschool program adopted a new math curriculum and received funding for items that focus on interactive learning including bug counters, building blocks, memory cards and more.
Jonathan Dyrland – Marion High School
A new Yamaha Clavinova was added to the choir practice room at MHS for students to use during individual and group lessons.
Becky Knudson – Vernon Middle School
A mobile lab demonstration table for 5th grade science allows a full class to see hands-on experiments.
Peggy Murphy – Marion Independent School District
Schoology, a new learning management system, is being used district-wide and Peggy Murphy, Technology Integration Coordinator, attended an additional pre-conference session to learn more about its features.
Scott Fruehling – Marion High School
A new tarp on the softball field minimizes rain delays and game cancellations and also keeps the field in good condition for the safety of the players.
Liz Pearson – Francis Marion Intermediate
To help students with their reading proficiency, the library at FMI has expanded their collection of books to include titles that are aimed at assisting struggling readers. Other books will also be added to the 3rd and 4th grade collections.
Matt Thornton – Starry Elementary
A new Maker Space will allow K-2 students an opportunity to build, create and innovate using high-tech tools, art supplies, construction tools and more.
Madi Ramaekers – Marion High School
Motion detectors and speed buggies will create new lab opportunities for Physics and Motions classes this year.
Phil Cochran – Vernon Middle School & Marion Home School Assistance Program
Scholarships were provided for students to attend the Jacobsen Institute’s Summer CEO Camp and learn all aspects of being an entrepreneur and CEO of a company.
Kristina Simmons & Dixie Recker – Starry Elementary
Outfitting a sensory room gives students of all abilities access to tools that can teach them to self-regulate their emotions.
Apra Loomis-Mainardi – Marion High School
Over 40 different titles were added to the high school’s e-book collection allowing students to electronically check them out and read from any smart device.
Peggy Murphy – Marion Independent School District
Hotspots allowed internet connection for some high school and ELL students to continue with recovery courses and language learning during the summer months.
Becky Gustafson – Francis Marion Intermediate
Wobble chairs, ergo stools, and stability balls are just a few of the new seating options available so students can get rid of excess energy while remaining focused in class.
Logan Vander Wiel – Marion High School
The high school band program has a new sousaphone to help with the needs of a growing marching band and pep band.
Greg Wilkinson & Laura Worden – Vernon Middle School
The 6th grade literacy team is expanding their classroom collection of books to include a new non-fiction piece. They added over 60 copies of Woodsong by Gary Paulsen.
Nancy Alderdyce – Marion High School
MHS students were able to simulate driving under the influence of alcohol, THC, as well as texting while driving when the Arrive Alive driving simulator was brought to the high school in May.