leander Educational Excellence Foundation
Committed to the Success of all Students and Teachers in Leander ISD
 

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LEEF Receives Gift from Credit Union
Randolph Brooks LEEF Grant 1-30-10

On Saturday, Jan. 30, Leander ISD Superintendent Bret Champion participated in a fundraiser during the grand opening ceremonies of Cedar Park’s Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union.   Champion’s instructions were to collect as much “money” as possible in 30 seconds while “locked” in an inflatable bank vault. As fake dollar bills were blown into the vault, Champion stuffed handfuls of cash into his jacket and pockets.   For Champion's efforts, the credit union donated $2,500 to the Leander Educational Excellence Foundation whose mission is to provide resources to support innovation, enrichment and equity in pursuit of academic excellence within LISD.

I
nnovative Teaching Excellence Grant Applications Are Now Available
Applications for classroom grants are available for download, and will be accepted through March 22, 2010. In our first three years, LEEF has awarded over $54,000 for innovative learning projects throughout Leander ISD. CLICK HERE for this year' application. Instructions are included on the form. Projects for all academic areas are considered, with extra consideration given to projects that demonstrate innovative approaches to teaching.
 

Stock Market Game Grant "Pays Dividends" for LEEF and LISD
The students in Craig Weems' Economics classes have enjoyed great hands-on learning in the area of personal finance through a stock market simulation game funded by LEEF and Fidelity Investments. One of the teams from Cedar Park High School won the top overall regional competition, with a return of over 44% on their simulated  investment of $100,000. Fidelity Investments awarded LEEF a $5000 grant to support educational projects in the area of personal finance. The funds will be used to expand participation in this excellent program for future cycles at LISD high schools.

Grant Patrol 2009
LEEF-Grant Patrol-2009

The LEEF Grant Patrol traveled to eight campuses in Leander ISD on Friday, September 4th. Here is a summary of the awards. There are still many excellent grant proposals available for sponsorship. If you would like more information about sponsoring a LEEF grant, contact us via email, or contact Jennifer Williams, Director of LISD Partners in Education. Click the photo for a video link!
New Hope High School-Robin Colley  - $378
Fostering Healthy Lifestyles -Supports P.E. at New Hope by providing a recumbent exercise bicycle.
Wiley Middle School-Amber Gaudet-Marlin-$4580
Virtual Teacher -Allows students to manipulate individual iPods to view short teaching segments created by approved outside vendors and participating teachers' individually created lesson plans.
Pleasant Hill Elementary-Kelly McMahan-$4715
Wii Can Move, Wii Can Play
 Utilizes the Nintendo Wii interactive system within LISD's existing Adapted Physical Education Program to help students in Special Education be more active and increase social interaction. (Will be used on all campuses)
C.C. Mason-Patricia Robertson-$4929
 Global Intelligence - Interactive Talking Globes to give students hands-on access to world facts, cultural customs, etc., while promoting the theme of One Global Community.
Rutledge Elementary-Kathy Gehman - $4031
Fun with Nonfiction Readings -Non-fiction science books for K-6 using Newbridge Early Science Sets.
Cedar Park Middle School-Candace Wagar - $2600
GO Solve Word Problems -A research-based computer program that helps students break down and understand mathematical situations on word problems.
Cedar Park High School-Craig Weems-$500
 Stock Market Game-Simulated Stock Trading game that is played online in competition with teams from across Texas
 
River Ridge, Reagan, and Bush Elementaries -Becky Calzada- $2000
Watched Any Good Books Lately?-An alternative assessment to the traditional book report. Student groups will read and assess a book, design a storyboard, create a video book trailer using Flip Video cameras. Finished trailers will be available in the library for all students to view.



Click here to view Dr. Bret Champion's 2008 Grant Patrol Podcast Video

Click here for a photo album from the 2008 Grant Patrol


LEEF Textbook Scholarships allow LISD Students to Attend Austin Community College
Nineteen LISD High School Students from Leander, Cedar Park, and Vista Ridge High Schools are attending ACC this spring free of charge thanks to community partnerships between LISD, ACC, and LEEF. Tuition is waived through the Early College Start program, but textbooks are not included. LEEF is funding textbook voucher scholarships for LISD students on free or reduced lunch, removing a major obstacle to post secondary education. They are eligible for renewals based on a final grade of B or higher, and several are the first from their families to attend college. For applications or information, contact any LISD HS Campus Transition Coordinator