LEEF Receives Gift from Credit Union
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.
Innovative 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
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 | |
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Fostering Healthy Lifestyles -Supports P.E. at New Hope by
providing a recumbent exercise bicycle.
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| 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. |
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| 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) |
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| 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 | |
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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. |
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| 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
|
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| 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
