Fall 2023 Mini Grant Winners

Several Chillicothe R-II staff members received good news today (Monday)  when Superintendent Dan Wiebers and a few members of the Chillicothe Education Foundation surprised them with certificates naming them winners of 2023 Fall Mini Grants.

The Chillicothe Education Foundation funds the mini-grant competition each semester in its commitment to supporting excellence in education. This round of mini-grant winners included 14 applications which totaled $5,424  in winnings. The funds from the grants will be used to enhance the classroom experience and upgrade equipment and technology throughout the District.

Superintendent Dan Wiebers expressed his thanks to the Chillicothe Education Foundation and noted that the competition for these grants is always very competitive and the latest installment of entries was no exception.

“We just have incredible teachers and staff members willing to go the extra mile to make sure our students are thriving in our buildings,” Wiebers said. He added, “Thanks to the continuing support of the Chillicothe Education Foundation, our staff can utilize new and different technology and teaching strategies to keep students interested, involved and excited about learning new things.”     

The winners of the Fall 2023 Mini Grants for the second semester were:

  • Cassie Holcer: K-1st Grade - Fall Mini Grant (Decodable books), $500

  • Holly Thompson: 6-8th Grade - VEX IQ Robot Education Kit, $449

  • Weston Baker: 6-8th Grade - Multi Media Grant, $500

  • Katie Maples: K-5th Grade - Razzled Dazzled, Not Frazzled Painting, $483.38

  • Traci Norris: 10-12th Grade - See it on the Big Screen, $201.78

  • Brittni Taylor Naugle: 1st Grade - Safer spaces for Difficult Emotions, $500

  • Heather McGraw & 1st Grade teachers: 1st Grade - Developing Dedicated Readers with Decodable Books, $498

  • Amanda Bagley: 2nd Grade - Science of Reading in Action, $174.89 (Patty Palmer)

  • Ellen Duckworth: 9-12th Grade - Making Culture “Cooler,” $232

  • Kate Jones: 5th Grade - Making Mathematicians, $409.96

  • Shelby Holcer: Kindergarten - Building the Foundation for our Reading, $495

  • Zeb Yoko: 9-12th Grade - Plant Lights for Student Growth, $480

  • Clayton Vadnais: 9-12th Grade and above, DoughBot - Drivetrain Mechanics; and Brandon Dennis, 9-12th Grade and above - DoughBot - Automated Control Systems, $500 combined grant.