Each year, the Guido A. and Elizabeth H. Binda Foundation, provide funding to the Calhoun ISD for a mini grant program to support educators from Barry. Branch, and Calhoun Intermediate School Districts. Grant applications are submitted and read by a committee of educators to determine funding. Tekonsha Community Schools is pleased to announce that we have received funding for two different mini grant proposals!
K-12 Music Teacher Mrs. Ashley Hall received $1000 to fund her grant, "Exploring Children's Literature Through Music." With grant funds, Mrs. Hall will be able to purchase another Orff xylophone to use with her K-5 music classes. Grant funding will also allow her to purchase a variety of children's story books that contain dialogue and refrains that help to teach students about rhythm, melody, dynamics and expression. The xylophone will play out these musical concepts. The elementary currently has two of these instruments, so this addition allows more students to be actively engaged in the learning at the same time!
Mrs. O'Keefe also received $1000 for her grant, "Experiencing a Total Eclipse." Funding from the grant will allow for a student assembly in both the HS/MS building and the elementary building from the Kalamazoo Astronomical Society to talk about the total eclipse of the sun that will be happening this year, on April 8, 2024. The presentation will give a preview of this historic event, explain why solar eclipses happen, and show how to safely view the eclipse. Grant funding will also allow for the purchase of safety glasses for all students, to allow them to safely view the eclipse when it happens.
Over the years, Tekonsha staff have received a number of mini grants from the Binda Foundation and the CISD. We are extremely appreciative of the opportunity that the Guido A. and Elizabeth H. Binda Foundation has shown to help support these unique learning opportunities to students not just in Tekonsha, but across Barry, Branch, and Calhoun Counties!