Welcome to the first Grants in Action email of the 2016-17 school year.  This past spring thanks to the support and generosity of our community over $250,000 in grants were awarded.  Each month we will highlight various grants that have a positive impact on our students and teachers in our schools.  

Columbia University Teachers College Reading and Writing Project: Homegrown Reading Institute

One of the 2016-17 grants funded a world-class professional development experience from the Teachers College at Columbia University.  This past July, over 70 district teachers and administrators had the opportunity to participate in a comprehensive workshop known as the Homegrown Reading Institute.  We were extremely fortunate to bring expert facilitators from this highly selective program through the Teachers College at Columbia University to Lake Forest so that a wealth of our staff were able to participate in this inspirational workshop, rather than sending a small group of educators to train remotely.  Teachers and administrators from all grade levels K-8 participated in a four-day training, which involved learning and experiencing curriculum through the eyes of a student with a focus on how to engage every student with varied abilities found within the classroom.
 
This amazing professional development experience directly supports the district's Reading and Writing Workshop model.

DPM's Reading Specialist Kevin Joyce shared the following feedback, "trainers taught us how all students will develop as readers and writers with the guidance of teachers in an ongoing process that allows students to work towards continued growth.  This was beyond inspiring and eye opening." 

"The Homegrown experience will reach every student in our district by helping us become stronger teachers of reading and writing.  It has laid the groundwork for a shared language about literacy that will benefit our students K-8.  It was the best training for a new curriculum in a power packed week that I have received," Sue Christianson, 1st Grade, Cherokee Elementary.  

 
To learn more about the Spirit of 67 Foundation and the countless grants that have been provided for our schools visit www.spiritof67foundation.org.