Surprise and Innovation: GIPS Foundation Awards $9,059 in Classroom Grants!
GRAND ISLAND, NE – The atmosphere in the Grand Island Public Schools (GIPS) district was buzzing with excitement on Tuesday, October 28 as the Grand Island Public Schools Foundation made a series of cheerful, surprise visits to schools. Teachers and their students were delighted to discover they were the recipients of the Foundation's Classroom Grants, an annual program that invests in innovative educational projects not covered by the general district budget.
This year, the Foundation awarded 7 Classroom Grants totaling $9,059 for the 2025-2026 school year. These exciting new projects are expected to directly benefit 2,385 students across the district. Generous funding from sources like the Foundation's Harvest event, Community Campaign, Staff Giving Campaign, the Richard "Dick" Nabity Memorial Fund, and the Janeth Davis Memorial Fund made this impact possible.
A Legacy of Student Support
Since its inception, the Classroom Grants program has been a powerful engine for innovation in GIPS. The Foundation has now funded 361 Classroom Grants totaling an impressive $335,116, reaching every school and benefiting approximately 76,173 students over the years with engaging, hands-on learning experiences.
Spotlight on the 2025-2026 Grant Winners
Here are the projects that will be sparking curiosity, enhancing skills, and supporting students this school year:
Circumnavigate the Globe
Walnut Middle, $2,000, benefiting 800 students
Collaborators: Benjamin Marten and Tyler Madison
Get ready for an adventure! Walnut students will get to build, program, and launch a pico-balloon that will literally travel around the world! The balloon will transmit daily data on its temperature, location, and altitude. All Walnut students will follow the balloon’s progress with weekly updates during morning video announcements, turning the globe into a dynamic, real-world classroom. This project was funded in part by the Janeth Davis Memorial Fund.
Milkweed Planting Project
Knickrehm Elementary, $500, benefiting 30 students
Collaborators: Chelsi Christensen and Amanda Julesgard
Students will partner with Pheasants Forever to create an ideal habitat for monarch butterflies by planting milkweed. This hands-on collaboration nurtures a love of nature and teaches students about environmental stewardship and the importance of conservation. This grant was funded in part by the Richard “Dick” Nabity Memorial Fund.
Safe Saws for Creative Minds: Empowering K–5 Students in STEAM and Social Emotional Learning
Engleman Elementary, $2,227, benefiting 460 students
Project Leader: Megan Danner
This exciting project provides eight child-safe electric saws, designed for students ages five and up, to be used in both STEAM and Social Emotional Creative Arts classes. These tools have advanced safety features that allow students to cut and shape cardboard and lightweight materials with ease, transforming their ideas into sculptures and engineering projects. This hands-on process not only supports academic growth in math, science, and art, but also builds vital social-emotional skills like collaboration and perseverance. This resource will benefit students at Engleman and additional students at Stolley Park, including those in the Newcomer program, ensuring equitable access to high-quality, creative learning.
Sensory Integration for Student Success
Shoemaker Elementary, $621, benefiting 450 students
Project Leader: Lisa Allen
This project will transform Shoemaker's sensory room into an even more powerful space for emotional regulation and inclusion. The room is a crucial resource for any student experiencing sensory overload or dysregulation, particularly those with sensory processing disorders, autism, or anxiety. The grant will purchase visual, tactile, auditory, and other multi-sensory items to create a therapeutic environment that helps students focus, relax, and better prepare for learning and social interaction.
Starry Skies, Bright Minds: a Planetarium Experience for First Graders
Newell Elementary, $475, benefiting 60 students
Collaborators: Asia Thoene, Abby Elsbury, and Renee Sutherland
Imagine seeing the stars without leaving your school! The first-grade team is bringing the cosmos directly to their students with a portable planetarium experience. This hands-on opportunity will allow students to explore stars, planets, the moon, and constellations, deepening their understanding of science and sparking a lifelong love of discovery. It’s an immersive way to enhance reading comprehension and bring their learning to life.
Streamlining Performance: A Drum Kit Workstation for Student-Led Efficiency
Senior High, $2,000, benefiting 150 students
Collaborators: Abigail Bloom and Jesse LaBrie
Senior High’s show choir program is celebrated for its musical talent and the professional, student-led precision of its competitive performances. This grant will purchase a Pageantry Innovations DK-20 Drum Kit Workstation, an industry-standard mobile percussion cart. This state-of-the-art equipment will boost safety and efficiency during show transitions, giving over 150 students across three show choir groups and show bands a greater sense of ownership and professionalism.
Wildcat Way Webcast
Engleman Elementary, $931, benefiting 435 students
Project Leader: Chandra Kosmicki
Engleman is taking their student media team to the next level! This grant provides the equipment necessary for the team to create a professional Wildcat Way Webcast to share school news with families. The webcast will feature student- and staff-led interviews, pictures, and video of what’s happening at Engleman, empowering students with real-world broadcasting and communication skills.
