Wellington Middle School gets Poudre School District Foundation innovation grant for bike camp

The Poudre School District Foundation Funds announced Nov. 14 that Wellington Middle School’s Christie Brucher had received a grant for $1,200 to provide 20 students with information on bike mechanics, bike repair, rules of the road, nutrition and mapping out safe routes. The grant is part of the 2012 Supporting Partnerships in Innovative Education (SPIE) grants from the Innovative Programs Fund.

The 13 grant recipients — representing elementary, middle, and high schools from the Poudre School District — received more than $36,000 collectively from the SPIE grant program. Grants were announced November 14, 15, and 16, at schools with balloons and checks presented by the grant selection committee and Board Directors. The grant funding will directly impact PSD students through classroom initiatives ranging from math, science, and technology programs to collaborative programs for literacy and the arts.

SPIE grants are designed to encourage innovative and creative educational approaches to accomplish Poudre School District’s mission, “To Educate Every Child, Every Day.” Since the inception of the SPIE and E3 (for 2 years, E3 of the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado added $20,000 per year) grant programs, a total of $788,022 has been awarded to Poudre School District teachers and staff.

“The Foundation is so proud to once again fund incredible programs that will offer an enriched learning experience for kids,” said Eric Thompson, President of the Poudre School District Foundation. “We were impressed with all of the grant requests and it was a challenge to determine the winners from all of the applications that we received. We are so grateful for the people and organizations that support the Foundation, the SPIE are made possible by their generosity. Because of their help, our students are inspired by these highly innovative programs that the school budget cannot support.”

The Poudre School District Foundation Funds work as a partner to the Poudre School District to support programs and fulfill needs that positively impact student achievement through private community donations. To donate to the Poudre School District Foundation, visit the website and click on Donate NOW at http://www.psdschools.org/department/psd-foundation.