This past winter, the local Sunnyvale Alpha Lambda Chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa (ADK), an International Organization of Women Educators, partnered with the Rotary Club of Sunnyvale to provide 28 classroom mini-grant awards to teachers in SSD.
Though ADK has long supported Sunnyvale teachers, this was the first time we have worked in partnership with the Rotary Club. The joint effort allowed us to offer a larger number of grants and include collaborative teams for the first time, resulting in a total of 28 grant awards, including three team projects. Awards were made at all 10 school sites in Sunnyvale, at all grade levels.
Proposals were highly creative, covering a range of subjects. Several teachers requested funds for culturally relevant, inclusive, and/or leveled books for class libraries, book clubs, and literature circles. Many requested books written in languages other than English.
Other recipients had requested funds for weekly cooking lessons for students with special needs, organizational materials to make learning materials more accessible to students, and goods to enhance writing, math, reading, fitness, science, and art curricula. “Calming corner” items – those that provide an area of retreat for students if needed – as well as tech items, were also high on the list of requests. Funds were awarded to support a school-wide drama production as well.
Mini-grant applications showcased our teachers’ creativity, caring, and expertise. Both ADK and the Rotary Club were very pleased to be able to help provide support for these students and teachers in Sunnyvale School District.
Submitted by:
Ann McCarty, ADK Mini-Grant co-chair
