The District 128 Foundation for Learning Board of Trustees announced the 10 recipients of its 2011-2012 Innovation Grants at a special recognition ceremony and luncheon held Nov. 23 at the District 128 Administration Center. This year’s recipients received $20,438 in funding for projects that will enhance and enrich student learning at Libertyville High School and Vernon Hills High School.

This year’s grant recipients and their winning projects are:

 Craig Schmidt, Anne Malecki, Mary Kate Polzin, Dyan Naslund: 

Writers’ Week 2012  ($2,000)

 Tingting Zhao, Nancy Tassler, Radhika Joshi:

iPads and Applications for Chinese I and Chinese II Honors ($2,000)

 Mark Buesing, Mike Cook: Doceri in the Classroom ($1,914)

 Sherri Rukes: APPS for Chemistry ($1,200)

 Sherri Rukes: Looking at Glass in a New Light ($2,000)

 Sherri Rukes: Extruding Bioplastics ($2,000)

 Catherine Marcell: EMPOWER Learning Series ($1,324.36)

 Lynda Ward: iPads for Special Services ($4,000)

 Matt Thompson, Lauren Rust, Andrea Lara:  iPads for Social Studies ($2,000)

 Ellen Macias: Class Set of Flip Cameras ($1,999.95)

 In the previous four years, the Foundation has awarded $30,420 in Innovation Grants to District 128 staff.  This year, the Foundation’s presentation of  $20,438 in grants brings the total to $50,858.  Complete descriptions of this year’s winning projects can be found on the District 128 Foundation for Learning website,  www.d128foundation.org.

 The District 128 Foundation for Learning provides resources for innovative and creative instructional ideas that enrich the experiences and programs for students in Community High School District 128. Founded in 2007, the Foundation is a 501(c) (3) non-profit, autonomous, tax-exempt organization. It is led by a group of dedicated local community leaders in business and education who want to make LHS and VHHS the best they can be. 

Caption for attached photo:  District 128 Foundation for Learning Trustees recently presented 10 Innovation Grants to Libertyville and Vernon Hills High School teachers and staff. Pictured at the Nov. 23 grant presentation are: (front row)Superintendent Dr. Prentiss Lea, Lynda Ward, Tingting Zhao, Nancy Tassler, Ellen Macias, Mary Kate Polzin, Anne Malecki, Dyan Naslund, Sherri Rukes, District 128 Foundation for Learning Chairperson Anne Landgraf, Foundation Trustee Scott Luce, (back row) Catherine Marcell, Mark Buesing, Radhika Joshi, Mike Cook, Lauren Rust, Andrea Lara, Matthew Thompson, Craig Schmidt.