
2024
TCEF is pleased to fund these projects and programs to enhance the learning of students and staff for a grand total of $51,232!
The Foundation’s 22nd annual competitive grant opportunity has awarded over $26,000 due to generous donations from the community and a very successful annual Labor Day 5K run/walk.
The Grant Committee enjoys reviewing applications that all highlighted wonderful projects to bring excellence and innovation into Tri-Creek classrooms and school buildings. Strong community support enables us to fund a variety of programs that will positively affect student learning.
Gifts to TCEF in any amount are appreciated and can be made in the donor’s name or in the name of a loved one. Since the Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization, all donations are qualified to be tax deductible.
Lynne Haberlin, Foundation Director and Chairperson of the Foundation’s Grant Committee, introduced the 2024 recipients of 16 grants, which will impact Tri-Creek students of all levels, at the Tri-Creek School Corporation Board of School Trustees’ meeting held Thursday, October 10, 2024. The following Tri-Creek staff members received funding for creative programs and educational activities.
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Julie Homans, Lowell High School - $1,250 – LHS Red Devil Esports
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Tim Higgins, Lowell High School - $1,100 – Interactive Childcare Infant Project
working with Michael Schoon
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Veronica LaPage, Lowell High School - $1,005 – Art Courtyard Mural
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Gary Lembcke, Lowell High School - $5,000 – Manufacturing Robots
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Darryl Hebble, Lowell High School - $630 – Skills USA Indiana State Leadership and Skills Conference for Precision Machining and Welding, working with Kenny Roach
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Cheryl English, Lowell Middle School – $1,350 - Task Boxes Galore
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Eric Stoelb, Lowell Middle School - $918 – Red Devil News
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Robyn Plonczynski, Lowell Intermediate School - $720 – Think Like a Scientist
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Nikki Burgess, Lowell Intermediate School – $3,897 – VEX GO Robotics
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Jennifer Frizzell, Three Creeks Elementary - $1,500 – Playground Communication Boards, working with Megan Bieber-Hoover Three Creeks, Lindsey Phillips Oak Hill, Jamie Gill Lake Prairie
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Julie Whitney, Three Creeks Elementary - $1,670 – Task Boxes for RISE at TC
working with Michele Martinez
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Jennifer Wilson, Three Creeks Elementary - $3,230 – VEX Coding Robots for the Classroom
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Diana Torrez, Three Creeks Elementary - $2,250 – How Many Languages Do You Speak?
working with Jennifer Roberts
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Michelle Hubbard, Oak Hill Elementary - $516 – Breaking the Code
working with Amanda Haskins, Amie Patterson, Rebecca Antczak
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Nikki Chapranda, Lake Prairie Elementary - $425 – Challenger Engineering EdVenture Field Trip, working with Cheri Norton and Maggie Miller
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Sheryl Buche, Lake Prairie Elementary - $1,096 – Revving Up Motor Skills
Also, for the 11th consecutive year, the Foundation has been able to share a generous bequest from the Ruth and Joe Weinberg estate to fund several other projects. These projects have become a part of Tri-Creek’s culture, and we are happy to continue to support them.
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4th - 8th Grade Robotics Teams - $6,000
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5th Grade Challenger field trips - $300 per 5th grade classroom, totaling $2,700 this year
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8th Grade Class Trip - $5,000
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A Book for Every Kindergarten Student - $1,500
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Camp Invention STEM Enrichment - $750
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LHS Dual Certification and AP Exam Grants - $2,500
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LHS EV GoKart Team- $1,500
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LHS Mentor Program - $5,000
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LMS Mentor Program - $2,000
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Prior Recipients
![IMG_1343[7999].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/087b53_dca2000cbecc4620934aaa50b04b907e~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_599,h_320,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/IMG_1343%5B7999%5D.jpg)
Lowell High School grant recipients: Jennifer Roberts, Matt McLindon, Kevin Garling, Amanda Czyszczon, and students Heather Karm, Karat Kinney, Bron Otis
Not pictured: Students Kaylee Jensen, Levi Brock, Katie Smetana
Opportunity Center and Alt School teacher Jennifer Roberts ($961.00) “Literacy at the ALT/OC.” Through book talks and literature circles, Alternative School and Opportunity Center students will increase vocabulary, grammar, and punctuation skills. They will develop a love for literature by reading four excellent high interest books.
Lowell High School teacher Matt McLindon ($2,846.00) “RDN: Then, Now, Forever.” Grant money will be used to purchase radio and TV equipment to allow students to work on real-world projects for several area businesses. Students will learn skills necessary to be successful in a Radio/TV career.
Lowell High School teacher Kevin Garling ($440.00) “AG Green Machine.” Funding will enable students in Natural Resource Management and Landscape Management classes to turn a lawn mower into an “earth friendly” machine. The project will educate students on sustainability and environmental footprints.
Lowell High School teacher Amanda Czyszczon and her Biomedical Innovations students ($2,50.00) “Be Here Tomorrow.” This project will bring awareness of local resources that help students improve mental health and recognize signs and symptoms of mental illnesses. Activities will include a guest speaker, use of social media accounts to provide daily encouragement and motivation, and creation of a promotional video.
![IMG_1345[8000].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/087b53_74043332ca874557bc2b5db397d2b6a0~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_600,h_418,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/IMG_1345%5B8000%5D.jpg)
Lowell Middle grant recipients: Jennifer Roberts, Traci Noble,
Michelle Hellwege, Lindsay Prenkert
Not pictured: Melissa Duttweiler
Lowell Middle School counselor Melissa Duttweiler and social worker Traci Noble ($100.00) “Student Social-Emotional Support.” The project will supply group counseling curriculum and resources for LMS. Students will be selected for small group based on behavior data collected by teachers. Post-group behavior data will be analyzed to determine effectiveness of the groups.
Lowell Middle School principal Michelle Hellewege ($412.00) “Global Read Aloud 2019.” Lowell Middle School teachers will read the book The Bridge Home to all LMS students, helping students to make global connections. Students will be inspired to understand the need to protect and care for all people.
Lowell Middle School teacher Lindsay Prenkert ($2,400.00) “Computer Science and Robotics for 8th Graders.” This project will support a new required eighth grade class and will get students excited about technology. Students will create code and use robots to solve problems, write messages, and participate in games.
![IMG_1347[8001].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/087b53_f7298a1b95504bdaa67917a9e975f1e9~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_600,h_400,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/IMG_1347%5B8001%5D.jpg)
Elementary grant recipients: from Three Creeks - Mary Stinnett, Kaitlyn DeBoer, Lisa Patton, from Oak Hill - Jessica Peak
Not pictured: from Three Creeks - Ashley Anderson, Alexa Snyder, from Lake Prairie Jennifer Lucinski, Kerri Coapstick
Three Creeks Elementary teachers Mary Stinnett, Ashley Anderson, and Alexa Snyder ($1,000.00) “Study Trip to Indiana State Museum and the Indiana Statehouse.” Fourth grade students will experience the joy and wonder of visiting these sites in Indiana’s capital city. Students will design t-shirts and write in traveling journals to support their learning.
Three Creeks Elementary teachers Kaitlyn DeBoer and Lisa Patton ($2,725.00) “Code-iak Bears.” First grade teachers will sponsor an after-school coding club. Students will stretch their thinking, problem solve, develop grit, and develop social skills as they learn to code robots to complete tasks.
Lake Prairie Elementary teacher Jennifer Lusinski ($550.00) “Motivational Murals.” Lake Prairie art atudents will paint several murals with positive messages throughout the school building. The murals will beautify the school and encourage student motivation and good choices.
Lake Prairie Elementary teacher Kerri Coapstick ($680.00) “Back in the Lab.” Grant funds will purchase electronic balances, charts and posters, and Magiscopes to enhance fifth grade science curriculum. Using these materials, fifth grade students will enjoy hands-on science activities to support their learning.
Oak Hill Elementary interventionist Jessica Peak ($539.00) “Game On! Interactive Interventions.” “Simply Fun” games will target critical reading and math skills. The games will reinforce key concepts and fuel passion for learning.