WB foundation awards grants for various programs

The West Bloomfield Educational Foundation (WBEF) has officially awarded $12,447 in grants for the district’s schools, as well as a donation of $5,000 to help fund a FIRST Robotics team at West Bloomfield High School.

The grants were officially accepted at the West Bloomfield Schools Board of Education meeting on Monday, Oct. 29.

The FIRST Robotics competitions train students to help them prepare for a career in science, engineering or technology.

West Bloomfield High School hopes to have its robotics team compete beginning in the current school year.

On Tuesday, Oct. 16, the WBEF reviewed 23 grant applications that were submitted before approving 19 applications.

The biggest grant was for $2,500 and was awarded for a project called “Close the Gap with Mentor Texts.” The money will be split with Ealy, Doherty, Gretchko, Scotch and Sheiko elementary schools each receiving $500.

A $1,750 grant was awarded to Scotch Elementary for three Apple iPads for a project called “Inspire, Practice, Assist, Design, Soar.” Scotch also received a $450 grant for “Raz-Kids.com.”

A $1,200 grant was allocated to Abbott Middle School for three document projection systems.

West Bloomfield High School received a total of $2,404 in grants, including $450 toward “Yoga in the Classroom” and $500 toward “Connecting Artists and Students.”

Roosevelt Elementary School also received a total of $1,500 in grants, including $500 for “Kindle Fires for Readers” and $500 for “Great Lakes, Great Books.”

Doherty Elementary School received a $500 grant for “Early Numeracy Family Night.”

Gretchko Elementary School received a $468 grant for an “Electronic Drum Set Program” and a $210 for a project called “Move to Learn.”

The Oakland Early College Program was awarded $480 for “Record to Reflect in Science.”