The Crosse Public Education Foundation (LPEF) announced on Tuesday morning the Gold Star Grants, awarded to projects based on their creativity, ability to engage students and overall impact or reach, at North Woods International School .

“I am continually in awe of the creativity and ingenuity of our teachers as they find new ways to help students learn,” said Anna Prinsen, Chair of the Board of Directors of LPEF and Owner of Modern Crane Service. “We were thrilled to receive so many great Gold Star grant applications from staff and learning partners. “

The following grants have been awarded:

• $ 7,000 to provide materials to create a walking trail loop in the large green space behind North Woods International School. This is a first step into a student-designed outdoor classroom, meadow garden, and parts play area. Recipients: Joshua Hein and Oliver Strassman. This grant is subscribed in part by the LPEF Tyser Power of Nature Endowment.
• $ 4,206 to provide brackets and supports for students at Lincoln Middle School playing drum walking equipment to reduce back stress and increase accessibility. Recipient: Jason Harden. This grant is underwritten in part by Altra Federal Credit Union.
• $ 4,075 to provide materials and transportation for students to experience the GROW greenhouse, community garden and farm. Beneficiary: GROW-Kari Bersagel Braley. This grant is subscribed in part by Gundersen Health System.
• $ 3,950 to promote learning of geometry, geology and geography through the use of photography at La Crosse Polytechnic. Recipients: Katy Weber and Maggie McHugh. This grant is subscribed in part by Festival Foods.
• $ 3,923 to provide teachers at Hintgen Elementary School with the tools to improve students’ writing skills. Recipient: Katie Zavondy-Olson. This grant is underwritten in part by Trust Point, Inc.
• $ 3,660 to provide strider bikes for Kindergarten students at Summit Environmental School to teach the principles of balance and control while learning to ride a bike. Beneficiaries: Deb Ofte, Nick O’Keefe, Lisa Boyer. This grant is funded in part by the LPEF Randy and Lynn Nelson Endowment Fund.
• $ 3,300 to bring in Neng Now, a Hmong storyteller and musician, to share Hmong culture with students and staff at North Woods International School and talk about the challenges Hmong students face growing up in America. Beneficiaries: Amanda Wolfgram and Alyson Glenz. This grant is subscribed in part by Coulee Bank.
• $ 3,200 to provide training to physiotherapy and occupational therapy staff on mobility opportunities through education / experience to help high school students with significant physical needs maintain their independence. Recipients: Lindsey Shay and Katie Bakkee. This grant is subscribed in part by Dairyland Power Cooperative
• $ 2,416 to provide level literacy intervention materials to help struggling readers at State Road Elementary School develop basic reading and comprehension skills. Addressees: Jac Lyga and Jeanie Ruprecht. This grant is subscribed in part by Fowler & Hammer.
• $ 2,366 to provide materials for meaningful outdoor play experiences at Spence Elementary School that encourage literacy, creativity, gross motor development, cooperative play and social skills. Recipients: Michelle L. Powell, Julie Wilson, Ashley Schultz, Tricia George and Hali Fischer. This grant is subscribed in part by LHI, which is part of Optum Serve.
• $ 2,175 to provide adaptive seating that allows Logan High School students confined to a wheelchair to participate more fully in class and with their peers by being able to raise, lower or recline the chair. Recipient: Jessa Ellenbecker. This grant is a grant funded with support from the Mary Grace Sieber, Alice Gordon & Viola Forshler and Robert & Eleanor Franke Charitable Funds of the La Crosse Community Foundation. This grant is underwritten in part by Mayo Clinic Health System.
• $ 1,500 to help speaker Kyle Richard travel to high schools to provide witness training on sexual assault, harassment, racism and bullying. Recipient: LevelUP, Tom Berkedal. This grant is subscribed in part by Mooresmiles Dental.
• $ 1,500 to create a lending library of self-regulatory tools and support materials that teachers at Lincoln Middle School can access. Recipients: Nicole Kuecker and Bethany Peterson
• $ 1,439 to provide a visual exercise communication system for students with disabilities at Spence Elementary School, Lincoln Middle School and Longfellow Middle School. Recipient: Hali Fischer. This subsidy is subscribed in part by Mathy Construction.
• $ 900 to support a comprehensive 8-week character building and physical activity program for Northside / Coulee Montessori Elementary School girls who model healthy eating, cross-training, and discuss relevant topics. Recipients: Sara Jorgensen and Regan Mueller.
• $ 768 to provide access to interactive videos that teach positive social and emotional skills at Logan Middle School. Recipients: Meghan Adams and Katie Nachtigal. This grant is in honor of retired Summit Environmental teacher Tracy Taylor-Johnson, and subscribed in part by Fowler and Hammer.
• $ 729 to bring STEM club participation to students at North Woods International School who cannot participate in extracurricular activities. Recipient: Gary Boisvert.
• $ 720 to provide activities and materials for Spence Elementary 5th Grade Leadership Camp to develop role models of respectful behavior for younger students. Beneficiaries: Jocelyn Buxton, Peter Schmitz and Elizabeth Roberts. This grant is awarded in honor of retired Human Resources Director Mark White and subscribed in part by Fowler and Hammer.
• $ 667 to provide curriculum-aligned science games to support the development of interpersonal and science skills in students at Lincoln Middle School. Recipient: Mandi Hundt.
• $ 400 to promote science and nutrition through the planting of fruit trees and shrubs at the Summit Environmental School. Recipient: Bree Moore-Lawrence. This grant is awarded in honor of retired Summit Environmental Director Dirk Hunter and subscribed in part by Fowler and Hammer.
• $ 250 to provide materials to turn Hamilton / SOTA I elementary students’ drawings into plush felted friends created by high school students. Recipient: Carrie Wuensch-Harden.

In addition to Gold Star Grants, LPEF provides other supports to schools in La Crosse, including random acts of kindness to meet student needs in areas such as nutrition, hygiene, clothing, and transportation. . For more information, call LPEF at 608-787-0226, or email Denise Vujnovich at [email protected].