ELMHURST, IL — All 13 Elmhurst public schools and their students are beginning this year with over $72,500 of additional resources provided through funding by the Elmhurst District 205 Foundation. The district said in a release a total of 25 Thiems Educational Grants worth $53,827 were awarded last spring for implementation this academic year. The grant program is named after former District 205 Superintendent Dr. Russell Thiems, who was instrumental in the formation of the Foundation for Educational Excellence, which has awarded over $1.9 million dollars in educational programs and enhancements since 1989.

"The foundation recently funded $23,000 in literacy resources," Brian Bresnahan, foundation chairperson, said in a release, "And a large amount of the newest grant dollars support science and technology that helps teachers deliver STEM-related curriculum." According to the district, one example is the multiple grants awarded to help create Makerspaces at every elementary school library and two areas (the library and Lincoln Lab) at York High School. A makerspace is a collaborative workspace for making, learning, exploring and sharing. A complete list of grants can be found on the foundation website at www.elmhurst205.org/foundation.

The district said foundation funds are also being used to purchase Wi-Fi hot spot devices to provide high-speed internet access outside of school for identified students that do not have it. The Title I funding that provided these devices in the past has been significantly reduced, and the foundation is picking up the cost to ensure that students have the opportunity to access this resource. Additionally, this year the foundation is again providing funding that allows schools to conduct programs outside of the school day which help identified students with academic assistance, as well as organizational and study skills, according to a release.



"One of the goals of our organization is to help provide an equitable education for the success of all students," Lisa Fanelli, foundation executive director, said in a release. "The public school progression culminates at York High School for all students, and it benefits our community to help them be as prepared as possible to succeed in that environment."