Xenia Community Schools Foundation Announces Classroom Grant Awards and Sponsorships for the 2019-2020 School Year

The Xenia Community Schools Foundation (XCSF) recently awarded $25,000.00 in grants to the Xenia Community Schools. The grants will fund projects that are innovative and provide enhancements to the standard school curriculum.

This group of awards includes funds for a Chemistry Club project at Xenia High School geared towards science experiment instruction at the elementary schools. Funds are also being provided to purchase virtual anatomy 3-D software and “Spike Prime” Lego robotic sets for the First Lego League at McKinley Elementary. Dr. Aleksandar Svager is assisting with funding for the robotics program. The Foundation, along with funds from the Dr. Jenene Washington-Stepter Science Grant and the W.A. Hammond Drierite Co., Ltd. will support the Elementary S.T.E.A.M. Day/Science Olympiad at each of the five elementary schools.

A variety of books about holidays will be purchased for the elementary school libraries and new genre books will be added to the Warner Middle School library collection. Xenia Preschool will be purchasing books and supporting activities to integrate STEM concepts and vocabulary into children’s literature at the preschool level. Altrusa International of Xenia, Ohio, Inc. is helping to support two library grants
The Foundation is funding several grants focused on improving school climate and student behavior. These include “WEB - Where Everybody Belongs”, Project Linus and PBIS-Positive Behavioral and Interventions Support at Warner Middle School and Xenia High School. Support for these initiatives comes from the Edwin Cox Family Legacy Grant.

The Muse Machine will once again come to Warner Middle School. Grant funds will be used for several interactive performances at the school. This will provide arts learning to connect students and teachers to artistic experiences. Included will be dance, theater, and music companies and independent artists.
The grants awarded by the Foundation would not be possible without the help of the community. The Foundation announced a new “Sponsor a Grant Program” two years ago. Individuals, organizations and businesses commit to providing funds to cover a portion of or an entire grant for a minimum of $500.00. Grants available for sponsorship have been selected by the XCSF Board of Directors from staff-submitted applications and an extensive application review and selection process conducted in conjunction with Xenia Community Schools.

Sponsors, to date, for this round of grants include:
Altrusa International of Xenia, Ohio, Inc. - "Holiday Hoopla" (Elementary Libraries) and “STEM Story Starter Backpack Bundles” (Xenia Preschool)
Edwin Cox Family Legacy Grants - "WEB - Where Everybody Belongs" (Warner), "PBIS-Positive Behavioral and Interventions Support” (Warner and XHS), "Project Linus" (Warner), "Sharing is Caring Service Club" (McKinley)
Barbara Stafford- "STEM Story Starter Backpack Bundles" (Xenia Preschool)
Dr. Nodie Washington - Dr. Jenene Washington-Stepter Science Grants - "Science is Fun-Xenia Chemistry Club" (XHS and Elementary Schools), "First Lego League at McKinley” (McKinley), "Dissections - An Introduction to Animal Biology" (Warner) and “Elementary S.T.E.A.M. Day/Science Olympiad” (Elementary Schools).
W.A. Hammond Drierite Company, Ltd. – "Science is Fun! - Xenia Chemistry Club" (XHS), “Virtual Anatomy – Life in 3-D” (XHS), “First Lego League at McKinley” (McKinley), and “Elementary S.T.E.A.M Day/ Science Olympiad (Elementary Schools).

Additional sponsorship opportunities for the upcoming school year are still available.

The Xenia Community Schools Foundation awards grants to teachers and staff of the Xenia Community Schools. Any Xenia Community Schools’ staff or community member can apply to the Foundation to fund special projects in classrooms. Projects are geared towards enriching student learning. Some applications represent district-wide initiatives. All the grants for Xenia Community School students and teachers are beyond what regular school funding can provide.

Xenia Community Schools Foundation, formerly known as the Xenia Educational Endowment Fund, is an Ohio non-profit 501(C) (3) corporation. Gifts made to the XCSF qualify as tax deductible charitable contributions. The Board of Directors includes both local residents and staff of the Xenia Community Schools District. For information about the XCSF, visit the website (xcsfoundation.com), check them out on Facebook (Xenia Community Schools Foundation) or leave a message at the Chamber of Commerce at 937-372-3591.