Ladera Ranch, Calif. – The Ladera Ranch Education Foundation Board awarded grants totaling approximately $27,000 to local schools today, bringing the total of amounts granted to local schools by LREF to over $170,000 since it’s inception in July 2004. “It is an honor to be a part of the Foundation and support the children, teachers, staff, and administrators of our public schools,” said president John Waldeck. The amount of funds granted each year is determined based on the year’s fund raising totals, the current financial position of LREF at the time the grants are awarded and the amount and type of grant requests received.
This year’s grants featured a focus on technology. Several grant request submitted include requests for document cameras to aid in instruction while reducing paper consumption on campus’ throughout the community. Amounts awarded during this year’s grant process are as follows:
Chaparral Elementary School received $5,497 for document cameras, projectors and related technology for classroom use, math curriculum materials, and books.
Ladera Ranch Elementary School received $1,527 for school wide math and reading curriculum materials to support instruction.
Ladera Ranch Middle School received $10,411 for document cameras, projectors and related technology for classroom use, laptops for in class instruction, interactive education systems, and science equipment for hands on science experiments.
Oso Grande Elementary School received $3,658 for document cameras, projectors and related technology for classroom use and shared reading materials for science curriculum.
San Juan Hills High School received $2,295 for AP resource materials and anti-plagiarism technology.
Tesoro High School received $3,580 for document cameras, projectors and related technology for classroom use and US History curriculum materials.
The purpose of Ladera Ranch Education grant program is to provide funds to enrich the learning environment, motivate students, and enhance instructional effectiveness. The Foundation recommends that principals and teachers submit requests for projects, materials or equipment that directly benefit students and indirectly focuses the attention of our community on the positive results within our schools. There are no categorical restrictions on grants and projects may cover any subject. Grants are first individually reviewed by the LREF Advisory Board, a non-voting board whose purpose is to provide insight, advice and support to the Board of Directors. The grants are then reviewed on an individual basis and voted on by the LREF Board of Directors.
“Because of the ongoing state wide budget issues, our public schools need our help more than ever.” John Waldeck said. “LREF held its 6th Annual Gala, a dinner/dance/auction on March 27th, 2010 that provided most of the funds for this year’s grants. The Gala was presented by ISU Insurance Services – Tasman, LLC and the Goddard School, two Ladera Ranch community businesses. Ladera Ranch is a community in every sense of the word. Our local businesses that support LREF, the parents and community members that attended our Gala, and the volunteers that made this year’s fundraising possible are a testament to our community. A community that has proven it values supporting public education.”
The Ladera Ranch Education Foundation was created to raise funds to enrich and improve the quality of the educational environment for the public school children of Ladera Ranch. It is designed to strengthen the relationship between the public schools and the community and to support a level of excellence and innovation in the children’s educational experience. LREF supports Chaparral, Ladera Ranch and Oso Grande Elementary Schools, Ladera Ranch Middle School and San Juan Hills and Tesoro High Schools.
For more on the foundation, please visit our website at http://www.LREFOnline.org.
