August 2025 Deeper Learning Grant Recipients
Berea Midpark High School Robotics Team
Ryan McElyea, Berea-Midpark High School - $1,025
The purpose of the program is to provide the students the opportunity to work with local engineers, scientists, programmers, and other professionals in the STEM
fields for exposure to possible career paths and choices. Additionally, the purpose of the program is to strengthen the team in building original robots capable of performing multiple tasks through programming and electrical and pneumatic systems all under student manipulation and control.
Big Creek Think Tank - A Deeper Dive into Learning
Heidi Demaline, Big Creek Elementary - $2,500
The anticipated outcome of this proposal is to help incorporate a makerspace that will serve as a hub for Deeper Learning experiences, providing a dedicated environment for students to engage in collaborative, hands-on projects that promote design, experimentation, and invention. This initiative will not only equip teachers with innovative instructional methods but also provide students with the resources needed to cultivate the qualities of the Portrait of a Titan, such as critical thinking, innovation, leadership, adaptability, and communication.
BPEPS (Brook Park Elementary Postal Service)
Kelly Sullivan, Brook Park Elementary - $ 520
This project will offer practice opportunities in completing functional jobs within the community, preparing students to become independent and successful with a sense of pride in their work. This program would make the students responsible for gathering staff mail, filing it in appropriate files and then delivering it to the corresponding teacher's classroom. This would expand over multiple grade levels, specifically students in grades 1-4.
Calming Spaces
Nicole Zsilko, Snow School - $1,575
The Berea City School District is dedicated to fostering an environment where students can thrive not only academically but also emotionally. Recognizing the growing concerns over student mental health, emotional regulation, and behavioral issues, especially since the pandemic, the district is expanding its Classroom Calm Spaces Project to Snow School. This initiative aims to address the significant stressors students face daily, from academic pressures and interpersonal conflicts to more acute mental health crises.
Coffee Cart at the Creek
Melissa Divis, Big Creek Elementary - $400
Students in the CBRR and BBRR classrooms at Big Creek will participate in a coffee cart 1-2 times per week. This will promote job skills, social skills, and opportunities to build relationships with staff across the building. Students will apply for jobs and be assigned shifts to work the cart.
Hands on Deeper Learning Math 7
Jordyn Rozek, Berea-Midpark Middle School - $790
The program is based on hands on learning and application of learning for students around a multitude of 7th grade concepts. Students will be participate in self paced stations with the supplies provided.
Middle School Math Week
Lori Pearl, Berea-Midpark Middle School - $300
We want to promote math throughout the building this year. Do help do this, we want to have a Math Week during the week of March 9th-13th, 2026. We will have math activities each day and reward prizes to those who participate building wide.
Murals to Beautify BMMS
Megan McCully-Frankenfield, Berea-Midpark Middle School - $ 500
My 8th grade advanced art students have gained a reputation for creating outstanding permanent art murals in the school. For the past two years they have filled the courtyard with colorful nature-inspired murals that should be there for twenty or more years! Our newest requests have come from the Library/Planetarium and Orchestra Instructors. Our first mural will be on acoustic tiles to be placed on the gigantic wall in the orchestra room. We will be doing fiber art on the tiles to create a colorful splash of energy on an otherwise large gray expanse of a wall. The mural outside the planetarium will replace a very large old bulletin board with vibrant scenes of the galaxy!
Percussion with Purpose: Using Drumming to Cultivate Community and Respect
Gaby Westgate, Brook Park Elementary - $3,365
This drumming program explores how rhythm can build respect, communication, and community. Through hands-on learning of African and Latin drumming traditions, participants will experience the power of collective music-making. Rooted in cultural heritage, the program emphasizes listening, cooperation, and shared expression These are core values that foster deeper connection and mutual respect.
Rolling Toward Deeper Learning: Big Wheels for Student Growth
Tracy Schneid, Brook Park Elementary - $1,200
We are requesting funding to purchase ten Big Wheels for student use during recess and structured outdoor learning activities. These riding toys are more than play equipment—they are tools that foster the competencies of our Portrait of a Titan and align with our PBIS framework of Respectful, Responsible, Safe, and Kind behaviors.
STEM Fair
Dawn Barchanowicz, Berea-Midpark Middle School - $700
2025-2026 8th Grade students will be participating in an 8th Grade STEM Fair. Students will work with their science teacher, family, and Mr. Kushlak in completing research and conducting experiments utilizing the Scientific Method.
The Power of Percussion: Collaboration and Unity through Student Drumming
Lea Pulizzi-Smith, Grindstone Elementary - $5,000
I'd like to obtain a class set of tubanos, an accessible percussion instrument, for Grindstone Elementary School. They will be used to enable student percussion ensembles in order to foster creativity and unity through music.
Think Like da Vinci
Tracy Silvestro, Grindstone Elementary - $180
For this experience, students will read the book “Who was Leonardo da Vinci” to learn why he is called “The Renaissance Man”. Students will be introduced to "The Seven Davincian Principles" of curiosity, independent thinking, refining the senses, embracing uncertainty, balancing art and science, and recognizing interconnectedness so that they may learn to think like da Vinci.
Trending Arts and Crafts, 7th grade
Jill Kupchik, Berea-Midpark Middle School - $900
Trending Arts & Crafts class would welcome the opportunity to craft wreaths for the residents at the Middleburg Heights Assisted Living Center. Our Trending Arts class is unique in that it is all inclusive, I have students from the general population, special education program and behavioral unit.
Ryan McElyea, Berea-Midpark High School - $1,025
The purpose of the program is to provide the students the opportunity to work with local engineers, scientists, programmers, and other professionals in the STEM
fields for exposure to possible career paths and choices. Additionally, the purpose of the program is to strengthen the team in building original robots capable of performing multiple tasks through programming and electrical and pneumatic systems all under student manipulation and control.
Big Creek Think Tank - A Deeper Dive into Learning
Heidi Demaline, Big Creek Elementary - $2,500
The anticipated outcome of this proposal is to help incorporate a makerspace that will serve as a hub for Deeper Learning experiences, providing a dedicated environment for students to engage in collaborative, hands-on projects that promote design, experimentation, and invention. This initiative will not only equip teachers with innovative instructional methods but also provide students with the resources needed to cultivate the qualities of the Portrait of a Titan, such as critical thinking, innovation, leadership, adaptability, and communication.
BPEPS (Brook Park Elementary Postal Service)
Kelly Sullivan, Brook Park Elementary - $ 520
This project will offer practice opportunities in completing functional jobs within the community, preparing students to become independent and successful with a sense of pride in their work. This program would make the students responsible for gathering staff mail, filing it in appropriate files and then delivering it to the corresponding teacher's classroom. This would expand over multiple grade levels, specifically students in grades 1-4.
Calming Spaces
Nicole Zsilko, Snow School - $1,575
The Berea City School District is dedicated to fostering an environment where students can thrive not only academically but also emotionally. Recognizing the growing concerns over student mental health, emotional regulation, and behavioral issues, especially since the pandemic, the district is expanding its Classroom Calm Spaces Project to Snow School. This initiative aims to address the significant stressors students face daily, from academic pressures and interpersonal conflicts to more acute mental health crises.
Coffee Cart at the Creek
Melissa Divis, Big Creek Elementary - $400
Students in the CBRR and BBRR classrooms at Big Creek will participate in a coffee cart 1-2 times per week. This will promote job skills, social skills, and opportunities to build relationships with staff across the building. Students will apply for jobs and be assigned shifts to work the cart.
Hands on Deeper Learning Math 7
Jordyn Rozek, Berea-Midpark Middle School - $790
The program is based on hands on learning and application of learning for students around a multitude of 7th grade concepts. Students will be participate in self paced stations with the supplies provided.
Middle School Math Week
Lori Pearl, Berea-Midpark Middle School - $300
We want to promote math throughout the building this year. Do help do this, we want to have a Math Week during the week of March 9th-13th, 2026. We will have math activities each day and reward prizes to those who participate building wide.
Murals to Beautify BMMS
Megan McCully-Frankenfield, Berea-Midpark Middle School - $ 500
My 8th grade advanced art students have gained a reputation for creating outstanding permanent art murals in the school. For the past two years they have filled the courtyard with colorful nature-inspired murals that should be there for twenty or more years! Our newest requests have come from the Library/Planetarium and Orchestra Instructors. Our first mural will be on acoustic tiles to be placed on the gigantic wall in the orchestra room. We will be doing fiber art on the tiles to create a colorful splash of energy on an otherwise large gray expanse of a wall. The mural outside the planetarium will replace a very large old bulletin board with vibrant scenes of the galaxy!
Percussion with Purpose: Using Drumming to Cultivate Community and Respect
Gaby Westgate, Brook Park Elementary - $3,365
This drumming program explores how rhythm can build respect, communication, and community. Through hands-on learning of African and Latin drumming traditions, participants will experience the power of collective music-making. Rooted in cultural heritage, the program emphasizes listening, cooperation, and shared expression These are core values that foster deeper connection and mutual respect.
Rolling Toward Deeper Learning: Big Wheels for Student Growth
Tracy Schneid, Brook Park Elementary - $1,200
We are requesting funding to purchase ten Big Wheels for student use during recess and structured outdoor learning activities. These riding toys are more than play equipment—they are tools that foster the competencies of our Portrait of a Titan and align with our PBIS framework of Respectful, Responsible, Safe, and Kind behaviors.
STEM Fair
Dawn Barchanowicz, Berea-Midpark Middle School - $700
2025-2026 8th Grade students will be participating in an 8th Grade STEM Fair. Students will work with their science teacher, family, and Mr. Kushlak in completing research and conducting experiments utilizing the Scientific Method.
The Power of Percussion: Collaboration and Unity through Student Drumming
Lea Pulizzi-Smith, Grindstone Elementary - $5,000
I'd like to obtain a class set of tubanos, an accessible percussion instrument, for Grindstone Elementary School. They will be used to enable student percussion ensembles in order to foster creativity and unity through music.
Think Like da Vinci
Tracy Silvestro, Grindstone Elementary - $180
For this experience, students will read the book “Who was Leonardo da Vinci” to learn why he is called “The Renaissance Man”. Students will be introduced to "The Seven Davincian Principles" of curiosity, independent thinking, refining the senses, embracing uncertainty, balancing art and science, and recognizing interconnectedness so that they may learn to think like da Vinci.
Trending Arts and Crafts, 7th grade
Jill Kupchik, Berea-Midpark Middle School - $900
Trending Arts & Crafts class would welcome the opportunity to craft wreaths for the residents at the Middleburg Heights Assisted Living Center. Our Trending Arts class is unique in that it is all inclusive, I have students from the general population, special education program and behavioral unit.
