​Sometimes instructors see an opportunity to help their students, but there’s no money in the budget to make it happen. Payroll Deduction Grants are funded by BCSD staff members to provide the types of projects they see a need for in their classrooms. 

Bridget Leamon, a Speech Pathologist at Grindstone, received a grant last year for her Practice Makes Perfect project to help students improve speech skills and literacy at home. The grant request was small and simple: students needed folders with take-home information and materials. Handheld plastic mirrors were needed for practicing mouth shapes.  

Such a small request made such a big impact for students receiving speech services. With the materials provided, parents were able to help their kids at home and participate in their learning. Mrs. Leamon said, “this project allowed many of my students to make accelerated progress with their speech and language skills. Several students completely corrected their speech and were able to be dismissed from speech services.” How amazing is that? 

The Payroll Deduction Grant application will be open at this link until Monday, Sept. 23, 2019 and will reopen again in the spring.

Payroll Deduction Grants are specifically awarded for projects and programs not available elsewhere in the Berea City School District. The grant committee looks for ideas that support the social and emotional development of our students as well as their educational needs. One skill set that is critical for lifetime success is etiquette. So the Foundation’s grant committee was thrilled to see Susan Malone’s request for Etiquette Workshop funding. 

The Etiquette Workshops that Ms. Malone arranged provided students with fundamental skills for their adult lives. The 34 participating students learned how to tie a tie, proper table manners, cell phone and texting etiquette, oral and written communications, and more. Ms. Malone said that “the students have a better understanding of what is expected in social and professional settings. Something as simple as a correct handshake can be a game changer and the students were captivated by this and similar types of information.”

Using a hands-on learning environment, demonstrations, and open question and answer segments made students feel comfortable asking important questions without fear of being judged.  One participant, Jamil, said he "liked that we were able to actually bond with other students over a subject that many of us weren't familiar with." 
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The Payroll Deduction Grant application is currently available at EducationFoundationBerea.org/grants and is open to all BCSD staff members and students.

Payroll Deduction Grants are funded by nearly 100 BCSD employees who donate a small amount from every paycheck. Staff members who would like to contribute to this grant fund may print this form and send it to the payroll office in the BCSD Administration Building.