Expanding Resources for CCUSD Educators

Educators across the Culver City Unified School District go above and beyond to provide our students with the resources and tools they need to to succeed academically and socially. But we know there’s always a need for more – more supplies, more advanced technology, accommodations for special needs, and creative classroom initiatives. A recent study by the National Education Association found that over 90 percent of teachers spend their own money on school supplies and other items for their students. In effort to lessen the burden on our teachers, the Culver City Education Foundation (CCEF) collaborates with the district administration and the parent-led organizations like PTA and Boosters to find alternative funding sources and solicit private donations from the community.

For the past three years, CCEF has fostered a beautiful partnership with the Culver City Rotary Community Foundation (CCRCF) to coordinate their CCUSD Teacher Grants program, which has supported a wide range of classroom projects over the past five years. This fall, 110 CCUSD educators submitted grant requests to fund classroom tools and materials, books, supplemental curriculum materials, technology accessories, flexible seating, and more.

The CCRCF selected 63 awardees, who each received a grant of $150-$250 for their unique classroom initiative. Diane Wade, Committee Chair for the Rotary Teacher Grants Program shared, “We were so impressed with all of the proposals we received and the inspiring work that CCUSD teachers are doing, and are pleased to be able to support each of them with this grant.”

The creativity of the projects awarded is tremendous, and so is the need. Maria T. Perez Sato, an educator with the Office of Child Development, was awarded a grant to expand resources for the newer Spanish Immersion Preschool program. “[We have a] vibrant community of diverse children who arrive each morning enthusiastic to learn. Given daily use, toys and art supplies often wear out and must be discarded when they become unsafe. Extra resources are beneficial and greatly appreciated.”

Projects requested at the elementary level varied from needs for flexible seating, hands-on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) learning, and updated library materials, to basics like paper and paintbrushes. In Claudia Jaramillo’s El Marino classroom, she plans to use funding for programmable robots, which the students will work with in small teams. “The goal of this project is not only to introduce them to basic coding and technology but also to encourage collaboration, communication, and critical thinking,” she shared.

At Culver City Middle and High School, projects were awarded for history, science, art, math, physical and mental health education – building inclusivity in the classroom for students with special needs, while also challenging students in honors and Advanced Placement classes. Dr. LaTanya Bryant will be using small appliances to teach students with special needs independent life skills for cooking. Honors and AP Biology teachers requested manipulatives and unique drawing materials to foster deeper comprehension and retention of complex visual and conceptual elements through hands-on lessons. Susana Fattorini plans to creatively use pasta makers for a printing press in her high school visual arts courses.

Right before the Thanksgiving Break, Rotarians Lori Segal, Diane Wade, Lyn Caron, and CCEF Executive Director Wendy Hamill distributed award checks and in-person congratulations to the awardees – a great way to start the season of gratitude!

Our deep appreciation to our friends at Culver City Rotary Community Foundation who consistently step up to support Culver City schools. In addition to the $15,000 for teacher grants, their generous annual contribution to CCEF has provided support for the Backpacks for Kids program, installation of new display cases for all schools, ukuleles for our elementary music program, and flexible seating in elementary classrooms.

With so many well-deserving applicants, CCEF is actively seeking alternative funding sources to help the educators whose application was not granted. We are committed to supporting our teachers who make such a profound impact on each CCUSD student’s experience. If you would like to make a contribution to the Culver City Education Foundation, please visit www.ccef4schools.org.