Significant initiatives

In anticipation of the opening of CHMS, the Foundation provided half of the funding necessary to create the Applied Technology Labs at both middle schools. That investment resulted in D181 becoming one of the first K-8 districts in the state to offer an applied technology program.

Since 2013, the Foundation has helps to sponsor   

nationally renowned experts who inform and inspire families in the K-12 community about important issues in education, wellness, and parenting.

In 2006, recognizing that future students would not be able to hear first-person accounts of WWII, the  Foundation funded a video of the middle school WWII Day speakers. The result was not just a teaching resource for students, but a treasure for the entire community.

The Foundation currently supports the Danny Riehle Living Classroom Learning Lab. Past initiatives have included gardens at elementary schools and the purchase of microscopes. 

We believe that a powerful way to impact student learning is to provide teachers with learning opportunities that help them grow as educators. Foundation funding has included Institute Day speaker fees, group training for incorporating technology into the curriculum,  courses to improve inquiry-based learning teaching techniques, and  grants for teachers to participate in summer classes and conferences.

The Foundation has been an active supporter of bringing STEM opportunities to the district. We run the Got STEM? and Tech Ambassador programs. We offer inquiry- based training for teachers and financially supported the pilot program for 1 to 1 computing. 

Every year the Foundation sponsors a districtwide display of student art work, celebrating our districts commitment to the arts. 

The Foundation purchased the CHMS Wind Turbine in 2010. Students were actively involved in the planning and the turbine offers enhanced science class experience with real-time data. 

The Foundation brings a unique writing experience to the district each year. Writers are given an opportunity to explore poetry, short stories, essays and more!