District 181 Foundation
  • Home
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Significant Initiatives
  • Programs
    • Event Schedule
    • D181 Parent Programs
    • D181 Student Art Show
    • Living Classroom
    • Summer Camp Expo
    • Tech Ambassadors
    • Young Writers
  • Grants
    • Educator Grants
    • KIDS Grants
  • Ways to Give
    • Business Partners
    • Professional Partners
    • Family Resources Partner
    • Staff Appreciation
  • Community Speaker Series
  • Trivia Night
  • Donate
  • More
    • Home
    • About Us
      • About Us
      • Significant Initiatives
    • Programs
      • Event Schedule
      • D181 Parent Programs
      • D181 Student Art Show
      • Living Classroom
      • Summer Camp Expo
      • Tech Ambassadors
      • Young Writers
    • Grants
      • Educator Grants
      • KIDS Grants
    • Ways to Give
      • Business Partners
      • Professional Partners
      • Family Resources Partner
      • Staff Appreciation
    • Community Speaker Series
    • Trivia Night
    • Donate
District 181 Foundation
  • Home
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Significant Initiatives
  • Programs
    • Event Schedule
    • D181 Parent Programs
    • D181 Student Art Show
    • Living Classroom
    • Summer Camp Expo
    • Tech Ambassadors
    • Young Writers
  • Grants
    • Educator Grants
    • KIDS Grants
  • Ways to Give
    • Business Partners
    • Professional Partners
    • Family Resources Partner
    • Staff Appreciation
  • Community Speaker Series
  • Trivia Night
  • Donate

Significant initiatives

For over 20 years, the D181 Foundation has invested in and developed innovative and inspiring initiatives that support District 181's goals and bring important learning opportunities to all District 181 students. Below are some of the highlights:

Applied Technology Labs

Community Speaker Series

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.

Community Speaker Series

Community Speaker Series

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.

WWII Memories Video

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. View full length versions of these speakers' stories

Living Classroom

Professional Development

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

Professional Development

Professional Development

Professional Development

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.

STEM

Professional Development

Professional Development

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. 

Student Art Show

CHMS Wind Turbine

CHMS Wind Turbine

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

CHMS Wind Turbine

CHMS Wind Turbine

CHMS Wind Turbine

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. 

Young Writers

CHMS Wind Turbine

Young Writers

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!

Photo Gallery

01/52

Copyright © 2025 District 181 Foundation - All Rights Reserved.

Powered by

This website uses cookies.

We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.

DeclineAccept