Enriching Learning and Encouraging Excellence

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GRANTS

The Ripon Education Foundation provides funding grants for teaching and learning initiatives and for special learning experiences and projects.
REF also manages the Dr. Richard Zimman Innovative Teaching Grants.

RIPON EDUCATION FOUNDATION
TEACHING AND LEARNING GRANTS

The Ripon Education Foundation encourages academic achievement through financial support that provides enhanced learning and teaching opportunities for all students and teachers within the District. Since 1997, Foundation teaching and learning grants have helped fund a wide array of teaching and learning tools and experiences. Teaching and Learning Grants have enriched learning for students in all of Ripon’s schools in a variety ways. Recent examples include:

Outdoor Learning & Rod Building

Students took learning beyond the classroom through trips to local parks and lakes while also building their own fishing rods with specialized equipment funded by REF.
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Hands-On Anatomy Learning

A life-size fetal pig model gives eighth-grade students an interactive way to explore anatomical structures, identify organ functions and demonstrate what they have learned.
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The Light and Life of Music

Students in grades 5–12 premiered an original work commissioned especially for Ripon musicians by composer William C. Louis-Brux and funded through an REF grant.
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Screen-free Stories

Yoto Players and more than 100 story and music cards give students an independent, screen-free way to strengthen listening comprehension, focus and visualization skills.
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SEE MORE TEACHING/LEARNING GRANT AWARDS

The Ripon Education Foundation Grants Committee reviews grant requests for their potential to make a positive difference for students. Grant proposals are reviewed according to the following educational criteria:

  • Promotes Student Learning
  • Aligns with RASD Goals/Initiatives
  • Supports Engaging/Innovative Experiences
  • Funding is not already in RASD budget
  • Proposal is Feasible
  • Must Receive RASD Authorization

Teachers may apply for teaching and learning grants by completing and submitting the online application. Approval begins with the beginning of the school year. Awards are made as proposals are approved and as long as funds are available.

APPLY FOR TEACHING/LEARNING GRANT

SPECIAL PROJECTS

The Ripon Education Foundation often helps fund and/or spearhead fundraising for special learning experiences and projects within the Ripon Area School District. Donors who wish to help fund specific learning opportunities or projects work through the Ripon Education Foundation to ensure their gifts are properly recognized, documented as gifts for tax purposes and used as intended.

Examples of recent donor funded special projects include:

Robotics

Ongoing REF grants help Ripon Robotics purchase essential equipment, take on new engineering challenges and pursue opportunities such as the FRC World Championship.
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Science Club Explores Chicago Museums

Ripon High School Science Club students explored marine life, prehistoric exhibits and more during an educational trip to Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium and Field Museum.
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Bill Nye

RHS students were inspired by a trip to Milwaukee to see Bill Nye, an unforgettable experience that fueled their curiosity and passion for science.
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FBLA Nationals

Four RHS students attended the FBLA National Leadership Conference in Anaheim, gaining valuable skills, experiences, and national-level competition.
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SEE MORE SPECIAL PROJECT GRANT AWARDS

The Ripon Education Foundation helps donors to work with the Ripon Area School District to support special projects.

Criteria for special projects are as follows:
  • Aligns with RASD Goals/Initiatives
  • Project Must be Feasibile
  • Must be Approved by RASD Superintendent

Teachers may apply for teaching and learning grants by completing and submitting the online application. Approval begins with the beginning of the school year. Awards are made as proposals are approved and as long as funds are available.

APPLY FOR SPECIAL PROJECT GRANT

DR. RICHARD ZIMMAN
INNOVATIVE TEACHING GRANT

Dr. Zimman, former Ripon Area School District superintendent of schools, and his wife Valerie Cox, established a fund for a special innovative grant of up to $1,000. The grant is awarded annually each spring and may be used for innovative teaching activities in the summer, fall, or spring of the following year.
 
Since 2017 the Dr. Richard Zimman Innovative Teaching Grant has enriched learning for students in all of Ripon’s schools. Recent examples include:
 

Garden Project at Murray park

Murray Park third graders rolled up their sleeves and planted a garden thanks to a Zimman Grant. With support from the grant, students explored the life cycle of a plant, read nonfiction books about gardening, wrote persuasive essays, and, of course, got their hands dirty bringing their garden to life! Projects like this connect classroom learning with real-world experiences, sparking curiosity and giving students memories that will stick with them long after the school year ends.
 
Teachers are invited to apply for Dr. Zimman Innovative Teaching Grant by completing and submitting the online application. 
APPLY FOR ZIMMAN GRANT