Past Teaching/learning Grant awards
Bork’s Baristas
Meet Bork’s Baristas—a student-run beverage service at Ripon Middle School and Ripon High School, made possible by a grant from the Ripon Education Foundation and requested by teacher Susan Bork!
In just two weeks, students have jumped into roles as baristas, learning valuable job skills like taking and reading orders, preparing drinks (coffee, lattes, hot chocolate, and apple cider), ensuring accuracy, and handling deliveries—all while practicing teamwork and professionalism.
Their enthusiasm is contagious, and staff members love the daily visits that come with a warm beverage and a friendly smile. These students are gaining hands-on experience that will serve them well beyond the classroom!
Author Kevin Lovegreen Visit
Author Kevin Lovegreen brought adventure and storytelling to Ripon students this year!
Born and raised in Minnesota, Kevin is on a mission to inspire kids to read, write, and enjoy the outdoors. As the author of “Lucky Luke’s Adventures,” he takes young readers on exciting hunting and fishing journeys, and through his engaging presentations, he brings those stories to life.
Students had an incredible time listening to his adventures, learning about the book publishing process, and even joining in on an animal call activity! Experiences like these spark creativity, foster a love for reading, and make learning unforgettable.
Soldering in Physical Science
Ripon High School Physical Science students are gaining hands-on experience with the basics of electricity thanks to soldering kits provided through a classroom grant. With these kits, students are learning how to connect and assemble different electrical components to create working circuits. The project not only introduces the fundamentals of electricity, but also helps students build practical problem-solving skills and confidence as they see their work come to life.
Visiting Poet
Ripon High School’s Creative Writing class welcomed guest poet Max Schleicher for a special visit. Schleicher, a visiting poet at Ripon College, introduced students to the Japanese poet Basho and led an engaging activity that had them reflect on the journeys their feet have taken—then turn those reflections into poetry.
Students shared that the exercise helped them see writing in a new way, grounding abstract ideas in concrete experiences and inspiring meaningful poems tied to their own lives. Encounters like this show students that writing extends beyond the classroom, connecting them with practicing authors and sparking creativity that lasts long after the lesson ends.
Privacy Screens
Barlow Park Elementary’s literacy room now has new privacy screens that create a calmer, more focused environment for nearly 50 students each day. The dividers allow small groups to work without distraction and help transform the space into organized, functional mini-classrooms.
Students say the screens help them “stay focused,” “wake up and learn,” and “feel less distracted.” Teachers have also noted that the flexibility and durability of the screens will allow them to support literacy learning for years to come.
Classroom Library Expansion
Thanks to a grant from the Ripon Education Foundation, first-grade teacher Peggy Nozar was able to expand her classroom library with books tailored to her students’ interests and needs.
From Mo Willems favorites to social-emotional learning books, leveled readers, and engaging informational texts, this grant has sparked excitement for reading and enriched the classroom experience. Peggy even involved her students in the process, asking for their input before ordering and unpacking the books together—turning delivery day into a classroom celebration!
Here’s what Peggy shared: “I’ve seen students adding more books to their book boxes and even asking to borrow teacher read-alouds during ‘read to self’ time. Their excitement and love for reading continue to grow.”
Civil War Museum
Ripon Middle School students recently visited the Civil War Museum thanks to funding from the Ripon Education Foundation, Inc. The field trip offered an in-depth, hands-on learning experience through Midwest in the Civil War, a docent-led tour of the museum’s main exhibit, The Fiery Trial.
Students explored interactive displays and artifacts to better understand the roles Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin played before, during, and after the war. They gained insight into the lives of soldiers, the experiences of Freedom seekers on the Underground Railroad, the contributions of diverse communities, and the lasting impact of the Civil War on America today.
A highlight of the trip was the museum’s award-winning 360-degree film Seeing the Elephant, which provided a powerful perspective on a soldier’s experience. Students then worked in groups to explore the gallery further and share their discoveries, making the history they studied in the classroom come alive in new and meaningful ways.
Outdoor Adventures
Ripon High School’s Outdoor Adventures class received new equipment that gave students the chance to learn hands-on skills and experience the outdoors in memorable ways. With updated tools for ice fishing, open water fishing, and rod building, students not only learned new techniques but also gained confidence, teamwork, and a sense of pride in their accomplishments.
One of the most impactful additions was the rod-building equipment. Each student built a functioning fishing rod, which they later used on class outings. As one student shared after catching a fish with the rod she built herself: “This is the coolest thing I’ve ever done in school.”
The new gear brought energy and excitement to the program, creating opportunities for students to connect classroom learning with real-world experiences in the outdoors.
Native American Pottery Workshop
Ripon students experienced From Earth to Art: A Journey into Native American Pottery, a hands-on workshop led by artist Jennifer Stevens. With support from REF, students learned about the history, techniques, and tools of Native pottery and even handled authentic pottery shards discovered locally—an unforgettable opportunity to connect with the region’s history.
Alongside exploring ancient artifacts, students created their own pottery pieces using traditional-inspired methods and materials. The experience combined science, history, and art, while highlighting the vibrancy of Native cultures that continue to thrive in Wisconsin today.
Spanish Library Update
Ripon High School’s Spanish program received funding to refresh its classroom library with a diverse selection of new books. These additions have provided students with engaging, level-appropriate reading materials that make learning Spanish more enjoyable and accessible.
Since the update, teachers have noticed a clear boost in enthusiasm during independent reading time. Students are finding books that match their interests and language levels—whether mysteries, stories of everyday life, or culturally rich texts—which helps them build vocabulary, strengthen grammar skills, and grow confidence as language learners.
As one student shared, “I used to think reading in Spanish was too hard, but now I actually look forward to it!” Another said, “The new books help me understand Spanish better and make me feel proud of how much I can read.”
This refreshed library is encouraging consistency, exploration, and a deeper love of language learning for students across all grade levels.
Our Community of Authors
The Our Community of Authors project at Barlow Park Elementary has turned students into published writers and creators. With support from a REF grant, the school was able to purchase a Free Little Library along with supplies like blank books, pouches, pencils, markers, and story starter ideas.
Families were first introduced to the project during fall Family Night, when students eagerly took home blank books to begin writing their own stories. By spring Family Night, the Little Library was installed, and families gathered outside to read, write, and share new creations together. One second grader summed up the excitement best, saying she was glad she knew where the library was so she could “come to write books even when [she is] in third grade next year.”
The Little Library is already filled with student-made books and continues to grow each week. The project not only encourages literacy and creativity but also builds a sense of pride and belonging as students contribute their stories to a space the whole community can enjoy.
Gothic Shoe Art
In Ripon High School’s Gothic Literature class, white canvas shoes became unexpected works of art thanks to a grant from the Ripon Education Foundation. Students transformed each pair into a visual exploration of Gothic themes, drawing inspiration from works like Dracula, Frankenstein, and Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde.
Through symbolic colors, imagery, and scenes, the shoes reflected key ideas such as duality, darkness, and transformation. The project offered students a unique way to connect with classic literature—blending creativity with deeper analysis in a memorable, hands-on way.
Leaders Through Literacy
Through the Leaders Through Literacy: Exploring the World, Shaping the Future project, six iPads and protective covers were added to the classroom, giving students new tools to enrich their learning.
In reading, book club discussions have become more focused and meaningful as students now record, rate, and reflect on their conversations. Taking discussions outdoors added another layer of engagement, encouraging thoughtful dialogue in a refreshing setting.
In social studies, iPads are used weekly for vocabulary practice, interactive review activities, and self-paced study through apps like Quizlet. Students are also creating original video projects—recording, editing, and sharing their work to demonstrate understanding while building digital literacy and communication skills.
These devices have transformed classroom learning by supporting collaboration, creativity, and accountability. From preparing for assessments to producing an 8th Grade Farewell Video, the iPads are enhancing both student achievement and teacher instruction in meaningful ways.
