Funds go to Waupaca, Iola teachers
Waupaca Rotary Club awarded nine education grants totaling $7,134 for projects by Waupaca and Iola teachers.
The Rotary education grant program approved funding for three projects at the Waupaca High School, two at the Waupaca Middle School, one at the Waupaca Learning Center, one at the Chain Exploration Center, one for special education and one project at the Iola schools.
The high school projects included nanotechnology STEM kits and the creation of a saw mill, plus funding for the Student At-Risk program.
The two Waupaca Middle School projects approved were for materials to upgrade a science lab and a project to build a Mars Rover robot.
The Waupaca Learning Center received funding for 4K kindergarten supplies and the Chain Exploration Center received funding for kayaks to be used to study Silver Lake’s health and ecosystem.
The special education teachers were awarded funds for sensory items to help meet student needs.
The Iola-Scandinavia School District was approved funding for a music education program.
Three key fundraisers – the Rotary Summer Concert, the Rotary Oktoberfest and the Rotary Casino Royal and Dance – provide the dollars needed for the grants.
Rotary also provides funding for student scholarships, student international exchange programs, high school music department enhancements, student community service recognition programs and youth education seminars.
“Actively supporting education in the Waupaca area is a key mission of the Rotary Club” said Wes Klages, education grant program chairman. “The objective of the grant program is to award a moderate amount of funding for projects that can provide a significant benefit to student education; projects that otherwise might not be possible. Over the nine years of the program the Rotary Club of Waupaca has provided $82,608 to fund 90 projects proposed by teachers.”