For nearly 25 years, the Foundation for Excellence has been helping educators make their innovative ideas to come to life and supporting students in District 202 schools.
Grant Programs
Foundation Innovation Awards
In Fall 2007, the Plainfield Foundation for Excellence began a new grant program called the "Foundation Innovation Award." Through this new program each District 202 campus receives a $1,000 "Innovation Award" with very few requirements. The new program is intended to further inspire and support creative teaching and learning; promote excellence and achievement for learners; encourage innovation in the teaching and learning process; and enhance collaboration between the Foundation and the greater community.
The Innovation Award replaces the Foundation's traditional "campus grant," which were competitive. Click here for an Innovation Award application.
Mini Grants
Mini grants are staff-driven with educators writing for funding of innovative opportunities for students within a classroom. The Foundation has awarded more than 300 mini grants to District 202 educators at all grade levels. These $500 maximum grants have supported several areas of learning including:
- Literacy
- Mathematics
- Science
- History
- Art
- Home and school connections
- Self-esteem building
- Drama
- Team building
- Service learning
- After-school programs
- Physical education
- Behavior incentive programs
- Technology
- Career and college planning
- Critical thinking
Scholarships
The Foundation
provides $1,000 Community Service Scholarships to graduating seniors
from Plainfield High School Central Campus, Plainfield South High
School, and Plainfield Academy. Applications will be posted in late Fall/early Winter of the school year.
The Foundation also is proud to present the Mayor Richard Rock
Scholarship in collaboration with the Rock family. Applications will be posted in late Fall/early Winter of the school year.
The Bonnie McBeth Early Learning Scholarship will award $1,500 to a current teacher doing graduate-level work in early education. Applicants and winners may re-apply annually. The scholarship must be used to help pay for program costs associated with a university or certified early childhood program. For an application,
click here.
Art Gallery
The Foundation showcases student artwork in the Jon W. Balke Student Art Gallery located in the Plainfield School District Administration Center (15732 Howard Street, Plainfield).
1847 Schoolhouse Renovation
The Foundation has partnered
with the Village Preservation Association and District 202 to
restore the oldest known one-room schoolhouse in the state of
Illinois. The schoolhouse is located on the grounds of the District
Administration Center and Bonnie McBeth Learning Center (15732
Howard Street, Plainfield).
