GRANT PROJECTS

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GRANTED PROJECTS

Our Mission is to empower students for a successful future through enhanced educational opportunities, programs, facilities, and activities within the 549 School District.

Teachers in the district come up with projects varying from new playground equipment to field trips to technology. Once they have a project in mind, teachers can apply for a grant from 549 Family Foundation. Our advisory council reviews grant requests periodically throughout the year and award grants to the best projects.

We typically look for projects that are the most unique or have the biggest impact on the largest number of students. We are proud to continue providing funds that not only provide educational tools for students, but also encourage teachers to continue to be innovative in their instruction.

DOLLARS GRANTED

Dollars awarded in the past few years:

Dollars Awarded in Grants to the Perham Dent Schools

Dollars Awarded in Grants in 2021-2022

Dollars Awarded in Grants in 2020-21

Dollars Awarded in Grants in 2019-2020

PROJECTS

Projects benefiting from raised funds include the following:

2021-2022

Over 16,000 dollars in grants were awarded in 2021-2022.

TIG Welding Equipment- 549 funds were used to purchase 1 year of worth of consumables for the new TIG welding equipment located in the Career Technical wing of Perham High School. This grant allowed students to use a new welding process in Metal Fabrication, Introduction to Welding, Advanced Welding and Jacket Manufacturing.

Dash Robot Accessories- According to STEM teacher Jena Rosemore at Heart of the Lakes Elementary, “Dash” is a real robot that allows students to learn about programming and coding; The kits purchased with the help of 549 Family included a launcher, bulldozer bar and a tow kit. These kits enhance student learning as they collaborate with one another.

Tumble Trax Madness- Tumble Trax are magnetic strips that allow students to create and design their own “Tumble Track”. Tumble Trax allows endless combinations of design and promotes confidence and self-satisfaction when designing and creating.

BrainPOP- 549 Family purchased a subscription for Heart of the Lakes Elementary and Prairie Wind Middle School. This allows teachers, students, and families to have 24/7 access to a variety of educational videos and materials that introduce topics in an easy-to-understand manner.

Purposeful Play Items- Learning Centers are a vital part of the Kindergarten curriculum. The items purchased updated what the teachers were currently using as well as provided new learning experiences when the students interacted with their peers.

Multicultural Books- Students at Heart of the Lakes Elementary come from a variety of different language and cultural backgrounds. The books purchased through the grant allowed the Kindergarten students to embrace the culture of the students in the HOTL community.

Tamarac Transportation for Third Grade- This field trip gave students the opportunity to learn social studies and science in an outdoor classroom. Because of staff limitations, the students were only able to attend Tamarac in the Spring of 2022. With the help of the Tamarac Rangers, students were able to see the changes that spring was bringing to the Refuge.

Gymnastics Fun- Through this grant, students who experience difficulties with communication or sensory difficulties were able to access the Gymnastics Academy in a quieter setting and exercise in an area that felt safe to them.

College English Field Trip- Ms. Wacker’s College English class was able to go to the Guthrie in Minneapolis to view A Raisin in the Sun.

Chahinkapa Zoo Field Trip- Kindergarten students were able to attend to the Chahinkapa Zoo in Wahpeton, ND. There were able to learn about different kinds of animals, their habitats, the food they eat, and how they live. They might have had some fun too :).

Lubitz Farm- Kindergarten students were able to see farm animals and learn about how a farm works. The visit was connected to the information the students were studying in books and writing about in their informational reports.

ESL Pinatas- ESL students were able to have a cultural celebration and celebrate with the breaking of their pinatas.

Recycling Field Trip for Second Grade- The second graders from Heart of the Lakes toured the Ottertail County Recycling Center in Fergus Falls. They learned about what things are recycled and the importance of how recycling helps our communities.

HOTL Color Run- A favorite experience for young families. 549 Family sponsored the t-shirts for the Color Run in 2022.

HOBY Leadership Seminar- 549 Family sponsored two students from Perham High School to attend the HOBY Youth Leadership seminar at St. Cloud State University. This conference allows the attendees to meet leaders in Minnesota and explore their own personal leadership skills while learning how to make a positive impact in their communities.

Transportation to Planetarium- Students from Perham High School’s Astronomy class were able to go to the Planetarium at Minnesota State University of Moorhead.

2020-2021

Did you know that over 600 students in the Perham-Dent School District were impacted by the following grants in the 2020-2021 school year?

Sphero – Every 7th and 8th-grade student used the Sphero Bots purchased with a 549 grant to learn coding and computer programming in Computer Applications.
Environmental Studies Field Trips – 549 Family helped with transportation costs so the Environmental Studies students could attend Hamden Slough National Wildlife Refuge, Maplewood State Park, and Itasca State Part to study the three major ecoregions of Minnesota. They also studied Native and settlement history, glacial landforms, and lake ecosystems.
Osmo Explorer Kits – First grade students at Heart of the Lakes Elementary received Osmo Explorer kits to enhance their reading and math curriculum.
Lubitz Farms – Kindergarten students traveled to Lubitz Farms to learn about dairy farming.
Trowbridge Zoo – Kindergarten students were able to travel to Trowbridge Zoo and spend time learning about the animals housed there.
PWMS Wellness Day – Seventh and Eighth-grade students had a day that focussed on mental health. The day concluded with a Color Dash in which 549 Family furnished t-shirts for the event.
I Love to Read Independent Reading Materials – The first grade was beyond excited about the arrival of hundreds of books that will be in the hands of the students. The books are high quality and a great mix of high-interest topics and nonfiction. Kids not only have access to these at school but can also bring these home to share with their families.
Color Dash HOTL – HOTL students and families participated in the first annual color run. Smiles, laughter and lots of color could be seen and heard around the Perham Schools campus!

2019 – 20

BrainPOP – This educational website/application that offers hundreds of animated educational videos across a wide variety of topics, all of which are accompanied by interactive quizzes, activities, and games. Students from Kindergarteners through 8th Graders use BrainPOP throughout the school day, but also have access from home. This is Year #1 of a two year grant.
Second Step Curriculum – Teachers in the HOTL purchased a Second Step curriculum, which is a scope and sequenced program that will support teachers with lessons on skills for learning empathy, emotional management, and problem solving.
Laurentian 2019 – The Laurentian Experience is an interdisciplinary unit that focuses on building lifelong learning skills in the areas of teamwork and outdoor survival. Eighth grade students have the opportunity to work with their peers and develop leadership skills that might no occur within the traditional classroom setting.
Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge – Third grade students will visit the wildlife refuge three times throughout the year to better understand how seasons affect nature and our habitats.
3rd & 4th Graders to Holmes Theatre – All of the third and fourth grade students will see the presentation of Doktor Kaboom, a scientist who puts on a show with entertaining science experiments.
1st & 2nd Graders to Holmes Theatre – Students in first and second grade will get to see the sold out show, Magic School Bus, in Detroit Lakes.
3Doodler 3D Printing Pens – Students will have the opportunity to literally draw their imagination with the pens, which brings hands-on learning to a whole new level.
Festival of Nations – PHS students will travel down to St. Paul to attend the Festival of Nations where they will embrace and celebrate different cultures from around the world.
Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Seminar – HOBY is a leadership program with the mission to inspire and develop youth in the global community. Perham High School send one sophomore each year.
Chahinkapa Zoo – Every year, kindergarten students visit the zoo in Wahpeton to cap off their school year and their learning of animals.
Lubitz Farm – Kindergarteners will head north of Perham to visit the Lubitz Farm. They get to experience how a dairy farm works while seeing many different types of animals on the farm.

PREVIOUS YEAR PROJECTS

2018 - 19

BrainPOP – This educational website/application that offers hundreds of animated educational videos across a wide variety of topics, all of which are accompanied by interactive quizzes, activities, and games. Students from Kindergarteners through 8th Graders use BrainPOP throughout the school day, but also have access from home. This is Year #2 of a two year grant.
Engineering with Magformers – Magformers are intelligent magnetic construction sets that were developed for brain development of youth. Students in Kindergarten through 4th grade will be able to develop scientific thinking skills while creating a variety of project kit models.
Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge – Third grade students will visit the wildlife refuge three times throughout the year to better understand how seasons affect nature and our habitats.
Action Based Learning Lab – ABL Labs are a great way to get students engaged in their learning through movement. There are numerous stations throughout the lab that incorporate critical movement while students are working on different subjects, such as spelling, math facts, sight words, and more. It also helps with balance, self-regulation, and getting the wiggles out before returning to class.
Laurentian 2018 – The Laurentian Experience is an interdisciplinary unit that focuses on building lifelong learning skills in the areas of teamwork and outdoor survival. Eighth grade students have the opportunity to work with their peers and develop leadership skills that might no occur within the traditional classroom setting.
2nd Grade to Pinocchio Play – All 2nd grade students travelled to Detroit Lakes’ Holmes Theatre to see a play adaptation of the familiar story, Pinocchio.
Makerspace for Grades 5 & 6 – Makerspaces provide hands-on, creative ways for students to design, experiment and invent as they engage in science, engineering, and tinkering.
PWMS Leather Working Club – The club will be started to give students an opportunity to learn the basics of leather working, while providing an opportunity for them to connect with other students.
Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Seminar – HOBY is a leadership program with the mission to inspire and develop youth in the global community. Perham High School sends one sophomore each year.
4th Grade to Call of the Wild Play – Fourth grade classes will travel to the Historic Holmes Theatre in Detroit Lakes to see a play adaptation of the popular book, Call of the Wild.
Kindergarten & 1st Grade to Dragons Love Tacos Play – Kindergarten and first grade classes will travel to the Historic Holmes Theatre in Detroit Lakes to see a play adaptation of the popular children’s book, Dragons Love Tacos.
2nd Graders to Recycling Center & Fish Property – 2nd grade classes will head to Fergus Falls for the day to spend time at the Recycling Redemption Center and One Mile Lake Prairie.
Festival of Nations – PHS students will have the opportunity to attend the Festival of Nations to learn more and gain an appreciation for different cultures.
Strider Bikes – These bikes are great teaching tool to help students learn how to ride bicycles, which is a great lifelong healthy hobby.
Ecosystem Exploration – A PHS science class will visit three different ecosystems to learn more about the amazing state we live in. The visits will include Hamden Slough and/or Buffalo River State Park for prairie, Maplewood State Park for Maple/Basswood deciduous forest, and Itasca State Park for the Coniferous Mixed Forest.
Bonanzaville – Fourth grade classes will travel to Bonanzaville to learn more about life in the early years.
Romeo & Juliet Play – PHS 9th grade English students will have the opportunity to attend a live Shakespeare production, which is the best way to completely understand the language, performance, and overall plot of Shakespeare’s plays.
Lubitz Farm – Every year, the Kindergarten class gets to visit the Lubitz Farm just north of Perham. They get to experience how a dairy farm works, while also seeing animals.
Chahinkapa Zoo – Kindergarten students will once again visit the zoo in Wahpeton to cap off their school year.
Second Step Curriculum – Teachers in the HOTL purchased a Second Step curriculum, which is a scope and sequenced program that will support teachers with lessons on skills for learning empathy, emotional management, and problem solving.
Osmo Explorers – First grade students will have the opportunity to learn with Osmo interactive gaming systems in conjunction with their new math curriculum.

2017 - 18

Tegu Blocks – These magnetic wooden blocks bring open-ended imaginative play to the classroom with the feel of all natural wood and the powerful wonder of magnets. The Classroom Kit allows small groups of children to build big and learn unique lessons from science to math to art.
BrainPOP – This educational website/application that offers hundreds of animated educational videos across a wide variety of topics, all of which are accompanied by interactive quizzes, activities, and games. Students from Kindergarteners through 8th Graders use BrainPOP throughout the school day, but also have access from home.
Ukuleles for Elementary Music – Students will learn chord structures and harmonization with a classroom set of ukuleles for elementary music classes. They will be introduced to reading new notation styles, while improving rhythm skills and finger dexterity and coordination.
Romeo & Juliet at Guthrie Theatre – Shakespeare plays come alive for the students when they are seen, and this project is a one-day adventure to the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis to see a live performance of Romeo and Juliet.
Laurentian 2017 – The Laurentian Experience is an interdisciplinary unit that focuses on building lifelong learning skills in the areas of teamwork and outdoor survival. Eighth grade students have the opportunity to work with their peers and develop leadership skills that might no occur within the traditional classroom setting.
Robots for STEM Classes – Age-appropriate robots will help students learn coding in a fun and interactive way. Younger students will get a jump start on beginning coding practices with the STEM Robot Mouse, while older students will learn programming and coding with Dash.
Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge – Third grade students will visit the wildlife refuge three times throughout the year to better understand how seasons affect nature and our habitats.
Itasca State Park Visit – The second grade classes will travel to the park to explore and learn the importance of its history and preservation, as well as gaining an appreciation of nature and restoration. They will break into four groups: study MN frogs and their life cycle, hands-on learning at Interpreter Center, visit the Headwaters, and a museum/nature walk.
Coding with Sphero – Students in middle school will use Spheros, which are small programmable robots. The educational tool encourages problem-solving through programming on student iPads.
4th Grade Ski Trip – The entire fourth grade class will learn to ski at a local ski club, Detroit Mountain. Skiing is a lifelong recreational activity for some, and a once in a lifetime experience for others. This is a great opportunity to introduce students to the recreational sport.
Books for Preschoolers – We are helping stock preschool classrooms with a variety of books that include skills such as rhyming, alliteration, letter naming, counting, and beginner reading/sight readers.
Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Program – HOBY is a leadership program with the mission to inspire and develop youth in the global community. Perham High School sends one sophomore each year.
Kindergarten Visit to Lubitz Farm – Every year, the Kindergarten class gets to visit the Lubitz Farm just north of Perham. They get to experience how a dairy farm works, while also seeing animals.
Holmes Theatre Visit for Elementary Students – 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders to travel to the Holmes Theatre to see “How I Became a Pirate.” It is a delightful family musical about a boy who wants to become a pirate and finds that all he really needs is at home.
4th Graders to Holmes Theatre – The fourth graders will be going to watch the production of “Seedfolks.” It is a play about an immigrant neighborhood in Cleveland, Ohio, and about creating a jewel of a garden out of a terrible eyesore in the immigrant neighborhood.
Circuit Kits for 4th Graders – In fourth grade, students study electricity and the different types of circuits. Circuit kits will allow teachers to enhance the unit on electricity by allowing students the chance to make many different types of circuits.
Chahinkapa Zoo – Kindergarten students will once again visit the zoo in Wahpeton to cap off their school year.
Festival of Nations – The International Institute’s annual Festival of Nations is the most diverse, oldest and longest running multicultural festival in the Midwest. Its goal has been to inspire people to discover more about our world and embrace the rich cultural diversity in our community.
Planetarium – Perham High School astronomy students will head over to Minnesota State University – Moorhead’s planetarium. Planetariums offer a unique tool in showing our night sky, which is a great way to help students better understand constellations.

2016 - 17

2017 Chicago Choir Trip – Choir students will travel to Chicago via coach bus to participate in the Windy City Choral Festival from March 16th – 19th. This festival concludes with a performance at Chicago’s Historic Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center. Any 9-12 PHS Choir Student is eligible to attend.
Laurentian 2016 – The Laurentian Experience is an interdisciplinary unit that focuses on building lifelong learning skills in the areas of teamwork and outdoor survival. Eighth grade student has the opportunity to work with their peers and develop leadership skills that might not occur within the traditional classroom setting.
Enrichment Education – Funds will go towards providing various kits and activities for students in the Enrichment Program at HOTL. The instructor will be providing STEM & STEAM opportunities that focus on an active and student centered learning environment while applying the rigor of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics content.
“Rock the Presidents” – 4th Graders traveled to Detroit Lakes’ Holmes Theatre to see the production of “Rock the Presidents.” It was a musical full of facts about presidents of the United States. The production met Social Standards, as well as fulfilling the music standards required.
“You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” – One hundred 2nd graders traveled to MSUM Campus to see the play. They got to experience theatre and performing arts in hopes of instilling a love for the arts.
Carrie Hartman Author Visit – During I Love to Read Month, Author/Illustrator Carrie Hartman will conduct 4 presentations during the school day to all 1st-4th graders. You can learn more about her here. She will be an excellent main event for the month long reading celebration.
CNC Router for PHS – The router will enhance the Vocational Education program at PHS by students more opportunities to become familiar with machines & technology used in today’s industry. It is an expansion to other CNC machines in the wood shop and metal shop.
4th Grade Ski Trip – The entire fourth grade class will learn to ski at local ski club, Detroit Mountain. Skiing is a lifelong recreational activity for some, and a once in a lifetime experience for others. This is a great opportunity to introduce our students to the recreational sport.
Pear Deck – It is an interactive presentation tool used to actively engage students in individual learning. Teachers can use Pear Deck to create interactive presentations that allows students to work independently to respond to various questions throughout the deck.
Perham High School Close Up Trip – Nine students will be attending the Close Up Gathering in Washington DC. Close Up is a week long learning experience where students will attend learning seminars based on Supreme Court decisions and current political and governmental issues.
Seussical, A Play at the Holmes Theater – The kindergarten and first grade classes will be traveling to the Holmes Theatre in Detroit Lakes to see the play, Seussical. A company from New York will put on a musical play of some of the stories from Dr. Seuss.
6th Grade Band Trip to Trills and Thrills Music Festival – Our band will be one of the many different bands and choirs from around the region performing for a panel of judges during the music festival. Once the performance is complete, the students will spend the rest of the afternoon enjoying Valleyfair Amusement Park.
4th Grade Trip to In Their Own Words Veterans Museum – The fourth grade class is performing a musical that tells the true story of an American plane that was shot down over France by the Germans during World War II, and of the members of the French Resistance who helped the crew escape to safety. The trip to the museum will help them connect with the music and gain a better understanding and appreciation of the history behind it.
Kindergarten to Chahinkapa Zoo – The entire kindergarten class will travel to Wahpeton to visit the zoo for the day. As part of the core standard in science, students spend an entire unit learning about the zoo and its animals. Visiting the zoo is a great way for students see the animals live instead of looking at pictures.
Lubitz Farm Visit for Kindergarteners – The entire kindergarten class will travel out to the Lubitz Farm north of Perham. This annual trip for the kindergarten class has happened for many years. The students visit the dairy farm, which is full of things to explore. They see animals that they can hold or pet, look at the large farm equipment, and get ice cream and goodies from the dairy council.
Itasca State Park Visit for 2nd Graders – The second grade classes will travel to the park to explore and learn the importance of its history and preservation, as well as gaining an appreciation of nature and restoration. They will break into four groups: study MN frogs and their life cycle, hands-on learning at Interpreter Center, visit the Headwaters, and a museum/nature walk.

2015 - 16

Laurention
Brain Pop
Itasca State Park – 2nd Grade
MSUM Children’s Theatre
Magna Tiles Project
Literacy K-4 Library
Habitat Through the Seasons
Hokki Stools
Holmes Theatre – 4th Grade “Big Friendly Giant”
De Kovash Technology Innovation
Dorian Choral Concert
Micro 3D Printer – 5th & 6th Grade
4th Grade Ski Trip – Andes

HOBY
Festival of Nations
Special Education Steamroller
Lubitz Farm – Kindergarten
Chahinkapa Zoo – Kindergarten
Percussion Equipment for PWMS Marching Band
Go Team! High School Athletics in Otter Tail County – 6th Grade
Minnesota Museum Trip – 9th Grade

2014 - 15

Quad drums for Jr. High and Sr. High Band
HOTL Playground
Lubitz Farm Visit
Chahinkapa Zoo
Habitat Through the Seasons
Flat Stanley
Curious George
Doktor Kaboom
Resident Art Program
Laurentian
Knowledge Bowl Equipment
Jungle Book Theater
Itasca State Park

Author/Illustrator Visit
Detroit Mountain – 4th grade ski instructions
Sphero – Coding/Programming Robot
Kinetic Sand
Magna Tiles – kindergarten
Physics Day for PHS students
Close Up Trip
Science Field Trip Fund
Circle of Life
HOBY Registration
Day of Caring
Preschool Furniture
Preschool Library Books

2013 - 14

Day of Caring Sponsor
Laurentian
BrainPOP Educational Materials
Notion App
Itasca Field Trip
Author Visit- HOTL
PHS Physics Day
Lubitz Farm Visit- HOTL
Holmes Theatre – Peter Pan
Holmes Theatre – Laura Ingalls Wilder
Holmes Theatre – Doktor Kaboom – HOTL
Chahinkapa Zoo
Crunch – Anti-Bullying Campaign

HOBY Registration
The Book Thief at The Comet Theater
Computer Science – Coding
Habitat Through the Season
82nd Annual Festival of Nations
Special Prom
3D Printer for school and robotics team
Young Writers Conference
Hokki Stools for HOTL classrooms
Preschool Furniture Funding
Preschool Library Funding for books
HOTL Playground Equipment

2012 - 13

ITOW Museum Field Trip
Laurentian
BrainPOP multimedia tools
2nd Grade Holmes Theatre Trip
Rock the Presidents
Juni B. Jones – Theatre Production – 3rd Grade
Juni B. Jones – Theatre Production – Kindergarten
Three Little Pigs – 3rd Grade
Wahpeton Zoo – Kindergarten
Lubitz Farm – Kindergarten
2nd Grade – Rapunzel & Her Dragon

Juni B. Jones – Theatre Production – 2nd Grade
HOBY Registration
K-6 Anti-Bullying assembly
Choir Trip to Carnegie
Itasca State Park
Bike Build Project
Quilting Machine
Office HD 2
7th grade viewing “42”
7th Grade Fieldtrip – Maplewood
Hokki Stools
MN History Project