The Merrill Area Community Foundation is proud to announce that four grants totaling $2,820 have been approved for the Beyond Crayons and Computers grant program to schools throughout the Merrill area’s public and parochial schools. Funded through the Foundation, the Beyond Crayons and Computers program invites teams of teachers from three-year-old programs through the High School to submit grant applications that involve members of our Merrill Community and are innovative and creative.
The Merrill Area Community Foundation has been impressed with the variety of innovative and inspired projects that involve community members and enrich the educational experience. This year’s grants were awarded to both public and parochial schools, from elementary schools to Merrill High School. The following is a listing of grant recipients:
– Fifth Grade Merrill Community Kindness Ambassadors Prairie River Middle School $1,000.00
– DJ Elective Trinity Lutheran School $1,000.00
– Get Washington Singing Again! Washington Elementary School $520.00
– Youth Apprenticeship Opportunities Merrill High School $300.00
“Music production allows one to not only be creative in learning music methods and skills, but also allows for leadership opportunities in the community.” Students at Trinity Lutheran School will be studying the career path of music production and DJing. Project goals include creating and mixing songs to build their own music; understanding the use and manipulation of rhythm and time signatures; using sounds, tones, and dynamics; and learning to lead groups in activities including dances, announcements, and event coordination.
Fifth grade students at PRMS will be partnering with area organizations to share kindness with members of our community. In doing so, the students will be learning about these organizations and how they serve our community. Some of the organizations they will be working with are the VFW, Meals on Wheels, Lincoln Industries, and the Farm Bureau.
Washington Elementary fourth grade students will be participating in the Get America Singing … Again Series. They will be learning the songs in their weekly lessons. A family sing-along will be celebrated at the end of the school year.
Youth Apprenticeships are valuable hands-on job training for students in grades 11 and 12. Work locations included encompass Agriculture, Architecture & Constructions, Arts, A/V Technology & Communications, Finance, Health, Hospitality & Tourism, Information Technology, Manufacturing, Science, Technology, Engineering & Math, Transportation, and Distribution & Logistics. Promoting the success of the apprenticeships increases participation in the program and provides a stronger work force for our community.
The Merrill Area Community Foundation is supported by individuals, corporations, and foundations as a means of giving back to their community. The Beyond Crayons and Computers program began in 2006 and is designed to enhance and reward innovative teaching, learning, and special motivational activities in our schools. Over $145,000, including $2,820 this year, has been awarded to our schools since 2006.
Renea Frederick, Board President of the Merrill Area Community Foundation, notes the importance of innovation in our children’s learning. The children also learn they can contribute to our community at any age. She stated, “The Merrill Community Foundation is proud to invest in the ‘Beyond Crayon and Computer’ grants for our public and parochial schools. These grants strengthen the bonds between our community and schools with innovative educational projects and partnerships created by our Merrill-area teachers.”
The annual grants to the Beyond Crayons and Computers program are in addition to the grants provided to local organizations including: Merrill Community Theater, Northwoods Veterans Post Raise the Flag, Merrill Historical Society, Merrill Enrichment Center, Big Brothers/Big Sisters New Website Development, NTC Foundations, River Bend Trail, Merrill City Band, Normal Park Gazebo Fund, City of Merrill Parks Development Fund, Three Rivers United Temporary Housing (TRUTH), Our Sister’s House, River District Development Foundation, United Way for 211 Development, Merrill Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Merrill Rotary Club, EMT Paramedic Upgrade, Bell Tower Residence, Merrill Free Clinic, Athletic Park Improvement Project, Merrill Youth Softball, Disaster Preparedness for Senior Citizens, St. Vincent DePaul, Girls Scouts, Merrill Soccer Association, and Haven, Inc.
Donations may be sent to the Merrill Area Community Foundation Fund @ Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin, 501 First St., Ste 2600, Wausau, WI 54403.