Lee’s Summit students get $60K boost from local groups: ‘Seen and supported’

Each spring, volunteer teams venture out on local prize patrols, armed with oversized checks as they prepare to surprise winners of the Lee’s Summit Educational Foundation’s PEAK (Promote Excellence and Knowledge) competitive classroom grants. For the most recent grant awards, they visited classrooms throughout the Lee’s Summit R-7 School District over several days to present 50 grants totaling almost $60,000 in front of teachers and their students.

“The reactions are priceless,” said Chrissy Symes, Foundation director, “lots of cheering, big smiles and sometimes even a few happy tears.”

Teachers as well as students from any Lee’s Summit R-7 school may apply for PEAK grants. Grants range from $100 to $5,000 and cover expenses for projects the school district can’t cover, Symes added.

“Teachers come up with amazing ideas to make learning more hands-on, meaningful and fun,” she said, “but often those extras cost money. That’s where our grants come in. They help bring those ideas to life, give students opportunities they wouldn’t otherwise have and keep teachers from paying out of their own pockets. It’s our way of showing them that they are seen and supported.”

For students in the Lee’s Summit High School life skills program, a recent change in the grant submission process resulted in an impactful win.

“Last year was the first year that students submitted videos as part of the application process for student grants,” Symes said. She said the videos showcased students’ creativity while also enhancing ownership and engagement.

Life skills students receive special services to help them master skills such as independent living or employment — all designed to help them transition from the school setting to adulthood. With the help of students from the high school’s journalism program, the life skills students created a video application requesting a $670 grant for a raised garden where students could plant, maintain and harvest produce.

When the PEAK grant presenters visited their high-school classroom, the community members made it an exciting time for the students, said Amy Glover and Mel Harding, Lee’s Summit High School life skills teachers.

“We all gathered together for the presentation, and they gave them a big check to hold,” Glover said.

The students raised money to purchase a garden bed constructed by their school’s geometry and construction class, with the PEAK grant paying for seeds and other garden necessities. The seeds began sprouting in the life skills classroom last spring, before the seedlings were transferred to the garden bed. Students were able to harvest their first vegetables this fall.

Creating a garden had the additional advantage of providing students with opportunities for differentiated instruction.

“We can have tasks that are appropriate for each student,” Harding said. “Some students may be reading care tips for plants, while other students are physically pulling weeds or mixing gardening soil. It has been helpful to meet everyone at their level and give everyone access to the same activity.”

Learning how to garden has numerous benefits beyond the classroom.

“This is a life skill, but a huge life skill is just having hobbies and knowing what you enjoy doing,” Glover said. “We’re also teaching them to enjoy something and be outside, and it’s just a healthy way of life.”

Earning the grant also helped the life skills students demonstrate their capabilities.

“We’re able to share with everyone that life skills students can do these things and advocate for themselves and with a little bit of help, they can get the things they need,” Glover added. “It’s important for the community to see that our students can get the same grant that other students can get.”

Since the Foundation’s grant program began in 1995, the nonprofit has awarded 1,296 PEAK grants, totaling more than $1.34 million.

Last year’s grants included projects such as math games for elementary students, a stream table to model erosion and deposition at a middle school, 3D printers for a high-school industrial technology program and broadcasting equipment for a middle school.

“Our grants really run the gamut,” said Symes. “It’s fun to see how different teachers use their grants to create new opportunities for students.”

The Lee’s Summit Educational Foundation was formed in 1993 to encourage private support for Lee’s Summit R-7 schools. The nonprofit awards gifts, grants and scholarships to educational areas in need of additional funding. To meet this mission, the district works with individual and corporate donors and hosts several annual fundraising events.

A popular fundraiser drawing hundreds of Lee’s Summit R-7 community members will take place Oct. 11 at Lee’s Summit West High School. Race for the Future 5K Run/Walk and Kids Dash begins at 8 a.m. at Lee’s Summit West High School’s activity complex.

For more information about the Race for the Future and the Lee’s Summit Educational Foundation, visit their website.