2022 Grant Recipients
PRESENTING 2022 GRANT CHECK TO BUSD
On November 3rd, 2022, the Burbank Arts & Education Foundation announced the funding of all submitted applications for the Fall & Spring 2022 Grant Cycles in the amount of $96,186.28. The list below includes all funded grants for 2022. You can click on each grant to learn more. All of this is made possible by our amazing donors, sponsors and invested community members. Be a part of the movement to maintain excellence across Burbank Unified School District. Join us today!
Emerson Elementary School - Elementary Music for Every Child Spring 2023
Providencia Elementary School - Providencia DEI Classroom Library Project
Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School - Flexible Seating Builds Community and Confidence
Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School - Graphis Novels are Real Books!
Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School - Inclusive and Diverse Biographies
Thomas Edison Elementary School - Room 3 Mindful Seating and Arts Support
Washington Elementary School - Headphones for Music and Art Education
Washington Elementary School - Headphones for Music and Arts Education Rm 35
Washington Elementary School - Washington 24th Street Theatre
Dolores Huerta Middle School - Stop Signs for Student Safety
John Muir Middle School - Diversifying John Muir Middle School Libraries and Classroom Libraries
Luther Burbank Middle School - Create. Carve. Stamp. Repeat.
Luther Burbank Middle School - Yellow Jacket Social Emotional Learning
Burbank High School - BHS Instrumental Music Instructional Materials
John Burroughs High School - Chairs for the Photography Computer Lab
John Burroughs High School - JBHS Boys Volleyball Skill Improvement
Community Day School - Monthly Sessions with Visiting Artist
BUSD - Ukuleles for Elementary Instrumental Music Instruction
1. Bret Hart Elementary School
Bret Hart Ceramics Program
The objective of the Bret Harte Ceramics Program is to increase the creative expression demonstrated by student through experimenting with clay. Benefits of participating in the program for our students includes a discovery of new artistic modalities, a practice in new motor skills, positive sensory development, problem solving as they work towards a goal with the clay and troubleshooting along the way. Teaches benefit from the program also as they are each offered ceramics training and year-round technical support for their own, individual use of the program in their classroom. For example, many creative teachers use the kiln, clay and supplies to hit core academic targets outside of the obvious art standards accomplished through the program. Each year a 2nd grade classroom designs ceramic animal ecosystems. Another teacher leads students in their creation of ceramic 3D shapes. The shapes become desktop manipulatives for students throughout the corresponding math unit. A 4th grade teacher doubles the impact of coil pots made with their 4th grade students. It begins as an artistic element of a history unit about California Indians. Later in the year, the same pots are used to sprout plants for a science lesson.
2. Emerson Elementary School
Elementary Music for Every Child Spring 2023
Students, TK-3rd grades, are learning the foundational skills through a sequential, standards based general music instructional program at each grade level. They will continue to develop skills through: Rhythm Reading Steady beat Movement Clef Reading Singing Ensemble Experience Through symbol identification, pattern recognition and aural identification of notes all students will build the basic foundation needed to read, write, sing, and play music with instruments. Most importantly, they are provided with a creative outlet that supports learning in all areas of the curriculum.
3. Emerson Elementary School
Emerson Dance, Discover, Dream, Do: Emerson's Arts and Culture Initiative Spring 2023
To provide a full semester of dance workshops, grades TK-5, in a variety of styles including but not limited to African, Armenian, Musical Theater, and Bollywood to all Emerson students. Workshops would be held school-wide and would enrich Emerson students' experience of the world through the art of dance; aligning with the California Arts Standards, enriching existing curriculum, and meeting district DEI goals.
4. Joaquin Miller Elementary School
Emerson Transforming the classroom to create exciting, immersive, dramatic learning experiences!
Transforming the classroom to create exciting, immersive, dramatic learning experiences!
5. Providencia Elementary School
Providencia DEI Classroom Library Project
The “Providencia Elementary School D. E. I. Classroom Library Project” objective is to provide all general education and special education classrooms with grade-level specific books that promote D. E. I. The Providencia Elementary School students will benefit from the D.E.I. classroom libraries daily. Every D.E.I. classroom library will provide all students with access to books that will enable them to explore and develop their understanding of people of different “cultures, race, ethnicity, disability, gender, class, religion, types of family and sexual orientation” (Promoting Diversity in Libraries-the University of West Alabama, 2020). As explained by the American Library Association (ALA), D.E.I. libraries “eliminate barriers,” which would promote equity in the individual classroom and beyond (Promoting Diversity in Libraries-the University of West Alabama, 2020). Accordingly, Providencia students will grow in their understanding of others, positively benefiting their social, emotional, and mental well-being. Every book in every D. E. I. classroom library will become a place where students will find connections, create connections with people from diverse backgrounds, and be a starting place for meaningful and transformative classroom conversations. Together, each D. E. I. classroom library will foster positive growth in our students and transform their minds into social justice advocates.
6. Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School
Class Novel Sets
The students will benefit by having access to high-quality literature. The immediate impact would be students would engage in reading novels in class. The benefits of reading together include increased comprehension, a deeper engagement with the text and the joy of discussing books. The long-term impact would be that students have access to high quality literature over the course of their 6 years at Roosevelt.
7. Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School
Flexible Seating Builds Community and Confidence
We would like to offer flexible seating options in all classrooms. We would like to purchase 40 "wobble" seats (20 for lower grades and 20 for upper grades) and 20 "surf seats" for upper grades, which are designed to be used with laptops. Students in the upper grades use their district-provided Chromebooks frequently.
8. Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School
Future Dino Experts
Many of our elementary school students are dinosaur fanatics. When children have books that they get to choose and are topics of interest, they become motivated readers. According to the the Bellwether book catalog (which I will be purchasing the books from), these books contain simple informational text introducing key details of dinosaurs. Infographics and other visual features add clarity and help students navigate the text. Well-organized chapters help students identify primary details. Text/photo matches aid in learning key details of a text.
9. Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School
Graphic Novels are Real Books!
Graphic novels are the most popular books checked out in our library. We are greatly lacking in our graphic novel section for a school size of almost 650 students. We need more books on our shelves in this genre. Many students request a graphic novel book but because we only have one copy (or we don't carry the title), it is difficult for students to get their hands on the books that continue to keep them wanting to read more. We also want to add a variety of graphic novels to help keep students interested and excited about reading. These funds will add more books to our library shelves which will get more students reading because graphic novels are entertaining. Our students will be excited to pick up a book. They will be coming back for the next volume in a graphic novel series. The books will be on our shelves for years, possibly decades to continuously create excitement around reading.
10. Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School
Inclusive and Diverse Biographies
Our students in 2nd, 3rd and 4th grades do biography projects in several situations. Our 2nd graders do a "Hero" project, our 3rd graders do a "Famous Americans" project and our 4th graders do a Black History Month biography. Our school library needs biographies that represent diverse backgrounds. Our current set of biographies is outdated and represents mostly white males (European and American). We would like to expand our biography collection to be more inclusive and diverse.Students will benefit from these books by being able to do the research for their projects at school and during class library time. They will not have to visit the local library to check out books. They will not need to use the internet for research. These biographies will teach students how to access grade-level information about their biography subject. By providing the books at school, teachers are also able to better support students. This will also allow for a more equitable access to information if students are not able to visit the local library outside of school time.
11. Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School
Math Intervention
We would like to offer an engaging math intervention program using math games. Students will benefit from the use of these funds by learning key concepts in math and in a way that is impactful and long-lasting. Teachers will benefit from being able to provide differentiated instruction to their students in a fun and engaging way.
12. Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School
Playground Yoga
Yoga instruction provides many benefits to our school community: Yoga helps children manage their anxiety; improve emotional regulation; boosts self-esteem and confidence; increases body awareness and mind-body connection; enhances children’s concentration, memory, and focus; develops children’s strength and flexibility; improves academic focus and classroom behavior. Instruction provided for all grades levels during PE.
13. Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School
STEM Bins
These bins will allow students to have a soft start to their school day. Rather than coming into the classroom and right away starting on an assignment, students will have the opportunity to engage in a STEM activity, while our school day begins.
14. Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School
Rising In 4th Grade
This grant will fund copies of the book Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan, along with materials for related activites. Students will read the book, make yarn dolls associated with the content, and create an art mural of the book cover. It meets the CCSS-ELA Literacy RL 4.7 standard and will take place during the 2022 Spring Semester.
15. Thomas Edison Elementary School
Good Mornings!
We would like to add motivational signs at our Safe Delivery drop off area. These signs would help display a clear delivery path for cars as well as send positive motivational messages. Our hope is to start every child’s day with a smile and positive encouragement.
16. Thomas Edison Elementary School
One School, One Book
In an effort to foster a love of reading, community and collaboration, Edison Elementary would like to participate in One School, One Book. This is a program that is dedicated to creating a culture of literacy in school communities.We have decided that the book A Boy Called Bat would be the perfect fit for us. The main character, Bixby Alexander Tam, is on the Autism Spectrum. As a school with a new Stepping Stones program, inclusion is incredibly important to us. We want every family at Edison to feel represented. With the One School, One Book program, every child in the school would get a copy of the book, the opportunity to participate in activities and perhaps even see themselves in the characters.
17. Thomas Edison Elementary School
Room 3 Mindful Seating and Arts Support
The pandemic has affected many of my students adjusting to traditional classroom seating. Flexible seating would offer support to my students allowing their young minds to be more alert and focused. Art is a constant in my classroom and having a place to dry their creations and minimize class space is an important need. Learning environments can have a direct impact on student achievement. Flexible seating allows students to quickly and easily pair up, work in small groups, or discuss as a whole class – without moving heavy desks to establish eye contact. Students in Room 3 would benefit by having a choice of seating that helps them stay calm, focused and productive. Our classroom would also having an art drying rack which would keep my student's art work safe and protected while drying.
18. Thomas Edison Elementary School
Voices from History
During social studies, I encourage my students to "think like a historian." Students are presented with multiple sources which give them different perspectives during units of study. This year, my combination 3rd/4th grade class will focus on local community and California history, the social studies standards for third and fourth grade respectively. Our new social studies curriculum would be enhanced if my students learned more about the landmarks, wildlife and people who helped shape our community and state history. This grant would purchase a collection of picture books that offer my historians voices from history and represent the diversity that reflect our state.
19. Washington Elementary School
Headphones for Music and Art Education
Students will benefit by having quality headphones that will enable them to effectively learn inside the classroom. This will allow students access to technology as they explore projects/assignments in the areas of music, art, language arts, math, science, and social studies.
20. Washington Elementary School
Headphones for Music and Art Education Rm 35
We will use these daily to help do lessons, projects, music, to take assessments and more. We will be able to grow in skills and scores on assessments if we are more advanced in technology. We plan on doing projects and art like coding and computer projects that require headphones. We need to make sure all students can use them no matter what their diverse needs are.
21. Washington Elementary School
Updating Classroom Library
With your generosity, I will be able to provide new and engaging literature for the students to enjoy. New library books get students excited to read.
22. Washington Elementary School
Washington 24th Street Theatre
The "Enter Stage Right" 24th Street Theatre Arts program for first and second grade students at George Washington Elementary School, has been an ongoing collaboration for the past 10 years. It's been a sustainable program that has occurred every two years (biennially) even through COVID! During that time, it became a hybrid online and live Zoom meeting program. Every first and second grade student at George Washington School will have a 6-week artist in residency workshop, culminating in a Field Trip to 24th Street Theatre where the students become the audience and the actors in "Enter Stage Right".
23. Dolores Huerta Middle School
Stop Signs for Student Safety
Muir Middle School has two traffic stop signs that sit in the middle of the street and have found that this had greatly improved student safety. We believe this would increase safety at Huerta as well by slowing down traffic and raising awareness of the crosswalks, allowing students to safely cross the street. We would like to purchase two signs to use at this busy crossing. Improving safety for students arriving at and leaving school.
24. John Muir Middle School
Diversifying John Muir Middle School Libraries and Classroom Libraries
Diversity is essential in school libraries because it helps students develop critical thinking skills at the same time, they develop different literacies. Diversity encompasses several themes of identity, including race, ethnicity, disability, gender, religion, and types of families. This can help in developing respect for all people. These are the types of humans we want to fill our world with. This project will help students and teachers alike. Providing resources removes many obstacles for teachers when they desire to teach a more inclusive lesson. Book lists provided from English teachers and School Librarian.
25. John Muir Middle School
Instrumental Music Coach
These funds will provide myself and Miss Lyman weekly opportunities to assess how our individual students are doing, and what aspects of their musicianship need assistance. This will help all of our students experience more success on their instruments. In result, the entire band and orchestra program will have more musical success, as the students will feel confident about their playing, both individually, and as a whole.
26. John Muir Middle School
Reading is FUNdamental!
Reading something you love and connect to is an activity that leads to engagement with community, understanding of self, and achievement in education. A cornerstone of my classroom is helping students find books and stories they love to read. I hope to facilitate their understanding of literature, how it connects to them as individuals, and how it expresses universal truths to us as humans. Having a wide variety of student-selected books will provide them with ample opportunities to achieve this. Grades 6-8. Students worked with teacher to develop the list of requested books.
27. Luther Burbank Middle School
Create. Carve. Stamp. Repeat.
This project is an introduction to block printing. With a few tools and practice students will create designs from simple patterns to layered illustrations. By playing with organic and geometric lines and shapes students will create designs that can be carved from carving blocks to create patterns that repeat. Students will create repeat patterns and designs by sketching a design on a carving block and carving out the surrounding surface. They will roll ink or paint onto the block with a brayer and print it onto paper. Students will be using a carving block, Moo Carve, a latex-free revolutionary PVC surface that’s softer and safer to use than linoleum. Since the process is generally done by hand, no two prints are ever the same. Students will enjoy creating art that is truly handmade and that can be very easily replicated. In addition to learning new art skills, students will also be introduced to the history of block printing which dates back to as early as the fifth century B.C. with roots in India, China and Japan. By providing students with the proper artist tools and materials to create art, students’ critical and creative thinking skills will be enhanced. The thinking skills learned through art will strengthen students’ ability in other academic areas. Through engaging art lessons, students will connect with their own culture as well as the wider world. Students will develop decision-making skills, risk taking skills, critical thinking skills and inventiveness.
28. Luther Burbank Middle School
Yellow Jacket Social Emotional Learning
Character Strong is curriculum that impacts engagement, belonging, and student well-being. It will be the driving force of our Advisory program for all kids. This will be the curriculum that will deliver our social emotional learning curriculum for our advisory classrooms.
29. Burbank High school
Art Studio Expansion for Digital Lab
The overall goal of replacing the chairs in the room with stools is to increase space and ultimately make room for a technology lab within the classroom. The stools would also allow students to feel as though they are in an art studio environment, as a compliment to the donated tables we received that can be turned into standing desks/higher workspaces. Students will benefit from an enriched classroom environment which allows them to study and learn as artists. The added space will allow for new technology (small computer lab area) that will enhance our ability to learn digital media. This will in turn help the visual arts department to provide a diverse curriculum that expands beyond physical materials.
3. Burbank High School
BHS Instrumental Music Instructional Materials
The instrumental music instructional materials program is required to replace unrepairable instruments, ancillary equipment and update the sheet music selection. The program is important because it will enrich the music education program offered at Burbank High School by providing the tools necessary to facilitate instruction that is beneficial to all students in the program, including those with disabilities and special needs. The desired program outcomes include providing adequate instructional materials to benefit IMA students of all abilities and needs, and increased musicianship of the students for years to come. The project will provide requisite instruments, equipment and music to increase the student’s achievement by providing them access to fully functioning instruments and equipment and expanded sheet music library to learn different genres.
31. Burbank High School
Graphic Novel Literature Circles
The instrumental music instructional materials program is required to replace unrepairable instruments, ancillary equipment and update the sheet music selection. The program is important because it will enrich the music education program offered at Burbank High School by providing the tools necessary to facilitate instruction that is beneficial to all students in the program, including those with disabilities and special needs. The desired program outcomes include providing adequate instructional materials to benefit IMA students of all abilities and needs, and increased musicianship of the students for years to come. The project will provide requisite instruments, equipment and music to increase the student’s achievement by providing them access to fully functioning instruments and equipment and expanded sheet music library to learn different genres.
32. Burbank High School
Making Instrumental Music Matter
For students to be successful, they need access to instruments, and they need time to practice. Instructors need proper tools to teach students. For the orchestra, the strings, bows, and shoulder rests are essential components of playing. Some students are currently playing with rubber-banded bows. Without strings, bows, and shoulder rests, there is no orchestra; these items do not last forever and must be replaced when broken. These tools are an essential part of the instrumental music curriculum. Additionally, we are in need of a new concert bell set with wheels, which benefits every ensemble. The concert bell set we currently own is almost unusable. This instrument is needed for a full sound. If a textbook was missing pages, it would need to be replaced, or we would assume that the student does not have proper access to the full curriculum. When the concert bell set does not function, a critical piece is missing from the ensembles. Thus, the students are not able to access the full curriculum, and the teacher cannot teach. With quality instruments, students and teachers can reach their potential. Additionally, take home bell kits are needed for students to be able to practice and grow at home, just like a second set of take home textbooks. Finally, the scanning printer will allow the program to maintain an all-important digital library. It will also help in the scanning and printing of music, so the students can maintain a robust and complete library of their own. TAs can aid in the scanning, and more can get done, faster.
33. John Burroughs High School
4 Classroom Camera Kits
Providing cameras to students gives an equitable learning platform for all students! I love having students come into my classroom and get excited about photography and experience hands on with using up to date technology. I love watching students get excited about learning and having the opportunity to come to class and use cameras, on a daily basis is so rewarding!
34. Burbank High School
Digital Media DDSLR Camera
All CTE courses use industry standard equipment to prepare students for jobs in identified regional growth markets. JBHS digital media students need greater access to industry standard equipment that is also approachable for beginning level students. Increasing the number of DSLR cameras and tripods will allow students to practically learn and practice skills in the areas of framing and composition, lighting, and audio. Intermediate and advanced students can also have access to grow their skills and apply it to more visual storytelling.
35. John Burroughs High School
Chairs for the Photography Computer Lab
The immediate impact to the student body would be instant! I have full classes all day long, these students sit in these chairs every day. Students will focus more on the work at hand rather than their chair not working or switching chairs because they have one that is broken. This program will benefit current students and many years down the line! This is a one time purchase, so the cost would only be this year and would provide these amazing learning opportunities for students now and in the future.
36. John Burroughs High School
JBHS Boys Volleyball Skill Improvement
The boys volleyball team regularly uses technology in their practices to help speed up the process of skill development. We would like to have 4 TV's set up with the proper technology to record their practice and immediately have video feedback available for them to watch. It will increase the ability to learn at a faster speed through the use of images and video feedback.
37. John Burroughs High School
JBHS IMA
The JBHS IMA is requesting funds to accomplish prioritized goals detailed in our strategic plan. Our most immediate needs are for instruments,music consultants, and band uniforms. Funding for this phase of our plan will be used toward purchasing instruments that are currently being shared by students or or replace instruments that are not repairable and functioning poorly. Our LCAP funds are being used to repair and maintain our current inventory and we have multiple students who play the same instrument and not enough of those instruments to allow each student access.
38. Monterey High School
Physical Activities for Lunchtime
Activities at lunch will build engagement with school and increase attendance. Over the past four years, Monterey High School has gone through some big changes. We have gone from a half day independent, packet based instruction model to a full day, comprehensive program based on direct instruction. Changing from a half day to full day program has been one of the biggest changes the school has faced in over two decades. This year students are able to attend school from 8:30-3:30. This has been a big shift for teachers and students. One benefit to a full day is we are now able to provide lunch to students. This summer we spent a lot of time discussing what activities we could have at Monterey to promote socialization and relationship building. One lunch time goal was to structure multiple options for students at lunch. This summer we bought a ball cart and filled it with different sports equipment. Historically the students at our school struggle with student engagement and attendance. Most Burbank schools have attendance rates around 97%. Our best attendance is around 90% with our yearly average of 85%. It is my goal as a principal to create a school that focuses on student engagement and social/emotional learning. I have found that the ping pong table does just that. It is keeping students engaged and in school, building relationships and helping with self-esteem. We would like to add a second ping pong table and a pickle ball court.
39. Community Day School
Monthly Sessions with Visiting Artist
Every 3rd Friday of the month, 1 session per month for 10 months, the Visiting Artist will work with students using various art techniques and integrate the projects with their current curriculum. Instruction will include: - ceramics, slab rolling, coil technique, hand building, glazing. - Mixed media using music, newspaper, magazines to create artwork collages with other media. - Crayon/watercolor art work - weaving
40. BUSD
DistrEnglish NCTE Conference an Novel Selection
For the past few years, English teachers have been working on adding books to our English supplemental and CORE reading list. I would like to make progress on this goal so that students can get the benefits of new books to read. Success will take a collaborative effort. This grant would allow us that opportunity to learn, discuss, and work together to make it a reality while also helping English teachers grow as professionals. My vision has two main steps: 1. Conference: Currently, our teachers have to pay out of pocket to attend professional development courses or conferences. I would like to be able to fund an opportunity for up to ten BUSD secondary English teachers to attend the National Council of Teachers of English conference in November. 2. Collaboration: During the conference or immediately afterwards, I would like to host a session where the ten participants can discuss our current novels and possibly complete paperwork to add choices to the supplemental novel list.
41. BUSD
Ukuleles for Elementary Instrumental Music Instruction
In 2017, the Burbank USD Board of Education approved the BUSD Three Year Arts Priority Plan. A top priority was the introduction of instrumental music in the elementary grades as part of the general music program. At the time the plan was written, some Burbank elementary schools had successfully piloted ukulele programs with a District music instructor. When the plan was adopted by the Board they determined that existing pilot programs could continue while the District worked to identify funding for every school that did not have an inventory of instruments or proper storage. Teacher training and curriculum development was completed by the end of the 2017 school year. An important part of the planning process included the development of a recommended Materials, Equipment, and Supplies list and budget. Instruments and equipment were researched and ultimately selected based on: • Durability - reasonably expected to last 5 years with proper care and maintenance • Sustainability – Costs to repair, maintain, replace • Storage Required – space, safety/protection provided, mobility Roosevelt, Edison, Bret Harte, and Jefferson elementary schools currently have an inventory of ukuleles. A District Elementary Music teacher provides instruction as part of the general music program for grades four and five at these schools. We are seeking support to fund the remaining 7 elementary music programs with ukuleles, tuners, and replacement strings. Storage cabinets are also needed in each of the 11 elementary schools. If funded, ukulele instruction will be incorporated into the general music instructional program during the 2022-2023 school year in grades 4 and 5.