SAN DIMAS/LA VERNE – Continuing its annual tradition of supporting innovation and creativity in the classroom, the Rotary Club of La Verne presented Bonita Unified educators with a series of mini-grants, totaling $3,200 to support classroom projects, during the Jan. 11 Board of Education meeting.

Rotary Club president Craig Rubin, president-elect Diana Laguna and community service chair Deborah Deacy were joined by former BUSD assistant superintendent of business services Susan Hume to award certificates and checks of up to $500 to nine teachers at La Verne-area schools.

The mini-grant program, which began in 1998, provides money to innovative teachers to develop new ideas and enrich the student classroom experience. Applications are reviewed by a panel of Rotarians, who evaluate them for innovation, clarity and the potential benefit of the program to students. The mini-grants, which can be used to purchase materials, equipment and classroom supplies, are funded entirely by the Rotary Club.

The Rotary Club of La Verne 2023 mini-grant winners are:

• Tim Wes, Bonita High School (linking tech with collaborative whiteboards)
• Roxanne Larson, Ramona Middle School (sixth-grade garden improvement)
• Julie Prager, Grace Miller Elementary School (hands-on gardening)
• Maria Brock, Grace Miller Elementary School (digital reading resources)
• Tiffany Huie, Grace Miller Elementary School (reading tools, audio books)
• Heather Hoynes, Oak Mesa Elementary School (garden habitat)
• Cherry Agapito and Mary Udria, Roynon Elementary School (sensory library)
• Stacy Willetts, Roynon Elementary School (novels come to life)
“We are extremely grateful for the assistance provided by our longtime community partner, the La Verne Rotary Club, for supporting innovation in our classrooms,” Interim Superintendent Matt Wien said. “They may be called mini-grants, but the impact they have on student achievement can be extraordinary. Congratulations to our winners, who continue to find ways to make learning more fun for students.”

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BUSD_MINIGRANTS_ROTARYCLUB: The Rotary Club of La Verne awarded mini-grants worth up to $500 to nine Bonita Unified teachers, to fund classroom projects and promote innovation, during the Jan. 11 Board of Education meeting. The grants will go towards purchasing materials, equipment and classroom supplies. The mini-grant program, which began in 1998, provides money to develop new ideas and enrich the classroom experience.