Impact Grants
2025 Impact Grant Program
Students from across the School District of New Berlin will soon have access to innovative projects and programs that enhance their learning experiences, foster creativity, and promote collaboration. A total of $20,995 has been awarded to eight projects that have demonstrated their ability to create a strong impact on student learning. Congratulations to the 2025 Impact Grant Awardees!
Rock Band Bucket Drumming
Erica Polak, Darien Hiller, Nick Winders, Tina Schilling – $1,098
This grant provides drums, sticks, and muting pads to music classrooms, supporting fourth through sixth graders at Poplar Creek, Elmwood, Orchard Lane, and Ronald Reagan Elementary Schools. Bucket drumming allows students to perform together as an ensemble, incorporating music reading and performance in an engaging, hands-on format. By developing rhythm, teamwork, and musical creativity, students will master rhythms ranging from simple quarter notes to complex syncopation. The program is designed to challenge advanced learners while remaining accessible to all students through differentiated instruction.
Creating Robotics: Creating Opportunities at the Elementary Level
Jaime Veal, Ryan Samz – $5,000
This grant supports the launch of a Robotics club at Elmwood Elementary, providing hands-on STEM and STEAM learning through LEGO Education and the FIRST LEGO League. The program will introduce students to robotics, coding, and engineering through a structured, multi-year plan, with future opportunities to compete in local and statewide competitions. The grant funds BricQ and SPIKE Essential kits, offering curriculum-aligned activities for 1st–5th graders. By expanding access to robotics education, this initiative fosters problem-solving, collaboration, and digital literacy skills, preparing students for success in an increasingly technology-driven world.
Mobile Sublimation Printing
Shelley Schneider & Meg Gardner – $1,451.00
This project will expand New Berlin West High School’s sublimation printing capabilities by introducing mobile sublimation technology. Sublimation printing is a unique process that allows for long-lasting images to be transferred onto a wide range of substrates, including fabrics, ceramics, and metal. The mobile unit will enhance student learning across various disciplines, such as graphics, technology, and marketing, by offering more flexible access to the equipment for both in-class and community projects. Students will have the opportunity to develop creative, entrepreneurial, and interdisciplinary skills through hands-on projects, including product design and sales for the school store.
Earthquake Tremor Table
Alisa Arts - $2,500
Seventh-grade science students at Eisenhower Middle School will soon get a hands-on look at how earthquakes impact structures with a new Earthquake Tremor Table. As part of their Earth Science unit, students will explore seismic activity by testing student-built models against varying earthquake magnitudes. This interactive experience will deepen their understanding of tectonic forces, ground movement, and liquefaction, helping them connect science concepts to real-world applications.Students will collaborate, design, build, test, analyze their data, and then communicate their results with others.
Math Department White Board Easels
Holly Werra - $1,800.00
This project provides adjustable vertical white board easels for math teachers at New Berlin Eisenhower, supporting their initiative to implement strategies that encourage collaborative problem-solving and critical thinking in the classroom.The easels will allow students to work in groups on flexible, non-permanent surfaces, promoting critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills. This initiative will create more opportunity for group work and enhance student engagement by providing tools for teachers to monitor and give feedback more effectively, fostering improved learning outcomes.
Sensory Path
Maggie Shane, Michael Teller, Tracy Willert & Cara Bonnell - $4,600.00
This project will fund the purchase and installation of sensory paths at Poplar Creek and Elmwood Elementary Schools, providing students with access to a movement-based tool designed to help regulate sensory systems, improve focus, and support overall well-being. The sensory paths, composed of durable, waterproof decals, will allow students to engage in various gross motor movements in an inclusive, accessible environment. This initiative bridges the gap between specialized sensory rooms and classrooms, promoting motor skill development, improving cognitive function and reducing stress.
Enhancing CKLA Knowledge Through Play and Hands-on Learning
Kinsey Schneider, Sarah Lau, Nikki Karch & Jennifer Schild - $3,346.00
First grade teachers at Ronald Reagan Elementary aim to enhance student engagement and comprehension in the CKLA Knowledge curriculum by incorporating hands-on, multisensory learning activities. Funding will equip classrooms with materials to support interactive activities such as building models, conducting experiments, exploring artifacts, and participating in role-playing scenarios. These activities will help students connect abstract ideas to real-world applications, fostering engagement and deeper understanding. This initiative addresses gaps in student engagement and knowledge retention by making learning dynamic and memorable.
Stars on Stage Scenery
Jen Coyle, Marisa Kraft & Deb Huberty - $1,200.00
The Stars on Stage theater program at Orchard Lane Elementary received funding to construct reusable, durable Hollywood Flats to create professional-quality scenery for its school plays. The program has grown in popularity and utilizes the New Berlin West Performing Arts Center Stage for its productions. Funding will enable the construction of six 4x8’ flats, which can be stored and repainted for future productions. This project provides students with hands-on experience in set design and construction, an enhanced theater experience, and allows for more students to participate in the stage crew.
The IkeFest Trades Initiative Fund & West Athletics and Activities Fund Awards will be announced in late March 2025.
2024 Impact Grant Program
$18,415.15 was awarded through its Impact Grant program in 2024. These grants, designed to fuel innovation and enrich educational experiences, reflect EFNB's unwavering commitment to fostering excellence in education - since the program began in 2021, it has awarded more than $50,000!
Congratulations to the 2024 Awardees:
HVAC Trainers Transforming Learning Environments
Taylor Molitor, West, and Ben Bauer, Eisenhower, are bridging the gap between theoretical HVAC learning and its practical applications. Their curriculum promises to bring HVAC Training Boards into their Construction Classrooms ensuring students are not only equipped with theoretical knowledge but also adept at real-world HVAC challenges. EFNB has proudly awarded them $3,867.15
InvenTables: Igniting Creativity Safely
Leah Schretenthaler, Megan Wierl, and Lisa Payne from Elmwood Elementary are championing safety and innovation in the makerspace with their project, InvenTables. By introducing the safest tools for children to cut cardboard and encouraging the utilization of diverse materials, they're fostering a culture of creativity and safety. EFNB has awarded $1,686 to further their impactful work.
Empowering Elementary Computer Science Education
Caroline Haebig & Jennifer Schlie-Reed’s project aims to bring the CODEHS Computer Science Curriculum to classrooms in all SDNB Elementary Schools. Computer Science empowers young learners with essential digital literacy skills to thrive in college, career, and life. EFNB is thrilled to award $5,000 to support the integration of computer science education in elementary schools.
Harmonizing Education Through Ukuleles
Christina Schilling, Ronald Reagan, Nick Winders, Orchard Lane, and Darien Hiller, Elmwood, are enhancing instrumental music instruction by introducing classroom sets of ukuleles for each school to enhance its curriculum. EFNB has awarded $3,924 to these music classrooms.
Math & Disposition Games: Fostering Holistic Development
Christopher Reed from Elmwood Elementary is curating a game library designed to develop both mathematical skills and positive dispositions toward community and learning. Recognizing the importance of holistic development, EFNB is thrilled to grant $1,838 to create an enriching game library.
Stage Cubes: Building Theatrical Magic
Jennifer Coyle, representing Stars on Stage at Orchard Lane, is bringing theatrical magic to life with her project, Stage Cubes. These scenery pieces that resemble furniture such as tables, benches, and chairs, promise to enhance students’ theatrical productions. EFNB provided a grant of $2,100 to enrich the theatrical experiences for the Stars on Stage.
2023 Impact Grant Program
The Education Foundation of New Berlin awarded more than $16,000 in Impact Grants in February.
The programs will benefit students across all six buildings.
Project Lead the Way (awarded to Caroline Haebig & Jennifer Schlie-Reed) - to provide opportunities for all kindergarten through fifth grade students to participate in consistent, strategic learning experiences that develop skills related to computational thinking, foundations of programming, computer science and systems by utilizing “Project Lead the Way” computer science launch modules during students’ regularly scheduled library time.
Elementary Photography (awarded to Leah Schretenthaler, Terry Berg, Amy Weber & Kyra Seely) – to broaden and strengthen current art curriculum with the addition of a sixth grade photography unit. The grant will help purchase four Pinsta-Pro camera kits and will show students the magic of analog photography. The kits will rotate through the elementary schools for a month-long unit.
Calming Corners (awarded to Jennifer Coyle & Todd Hrenak) - to support all Orchard Lane students by employing a space in each classroom, chosen by the teacher, where students can go to help regulate their physical and emotional state and learn strategies for emotional regulation.
Battle of the Books (awarded to Katie Berg & Emily Barber) - to support the Ronald Reagan third and fourth grade Battle of the Books club, which promotes reading comprehension, while creating a fun atmosphere for learning. The tremendously popular club will be able to increase the number of books available.
Construction Tools (awarded to Taylor Molitor & Ben Bauer) - to purchase miter saws, plumbing crimping and expansion tools, and metal electrical boxes. These tools will greatly enhance the construction program at Eisenhower and West by providing students with the necessary equipment to complete a much wider range of construction projects in the fields of carpentry, plumbing, and electrical work.
Tour Guide Voice Audio Transmission System (awarded to Dana McLaren & Devin McKinnon) - to support Eisenhower and West middle and high school students by enhancing partnership tours and field experiences which are used to show and teach students about manufacturing, construction, and engineering jobs. Often these involve walking tours in loud environments; this audio system will be utilized to ensure all students can hear what is said and participate more fully.
2022 Impact Grants
$7,800 in Impact Grants were awarded in February 2022!
The programs funded support physical education and mental health initiatives above and beyond regular programming for all four elementary schools, as well as at a district level.
The Mindful Movement Program will help students quiet their minds by developing a stronger connection to their bodies through guided movement. Utilizing movement-based practices in the classroom can help students reset their nervous system when needed so they are better prepared to pay attention and learn. The equipment provided by the grant will not only be used to support classroom learning but also support the professional development of teachers and staff throughout the district. This award of $2,800 is presented to Poplar Creek third-grade teacher Nichole Donahue and Ronald Reagan kindergarten teacher Melissa Schmalz.
The First Tee School Program aims to create a safe introduction to golf technique and vocabulary while helping students strengthen their character and confidence through the positive personal and social values associated with the lifetime sport. This program will extend the golf curriculum from the secondary schools into fourth-through-sixth grades at all elementary schools. This award of $5,000 is presented to physical education teachers Katie Mulloy at Ronald Reagan and Melanie Gearhart at Elmwood.
The Impact Grant Program, now in the second year has provided educators with $15,930! The EFNB encourages School District of New Berlin educators to request funds for programs that prepare students for a successful future. All SDNB teachers and staff were eligible and encouraged to apply with individual or collaborative applications.
2021 Grantees
Flexible Seating in third-grade pod at Ronald Reagan emphasizes group learning and collaboration.
Grant funding provided all of these books to fourth- graders.
- Emily Barber, Ronald Reagan, $1,250 for a flexible learning zone for the third-grade pod
- Katie Berg, Ronald Reagan, $1,250 for a flexible learning zone for the third-grade pod
- Drew Dierksmeier, Ronald Reagan, $421 for social-emotional read-aloud books
- Dana McLaren, Eisenhower, $2,109 for 3D printing equipment
- Ryan Meisel, Eisenhower, $1,575 for world music appreciation instruments
- Tracy Olson, Ronald Reagan, $1,525 for a fourth-grade book club.
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