$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