Hempfield Foundation executive director Kevin Fillgrove has been on the job for less than two months, but he already had the privilege of awarding more than $31,000 worth of grants to school district faculty members.

"It's been really great," said Fillgrove. "I've had an opportunity to meet an awful lot of great people, all the board members that served the foundation, and they're just great people who care about education. I got to speak at the principal's meeting with the superintendent. I've got to speak at the new staff meeting, and then I spoke for the staff at Hempfield High School Performing Arts Center and announce the grants. It was pretty cool."

The Hempfield Foundation's mission is "to fuel teacher creativity and innovation across all Hempfield schools, and fund projects that go beyond the district budget but have a lasting impact on students - helping them think critically, collaborate, grow in confidence, and thrive in academics, the arts, athletics, and beyond."

"After 37 years in education, I know what happens when teachers are given the resources to dream big. Students thrive," said Fillgrove. "The foundation's role is simple: notice teachers' ideas, nudge them forward with support, and make sure classrooms have the resources they deserve. These grants are a celebration of that mission in action."

The Round 1 Grant Awardees will use the funds for a variety of projects. Bridget Martin plans to create refrigerator magnets for every family to simplify absence reporting and improve communication, strengthening attendance across the district. Kari Miller of Mountville Elementary will host national speaker Julie Skolnick to help parents and educators better understand and support twice-exceptional (2e) learners. Laurel Hill of Centerville Middle School) will revitalize the student reward lounge with new activities and experiences to recognize and encourage positive choices. Erin Petty of Hempfield High School will take students to the Dutch Apple Dinner Theater to see Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Jr., building social skills and cultural awareness. Eric Bentley of East Petersburg Elementary will purchase Sphero indi Class Packs with coding mats and literacy cards to strengthen problem-solving and algorithmic thinking. Nile Wilson of Hempfield High School will partner with world-class violinist Christian Howes to enrich orchestra students and present a free concert for the community. Karla Rupp will sketchbooks for sixth-grade art students to track their growth, practice reflection, and personalize their creative process. Danielle Cardone of Landisville Intermediate Center hopes to expand critical thinking with puzzles, games, and activities that promote logical reasoning, teamwork, and communication. Courtney Harding of Landisville Intermediate Center will Integrate STEM tools into 4th-grade English Language Arts, blending literacy with hands-on problem-solving. Kristine Kachel of East Petersburg Elementary will use Breakout EDU escape room kits and math challenges to make learning immersive, engaging, and fun.

Elementary "One Book, One School" Initiatives will be led by Elizabeth Erb and Katelyn Moore, Christina Hoover, Heather Lesoine, Lauren Shenk, and Jennifer Spangenburg. These projects bring entire school communities together around a shared story, sparking reading excitement and a love of literacy across grade levels.

The foundation is focusing on growing partnerships with local businesses and community leaders, expanding the number of grants they can award each year, and ensuring every student in Hempfield experiences the joy of innovative, hands-on learning.

"Public education right now is in a time where funding is getting harder and harder and harder, but the needs are growing," said Fillgrove. "There are an awful lot of good things that used to happen that are on the cutting block. Your donation to the Hempfield Foundation will help prevent those things from happening and expand innovation. We support innovative programs, and our goal is to see what you want to do and then come beside you and try to help make these things happen. ... We love our partners. Hempfield businesses, please consider supporting us."

Visit http://www.hempfieldfoundation.org/donate/ to make a donation.