Five Bellevue Schools Get BECU Community Grants

Five schools in Bellevue have received grants from BECU's community grants to help with education projects.

The schools are: Ardmore Elementary, Highland Middle School, Lake Hills Elementary and Odle Middle School in the Bellevue School District, and the private school Eastside Academy.

According to BECU, 48 schools statewide got grants, and the credit union issued $100,000 in community grants.

“BECU School Grants allow us to support programs that can have a positive impact on the lives of students, but lack funding needed to make them a reality,” said Tom Berquist, Senior Vice President of Member Strategies, in a prepared statement. “It means a lot to BECU to be able to support schools in providing tools, experiences and resources to help give kids the best education possible.” 

According to BECU:

BECU School Grants are given out each year to local schools to help fund educational materials, programs and events, environmental learning trips, and technology tools such as calculators, microscopes, electronic dictionaries and more. Grants are awarded in three categories: Financial Literacy, Environmental Sustainability, and Technology Tools. The grants are given for up to $2,500 and are awarded based on each applicant’s requested dollar amount.

BECU received approximately 600 applications and narrowed it down to 48 based on eligibility of the request, impact on student learning, number of students reached with grant funds, and potential on-going use of the item or program. 

Bellevue winners

Ardmore Elementary – Environmental Sustainability

Ardmore Elementary School plans to use their BECU grant money to fund a kindergarten day-trip to a local Washington state forest where students will learn to observe, compare, relate and document the ecological environments in the forest while learning important lessons in environmental sustainability.

Eastside Academy – Technology Tools

Eastside Academy plans to use the BECU grant money to purchase a camcorder, eight pairs of headphones, and four Dell computers needed to support their Computer Technology program. Their goal is to help at-risk youth gain critical skills in technology, reading, and writing. 

Highland Middle School – Technology Tools

Highland Middle School plans to use the BECU grant money to purchase 4 Apple iPads and 3 subscriptions of Ecove, a data software program for observing behavior, to be used during Targeted Learning Walks. Targeted Learning Walks collect data on instructional practices within the classroom. The iPads will offer a method of collecting data on the most effective teaching methods with a special focus on mathematics.

Lake Hills Elementary School – Technology Tools

Lake Hills Elementary School plans to use the BECU grant money to purchase Math Whizz, a computerized math-tutoring program that is personalized for every student and tailored to his or her needs. The program automatically adjusts the material presented to match the student’s learning level.

Odle Middle School – Technology Tools

Odle Middle School plans to use the BECU grant money to purchase 100 site licenses for Math Whizz, a math program that has shown great results. The program tailors to the individual student’s math level and pinpoints areas of focus.

-- Information from BECU