News & Events
East Lansing Educational Foundation Surpasses $925,000 in Grants to Teachers and Students
East Lansing, MI – The East Lansing Educational Foundation (ELEF) has awarded teachers over $70,000 through 44 grants to support their work with students. Nearly all students in the ELPS community will benefit from this year’s grants that create enhanced learning opportunities, including funding to host an Indigenous Peoples Day lead by educators from the Ziibiwing Center, to purchase a large-format printer for middle school art and design students, to support Model UN students with conference fees, and much more. In its nearly 40-year history, the Foundation has funded more than $925,000 in grants to the teachers and students of East Lansing Public Schools.
“East Lansing is a special community,” said Dori Leyko, ELPS superintendent. “The people here value the extraordinary work that our educators do with our students every day, and that commitment to education can been seen with support like this from ELEF.” On December 1st, ELEF presented grant funds to teachers throughout the district, visiting some of the recipients’ classrooms. The new Young 5’s students at Marble and Red Cedar will be outfitted with over $1,000 in books; students at Glencairn, Red Cedar, and Whitehills will have new sets of soprano glockenspiels in music class; and students at MacDonald Middle School will have a large format printer, allowing them to transform their creative and innovative ideas into tangible, high quality prints.
“I am grateful for everyone working together to make it possible to enhance our students’ experiences and support our teachers’ efforts,” said Julie Thomas-Beckett, President of ELEF. “These grants expand what our educators can do in so many areas: science, math, music, visual arts, and so much more.”
Each year, ELPS teachers apply for both individual and collaborative grants to fund enrichment opportunities for their students. The thoughtful grant applications highlight the talent and creativity of ELPS teachers, and this year’s funding will make possible many enhancements large and small. Many individual teacher grants assist beginning teachers with the purchase of materials to help them build their early practice and development as
educators. For a complete list of the grants, go here.
ELEF’s efforts are made possible by 19 endowed gifts along with dozens of annual donors, who give an average of about $400. To make a donation toward future ELEF grants, go here.
East Lansing Educational Foundation Awards Two Students Weng Scholarship
East Lansing, MI – The East Lansing Educational Foundation (ELEF) is proud to announce the recipients of the prestigious Will Weng and Damaras Weng Rogers Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship, generously sponsored by Bob and Judy Posey, is awarded to exceptional students who exemplify the values and commitment to education embodied by Will Weng and Damaras Weng Rogers. Both Will and Demaras are graduates of Columbia University. Will became puzzle editor for the New York Times. Damaras taught third grade and was the head of physical education for the Lansing School District.
Annual Awards Celebration
Join us to celebrate our 40th Anniversary and Awards Celebration on Thursday, May 2, 2024, from 5:30-8:00p.m. at Eagle Eye Banquet Hall.