HEF partners with the District to provide grants that help to enrich the core curriculum and engage our scholars more fully. In particular, HEF has supported the District’s strong focus on reading and literacy for young learners. Below is a list of grants that HEF has provided to support the District’s core curriculum.
Learn more about the range of grants HEF provides across the entire curriculum.
| Title | Description | Year | Schools |
|---|---|---|---|
| Success Maker Program | Supported purchase of interactive computer program shown to significantly increase student achievement in math and reading. | 1996-1997 | Eisenhower |
| Stock Market Game | Purchased computer software incorporating the use of technology in the study of the stock market, a hot dog stand business, and supply and demand theory. | 1996-1997 | Katherine Curren |
| Literary Magazine | Supported creation of a literary magazine publishing student work. | 1996-1997 | HHS |
| Success Maker Software | Purchased Success Maker, computer courseware to increase student achievement in math and reading. | 1997-1998 | Katherine Curren |
| Success Maker Software | Purchased Success Maker, computer courseware to increase student achievement in math and reading. | 1997-1998 | Tanglen |
| Freshwater Academy | Established Freshwater Academy, a full-semester program integrating learning in environmental issues, science, social studies, language arts, and physical education. | 1998-1999 | HHS |
| Young Writers Conference | Sponsored attendance at Young Writers Conference. | 1998-1999 | Alice Smith |
| Glen Lake Writers Consortium | Created a Writers' Consortium fpr all 4th and 5th graders to introduce them to the varied writing opportunities. | 1999-2000 | Glen Lake |
| Reading Resource Lab | Creating computer program and trained reading teachers to track reading progress of each student. | 1999-2000 | Alice Smith |
| Tools for Writing Skills | HEF awarded a grant to help Eisenhower create a specialized skill development writing program for students in grades 3-5 who have been identified as needing additional writing instruction and development. | 2000-2001 | Eisenhower |
| Booster Camp | HEF awarded a grant for a four day “Booster Camp” experience for children entering the first grade who need additional reading instruction. | 2001-2002 | Meadowbrook |
| Culture of Literacy | Backed a program to create a “culture of literacy” which includes the purchase of books for every classroom, incentive programs for reading, and staff development. | 2001-2002 | WJH |
| Writing Curriculum Training | Granted funds to improve the writing assessment skills of teachers, and help them integrate the writing curriculum with the new reading curriculum. | 2001-2002 | Eisenhower |
| Math Enrichment | Provided funds for staff to enrich fifth grade math and writing skills. | 2001-2002 | Katherine Curren |
| SET Libraries for Literacy | Provided books for the SET libraries to insure motivation and success for all students. | 2001-2002 | WJH |
| Guided Reading | Funded a guided reading program providing 1,200 books for students ranging from pre-readers to fluent readers in three grades. | 2001-2002 | Katherine Curren |
| Cross-Cultural Teaching Project | Piloted the cross-curricular teaching project which integrates instruction in science, social studies and English. | 2001-2002 | NJH |
| Assurance of Mastery Support | Supported bus transportation for students participating in the Assurance of Mastery (AOM) program. | 2001-2002 | Gatewood |
| Staff Training | Staff Training | 2001-2002 | Katherine Curren |
| Tools for Writing Skills | Awarded a grant for the Success Maker Enterprise program providing computerized, individual instruction in reading and math allowing each student to enter into the program at their ability level and move at their own pace. | 2002-2003 | Eisenhower |
| Read Naturally | Provided funds for software for the reading support program Read Naturally, which improves reading fluency and comprehension. | 2002-2003 | Katherine Curren |
| Guided Reading | Funded a grant to purchase Guided Reading materials that supplies all teachers and students with multiple copies of books for all reading levels and various interests. | 2002-2003 | Alice Smith |
| Read 180 for Struggling Readers | Provided funding for the Area Learning Center’s Read 180 program (software and print materials) allowing struggling readers to achieve grade level performance through interactive technology and independent reading. | 2002-2003 | NJH |
| Success Maker Software | Purchased Success Maker, computer courseware to increase student achievement in math and reading. | 2002-2003 | Katherine Curren |
| Readers' Workshop | Granted funds to continue the Reading Workshop program for Grades 5 and 6 providing a week-long concentrated reading intervention aimed at English Language Learner (ELL) students and others who struggle with reading. | 2002-2003 | Meadowbrook |
| Media Center | Media Center | 2002-2003 | Glen Lake |
| Reading Fluency | Supported a grant to address reading fluency among 5th and 6th grade students with small-group, concentrated reading study and continued intervention in order to develop fluent, independent readers | 2003-2004 | Alice Smith |
| West Junior High Book Club | Granted funds to continue a book club designed to encourage a love of literature among all students. | 2003-2004 | WJH |
| High School Book Clubs | Provided funding for Men’s and Women’s Book RAP groups, designed to encourage literacy and create a social setting outside of school to promote reading for enjoyment. | 2003-2004 | HHS |
| Elementary Learning Centers | Awarded funding for the development of Learning Centers at all elementary schools in the district. This sizable grant of $45,000 will fund specialized instruction for students requiring basic skills instruction. The Learning Centers will provide direct instruction in reading, writing and/or math. | 2003-2004 | All elementary |
| STAR Fund -- HHS Writing Class | Awarded $30,000 to restore sections of a writing class, preventing the number of students in those classes from rising to 28 from the current 16-20 students. This allows teachers to give individual, immediate feedback leading to improved writing skills. | 2003-2004 | HHS |
| STAR Fund -- Junior High Core Classes | Awarded $48,000 for the schools to restore five sections in core classes like English, Math, Science and Social Studies. This helps to decrease class size allowing instructors to sustain a higher level of teacher to student/family contact and services. | 2003-2004 | NJH, WJH |
| STAR Fund -- LRT Support in Elementary Schools | Awarded $115,000 buying back over 4,900 hours of LRT (Learning Resource Teacher) support. This is equivalent to restoring one hour per day to a grade level across all elementary schools. | 2003-2004 | All elementary |
| Audio Visual Library | Audio Visual Library | 2003-2004 | WJH |
| Leveled Books | Leveled Books | 2004-2005 | Alice Smith |
| LeapFrog Learning systems | Supported the purchase of additional LeapFrog Learning Systems to improve reading and comprehension skills for struggling readers. Already in use in two classrooms, this highly successful tool will now be available in all classrooms Grades K-2. | 2004-2005 | Eisenhower |
| Multimedia Cart for Current Events | Supported the purchase of a multimedia cart for AP Government and US History courses in order to seamlessly integrate current events into the classroom, accommodate students’ learning styles and expand the classroom beyond the school day through technology. | 2004-2005 | Hopkins High School |
| Off-Campus Pavilion Library | Awarded a grant to build a small library for use by at-risk students where they will learn to access resources, actively read and discuss books with a significant adult, and appreciate reading as an active, shared experience. | 2004-2005 | Hopkins High School |
| Ethnic Books Challenge | Awarded a grant for the purchase of books for the Minority Challenge group in order to inspire success in high school. | 2004-2005 | NJH |
| Multi-Level Reading Kits | Awarded a grant to fund multi-level reading kits for fourth grade students that allows for each student to progress according to their own abilities and take responsibility for their own learning. | 2004-2005 | Tanglen |
| Area Learning Centers | A $45,000 award provided certified instructors to work with individual or small groups of elementary students who need assistance with basic skills in core subjects. This tutoring takes place outside the normal school day allowing teachers time to provide for the learning needs of all students, including middle and upper achievement level students. | 2004-2005 | All elementary |
| Leapfrog Literary Centers | A $40,000 award for Leapfrog Literacy Centers used by kindergartners and first graders to reinforce letter recognition, rhyming words, sounds, word recognition and fluency. HEF funded a pilot of this program at Eisenhower, which received enthusiastic reviews and prompted the request to take the program district-wide. | 2004-2005 | All elementary |
| Young Authors | Young Authors | 2004-2005 | Eisenhower |
| Drop Everything and Read | Drop Everything And Read (D.E.A.R.) provides grade appropriate mini classroom libraries and common novels for “North Reads” to strengthen reading comprehension of all North Junior High students, regardless of the level of reader. | 2005-2006 | NJH |
| Enhanced Library | This grant updates the library collection at Katherine Curren Elementary in order to better match students’ interest and reading level. | 2005-2006 | Katherine Curren |
| Young Authors | Young Authors allows high achieving writers at Eisenhower Elementary to attend a seminar where exposure to a variety of writing, illustrating, and publishing provides inspiration for future writing. | 2005-2006 | Eisenhower |
| Matching Books to Readers | Matching Books to Readers expands the library collection to better meet the needs of beginning and early readers. Glen Lake Elementary will add books that are categorized by content and level of difficulty. This enhances independent reading by matching student reading level to book difficulty. | 2005-2006 | Glen Lake |
| West Writers' Club | The West Writer’s Workshop offers an after school activity for West Junior High students interested in multiple styles of writing and gives students an opportunity to gain measurable progress in their writing abilities. | 2005-2006 | WJH |
| Pre AP Social Studies | Social studies interactive curriculum challenges and prepares gifted learners for high school Advanced Placement classes. | 2005-2006 | NJH |
| Reading Comprehension Materials | This grant provides Reading Comprehension Materials for students who need assistance in understanding and retaining what they are reading. | 2005-2006 | WJH |
| Good Books | This grant provides a collection of “Good Books” that appeal to reluctant readers and encourage recreational reading. | 2005-2006 | WJH |
| Culture of Literacy | This grant stocks classrooms with mini-libraries specific to the subject the teacher is teaching. | 2005-2006 | WJH |
| Boys and Writing | Gatewood Elementary received a grant from the Hopkins Education Foundation to focus on strategies for increasing writing motivation and achievement for boys. Read more. | 2006-2007 | Gatewood |
| Young Authors' Writing Enrichment | Provides 30 fifth and sixth grade Eisenhower students the opportunity to learn from professional writers at the Young Authors Conference at Bethel College. Student writers attend a keynote with a published author as well as participate in small group workshops. | 2006-2007 | Eisenhower |
| West Writers' Group | Provides an after-school creative writing program utilizing digital cameras and visual arts to deepen the writing experience for students. | 2006-2007 | WJH |
| Harley Hopkins Children's Library | To promote early formation of literacy skills, this grant provides books and listening activities for the 700 children and their families in the early childhood classrooms at Harley Hopkins including ECFE, the Hopkins Kaleidoscope Program, and ECSE. | 2006-2007 | Harley Hopkins |
| Pre AP Vertical Teaming | To increase the number and diversity of students who participate in and succeed in advanced coursework, all junior high and high schoolteachers will be equipped with the strategies and tools they need to engage their students in active high level learning. Teachers will work in subject area teams across grades 6-10 to design lessons that vertically articulate the vocabulary, critical thinking skills and the concepts necessary to enable students to build the skills and confidence required for AP coursework. | 2006-2007 | District-wide |
| Modeling Constructive Responses Using Student Work | This program gives students the courage to try new problems and improves the quality of their written responses. | 2007-2008 | HHS |
| Future Cities Competition | Students use computer software to design a city, build a scale model, write an essay and present a speech. | 2007-2008 | NJH |
| Books for Reluctant Readers | This program is designed to help readers who have varying levels of proficiency learn to develop a love a reading. | 2007-2008 | NJH |
| Teaching Pre-AP Writing Skills | Students will build confidence as writers, peer editors and collaborators while gaining a sharp eye for detail. | 2007-2008 | NJH |
| Second Grade Reading Support | This grant provides more cartridges for the Leap PadTM system, an instructional technology that offers interactive, multi-sensory instruction to struggling young readers. | 2007-2008 | Meadowbrook |
| Four-Level Analysis: A Grammar Instruction Pilot | This grant funds a document camera that is fundamental to this grammar instruction pilot program. It allows students to showcase their work for class discussion. | 2008-2009 | NJH |
| Student Support with Programmed Reading | This grant funds a reading program to help below-grade readers and ELL students achieve success in reading. | 2008-2009 | Alice Smith |
| Listening Center | This grant funds multi-user listening centers for 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 5th graders, to help expose students to literature that is at their maturity level but beyond their reading level. | 2008-2009 | Glen Lake |
| RTI Reading Intervention | This early reading intervention pilot program provides 1st graders with literacy assistance including phonemic awareness, word decoding and vocabulary skills. | 2008-2009 | Glen Lake |
| Calculator Library for Students | This grant funds 25 HP graphing calculators for students to checkout at the Media Center. | 2008-2009 | HHS |
| Triumphs in Reading | This series of reading intervention books helps special education teachers effectively and efficiently teach a reader decoding, encoding, vocabulary and comprehension skills that support one another and align with Wilson reading skills. | 2009-2019 | Alice Smith |
| Home Connection Literacy Bags | The Literacy Bags program for first graders offers great opportunities for students and their families to work together with activity packs. The activities also promote higher order thinking skills and have a writing component. | 2009-2010 | Glen Lake |
| TeacherMate Hand-Held Computer System | The TeacherMate program is an integrated learning system specifically designed to meet the needs of K-2 students. Programmed to adapt to Hopkins core math and reading curriculum, this system effectively delivers differentiated instruction for all levels of learners with intriguing learning activities. | 2009-2010 | Alice Smith |
| Reading Matters | To promote reading and develop confidence in reading skills during the summer months, 1st and 2nd grade students are given books matched to their reading level. | 2009-2010 | Alice Smith |
| Nooks "4" Books | E-book pilot. Teachers can engage students by giving them quick access to popular new books. This 21st century technology helps disguise the difficulty level of books to reduce the embarrassment some students feel who are reading below grade level. | 2010-2011 | NJH |
| Nooks: Any Book, Any Kid, Any Time | E-book pilot. Teachers can engage students by giving them quick access to popular new books. This 21st century technology helps disguise the difficulty level of books to reduce the embarrassment some students feel who are reading below grade level. | 2010-2011 | Glen Lake |
| Kindle the Love of Learning | E-book pilot. Teachers can engage students by giving them quick access to popular new books. This 21st century technology helps disguise the difficulty level of books to reduce the embarrassment some students feel who are reading below grade level. | 2010-2011 | Alice Smith |
| Books on Hand -- Grades 5 and 6 | Classroom libraries are important to build good reading skills because they are easy for kids to access. This grant enhances classroom libraries in all our elementary schools by increasing the non-fiction offerings and providing engaging options for readers with diverse interests and skill levels. | 2010-2011 | All elementary schools |
| Daily 5 Listening Centers | Resources that support the 'listening' phase of the classroom Daily 5. Read more | 2011-2012 | Glen Lake |
| Lexia Reading Program | Lexia software provides reading assessment, lesson plans and teaching tools that adjust to students’ progress and individual needs. Students at home can also access the web-based technology. Read more | 2011-2012 | Tanglen |
| Books on Hand -- Grades 3 and 4 | Expanding classroom libraries for grades 3 and 4 in all elementary schools. Read more | 2011-2012 | All elementary schools |
| Making All of Us Published Authors | Students create, illustrate and publish their own book in Language Arts class. The project helps students develop writing, illustrating, editing and technology skills. Read more | 2011-2012 | Off-Campus Pavilion |
| Enhancing Teen Literacy via eBooks | Students in grades 7-12 will have 24/7 online access to 900 titles of popular fiction and nonfiction e-books. Read more | 2012-2013 | NJH, WJH, HHS |
| Leamos -- Let's Read | Purchase 200 Spanish books for the North Junior High library. Read more | 2012-2013 | NJH |
| iPod Listening Centers | Books with audio CDs for iPod to enhance the Daily Five. Read more | 2012-2013 | Meadowbrook |
| Books on Hand -- Grades 1 and 2 | First and second grade classroom libraries will receive expanded book options to build literacy skills. Read more | 2012-2013 | All elementary schools |
| Academic Support Center | Teachers and student mentors provide after-school homework assistance in math, science, and language arts. Read more | 2012-2013 | HHS |
| Literacy Intervention | Exciting, well-paced materials to help bring struggling readers to grade level. Read more | 2013-2014 | Meadowbrook |
| Summer Reading Library | A library of 'high interest' books for NJH students to check-out during the summer to maintain their reading habit. Read more | 2013-2014 | NJH |
| History Live | Minnesota Historical Society experts will use 21st Century technology to ‘transport’ Hopkins students back in time, connecting them to important segments of our country’s history. Read more. | 2015-2016 | NJH, WJH, all 6th grades |
| Shifting to New Concepts in Literacy | HEF is partnering with the Hopkins School District to send nine teachers to train next summer in successful research-based adolescent literacy education for junior high and high school students. These teachers will in turn train others in the District in these ‘best practices’. Read more. | 2015-2016 | NJH, WJH, HHS |
| Increasing Success and Rigor in Advanced Placement | This HEF grant funds initial access to Albert.io, online practice multiple choice questions with immediate results and feedback. This vehicle targets higher achievement by allowing students to practice fact-based knowledge at home. Read more. | 2015-2016 | HHS |
| Boogie Boards | Young hands learn through practice and class participation, and these Boogie Board Jot eWriters encourage both. Read more | 2016-2017 | Tanglen |
| One-on-One Royal Readers | HEF will fund this updated collection of high-interest culturally-relevant books for an exciting new reading initiative. Trained literacy volunteers will work one-on-one with first grade students on a weekly basis, and the books will also be available for classroom teachers’ use. Read more | 2016-2017 | Tanglen |
| ACT Online Test Prep | With this grant, every HHS student's Chromebrook will have Albert.io software, providing skill-strengthening activities and practice ACT tests. Read more | 2016-2017 | HHS |
| Creative Project Zone | A mobile cart of creativity will now be available to all 800 NJH students and staff to support countless imaginative projects throughout the building. Read more | 2016-2017 | NJH |
| Brain Training to Instill Grit | ‘Thinking outside the box’ begins with students’ determination to solve problems and the confidence in their ability to persevere. Brain puzzles are an interactive way for students to practice grit and creativity – strengths that 21st Century learners need in addition to academics. Read more | 2016-2017 | Tanglen |
| Read, Read, Read! | Physical books possess an intangible power that cannot be found in a device. Adroitly harnessing that power can turn even reluctant students into passionate life-long readers. Read more | 2016-2017 | Meadowbrook |
| Sequels on the Shelves | Classroom libraries promote literacy through easy access to high-interest material. This grant of sequels to popular teen novels promises to keep readers intrigued far beyond the assigned reading. Learn more. | 2016-2017 | NJH |
| Giant Maps: Sitting on Top of the World | Short of viewing Earth from space, National Geographic’s Giant Maps are the most exciting way for students to explore their world in realistic scale to develop a global understanding of its size and scope. This HEF grant will purchase two permanent vinyl maps: a 20’ x 26’ North American map, and a 17’ x 21’ Minnesota map. Read more. | 2017-2018 | District-wide -- K to 6 |
| Experiential Language Learning | Links to Learning, a special education program located at Gatewood Elementary, serves our students with severe cognitive disabilities. This HEF grant provides a library of engaging materials to foster active and enthusiastic learning through hands-on activities, and to provide the repetition needed to enhance core skills and vocabulary. Read more. | 2017-2018 | Gatewood |
| Lab Packs: Rethinking Homework | As an innovative pilot alternative to traditional homework, Meadowbrook third graders will take home weekly tote bags filled with fun, interesting experiences for students to explore. These "home connection literacy packs" will expand students’ range of experiences and broaden background knowledge around a variety of topics, cultures, and points of view, including the fine arts, STEM and more. Read more. | 2019-2020 | Meadowbrook |
| Log Cabin Outdoor Learning | A new child-sized log cabin will be added to the outdoor preschool play area in this collaboration among all early learning programs at Meadowbrook. As staff model care and concern for nature and the environment, preschoolers will be guided in activities designed to develop essential skills, observe changes in nature, and work cooperatively. Read more. | 2019-2020 | Meadowbrook |
| Poet in Residence | Poetry is a creative way for students to express themselves. Through this poetry residency, fourth and fifth grade students will receive guidance from a published poet, and learn to communicate their thoughts and feelings through poetry. Learn more. | 2019-2020 | Xin-Xing |
| Home Studios Unlock Creativity | This grant purchases home studio equipment for use in rotation by a cohort of social studies staff at NJH. Their goal is to create digital content more engaging than what can be produced on district-issued hardware, and to meet the individual needs of their students. Learn more | 2020-2021 | NJH |
| Micro Home Libraries | This grant puts two books by BIPOC authors (black, indigenous, people of color) into each of the hands of Reading Acceleration students whose home libraries are small to nonexistent. The pandemic makes this endeavor all the more important and timely, as these students are experiencing school in isolation at home. Learn more. | 2020-2021 | NJH |
| Fine Motor Kits for Distance Littles | Development of fine motor skills and muscle memory is essential to successful writing, cutting, gluing, and many other tasks. This grant funds 22 Fine Motor Kits to be sent home with students, along with engaging, instructive lessons and games. Learn more | 2020-2021 | Tanglen |
| Grade 5 Virtual Literacy | Currently, fifth graders are acquiring 60-100% of their learning virtually. This grant funds subscriptions to a slate of digital literacy resources to enhance and engage their endeavors during this very unusual year of COVID-19. Learn more | 2020-2021 | All elementary |
| Reading Groups, Together At Home | For the 66 Tanglen second graders enrolled in the Distance Learning Academy, the typical access to multiple books is not available. This grant provides multiple copies of 35 titles, both fiction and non fiction selections, with a diversity of main characters. Students will engage in small reading groups tailored to their needs, along with their teacher, via Googlemeets while staying safe at home.Learn more | 2020-2021 | Tanglen |
| Albert.io | This user-friendly platform for AP History has received a big thumbs up from HHS students and staff in the past, and the ability for HEF to pick up the funding this year has been crucial for distance learners. Learn more | 2020-2021 | HHS |
| A Great Hopkins Read-Along | This grant will bring all Hopkins scholars together through a shared reading experience. Different books will be chosen for different grade levels and purchased with HEF funds. Learn more | 2020-2021 | All elementary |
| VariQuest Design Center | This wonderful tool is much more than a time saver for creating beautiful bulletin board displays. VariQuest Design Center quickly “cuts out” visual and kinesthetic learning tools and manipulatives from heavy-duty re-usable vinyl.At-home kits can be created for reinforcement and fun.Learn more | 2020-2021 | Alice Smith |