The District 113 Education Foundation is delighted to announce that it has funded over $22,000 for the following grants and sponsorships during the 2024-25 school year.  Thank you so much for the support of our community and to the innovation of our District’s dedicated and talented educators!

DHS AND HPHS 

DJI GIMBAL STABALIZER DHS & HPHS 
The DJI RS 4 Pro Combo gimbal stabilizer is a cutting-edge tool designed to enhance student storytelling and filmmaking at HPHS and DHS. By incorporating this professional-grade equipment, the goal is to improve students’ technical expertise, foster creativity, and deepen their understanding of cinematic techniques, ultimately elevating the quality of their projects. 

DHS HIGH SCHOOL  

GIMKIT – DHS 
This grant provides a Gimkit subscription to enhance engagement and learning in College Algebra for juniors and seniors. Gimkit combines interactive gameplay with educational content, offering real-time feedback, collaborative experiences, and independent practice opportunities. 

EMPOWERHER – DHS 
This grant supports the inaugural EmpowerHer Conference, promoting girls’ participation in sports and fostering leadership, confidence, and personal growth. Expert-led workshops provide tools to boost self-esteem, overcome challenges, and embrace leadership, celebrating achievements in sports and life. 

HIGHLAND PARK HIGH SCHOOL 

CBO GIANTS – HPHS 
This grant seeks to advance student equity in the college admissions process by providing funding for experienced educators and professionals to offer vital support to students. These services will include test preparation, application assistance, and essay writing guidance, ensuring that all students have the resources they need to navigate the admissions process successfully. 

CHINESE COOKING CURRICULUM – HPHS 
This grant supports purchase of equipment supporting the tremendous efforts to offer students a comprehensive educational experience, combining cooking skills with cultural exploration, health education, and life skills development. Students will learn to prepare food while gaining cultural awareness, teamwork, and independence, fostering global understanding and preparing them for self-sufficiency. 

DEEP DIVE INTO PHYSICS REAL WORLD CHALLENGE – HPHS 
This grant brings real-world physics experiments into the classroom, helping students connect theory to practical applications through engaging, hands-on activities. Projects include acoustic music production, robotics challenges, engineering kits, household wiring challenges, homemade optics, and a gravity generator, fostering curiosity and deeper understanding of physics. 

FOCUS ON THE ARTS – HPHS 
This grant supports the 29th annual Focus on the Arts festival at Highland Park High School, offering students and the community engaging, hands-on creative experiences. The festival’s Opening Night will feature a performance by the Focus 2025 Orchestra, a collaboration between student and professional musicians. Under the guidance of Jeffrey Saver, a renowned Broadway Musical Director, the orchestra, choir, and theater programs will come together for a unique mentoring and performance opportunity. 

FOCUS ON THE ARTS: DIARIOS BILINGUES- HPHS 
This grant supports Diarios Bilingües, a bilingual, student-led play that will be featured at the bi-annual Focus on the Arts. Performed by senior dual-language students, the production delves into their real-life experiences with cultural and linguistic challenges. Through a blend of narrative, music, dance, and artistic expression, the play will celebrate resilience, cultural pride, and the often-underrepresented voices of bilingual students. 

HEALING INTERVENTION – HPHS 
This grant offers trauma-affected students healing interventions to promote nervous system regulation and academic success. Resources such as weighted blankets, a balance beam, balance ball chair, wobble cushion, rocking chairs, and an egg swing chair provide sensory and proprioceptive support to help students heal and thrive. 

PILSEN EXPERIENCE – HPHS 
This grant helps fund a field trip for senior dual-language students to explore Mexican culture through the Día de Muertos exhibition and Pilsen’s murals, deepening their understanding of traditions, history, and public art while fostering cultural pride. 

TALKABROAD APPLICATION- HPHS 
This grant offers AP Spanish Language and Culture students the chance to practice speaking with native speakers through Talkabroad. The platform will enhance fluency, boost confidence, and deepen cultural understanding offering practical language skills. Through these cultural exchanges, students will gain a greater appreciation for Spanish-speaking cultures. 

TEAM BUILDR SOFTWARE – HPHS 
This grant supports the purchase of IPads and TeamBuilder which is a strength and conditioning software platform designed to create, deliver and track customized workout programs. The software enables students to track their workout progress throughout high school while allowing teachers to create customized programs for strength and conditioning and athletic performance.  

SPONSORSHIPS 

Community The Anti Drug (CTAD) 
The District 113 Education Foundation proudly sponsors CTAD in its mission to promote drug prevention in District 113 schools and the wider community. 

GENOCIDE AWARENESS DAY 
The District 113 Education Foundation proudly sponsors Genocide Commemoration Day which is a dedicated day of reflection and education for District 113 students and staff, focusing on past and present genocides and mass atrocities. This closed event aims to raise awareness and inspire action against modern genocides. 

EMPOWERHER – DHS 
In addition to the grant awarded, the District 113 Education Foundation proudly sponsors the inaugural EmpowerHer Conference, promoting girls’ participation in sports and fostering leadership, confidence, and personal growth. Expert-led workshops provide tools to boost self-esteem, overcome challenges, and embrace leadership, celebrating achievements in sports and life.