La Crosse Public Education Foundation is proud to support students at all grade levels through 13 grant projects receiving $40,584 in funding. These grants provide teachers with a chance to expand their skills, give students access to exciting educational experiences, and allow students, staff, and schools to collaborate on exciting new ideas. Among other things, awarded funds will support music education for early learners, accessibility for students with disabilities, as well as literacy, math and physical education!

“These Spring Gold Star grants highlight the creativity and care that our educators put into their work because they believe so strongly in the potential of our students, “ says Nell Saunders-Scott, La Crosse Public Education Foundation Executive Director. “The grants are possible because our community also believes in student potential, the expertise of educators, and the power of public education.”

Gold Star Grants are selected for funding based on creativity, collaboration, the ability to engage students, and the total impact or reach of the project throughout the district. Included below is a summary of the 13 grants awarded today, which are made possible by generosity from the community:

• Music for Littles ($8000) to facilitate developmentally appropriate music education for all district Pre-K, Kindergarten and first grade students through the purchase of instruments, manipulatives, songtale books and sensory supports. This grant is underwritten in part by the Tom and Judy Sleik Family Fund and the Duane and Carol Taebel Fund of La Crosse Area Community Foundation.

• Logan High and Central Dance Teams – WACPC Fall Conference 2026 ($5350) to support the development and growth of dance teams at both Central and Logan High School by off setting costs of attendance at the Wisconsin Association of Cheer and Pom Coaches conference. This grant funded partially the Lown Family Fund of the La Crosse Area Community Foundation.

• Inclusive Outdoor Learning for All ($5,000) to enable inclusive outdoor learning at Summit Elementary with the installation of an accessible pathway connecting the upper school grounds to the lower trails and pond area, ensuring all students, staff, volunteers, and community members can safely participate in outdoor learning and exploration. This grant is underwritten in part by the Tyser Power of Nature Fund and the Heather & Steve Ross and Maureen & Robert Freedland LPEF Fund for Diversity Education of La Crosse Area Community Foundation.

• Expanding Opportunities for ID Students Through High School Collaboration ($5000) to provide Central and Logan High School students in the intellectual disabilities program opportunities for community experiences and life-skills building.  This grant is underwritten in party for the Judy and Randy Eddy Sr. Fund.

• Team Summit Eagle Cam! ($3999) to support the creation of an eagle nesting site by Summit Elementary students that will be equipped with a live camera accessible to all students throughout the School District of La Crosse.

• Mobile 3D Printing ($3650) to expand Logan High technology education program by adding four additional 3D printers, two mobile carts and two filament dryers, enabling greater flexibility and mobility in 3D printing.  This grant is underwritten in part by the Dr. Gunnar and Mary Baldwin Gundersen Memorial Fund of La Crosse Area Community Foundation.

• Inclusive Playground Orbit Spinner ($2337) towards the purchase of an inclusive orbit spinner on the North Woods playground so students of all abilities can engage in meaningful play. This grant is underwritten in part by the Randy and Lynn Nelson Fund.

• Screen Smart Families ($2175) to support healthy digital habits for Hamilton/SOTA I students and families through a series of family workshops focusing on current trends, cyberbullying prevention, and understanding privacy settings on popular technology apps.

• The Science and Technology of Music ($1382) to purchase materials for Logan Middle School general music students to understand the science, mechanics, and technology of music.  This grant is underwritten in part by the Rachel Gundersen Endowment for the Arts & Humanities.

• Math Stackers ($1287) to support math skills development for Northside/Coulee Montessori students who will benefit from supplemental materials for building number sense. This grant is underwritten in part by the Judy and Dave Bouffleur Fund of La Crosse Area Community Foundation.

• Book Walk Improvements ($1254) to support literacy, physical well-being, and outdoor education for all North Woods students through the repair and maintenance of book walk stands. 

• Play Ball! ($810) to provide safe, durable, and age-appropriate baseball and softball equipment to Longfellow Middle physical education classes, enabling all students to develop fundamental hitting skills with confidence. This grant is underwritten in part by the Randy and Lynn Nelson Fund.

• Descriptive Writing with AI Sticker Box ($340) to give Central High students in the intellectual disabilities program modern tools to increase descriptive language and writing skills through the purchase of Sticker Box sticker printers. This grant is underwritten in part by the La Crosse Tribune.