How ViP Gives Back
Events organized by Volunteers In Partnership (ViP) raise funds for Teacher Grants! Twice a year, teachers request funds for special projects. The school's leadership determines which proposals fit within the mission of the school before passing them along to the Selection Committee (ViP Leaders, Event and Volunteer Coordinator, and school administration).
The Selection Committee narrows down the choices before passing along to the Voting Committee (ViP Leadership Team and Event Chairpersons - when applicable). After reviewing a list of several considerations, the Voting Committee votes to determine which grants will be awarded based on available funds. Meridian administration chooses to fund some projects as well.
Teachers are notified at the next staff luncheon and parents via the monthly ViP Newsletter.
Past Grants include
- Musical instruments
- Large format printers, 3D printers, power tools, and presses for Design and Art
- Podcasting equipment
- Magnetic whiteboards
- Flexible seating options and rugs
- Conference fees
- Software subscriptions
- Author visits
- Cameras/iPads
- Workroom furnishings
- Calculators and classroom supplies
- Sound systems
- and more!
Grant highlight
"We were able to enjoy a ceramics unit during the Spring semester, and students in both Ms. Vain's high school classes and 8th grade Art made use of the slab roller given through the ViP grants.
We designed and built a cart to hold the roller so that it could be shifted from room to room, and that's made it more accessible to our students. Ms. Vain's students constructed slab-built boxes, and my students created carved tiles and used slabs for an inquiry project when being introduced to clay.
Students had such a great time rolling out slabs and cutting them into tiles, and I'm contemplating additional projects this year that will utilize the tool! Above is a photo of 8th grade using the roller, carving tiles, and the glazed results. Thanks so much, ViP! The kids loved it, and I can't wait to see what this year's students will create!"
- Rachel Meissner, Art teacher