Mattoon CUSD #2 recently had four recipients of the Mattoon Foundation for Academic Excellence Family and Community Engagement Grants! Congratulations to:
- De Dalby, Mattoon High School Counselor, received $2,300 for the MHS Life Ready grant, which supports Mattoon High School's efforts to enhance employability for students, particularly those from low-income backgrounds. (
: Liz Schumacher & De Dalby)
- Jessica (Closson) Peterson, LIFT Facilitator, secured $6,000 for the "Service Learning – Beyond the Classroom Walls" grant, which emphasizes extending education outside of traditional classroom boundaries and promoting leadership through service learning. She also received $1,000 for the "Families, Student, & Teachers ~ Learning and Serving Together" grant, which focuses on building relationships between at-risk families, schools, and communities. (: Kris Maleske & Jessica Peterson)
- Lori Westra, Riddle Elementary School nurse, was awarded $10,000 for the Healthy Families Collaboration project, which seeks to address the needs of at-risk families within their student population by offering monthly meetings, mentoring, and incentives to improve family well-being. (: Kris Maleske, Kelsey Etheridge, Emily Haden, Laura Bollan, Lori Westra, Teresa Metzgar)
- Vincent Walk, Mattoon High School Teacher, secured $4,000 for the Homecoming 2023 & Career Day 2024 grant, fostering connections between Mattoon High School students and the community. (: Vincent Walk & Student Council reps)
