The Madison Education Foundation (MEF) is deeply grateful to the Madison community for coming together during a vigorous fall 2025 fundraising campaign to raise more than $56,000 to fund 21 teacher-initiated grants that will benefit all five Madison Public Schools. Through generous individual donations and strong attendance at the Foundation’s fall fundraising Gala, community members demonstrated their commitment to education and ensured that innovative classroom ideas and student-focused projects can move forward across the district.
Grants Awarded
Complete list of the 21 grants awarded for the Fall of 2025:
All Elementary Schools:
One District One Book ($416)- Elementary-wide reading program to support the Madison Reads district initiative. The book selected is “8 Class Pets, +1 Squirrel, +1 Dog, =Chaos”
Sam Wedelich Author Visit ($3000)- Author/illustrator of the popular “Chicken Little” books will present at each of the elementary schools.
Book Tasting ($6000)- Annual reading event at the elementary schools where students can preview 35-40 books.
Battle of the Books ($2900)- All elementary schools will participate in ‘America’s Battle of the Books’ reading incentive program.
Math Manipulatives ($12,000)- Manipulatives to support the Conquer Math teacher training program and district math initiatives.
On the Same Page ($500)- Composition books/journals to support and improve elementary writing skills.
KRS/TJS:
Karaoke in the Music Classroom ($1200): Karaoke machines to keep music education fun and relevant.
TJS:
Special Education Reinforcement Tools ($1500): Reinforcement items to help special education students meet behavioral goals.
Sensory Oasis ($3016)- A safe space for learners to help with self regulation.
MJS:
Vex Robotics ($9245): Vex Robotics Classroom kit to enhance the makerspace learning center at MJS.
Hydroponic Garden ($3389): Hydroponic tower gardens to enhance environmental education.
Museum of Natural History ($2500): 6th grade trip to the Museum of Natural History.
Special Education Reinforcement Tools ($1500): Reinforcement items to help special education students meet behavioral goals.
Rutgers Science Bus ($1500): 7th graders will experience a hand-on, interactive science lesson taught by Rutgers graduate students in their mobile science lab.
Healthy Italia Field Trip ($1295)- Italian students will participate in a culinary and cultural lesson at Healthy Italia in Madison.
Meteorologist John Marshall ($1650): 6th grade Science assembly to complement the weather curriculum.
MET Trip ($2424): 7th graders tour the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC.
MHS:
Great Gatsby ($410): Trip for ESL students to attend the Great Gatsby play after reading the book.
Enhancing Biodiversity ($1177): Enhancing the biology courtyard with aquatic plants and native amphibians and fish species.
Hatching Chicks ($500): Hatching chicks to learn about organism development.
Neuron Modeling Kits ($416): AP Psychology students will use the kits to study the biological basis of behavior.
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For a listing of all grants awarded throughout the years, please see below.
Grants Awarded Fall 2023 by School
