On the last day of school for teachers, Sioux Falls Public Schools Education Foundation staff awarded the 110th Public School Proud Grant to Grace Werner at Lincoln High School. Grace received $1,561.49 for her proposal, “Sustainable Agriculture and Aquaponics.” With grant dollars, she plans to purchase a garden grow bed, raft boards, fish food, fish trays, an aerator, plug trays, seeds, topsoil, and manure. In the application, she wrote, “This project will include growing plants in a variety of conditions for students to compare agricultural methods. Industrial agriculture methods will model the use of machinery, soil compaction, pesticides, and fertilizers for students to study their effect on native ecosystems and crop yields. Students will then compare these methods to sustainable agriculture methods, which will include an aquaponics system where students can also study nutrient cycles as fish waste is used to fertilize plants grown in water. Additionally, students can compare aquaculture as a solution to overfishing” (https://www.facebook.com/SFPSEF).
In addition to Werner, there were two other Public School Proud Grant winners from Lincoln. In August 2024, the James A. Winker family generously donated $100,000 to the Education Foundation to enhance visual arts programming throughout the district. In late April 2025, members of the Winker family visited Sioux Falls, and they were able to surprise both Sarah Winterscheidt and Christine Bossman (https://sfeducationfoundation.org/winker-family-supports-art-educators-with-100000-donation/).
Winterscheidt received $4,250.10 for her proposal, “Creative Curriculum Growth and Innovation.” With grant funds, she plans to purchase translucent tracing paper, stencils, portable LED photography lights, a Cricut maker and Cricut papers, blades, wood, and vinyls, a gel press monoprint plate and printmaking supplies, and digital camera USB cables. In the application, she wrote, “The materials ordered for both the photo and drawing classes are essential to enhancing the curriculum by providing students with the tools necessary to explore their creative practices. For the photo class, the acquisition of both handheld and portable studio lights, props, and diverse drawing and printmaking formats will empower students to develop experimentation with various styles and compositions while encouraging them to express personal voice and synthesis. The supplies will create an environment where students can push boundaries, develop critical thinking skills, and foster a deeper understanding of the materials. By integrating these resources, the curriculum becomes more dynamic.”
Bossman received $5,417.69 for her proposal, “Art Upgrade.” With grant funds, she plans to purchase drying racks, a Cricut maker and supply bundle, plant supplies, a light tracing box, watercolor paints, brush markers, and fake fruits and vegetables for still life drawings. In her proposal, Bossman wrote, “With this grant, students will receive a boost to the level of learning that they will experience. Not only will this grant benefit the students in my art classroom, but it will benefit the rest of the art department as a whole. Additionally, it will create an educational greenhouse space that can be utilized by the entirety of the high school. Simply put, this grant has three main objectives: First, students with cognitive impairments will be able to create art at a higher level. Various materials and supplies will be purchased to help bridge the gap between what they are naturally able to do and what they are seeing their peers creating. Second, advanced level art students will be able to explore art using various professional mediums and materials. Lastly, with an educational greenhouse ‘studio’ and upgraded still-life supplies, students will make the connection that not all art must be done in a classroom setting. They will explore that art is something that can always be with them and enrich their life experiences.”
The Education Foundation awarded 110 Public School Proud Grants during the 2024-2025 school year, investing $190,000 in curriculum enhancements.