Winter 2019.

We are thrilled to announce that we awarded $17,760 this grant cycle!

♦The following is a list of the projects and programs completely or partially funded by The SSF in the Roots focus area, which funds experiences and program in Outdoor Education, Agriculture Education, Rural & Mountain Heritage, and Environmental Science:

Loyalton Elementary School, School-Wide. $400 for the Annual Science Night. Andrea Ceresola, Principal.

Loyalton Elementary School, Grade 4. Fully funded $3,782 for the Annual Lava Beds National Monument Explorational Field Trip. Joanna Haug, Teacher.

Downieville School, Grades 1-3. Fully funded $750 for STEM Lab Workshops. Katrina Bosworth, Teacher.

Downieville School, Grades 4-6. Fully funded $1,500 for Glass Art Workshop. Niecea Freeman, Teacher.

Downieville School, Grades 11-12. Fully funded Basic Barista Survival Guide/Career Development, Downieville High School, $480, Niecea Freeman, College & Career Counselor

♦The following is a list of the projects and programs completely or partially funded by The SSF in the Boots focus area, which funds experiences and programs in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math), Music, Social/Emotional Learning, Career Development, and College Readiness:

Downieville School, Grades 7-12. Fully funded $3,875 for the high DHS Monterey Bay Aquarium Field Trip and Sleepover in the museum. Robin Bolle, Teacher.

Downieville School, Grades 6-12. Fully funded $2,250 for music, dance, and set design instructors for its annual spring musical performance. Lynn Fillo, Teacher.

Loyalton Elementary School, Grades K-6. Fully funded $400 for its annual Science Night. Andrea Ceresola, Principal.

Loyalton High School, Grades 9-12. Fully funded $175 for the equipment for the graphic design and filmmaking classes. Laura Calabrese, Teacher

Loyalton Elementary School, Grades K/1. Fully funded $757 for an exploratory light table. Ann Fisher and April Burns, Teachers

Downieville School, Grades 1-3. Fully funded $234 for the VanGo Traveling Building and Engineering Experience. Katrina Bosworth, Teacher.

Downieville School, Grades 1-3. Fully funded $138 for equipment for its Egg to Chick Project. Katrina Bosworth, Teacher.

Loyalton Elementary School, Grades K/1. Fully funded $420 for Discovery Museum field trip. Ann Fisher, April Burns, and Karen Gress, Teachers.

Downieville School, Grades K-6. Fully funded $97 to purchase a music keyboard. Katrina Bosworth, Teacher.

Spring 2020 (grant cycle cancelled) Emergency COVID-19 Grants Include:

♦The following is a list of the projects and programs completely or partially funded by The SSF in the Boots focus area, which funds experiences and programs in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math), Music, Social/Emotional Learning, Career Development, and College Readiness:

Downieville Jr./Sr. High School. $1533 for Boe-Bots in math and sciences courses during virtual learning and to be integrated back into in-person learning. Robin Bolle, Teacher.

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Winter 2017.

Another fantastic group of educational grants have been funded to support excellence in our schools for the 2017-2018 academic year! This cycle we granted $19,462 for wonderful programs, field trips, classroom equipment and trainings. Thank you to the dedicated teachers and educational leaders of the Sierra-Plumas Joint Unified School District for bringing so much inspiration to our rural students, and of course, thank you to our donors for making all of this possible year after year!

♦The following is a list of the projects and programs completely or partially funded by The SSF in the Roots focus area, which funds experiences and program in Outdoor Education, Agriculture Education, Rural & Mountain Heritage, and Environmental Science:

Downieville School, K-12. Fully funded $225 for equipment and supplies for the Learning Garden Greenhouse,  Maire McDermid, Teacher.

Loyalton High School, Grades 9-12. Fully funded $550 to purchase a digital camera for the Agriculture Program to document events and student work. Cali Griffin, Teacher.

Loyalton Elementary School. Grade 4. Fully funded $2,600 for the annual National Lava Beds Field Trip Joana Haug, Teacher.

Loyalton High School, Grades 9-12. Fully funded $2,050 for the Earth Science students to participate in a two-day Lassen Volcanic Park and Geology Field Trip. Jason Adams, Teacher.

♦The following is a list of the projects and programs completely or partially funded by The SSF in the Boots focus area, which funds experiences and programs in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math), Music, Career Development, and College Readiness:

Downieville School, K-6. Fully funded $5,180 for a school-wide STEAM Enrichment Program. Maire McDermid, Teacher.

Loyalton High School, Grades 7-12. Fully funded $1,850 to provide training and support to student-peace-mediators in order to enhance the student-led Peace Mediator Program, which provides conflict resolution and mediation school-wide. Megan Meschery, Teacher.

Loyalton Elementary School, Grades K & 1. Fully funded $820 for Discovery Museum Field Trip. Ann Fisher, Teacher.

Downieville School, K-6. Fully Funded $287 in partnership with The Sierra County Arts Council for a Crocker Art Field Field Trip in Sacramento, CA. Katrina Bosworth, Teacher.

Loyalton Elementary School, K-6. Fully funded $400 for the Sierra Nevada Journeys Family Science Night, Andrea Ceresola, Principal.

Downieville School, 7-12. Fully funded $500 for science students to participate in the STEM Sea Perch Navy Competition in San Jose, CA. Robin Bolle, Teacher.

Downieville School, 7-12. Fully funded $2,500 to support Spring Musical/Dance, Vocal Workshops for students. Lynn Fillo, Teacher.

Loyalton High School, Grades 9-12. Fully funded $800 for the Sound of Music Field Trip at the Pioneer Event Center in Reno, NV. Susan Baker, Teacher.

Loyalton High School, Grades 9-12. Fully funded $300 for UNR’s Black Rock Press Field Trip. Laura Calabrese, Teacher.

Loyalton High School. Grades 7-12. Fully funded $400 to create a Math Escape Room for Common Core fun! Sue Gressel, Teacher.

Loyalton High School, Grades 7-12. Fully funded $1,000 for  the Teacher at Home with iPad Pro Project to provide a flipped classroom experience to support students review daily instruction from home. Adrienne Anila, Teacher.

Spring 2018.

We are thrilled to fund many grants to the school sites and teachers of the Sierra-Plumas Joint Unified School District! This spring we awarded $27,948 to enhance the educational experience for our students in the form of additional programs to add value to what we can offer students, field trips to connect the classroom to the real-world, social/emotional workshops to prepare students for working with others, and classroom equipment to enhance what’s working. We are thrilled that for the 2017-2018 academic year, we funded a grand total of over $47,000 to support our rural schools. Thank you to all who donate and support our vision and the Roots & Boots Initiative! 

♦The following is a list of the projects and programs completely or partially funded by The SSF in the Roots focus area, which funds experiences and program in Outdoor Education, Agriculture Education, Rural & Mountain Heritage, and Environmental Science:

Downieville School, Grades 1-3. Fully funded $500 for the Nimbus Fish Hatchery Field Trip. Katrina Bosworth, Teacher.

Loyalton Elementary School. Grade 5. Fully funded $5,000 for the Local Area Science Development Project the Sierra Nevada Journeys. Juli Lane, Teacher.

Downieville School, Grades 7-12. Fully funded $1,000 for the Salmon Spawning Habitat Rafting Expedition. Robin Bolle, Teacher

Loyalton Elementary School. Grades K/1. Fully funded $562 for the field trip to the “Animal Ark.” April Burns, Teacher.

♦The following is a list of the projects and programs completely or partially funded by The SSF in the Boots focus area, which funds experiences and programs in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math), Music, Career Development, and College Readiness:

Downieville School, Grade K-6. Funded $4,365 for the STEAM Program. Maire McDermid & Amber Sainsbury, Teachers/Instructional Aid.

Loyalton High School. Grades 9-12. Fully funded $2,889 for digital cameras for the graphic arts class. Laura Calabrese, Teacher

Downieville School, Grade 6. Funded $1,314 to help pay for the Headlands Trip 2018.

Loyalton Elementary School. Grades TK,K,1. Fully funded $580 for the Friday STEM Lab program’s materials and equipment.

Loyalton High School. Grades 7-12. Fully funded $500 to pay for one Peace Mediator/Restorative Justice student workshop in the fall. Jason Adams, Teacher.

Downieville School, Grades 7-12. Fully funded $500 for 3-D Printer Extruders for STEM enhancements in the classroom. Robin Bolle, Teacher.

Loyalton High School, Grades 10-12. Fully funded $2,870 for the Engineering Amusement Park Rides Project. Adrienne Anila & Caleb Dorsey, Teachers.

Downieville School, Grades 7-12. Fully funded $3,142 for the Annual Oregon Shakespeare Festival Field Trip. Lynn Fillo, Teacher.

Loyalton Elementary School, Grade 3. Fully funded $493 for the Gallery on the Go mobile canvas painting project. Erin Folchi, Teacher.

Loyalton High School. Grades 9-12. Fully funded $5,000 for the A-G Fine Arts Filmmaking Class instruction. Tom Jones, Principal.

Downieville School, Grades K-3. Fully funded $232 for the Van-Go-Traveling Art Show. Katrina Bosworth, Teacher.

Winter 2015

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE STUDENTS OF SIERRA COUNTY! The Winter Grant Cycle was a huge success as we were able to fund EVERY grant that was submitted from both Downieville and Loyalton schools for a grand total of $17,521.

♦The following is a list of the projects and programs completely or partially funded by The SSF in the Roots focus area, which funds experiences and program in Outdoor Education, Agriculture Education, Rural & Mountain Heritage, and Environmental Science:

Downieville School, K-12 – Fully funded $5,000 for the Downieville Greenhouse Project. Maire McDermid, Teacher.

♦The following is a list of the projects and programs completely or partially funded by The SSF in the Boots focus area, which funds experiences and programs in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), Art, Music, Career Development, and College Readiness:

Loyalton Elementary School, Grade 4 – Fully funded $1,140 to provide lodging for the three-day field trip to the Lava Beds National Monument. Joanna Haug, Teacher.

Downieville School, 6-12 – Fully funded $1,626 for The Biological, Geological and Historical Documentation Project of Western Sierra County to purchase mapping and geological equipment. Robin Bolle, Teacher.

Loyalton High School, 6-12 – Fully funded $1,520 for the Aquaponics Learning Project to purchase an aquaponics system for the agriculture program. Cali Griffin, Teacher.

♦The following is a list of the projects and programs completely or partially funded by The SSF in the Boots focus area, which funds experiences and programs in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), Art, Music, Career Development, and College Readiness:

Loyalton High School, Grades 7 – 12 – Funded $905 for new ceramics equipment to enhance the ceramics/sculpture program. Laura Calabrese, Teacher.

Downieville School, Grades K-12 – Fully Funded $2,250 to support dance, music, and stage art training for the 2016 spring musical. Lynn Filo, Teacher.

Loyalton High School, 6-12 – Fully funded $2,080 to purchase a one-year license for the reading comprehension news site NewsELA to enhance student literacy and current event knowledge. Tom Jones, Principal; Megan Meschery, Teacher.

Loyalton High School, 6-12 – Fully funded the Grizzly Way Project $1,000 for student incentive awards for stellar academics and citizenship each semester. Tom Jones, Principal.

Loyalton High School, 9-12 – Fully funded $2,000 for theater arts students to attend the Ashland Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, Oregon in the spring. Camille Alfred, Teacher.

Spring 2016.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE STUDENTS OF SIERRA COUNTY! The Spring Grant Cycle was a great one with the grants awarded adding up to $14, 246! We are so thrilled to have supported the schools, teachers and students of the Sierra-Plumas Joint Unified School District by granting a grand total of $31,767 for the 2015/2016 school year.

♦The following is a list of the projects and programs completely or partially funded by The SSF in the Roots focus area, which funds experiences and program in Outdoor Education, Agriculture Education, Rural & Mountain Heritage, and Environmental Science:

Downieville School, K-12 – Fully funded $624 for the Downieville Native and Heritage Plants Botanical Demonstration Garden. Robin Bolle, Teacher.

♦The following is a list of the projects and programs completely or partially funded by The SSF in the Boots focus area, which funds experiences and programs in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math), Music, Career Development, and College Readiness:

Loyalton High School, 9-12 – Funded $3,804 for the Filmmaking 2.0 Project: Digital Storytelling. Students will not only have an enhanced filmmaking experience, but also begin working in the other digital arts to begin telling stories through video game design, and JAVA Script coding for 2D and 3D game design. Megan Meschery, Teacher.

Loyalton High School, 7-12 – Funded $2,536 for  the Ashland Theater and College Tour Field Trip. The students of the Theatre Arts and English Classes will view live plays and visit Southern Oregon University. Camille Alfred, Teacher.

Downieville High School, 7-12 – Funded $3124 for the Ashland Theater and College Tour Field Trip. This three-day experience includes a visit to Ashland, Oregon to view two plays, and will also involve college tours at Southern Oregon University, California State University, Chico and Shasta College. Lynn Fillo, Teacher.

Loyalton Elementary School, Kindergarten – Funded $1,390 for the Art Experience for the Youngest Students Project. Kindergarten students will enjoy two day-long art workshops at the Painted Vine Art Studio in Truckee, CA. April Burns, Teacher.

Loyalton High School, 7-12 – Funded $350 to add value through the purchasing of additional equipment for the current Art and Science Combination Ceramics Project, which provides ceramic design and creation to all students 7-12. Laura Calabrese, Teacher.

Downieville School, K-6 – Funded $948 for the Zumba Dance for Kids Project. Downieville Elementary will offer dance classes once a week to increase body awareness, provide fundamentals of dance, and give opportunities for fun exercise. Maire McDermid, Teacher.

Loyalton High School, 9-12. Funded $1,470 for three SAT workshops to offer instruction on the new SAT/PSAT, which are now in line with the Common Core Standards. The new exams will be administered starting in October 2015 and we want our students well-prepared for this change. Kim McKinney, Teacher.

Winter 2013

We are proud to the report that we have awarded nearly $18,000 to the teachers and schools of the Sierra-Plumas Joint Unified Schools District in December to provide excellent educational opportunities for its students.  The Foundation awarded funding to projects that met specific criteria in line with The Foundation’s Roots & Boots Initiative which is committed to encouraging students to explore, appreciate and preserve their rural “roots” and the remote and rural landscapes that shapes them, while also providing them with the “boots,” or skills, training and experiences to walk into their future prepared and inspired for what is ahead.

The following is a list of the projects and programs completely or partially funded by The SSF in the Boots focus area, which funds experiences and programs in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), Art, Music, Career Development, and College Readiness:

Downieville Junior/Senior High School – Funded a total of $6,469.20 for the iPad Tablet Project  One-to-one student use of computer technology in the classroom. Stephen Tassone, Science Teacher

Loyalton High School – Funded a total of $1,165-Sparking Interest in Renewable Energy Engineering K’nex Renewable Energy Kits for 8th and 10th grade science classes to launch engineering and renewable energy projects in the classroom. Mark Fisher, Science Teacher

Downieville and Loyalton High Schools – Funded $1,000 Advancing to College Program SAT preparation (instruction and student supplies) free for all high school students. Janet McHenry, English Teacher & Kim McKinney, Mathematics Teacher

Downieville Junior/Senior High School – Funded $1,500 Art for the Core Curriculum Project to jump start the inclusion of art into secondary education. Augustine Corcoran, Social Studies and Spanish Teacher

Loyalton Elementary School – Funded $2, 628 The Experience of Musical Theatre Field trip for the entire elementary school to see the musical performance of Shrek in Reno, NV. Loyalton Elementary School Staff.  Andrea White, Lead Contact

Loyalton High School – Funded $3,000 The Digital Media & Graphic Design Project  Graphic arts students learn how to use design software from professional graphic designers. Marla Stock, Principal

• The following are a list of the projects and programs completely or partially funded by The SSF in the Roots focus area, which funds experiences and program in Outdoor Education, Agriculture Education, Rural & Mountain Heritage, and Environmental Science.

Loyalton Elementary School – Funded a total of $1,625 Outdoor Learning at the Lava Beds National Monument – 4th grade two-day field trip studying the lava caves, the history of the Modoc Indians, ancient rock art, and a variety of plants and animals.   Joanna Haug, 4th Grade Teacher

Loyalton High School – Funded a total of $155 Agriculture Barn Rehabilitation Project – Funds to replace heat lamps with safer, more reliable models. Cali Griffin, Agriculture Teacher

Spring 2014.

This spring we awarded a grand total of $22,887.50 for stellar educational programs and projects for the students of the Sierra-Plumas Joint Unified Schools District, making the total funding for the 2013-2014 school year over $40,000!  This is all thanks to our generous donors and the efforts of our volunteers who work tirelessly with our four yearly fundraising campaigns.

The Foundation awarded funding to projects that met specific criteria in line with The Foundation’s “Roots & Boots” Initiative, which is committed to encouraging students to explore, appreciate and preserve their rural “roots” and the remote and rural landscapes that shapes them, while also providing them with the “boots,” or skills, training and experiences to walk into their future prepared and inspired for what is ahead.

♦The following is a list of the projects and programs completely or partially funded by The SSF in the Roots focus area, which funds experiences and program in Outdoor Education, Agriculture Education, Rural & Mountain Heritage, and Environmental Science:

Loyalton Elementary School – Funded $9,700 for the Farm to School Program. Funds go to upgrade the elementary school’s green house and put in outdoor beds, fencing, and sheds. All grade levels will participate in planning, planting, cultivating, harvesting and preparing the food they grow with the future hope to bring it to the school cafeteria for all students to enjoy.  Joanna Haug, Teacher and Amy Filippini, Career Counselor.

Downieville High School – $1,937.50 for the Art in the Core Curriculum.
This projects serves to bring an enhanced knowledge of the core curriculum through art exploration with the help of local artists and local resources.

♦The following is a list of the projects and programs completely or partially funded by The SSF in the Boots focus area, which funds experiences and programs in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), Art, Music, Career Development, and College Readiness:

Downieville High School & Loyalton High School – Funded $2,500 and $2,100 for experiential learning field trips to the Ashland Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, Oregon.
Lynn Fillo, Teacher and Camille Alfred, Teacher.

Loyalton High School – $3,000 to start a Choral Music Program for middle and high school students.
Marla Stock, Principal

Downieville Elementary School – $1,600 to purchase Lexia Phonics Software for students in grades K-3.  Important reading software for the youngest readers allowing them to learn to read at their pace and enjoy doing it.
Alicia Schofield, Teacher.

Loyalton Elementary School – $2,050 for KinderArt Hands-On Art Day in Reno, NV for the kindergarten class. As the kindergarten level does not receive any formal art instruction, this grant introduces them to an all-day art immersion project to connect our youngest students to the beauty of art and enjoyment of its creation.