The Conestoga Valley Education Foundation (CVEF) has awarded nearly $50,000 in grants during its 2023 fall grant cycle. CVEF officially approved the grants at its Oct. 17 meeting. Among the grants are those encouraging enrichment in music, community service, and displays of student art.

Grants pertaining to education in music included the Tech Integration for Real World Applications and Reflective Processes in Music for students at Brownstown Elementary School. The goal of this grant is to help bring students' learning into the 21st century with a more enriching and efficient learning environment. Recording equipment will allow students to listen to their performances, as well as integrate with teachers' laptops and students' elecronic tablets. At Fritz Elementary, students will benefit from the Drums Alive! Grant, which will allow for the creation of cross-curricular lessons in physical education and music classes. The program combines fitness and drumming in a format that promotes physical, emotional, and social health. At the Gerald Huesken Middle School (GHMS), Operation Finish the Music is designed to enhance existing technology and augment and support the school's music curriculum. The grant will help establish a SoundGirls Chapter, which is intended to further support young women in the audio field. The grant will also allow for the creation of three production rooms in the building's music wing. At Conestoga Valley High School, the Steinway Restoration and Rededication Concert will help choir students create a collaborative performance experience and celebrate the rededication of the restored Steinway piano.

The Art and Community - Screenflex Artwork Displays grant will give the GHMS students a flexible way to display student artwork and receive constructive criticism and advice from their community to aid in the development of their art skills. Students will also be able to analyze why and how an exhibition may influence ideas, beliefs, and experiences.

At Fritz Elementary, students who take part in the "Little Hats Big Hearts" program will have the opportunity to knit baby hats to donate locally to learn the values of community aid and selflessness. A CVEF grant covered the startup costs of this program.

Life Skills classes at the GHMS will receive startup money through the Brew Up Coffee and Specialties grant. The funds will help establish a coffee cart at the middle school to provide students with intellectual and developmental disabilities a real-life, hands-on learning experience. Students will gain experience with communication, problem-solving, money management, and customer service.

CVEF will award a second round of grants in the spring of 2024.