The Foundation for Eden Prairie Schools (FEPS) announced the recipients of FEPS Community Partnership Grants for Fall 2022 totaling $9,000. The following two organizations serving Eden Prairie students each received a portion of the funds and will implement their programs throughout the 2022/23 school year:
Eden Prairie Noon Rotary – My Book Day – $4,000
FEPS has been a long-time partner, along with the Eden Prairie Noon Rotary, of the My Book Day program. This program provides a new book to approximately 630 Eden Prairie first graders to help enhance and improve reading skills, reading motivation and commitment to support their long-term educational achievement. Each child will receive a book of their choice to take home so that their inspiration for reading extends outside of the classroom. During the My Book Day Celebration event in late April first grade students travel to the high school Performing Arts Center and are treated to a performance, introduced to high school students who tell their stories about the importance of reading, and in the past students have been introduced to high school clubs such as robotics and treated to science demonstrations. Finishing out the day, every child receives their book of choice to take home and begin their journey as a life-long reader.
Move Fwd – Youth Counseling – $5,000
MoveFwd supports youth mental health, social-emotional development, and school performance by providing no-cost, barrier-free youth mental health services to students age 12-21 who are enrolled in the Eden Prairie School District. Move-Fwd’s youth mental health services are delivered through master’s-level therapists and embedded at the Eden Prairie High School and within the TASSEL transition program for special education students. The therapy provided helps to stabilize young people in crisis and helps them build emotional resilience, mature social-emotional skills, and stronger relationships. The need for youth mental health services has been accelerating since 2008 and is reaching a crisis level, with over 23% of students in Minnesota reporting mental health, behavioral, or emotional challenges. Due to an increasing waiting list for services to students in Eden Prairie, this community grant will help MoveFwd to expand its services this year to keep Eden Prairie students healthy, stable, ready to learn, and able to fulfill their potential.
FEPS proudly partners each year with community organizations by providing grants to support current or additional programming that is beneficial to Eden Prairie School District students. FEPS Grants and Recognition Committee evaluates grant applications based on the following criteria: makes a positive impact on student academic achievement and engagement; impacts a significant number of students or impacts smaller numbers of students but in a significant way; program/project is inspiring and visible; program/project can be duplicated in other classrooms; is tied to a specific curriculum goal or educational program; and, is consistent with FEPS mission and school district strategic plans.
