OLIVER’S FUND GRANTs
Oliver's Fund Grants are available to licensed staff to pay for programs that support students in the following areas: increasing mental wellness, creating a sense of community and belonging, and/or raising awareness of the important issues of depression and suicide. Oliver's Fund grants are available because of generous donations from the friends and family of Oliver Zlonis and community members who share their passion for mental wellness.
2022-2023 OLIVER’S FUND GRANT RECIPIENTS
O.H. Anderson Elementary School - Wellness
An Oliver’s Fund Grant was awarded to the school counselor to purchase the SMARTS (strategies, motivation, awareness, resilience, talents, and success) Executive Functioning Skills curriculum to use with students who need support in the areas of goal setting, flexible thinking, organizing and prioritizing information, memorization, and self-monitoring. The program supports executive functioning strategies and helps to decrease socio-economic status achievement gaps.
O.H. Anderson Elementary School - Wellness
An Oliver’s Fund Grant was awarded to the O.H. Anderson Garden Club to create and maintain perennial gardens in front of the school. The Garden Club provides an equitable and inclusive opportunity for all students to work together in creating and caring for this natural outdoor space. Research has shown that when kids are involved in extracurricular activities, they are actually better students because they understand they are a part of the community and they take pride in their school, which results in increased well-being and higher academic achievement.
Early Childhood Education
An Oliver’s Fund Grant was awarded to Early Childhood for an Active Calming Center at each early childhood location–Wildwood and the District Education Center. The Active Calming Center guides children through nine physical and mental tasks to help them calm their bodies and center on learning. The Active Calming Center supports the District's strategic plan of giving students opportunities to learn how to regulate their bodies, so they can be ready to learn at school. It creates an inclusive learning community and a culture of empathy. Early intervention is key to having a successful classroom and to having students ready for Kindergarten and beyond. Teaching students coping and calming strategies at a young age will impact them throughout their educational life.
Mahtomedi Middle School - Mental Health & Wellness (MAEF Grant & Oliver’s Fund Grant)
A grant was awarded to the middle school WEB (Where Everybody Belongs) program to purchase activities and games for group interactions and community building between the student leaders and sixth graders. WEB is a yearlong program that trains eighth graders to be student leaders and mentors to the incoming sixth graders. The student leaders plan multiple events to ensure the sixth graders feel connected to the middle school community, promoting joy and fostering trusting relationships.
Since the pandemic students are having a harder time interacting with each other. Access to structured group games and fun shared experiences that encourage social interaction at school, can build a stronger school climate and encourage friendship building. The middle school strategic plan states all students will feel valued and connected within the Zephyr community. Providing multiple options for eighth graders to interact and mentor the sixth graders will support connections and community within the building.
*MAEF awarded a grant in ‘21-’22 to help fund the training of two WEB staff advisors.