This summer, the District secured a $50,000 Safe Routes to School grant. That money has allowed us to purchase the Think Global, Walk Local and Slow Down, Rangers Around signs you see around town, in addition to bike racks and student bike helmets. Funding these types of “extra” projects that happen around the District would not be possible without the efforts of many of our staff and administrators in applying and being awarded grants from state agencies and local organizations. Not only that, but a number of critical programs that support our students are available only because of a grant.
Some of the grants the District has received as recently as this month and over the last few years:
- Lubrizol Corp. — $11,000 to bring ChompSaw Inventor’s Bundles—safe, kid-friendly power tool kits—to all seven Lakewood elementary schools, giving K–5 students hands-on opportunities to design, build, and create with recycled materials.
- Howmet Aerospace Foundation — $30,000 (in conjunction with Lakewood Rangers Education Foundation) to purchase 3D printers for our seven elementary STEM classrooms
- Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) Safe Routes to School grant — $50,000
Award to Lakewood City Schools to support Safe Routes programming (Hike & Bike Week, helmets/locks, bike racks, School Pool efforts, safety patrol support, community outreach). - Lakewood Rangers Education Foundation (LREF) Teaching Grants — $77,000 has been awarded to District teachers over the past three school years for classroom projects and field trips.
- Healthy Lakewood Foundation grant — $15,000 for student mental health and wellness supports.
- Three Arches — Through grants to Bellefaire JCB ($228,647), OhioGuidestone ($112,577) and the Cleveland Clinic Foundation ($120,000) the District was able to continue critical wraparound services such as mental health counseling and trauma-informed prevention services for our students, staff and families.
In addition to these district grants, we are fortunate to have passionate teachers across all our buildings who apply for and are awarded grants for larger projects, such as the $13,465 Grow Ohio Grant Harrison teacher Tiffany Hickey was awarded. The grant is funding a comprehensive program that is educating students about agriculture and food-related career opportunities and giving them an opportunity to grow their own food at school.
All of these grant-funded initiatives — big and small — reflect the commitment and collaborative spirit that define Lakewood City Schools. From hands-on STEM learning to wellness supports and community safety, these opportunities help us extend learning far beyond the classroom and strengthen the whole child experience for every Ranger. We’re deeply grateful to our staff, community partners, and local organizations who continue to help us turn innovative ideas into meaningful impact.