Oakland School Education Foundation

Outstanding Teacher of the Year Program - Award to four teachers within Oakland County who meet criteria, are nominated and chosen through a selection process to highlight outstanding teacher performance through celebration and award program.

Spelling Bee: The Oakland County Spelling Bee has been open to Oakland County students in the fifth-through eighth grade since 1998, always boasting a high participation rate. More than 90 students each year qualify by winning their local school spelling bee. The previous sponsor of the Spelling Bee is now unable to continue their support, so the Foundation decided to support the event for the County. The National Spelling Bee was first started in 1925 when nine newspapers joined together to host a spelling bee for the purpose of helping students improve their spelling, increase their vocabularies, learn concepts, and develop correct English usage that will help them throughout their lives. Ninety years later, their literacy effort reaches 11 million students every year. Funds were awarded to the winner to reimburse expenses for airfare, lodging and meals. Additional expenses were incurred, including Scripps Spelling Bee partnership fee, event rental and supplies.

Superintendent's Initiative: This program is used by the Oakland Schools Superintendent to support teachers and staff within Oakland County. Expenses this year included staff and teacher appreciation gifts/meals.

Bonnie Crowson Scholarships - These funds are designated provide scholarships to students at the Oakland Schools Technical Campus. This year 2 $1,000 scholarships were distributed.

Oakland County Support Staff Award: $1,500 awarded to 3 recipients ($500 awards to each) for the Support Staff Award. This award honors nominees from the 4 quadrants of the county that provide excellent support services within a school district. Additional costs for printing and supplies was incurred.

Robotics/OCCRA - Funds awarded to Oakland Schools for the Oakland County Competitive Robotics Association, which is a local association formed to increase the number of students involved in competitive robotics.

Zatkoff STEMi and STEMco Grant: Awarded to Oakland Schools for equipment and teaching materials to support the STEMi. The STEMi is a traveling mobile lab - classroom on a semi-truck which is equipped with scalable high-tech equipment to support engineering practices, cross-cutting concepts, and MI Talent Architecture core employability skills. The STEMi lab is driven to 28 local school districts, at no cost, for one week at a time, so students have access for hands-on STEM education. A typical visit to a district can provide approximately 18 student learning hours to 500 students and nine educator learning hours.

Apprenticeship - Funds awarded to LiUNA Local 1076 for membership fees for 2 senior students MI Laborer's Training & Apprenticeship Program.