The Castaic Education Foundation announced that 16 grants have been awarded for the 2022-2023 school year, totaling $50,000.

The 16 grants are planned to be used in the Castaic Union School District to enhance student learning programs and supports music, mindfulness, art, reading, math, science, video production, robotics and more.

The foundation provides a means for schools, individuals, businesses and the community to work together to help all students be successful by providing educational grants. The foundation is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization supporting the Castaic Union School District students since 1994.

“The Castaic Education Foundation is excited to award grants this school year that will provide enrichment opportunities across all grade levels, including preschool,” Castaic Education Foundation,” Chairperson Julia Phippen said. “Grants for career education, outdoor learning, writing, socialization programs and technology will allow teachers to support the needs and interests of our students.”

The grants and recipients were celebrated at the district’s headquarters in a March 15 ceremony.

“Philanthropy is about generosity, which comes in many forms,” Phippen said. “I think about it as time, talent and treasures. The Castaic Education Foundation is a nonprofit organization and all of our members are volunteers. They are giving their time and talent to help support and recognize CUSD staff and students in various ways.”

Since 1994 the foundation has partnered with the district to provide more than $400,000 to District educators for technology, library materials, outdoor play equipment, small appliances for the culinary arts program and many others. Additionally, the foundation annually hosts a student art contest, funds the middle school promotion ceremony, buys T-shirts for the preschool program, “welcome” gifts for new teachers and also participates in staff appreciation week.

“I am immensely excited to see all of the winning projects come to life in the classroom,” Castaic Superintendent Steven Doyle said. “Our partnership with the Castaic Education Foundation allows our teachers to create educational and socialization opportunities that benefit all the students of Castaic Union School District.”

The first four of this year’s grants were awarded under the Peter Sharp Mini Grant. In 2017 the foundation received a large endowment from the Peter Sharp Trust. Those four grants went to Jodi Lopata (Mindfulness Room), Natalie Urso (Beth Smith) (Rooted in Reading); Erin Oxhorn-Gilpin (Reading Manipulatives); and Kerry Summers (Math Multiplication Machines).

Additional recipients wrote grants for items and professional development totaling up to $5,000 each: Kaiyln Siemantel, Hester Sheppard, Dan Chandler, Patty O’Mara, Karla deLemos, Katrina Weiner, Robin Peters, Brianna Gehrke, Lara Frandzel, Michele Silverlake, Terry Parent, Brian Malette and Lori Tompkins.

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