Grant Recognition Event Scheduled for Colome, South Dakota

INFORMATION RELEASE

RURAL SCHOOLS COLLABORATIVE/ www.ruralschoolscollaborative.org

CONTACT: Gary Funk, director, 417-848-9083; gfunk@ruralschoolscollaborative.org

September 23, 2015

Colome School District Teachers Receive $5,000 Grant from the Rural Schools Collaborative

Presentation Event: Monday, September 28, 2015; 3:15 p.m., Colome School Multi Purpose Room, Colome, South Dakota

The Rural Schools Collaborative (RSC) and its partners will recognize five Colome teachers who received a $5,000 grant through RSC’s inaugural Grants in Place program. Funds for the grant award were provided in part by the South Dakota Innovation Lab and Leadership South Dakota.

The five teachers involved in the grant project will use the money for training in Transdisciplinary Problem Based Learning. The training, provided by the South Dakota Innovation Lab, will culminate in the implementation of the rural blended learning approach with student-based community projects. The honored teachers are Janette Shippy, high school science; Julie Rhode, distance learning coordinator; Patty DeMers, FACS and personal finance; Renee Bolie, junior high science and high school math; and Abby Smikle, high school English and geography.

The presentation will include Dan Guericke of the South Dakota Innovation Lab and RSC advocate, Jim Beddow† of Rural Weaver and RSC board member, and Gary Funk, RSC director.

The Rural Schools Collaborative was organized in 2014 and launched in April 2015. RSC believes that community-based instruction, thoughtful collaboration, and targeted philanthropy strengthen the fabric of rural places. Its Grants in Place program is funding 35 innovative projects in seven states.

The organization is currently engaged in nine states with an administrative office in Cambridge, Wisconsin.

†Dr. Jim Beddow, longtime RSC advocate, board member and chair emeritus, and passed away on June 25, 2023. Read more about his legacy.