School Innovation Programs

GRANT INSTRUCTIONS
February 6, 2015
Each year, $300,000 is designated from the 2010 Mill Levy for School Innovation Program grant funds. Per
the Mill Levy ballot language, these funds are to be used to maintain excellence for student academic
achievement and interventions and provide resources for preschool, whole child, career awareness and
wellness.
Additionally, PSD has created a variety of goals and objectives to help shepherd the district in ensuring
that the mission to Educate Every Child Every Day is being fulfilled. PSDs learning goals, as of the 2010
Mill Levy, are as follows:
1. Third grade reading proficiency
2. Annual academic growth
3. Post-secondary readiness
4. Successful transition
Programs proposed for consideration through the School Innovation grant program should
speak both to the Mill Levy directive as well as directly address at least one of PSDs original
four learning goals.
Please note: Should your school seek funding for wellness programming, the proposed program must also
address at least one of the four learning goals outlined above.
While there are many definitions of innovation, for the purposes of this grant, applicants
should focus on developing proposals that employ innovation as a new or improved approach
that goes above and beyond the programs/initiatives or methods already in place at your site.

1. Innovation Grant Information

All schools are eligible to apply for funds.

Applications will only be considered for one-year of programming during 2015-16 school year. If
projects are ongoing, schools may submit renewal applications annually for consideration and
approval. Renewal applications will be considered in the same application pool as new applications.

Should schools wish to submit renewal applications, each renewal application must be accompanied
by a report on the prior years project that clearly demonstrates progress toward learning outcomes
and includes a plan for the future sustainability of the program.

Funds will be allocated based on merit of applications (see attached rubric for details). Grants will
be funded until funds are depleted.

Schools can request up to $25,000 per application. Schools may submit multiple applications.

Funds awarded will be available July 1, 2015. No expenditures associated with Innovation Grants
for the 2015-16 may be recorded prior to July 1, 2015.

Funds not used during the 2015-16 school year will be returned to the Innovation grant account.
Funds will not roll forward from year to year.

All applications must be approved by the Assistant Superintendent of Elementary or Secondary

Schools prior to awarding of funds.

Funds CANNOT be used for the following purposes:

Ongoing/long-term staffing costs (i.e. teacher salaries)

Note: Stipends for extra duty, professional development or consultants may be

considered with appropriate justification for inclusion.

 Duplication of technology from Mill Levy technology programs

Field Trips/Buses
Travel (i.e. hotel, airfare, mileage, meals)
Workbooks or replacement of existing textbooks/curricular materials
Fees (i.e. IB, Core Knowledge, Experiential Learning Fees)
Mandatory programs/interventions
Note: Points will be deducted in question C for the inclusion of disallowed expenses.
Funds CAN be used for:
Support for Emerging Innovations (Grades PK-12): New program design, professional
development, curriculum design, ongoing evaluation and instructional materials.
Innovations must speak to at least one of the original four District learning goals outlined on
page 1.
Support for Ongoing Innovations or the Expansion of Innovative Programs (Grades PK-12):
Innovative program implementation (i.e. collaboration with another school to expand an
innovative program or implement a program already in place elsewhere), expansion of
existing innovative programming.
Enhancements to School Wide Programs (Grades PK-12) in Support of District Learning
Goals: Professional development, curriculum design, ongoing evaluation and instructional
materials designed to support programs seeking to advance at least one of the original four
District learning goals.
2. Application Process
Applications are due by 4:30pm on April 8, 2015. LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE
ACCEPTED. Any applications submitted after 4:30pm on April 8 will not be considered.
Submit applications ELECTRONICALLY to: Lauren Hooten (lhooten@psdschools.org).
Evaluation of Application(s): This is COMPETITIVE GRANT. A cross-functional team of
parents, community members, and PSD staff will review and approve applications based on the
rubric.
Allocation of funds: Schools will receive funds during the summer of 2015. Funds will not be
available prior to July 1, 2015. NO EXPENDITURES may occur prior to the start of the 2015-16 fiscal
year on July 1, 2015.
Renewal Applications: If you are submitting a renewal application you must submit a mid-year
report form with your application. The mid-year report form is included with the application form.
Please note: Renewal applications submitted WITHOUT A REPORT WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

3. Application Rubric
Funds will be awarded on the merit of plans based on these criteria and point values.
Application Criteria (please use the Grant Application to insert your
information)

Point Value
Assigned

Describe the proposed innovation and why the proposed program is

innovative and important within the context and culture of your school (500
words or less).

15 points

State the goals of the innovation and how it aligns with at least one of the
District learning goals and your school improvement plan. Describe how the
innovation will enhance and/or provide additional educational opportunities
for students. (500 words or less).

15 points

Provide a detailed budget for the proposed project. Include a detailed

15 points

narrative explanation of each line item in the budget. (Please see pg. 3 for a
sample budget format)
PLEASE NOTE: Each line item in your budget must directly align to the
concepts/ideas included in the proposal. For example, if requesting funding
for extra duty stipends, please describe how this extra time will be spent in
detail.

(2 points will be
deducted per category
of disallowed expense
included in the
budget)

Additionally, points will be deducted for all disallowed expenses (i.e. ongoing
staffing costs such as salaries, duplicative technology programming, field
trips/buses, travel, workbooks or replacement of existing textbooks/curricular
materials, fees such as IB, Core, etc.).
D List annual, measurable outcomes expected from the implementation of the
innovation. Describe how the success of the program will be evaluated. (500
words or less).

15 points

If the proposed innovation is successful, describe how the program can

benefit other schools and how it will be shared with others (500 words or
less).

10 points

Describe collaboration and partnership opportunities created through the

implementation of the innovation (250 words or less).

10 points

G Describe the plan for ensuring the sustainability of the program in future
years, highlighting plans for ensuring financial sustainability through
leverage of other funds. Please explain why grant funding is being sought in
lieu of supporting the proposed program and associated costs through
Student-Based Budgeting (500 words or less).

10 points

H Provide (attach) a detailed implementation timeline (1 page).

10 points

PLEASE NOTE: Late applications will not be accepted. If an application is submitted after the
application deadline, it will not be considered.

4. Sample Grant Budget

For applicant reference, the below sample grant budget has been created. Applicants may use this sample
budget as a guide in designing their own School Innovation Grant budgets. PLEASE NOTE: All budgets
must include narrative explanations for each line item. Budgets may be included in Question C, or may be
attached as separate attachments.
Sample School Innovation Project Budget
Costs:
Teacher/Paraprofessional Stipends:
Teacher stipends to attend Innovation
Training Conference on 08/15/14
Teacher stipends for Innovation Training
follow-up after school
Employee Benefits:
Benefits on Teacher stipends to attend
Innovation Training Conference on
08/15/14
Benefits on Teacher stipends for
Innovation Training follow-up
Conference Expenses:

Total:

6 teachers @ $19/hr. x 8 hours

$912

6 teachers @ $19/hr. x 8 hours

$912

$912 x 19% (PERA/FICA)

$173

$912 x 19% (PERA/FICA)

$173

Conference registration for 6 teachers

and 2 administrators to attend
Innovation Training
Supplies:
Innovation kits for classroom
implementation
Materials and refreshments for parents
at Parent Innovation Night
Consultants/Contractors
Innovation Coach from Innovation
Company to assist teachers with
implementation
Equipment:
2 hand held video cameras to record
implementation for use on Blackboard

$250 per person registration fee x 8

people

$2,000

6 kits @ $400 per kit

$2,400

$5 per person x 150 people

$750

$550 per day x 6 days (1 day

coaching per teacher)

$3,300

2 cameras @ $200
Total Grant Request:

$400
$11,02
0

For questions on this application, the criteria or any portion of the grant, please contact:
Stacy Poncelow, Grants Coordinator
490-3658
poncelow@psdschools.org

Lauren Hooten, Project Coordinator

490-3009
lhooten@psdschools.org

School Innovation Grants

2015 APPLICATION
Each year, $300,000 is designated from the 2010 Mill Levy for School Innovation Program grant funds. Per
the Mill Levy ballot language, these funds are to be used to maintain excellence for student academic
achievement and interventions and provide resources for preschool, whole child, career awareness and
wellness.
Additionally, PSD has created a variety of goals and objectives to help shepherd the district in ensuring
that the mission to Educate Every Child Every Day is being fulfilled. The learning goals, as of the 2010 Mill
Levy, are as follows:
1. Third grade reading proficiency
2. Annual academic growth
3. Post-secondary readiness
4. Successful transition
Programs proposed for consideration through the School Innovation grant program should
speak both to the Mill Levy directive as well as directly address at least one of PSDs original
four learning goals as outlined above.
Please note: Should your school seek funding for wellness programming, the proposed program must also
address at least one of the four learning goals outlined above.
While there are many definitions of innovation, for the purposes of this grant, applicants
should focus on developing proposals that employ innovation as a new or improved approach
that goes above and beyond the programs/initiatives or methods already in place at your site.

Proposal Information:
School Name:

Poudre High School

Innovation
(Program Title):

EXPAND Access for Adventure PE

District
Learning Goal
Addressed:
Amount
Requested:
Priority:

Post-Secondary Readiness/Successful Transition, provide

resources for whole-child and wellness
$15,258
ASK KATHY
(Note: If multiple applications are submitted from your school, please rank
the priority of this application. i.e. 1 of 3 top priority)

Signatures:
Principal:

Date:
Principal
Signature:

School Innovation Grants

2015 APPLICATION
A. Describe the proposed innovation and why the proposed program
is innovative and important within the context and culture of
your school (500 words or less).

15 points

Poudre High School serves 1,683 students, 1,642 students of which are enrolled in a
physical education course during the school year. Over the years courses in our Physical
Education Department have evolved to keep up with state standards as well as trends in
fitness and health. In the fall of 2009, Poudre High School was proud to offer Adventure
PE. This course aimed to provide students access to community resources with a focus on
health and wellness. Although we were able to achieve this goal, we fell short in the
requirements of this course by limiting the population of students that could access this
curriculum. Currently, students who have the capability to participate in this course are
students that can afford the course fees and provide themselves transportation.
Thirty nine percent of Poudre High School students live below the poverty line.
Research shows that there is a strong correlation between poverty and levels of health and
wellness. This curriculum is intended to target the population of students that wouldnt
otherwise have the ability to access it in an effort to provide the same quality of education
to all students. Just as the Northside Aztlan Community Center focused on improving the
health and wellness of our Spanish speaking community by providing access to this
facility, Poudre High School needs to provide access and education for outdoor
recreational activities in an effort to promote community connections, improve quality of
life, and introduce activities that are common and accessible to native Coloradans.
EXPAND Access for Adventure PE will change all of this! This grant will provide on
campus equipment that is available to all students. The following are a list of benefits of
this program:
reduce course fees
reduce transportation needs, thus reducing student risk
increase the population of students who can access this course by roughly 640
students
increase instructional time
reduce the need to outsource instruction
EXPAND Access for Adventure PE
Archery in the Schools 8 bows, 8 targets, 60 arrows, 1 arrow curtain, 1 repair kit, 1
bow rack
National Fishing in the Schools 10 rod outfits, curriculum unit, lessons plans,
instructor certification

 Disc Golf 9 portable baskets, 50 discs

Snowshoes 30 pairs
Storage shed safely houses equipment to ensure appropriate use and decrease
deterioration

B. State the goals of the innovation and how it aligns with at least one of

15 points

the District learning goals and your school improvement plan. Describe
how the innovation will enhance and/or provide additional educational
opportunities for students. (500 words or less).

EXPAND Access for Adventure PE aligns with Above and Beyond as students are
challenged, motivated, and inspired to reach their personal level of excellence. This
curriculum affords students the opportunity to excel in their personal area of interest and
to develop and sustain an enduring connection with their school communities. This
program has the potential to offer students authentic experiences in outdoor education
and adventure activities, provide the bridge to community resources and individuals, and
develop and grow personal areas of interest while refining individual talents.
According to the 2014 Colorado Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation plan
roughly 66% of all Colorado residents engage in outdoor activities at least one day of the
week, with 60% of Coloradans likely to increase their participation in outdoor recreation
over the next five years. Walking, hiking/backpacking and fishing top the list as the most
popular activities. Students are engage in this class would leave with a number of
attributes, not limited to:

Increased awareness and access to outdoor experiences and opportunities

Enhanced knowledge and appreciation of the outdoors and outdoor skills, thus
decreasing their carbon footprint, and increasing their conservation mentality

Promote the connection between outdoor recreation and the economic and financial
viability of the community

Increase awareness of close-to-home outdoor recreation opportunities

Expand access and reduce barriers to outdoor recreation for youth, low income, and
underserved populations

The district goal of Above and Beyond as it applies to this class would take students from
a movement based course with a focus in learning skills, to a course designed to increase
opportunities, discover untapped potential, and identify personal talents through genuine
and authentic experiences. It will challenge students to think beyond themselves, and
encourage them to identify ways to make changes for the greater good.

Kathy how it aligns to school improvement plan (ideas below?)

Retention of students
Connection to potential careers and pathways in outdoor education, parks and
recreation
Sustainability

C. Provide a detailed budget for the proposed project. Include a

detailed narrative explanation of each line item in the budget.
PLEASE NOTE: Each line item in your budget must directly align
to the concepts/ideas included in the proposal. For example, if
requesting funding for extra duty stipends, please describe how
this extra time will be spent in detail.
If necessary, budget and narrative may be included as a separate
attachment.

15 points
(2 points
will be
deducted
for each
category
of
disallowed
expense
included)

EXPAND Access for Adventure PE

Archery in the Schools 8 bows, 8 targets, 60 arrows, 1 arrow curtain, 1 repair kit, 1
bow rack
- $3,458
National Fishing in the Schools 10 rod outfits, curriculum unit, lessons plans,
instructor certification
- $3,500
Disc Golf 9 portable baskets, 50 discs
- $2,000
Snowshoes 30 pairs (class set)
- $3,800
Storage shed safely houses equipment to ensure appropriate use and decrease
deterioration
- $2,500
-----------------------------------TOTAL - $15,258.00

D. List annual, measurable outcomes expected from the

implementation of the innovation. Describe how the success of
the program will be evaluated (500 words or less).

Content Area: Physical Education

Grade: HS
Activity: Adventure PE
Standard/Concept/Evidence Outcome:

15 points

Adventure PE

1.1 a-b, 1.1 d, 2.2 a, 2.2 c, 3.2a-j

Criteria

Score

4= Advanced
Student is always: (90-100% of the time)

dressed out in appropriate clothing for adventure activities

demonstrating safe behavior in all settings

knowledgeable of community resources and equipment for outdoor activities at an advanced level

a leader and helper, reaching personal and group goals

initiating responsible behaviors,

functioning independently and cooperatively, depending on the task

able to accept differences in others and roles that group members take, depending on task

highly involved/engaged in class activities

3= Proficient
Student is Mostly (80-89% of the time)

dressed out in appropriate clothing for adventure activities

demonstrating safe behavior in all settings

knowledgeable of community resources and equipment for outdoor activities at an advanced level

a leader and helper, reaching personal and group goals

initiating responsible behaviors,

functioning independently and cooperatively, depending on the task

able to accept differences in others and roles that group members take, depending on task

involved/engaged in class activities

2= Partially Proficient
Student Usually (70-79% of the time)

is dressed out in appropriate clothing for adventure activities

demonstrates safe behavior in all settings

is knowledgeable of community resources and equipment for outdoor activities at an advanced level

is a leader and helper, reaching personal and group goals

initiates responsible behaviors,

functions independently and cooperatively, depending on the task

is able to accept differences in others and roles that group members take, depending on task

is involved/engaged in class activities

1= In-Progress
Student Rarely (69% of the time or lower)

is dressed out in appropriate clothing for adventure activities

demonstrates safe behavior in all settings

is knowledgeable of community resources and equipment for outdoor activities at an advanced level

is a leader and helper, reaching personal and group goals

initiates responsible behaviors,

functions independently and cooperatively, depending on the task

is able to accept differences in others and roles that group members take, depending on task

is involved/engaged in class activities

0= The student does not reach a standard described by any of the descriptors
above

The rubric listed above is district adopted and created to evaluate the effectiveness of
current Adventure P.E. programs. Enrolled students are evaluated both pre and posttest with the focus and goal on personal growth. Adjustments and revisions to this
rubric are done on a yearly basis, with an emphasis on how the course links to state
standards, and district adopted goals.

E. If the proposed innovation is successful, describe how the

program can benefit other schools and how it will be shared with
others (500 words or less).

10 points

What we are seeing in our community is changing demographics. Fort Collins High
School experienced an increase in their Spanish speaking population the past couple of
years and they continue to reach out to us as to how they can best support this
population. As we experience success with our students, we share these practices.
The North Area Leadership Team meets once a month to discuss ways to engage all
students and provide equal access to education. Decisions or ideas discussed during
this meeting would be shared with schools of similar demographics, but also open to
all schools. Systems could be created to share curriculum, materials, and community
connections.

10

F. Describe collaboration and partnership opportunities created

through the implementation of the innovation (250 words or
less).

10 points

By creating community partnerships, we can join forces to share strategies as we

provide all students access and improve their health and wellness. Schools that offer
this program could collaborate with each other on lessons, successes and failures, and
join forces to solve common problems and issues. A district collaborative team (DCT)
could be established for teachers in the district. Professional development
opportunities are currently being provided by Poudre School District, however, teachers
and schools lack the equipment and materials to fully offer and develop their programs
to meet all students needs. At this point teachers would like to move beyond the
snapshot approach to Adventure Education and dig deeper into trends, connections,
and experiences.
EX. students will learn about local recreational resources such as trails hiking, snow
shoeing. We will educate and promote these opportunities in an effort to maintain a
healthy lifestyle. Most people who do not engage, or havent engaged in such
activities are due to lack of knowledge, inaccessibility of resources/equipment, or a
lack of confidence in skills.

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G. Describe the plan for ensuring the sustainability of the program in

future years, highlighting plans for ensuring financial sustainability
through leverage of other funds. Please explain why grant funding
is being sought in lieu of supporting the proposed program and
associated costs through Student-Based Budgeting (500 words or
less).

10
points

By having our own equipment, we have made the program sustainable. The storage
shed will ensure the life of the equipment as well as provide a safe place to store such
items from students. Course fees will be reduced for students, and incoming funds can
be used to repair broken or damaged equipment as it occurs. Physical education
equipment is expensive; school budgeting does not allow for purchases of this nature.
Physical education student-based budgeting funds are spent on the replacement and
purchase of essential items. This eliminates the Physical Education Departments
ability to purchase items and materials for specialty classes. Fundraising efforts are
used to support the purchase of essential items. By housing and storing our own

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equipment we will improve the longevity of any purchased equipment, and provide
sustainability to the program for years to come.

H. Attach an implementation timeline. (1 page)

10
points

PLEASE NOTE:
-

Late applications will not be considered. Any application submitted after 4:30pm on April
8 will not be forwarded to the review committee for consideration.

Any renewal application that is submitted must be accompanied by a mid-year report.

Renewal applications submitted without a report will not be considered.

13

Implementation Timeline
June 2015 order/purchase equipment
July/August 2015 equipment arrives, assemble and install
August 24, 2015 implement curriculum, organize community connection, develop scope and sequence
PHS has 4 semester course offerings of Adventure PE for the 2015-2016 school year

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