The Niles Education Foundation (NEF) selected eight applicants for the 2010-2011 school year to be awarded an Innovation Grant. A $1,000 Innovation Grant was awarded to Alyse Hoyt of Niles High School for Student Achievement through Display.

Hoyt has been teaching for seven years and holds an industrial technology degree from Northern Michigan University and a master of arts degree in career and technology education from Western Michigan University. The Student Achievement through Display is a 42-inch monitor that displays a multimedia presentation showcasing the achievement of students in Niles Community Schools.

The monitor is displayed in the main entrance at NHS. The display achieves three goals:

• Improves students’ quality of work

• Increases student achievement

• Increases the awareness of our students’ success in the community

Staff from the entire Niles school district sends in their students’ achievements. The information on the media show is changed or added to at least twice a month by the high school’s Graphic Arts Club. The Graphic Arts Lab gives students hands on experience creating multimedia shows using state-of-the-art technology, ranging from iMac computers to mini-keyboards. The Innovation Grant not only purchased the 42-inch monitor, but an iPad that uses Apple Remote to operate the display.

Since its establishment in 2009, the Niles Education Foundation has invested more than $21,000 for the enhancement of public education at Niles Community Schools.

The role of the Niles Education Foundation is to garner private support and public engagement for Niles Community Schools. As a tax-exempt, non profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization, the foundation provides Niles Community Schools with funding that is typically more flexible than restricted tax dollars. The funding and extra resources for the students, teachers and schools helps to cover the gap that exists between what school budgets can cover, and what is needed to ensure the academic success of the students. Gifts are tax deductible for income and estate tax purposes.

For more information on specific giving, call the foundation office at 683-0732.