Eastside Connections second-grade teacher Laura Proctor was in tears upon learning Monday her students would reap the benefits of a $12,000 grant from the Huizenga Family Foundation.

“We are so incredibly floored by the opportunity to have this,” she said. “It seems very unreal for them to provide that amount of money for our children in this economy. This is just one thing that will make our lives a little bit easier and the children’s lives that much better.”

Proctor and Eastside first-grade teacher Ann Landgraf wrote a grant asking for $8,988 from the foundation, but were awarded $12,000 instead. The money will be used to purchase 10 iPads, two document cameras and two digital projectors for the first- and second-grade classrooms, although all classrooms at Eastside will have access to the technology.

Eastside teachers plan to use the equipment to facilitate reading, math and other programs.

“This will help the kids be passionate lifelong learners,” Proctor said.

The teachers will meet next week to discuss how to spend the extra money.

The school board is expected to approve the grant at its next meeting Dec. 12 at the Cyber Cafe at Niles High School.

The board took action on other grants at Monday’s regular meeting at Eastside Connections.

The board approved a $40,000 grant from the Hunter Foundation for one-on-one computing at Oak Manor’s sixth-grade center. In 2008, the Hunter Foundation, Wood Foundation and Huizenga Foundation promised to support one-on-one computing technology at Oak Manor.

The board also approved a $5,000 donation for the high school music department by rock and roll star Tommy James, a 1965 Niles High graduate. James rose to fame in the mid-1960s with his band, the Shondells, and is a member of the Niles High School Hall of Fame.

Athletic Director Jeff Upton was authorized to pursue a $7,000 grant from the Upton Foundation that will be used by the athletics department.