AKRON – Tippecanoe Valley Schools once again secured a number of grants that were accepted by the school board at its meeting Monday.

Special education teacher Cathy Olson helped to write a grant request that netted a $650 award for the purchase of a special piece of equipment that will be used by her students on a daily basis.

Olson appeared before the school board and explained the need for a massage therapy mat that can provide relaxation for muscles of students who need other kinds of therapy every day. She said, “We have to take care of children’s health needs.”

Olson said she usually applies for grants under $500, so this was a dream grant that she really didn’t expect. As it turns out, the Ripple organization from New York City funded some $36,000 grant requests, including Olson’s.

She shared pictures of one student in her classroom who has physical needs requiring the daily therapy. She said, “Her typical day can be very painful.” The child uses the massage therapy pad, iPod with music, headphones and a weighted blanket to distress.

Superintendent Brett Boggs said, “I appreciate Mrs. Olson’s efforts in obtaining additional funding so extra materials can be purchased for our special education programming. Her resource room has a good supply of materials and equipment that her students enjoy on a daily based because of the extra work that she puts into writing grants.”

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Tippecanoe Valley High School teacher Kris Walker wrote a grant for the Champions Together program through Fulton County Women’s Giving Circle. Walker’s Peer Facilitators class has taken on a leadership role in the Champions Together program and Unified Sports program, according to Boggs.

Although the request was for $500, it was reported that due to Walker’s enthusiasm, leadership and passion for the program, it was awarded a grant of $1,000.

Donald Bradley graduated with the 2018 class and is already seeking ways to make Valley schools safer by implementing Project Valley Safe. The goal is to provide all 144 classrooms with a First Response Bucket filled with an emergency medical kit and other essential items. The plastic five-gallon bucket could also be used as an emergency toilet.

According to school administrators, the buckets would be useful in an emergency situation where students and staff are locked down in a classroom for an extended period of time.

Staff members working with Bradley to bring Project Valley Safe to a reality include School Resource Officer Dalis Owens; TVHS Assistant Principal Brandon Kresca; Director of Marketing, Public Relations and Grant Writing Lori Tilden-Geiger and Boggs.

The per-bucket cost is estimated at $35, with the full cost of  Project Valley Safe estimated at $5,000. Boggs said Safe Schools funding is already in place to cover $2,000 of the cost. They are seeking additional grant funding or donations to cover the remaining cost.

Bradley stepped up his community plea by asking and receiving a $100 from Rochester Metal Products where he is working part time.

Bradley said he wants TVSC students to know the community is behind them and keeping them safe.