Social Emotional Learning Fund Grant Recipients
The Springfield Education Foundation Fund for Social Emotional Learning was established by a gift from Stan and Cathy Paine, both long-time administrators in the Springfield School District. Stan served as principal of three Springfield Schools (Maple, Centennial & Ridgeview) for a total of 13 years. Cathy served as a school psychologist and as a special education coordinator for a total of 30 years of service in the Springfield School District. Since its inception, many other community members have contributed to the fund to help establish it as an ongoing program within the SEF.
The focus of this fund was chosen because it represents Stan & Cathy’s common interest and passion in children’s positive social development, physical safety and emotional well-being in school settings. According to CASEL (The Collaborative for Social and Emotional Learning), social and emotional learning (SEL) “is the process through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.”
The Social Emotional Learning Fund was established in 2016 with the Springfield Education Foundation and became a self-sustaining endowment fund within the Oregon Community Foundation in 2020. Since its inception, the SEL Fund has awarded grants totaling $11,583 to 15 Springfield Public Schools educators. These donations have supported a variety of social-emotional learning projects in 10 different SPS schools. Many of these projects have continued to have an impact beyond the year in which they were first implemented.
Recipient Name: Kristin Rush
School: Guy Lee Elementary
Amount: $1,000.00
Project Title: Creating Strong Kids
Students impacted: 391
Project Details: This grant will help fund Second Step, a classroom-based social-emotional learning curriculum in both Spanish and English to help students through trauma.
Recipient Name: Celina Ziolkowski
School: Mt. Vernon Elementary
Amount: $919.88
Project Title: Kelso’s Choice Conflict Management Curriculum
Students impacted: 510
Project Details: This grant will fund a curriculum that teaches young people effective peace making skills. The curriculum instills confidence and curb tattling and prevent bullying.
Recipient Name: Kristen Noor
School: Guy Lee Elementary
Amount: $486.42
Project Title: Enhancing Social Emotional Learning Through Reading
Project Details: This grant will enable teachers to enhance reading instruction with Tier 2 students with books that teach a social emotional skill in their stories. They believe that, along with helping reading instruction it will decrease referrals for aggression.
Recipient Name: Misty Acker
School: Maple Elementary
Amount: $1,008.10
Project Title: Growing Strong Hearts
Students impacted:
Project Details: This grant will enable Maple Elementary to purchase The Strong Kids Social and Emotional Learning program. It is a structured Social Emotional Learning curriculum which will be used to teach skills to students relating to respectful and healthy behaviors. They are hoping it will decrease referrals for defiance and disrespect.
Recipient Name: Devon Annalora
School: Douglas Gardens
Amount: $500.00
Project Title: 2nd Steps Supplemental Literature Library
Project Details: This will enable all students in Douglas Gardens to be involved in the Second Steps Social-Emotional Learning curriculum.
Recipient Name: Teresa Blake
School: Centennial Elementary
Amount: $500
Project Title: Character Trait Book Collection
Project Details: This project will expand SEL access by creating shared lesson plans and using books in small social skills groups. It aims to help students build emotional awareness, self-regulation, and stronger peer relationships, fostering a greater sense of safety and respect in the school setting.
Recipient Name: Nicole Norris
School: Guy Lee Elementary School
Amount: $1,000.00
Project Title: Zones of Regulation
Project Details: “Safety First” equips Yolanda Elementary staff with district-approved walkie talkies to improve communication during emergencies, outdoor activities, and safety drills. The project enhances student safety, staff coordination, and response times—helping 400 students feel more secure and supported at school.
Recipient Name: Kim McLennan
School: Hamlin Middle School
Amount: $500
Project Title: Sensory Room Project
Project Details: This project will create a dedicated sensory room at a middle school, offering calming and movement-based tools for students with sensory needs. With support from trained staff, the space will help students regulate, refocus, and return to class ready to learn—especially those impacted by trauma or overstimulation.
Recipient Name: Jules Rogers
School: Page Elementary
Amount: $500
Project Title: Creating a Safe Space
Project Details: This project builds empathy and leadership in Tier 2 students through weekly small groups focused on kindness and anti-bullying. Students will learn strategies to support peers, recognize positive behavior, and help create a safer school environment—especially for those affected by trauma or challenging home lives.
Recipient Name: Jaquelyn Ivankovic
School: Riverbend Elementary
Amount: $1,000
Project Title: Breathe Easy
Project Details: This project provides iPads to support Tier 2 SEL programs, allowing students to self-monitor emotional growth and helping staff track progress. Tools will enhance social skills groups, mentoring, and check-ins—building emotional regulation, pro-social behavior, and meaningful connections for 40+ Riverbend students.
Recipient Name: Michelle Molony
School: Thurston Middle School
Amount: $1,000
Project Title: Middle School Mindfulness
Students impacted: 560
Project Details: Provide mindfulness skills to target the social and mental wellness of middle school students. This will be done through a partnership with Willamalane to provide classes, Flex instruction by SPS staff, and purchase supplies.
Recipient Name: Wendy Zacharias
School: Academy of Arts & Academics
Amount: $1,000
Project Title: Suicide Prevention
Students impacted: 255
Project Details: We are currently in our third year using the Source of Strength curriculum and frame work to support suicide prevention. This funding will help to continue with this program, which is used school-wide.
Recipient Name: Jennifer Mays
School: Hamlin Middle School
Amount: $393.28
Project Title: Embedding Kindness as Part of our 7th Grade Culture
Students impacted: 180
Project Details: This project fosters a culture of kindness among 7th graders through art, activities, and peer engagement, aiming to reduce negative interactions, build community, and promote empathy, positivity, and personal growth throughout the school year.
Recipient Name: Emily Miller
School: Mt. Vernon Elementary School
Amount: $774.90
Project Title: Kelso Curriculum Updates
Students impacted: 350
Project Details: This project funds updated Kelso’s Choice curriculum materials to strengthen conflict resolution skills, reduce physical aggression, and support SEL and PBIS goals through consistent, schoolwide implementation of engaging, developmentally appropriate tools and strategies.
Recipient Name: Wendy Zacharias
School: Academy of Arts & Academics
Amount: $1,000
Project Title: Source of Strength
Students impacted: 250
Project Details: This project supports a schoolwide suicide prevention program led by trained staff and diverse peer leaders, using student-generated campaigns to promote emotional regulation, resilience, and connection through engaging, inclusive activities and visual displays.
