Supporting Education

Supporting education has long been a top priority of our club. Education and scholarship programs seek to support learning, inspire innovation, and equip students to succeed as adults. Our programs and scholarships are as follows:

Education Grant Program

Waupaca School District teachers may apply for grants of up to $2,000 to fund projects that: (1) enhance studies in math, science, reading, English, technical skills and other academic areas; (2) are creative, innovative, and allow student skills development and new experiences; (3) encourage student cooperation, team-building, and provide leadership development opportunities; (4) allow for interaction and participation with Rotarians and community members; and (5) provide opportunities for student activities and learning not currently available.

In the past 12 years, the Rotary Club of Waupaca has granted nearly $100,000 to help teachers implement innovative projects. Here are some recent examples:

• • $575 to purchase supplies for a cake baking and decorating competition for the Culinary Arts II class
  • $1,000 for the Middle School band to work with a composer in creating a commissioned piece for the band to play
  • $987 to purchase three special education iPads, addressing fine motor, gross motor, and cognitive deficiencies

If you’re a teacher in the Waupaca School District and would like to learn more and apply for a grant, click to view the Education Grant Information and Application Form.

3rd Grade Dictionary Program 

Since 2008, our club has distributed over 3,000 dictionaries to 3rd grade students in Waupaca and Iola Elementary schools, and local private schools. The program focuses on improving literacy, learning, and independent thinking.

Club members write a personal message of encouragement in the front of each book, and members distribute them directly to students in their classrooms. Students are asked to pick one word to look up and use in a sentence, and teachers share those with us.

Reality Store Financial Training Workshop

Reality Store is a financial simulation where high school students choose careers and make decisions about their budgets and lifestyles.  The activity is a fun and effective way for students to learn about personal accounting, financial responsibility and life choices, and interact with business people from the community.  The Rotary Club of Waupaca supports the Reality Store with local professionals who staff the various learning stations.