2025 Community Giving Circle Finalists Announced
We are excited to announce the three finalists for the 2025 Community Giving Circle!
Bike Safety and Rules of the Road
Buildings Impacted: Belmont Elementary, Clear Creek Elementary, Horizon Elementary, Mize Elementary, Prairie Ridge Elementary, Riverview Elementary, Starside Elementary
Project Summary: Bike safety education is an important aspect of promoting health and safety among elementary-age children. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, children aged 5–14 are at a heightened risk for biking accidents, making it crucial to teach them essential bike handling and safety skills early. In addition to safety, learning to ride a bike encourages physical activity and motor skills development, while fostering independence and confidence.
Currently, our district lacks the resources to provide adequate equipment for all students across the seven elementary schools. With the acquisition of new scooters, balance bikes, and helmets, we aim to create a district-wide program that will allow all students to participate in bike safety education, no matter their school or grade level.
Exploring Entrepreneurship
Building Impacted: Mill Valley High School
Project Summary: An entrepreneurship course was started this year at Mill Valley with an amazing new curriculum resource that allows students to collaborate in groups to create products that could truly be put into production and sold. Students learn what it takes to go through the ideation stage, create a prototype, look at financials, work with members of our community, and make a final pitch. This course defines real world learning, uses design thinking, allows students to be creative and learn what it takes to be a successful business owner. The ultimate goal will be for students to be able to enter a classroom where innovation, collaboration, creativity and lots of learning takes place on all levels which will help students put real-world learning into action and learning skills for the future.
USD 232 Robotics Trailer
Buildings Impacted: De Soto High School, Mill Valley High School, Cedar Trails Exploration Center
Project Summary: The USD 232 FIRST Robotics teams seek funding for a trailer to transport robots and equipment, ensuring participation in competitions and outreach events. This investment supports over 85 students, fosters STEM education, and enables community engagement, including visits to local schools to inspire future innovators.
Join the Community Giving Circle
Join us for the USD 232 Education Foundation's Community Giving Circle event as we come together to support innovative educational projects in our schools. Mark your calendars for an inspiring evening of collaboration and innovation!
Date: Monday, April 14, 2025
Location: Cause Coffee, De Soto, Kansas
Doors open: 5:45 PM
Program begins: 6:30 PM
This year’s event will feature engaging presentations from our grant finalists, and YOU get to help decide which project will receive the $10,000 grant.
Co-hosted by community members Kevin and Jennie Strathman and Tara Stuckey, owner of Cause Coffee.