Dr. Giovanna Davila, a music teacher at Thomas Jefferson Elementary school was awarded two separate grants from the Rock Island-Milan Education Foundation. The purpose of the grants was to get music into the hands of students while they learn remotely from home. 

The first grant allowed her to purchase instrument kits for students in grades fourth, fifth, and sixth, in the entire district to receive an instrument kit, The kits include two Lummi sticks and an egg shaker. This makes it possible for students to play an instrument during live Google meets, or play instruments for their assignments. 

"I am very appreciative of all the support from The Rock Island/Milan Education Foundation. Their support gave all fourth, fifth, and sixth-grade students, at all nine elementary schools, an instrument kit to play at home. In addition to their support, students at Thomas Jefferson also received a small drum and mallet. The students have been ecstatic to play along in our Live Google Meets," said Dr. Davila.

Kindergarten through third-grade students received instrument kits through a different funding source, so Dr. Davila wanted to write a grant through the foundation to fill the need for the other grades.

The district has the capability to record the students and can assess them playing a rhythm with their new instruments. 

The second grant was for only Thomas Jefferson's fourth, fifth, and sixth-grade students. They all received a small hand drum and a mallet. Similar to the instrument kits the drums give the students the opportunity to play along even while at home. 

"Students throughout our district have been given the opportunity to continue to make music even while we are not in person. This grant was important to our school community because it was immediately used to buy the instruments so that the students could continue to learn while making music at home," said Dr. Davila.

Instrument kits

Dr. Giovanna Davila with her PRIME grant awards