Seven Can Help Kids is teaming up with EMC Insurance Companies to help you Cash-In For Schools.

EMC Insurance is giving away nine $700 education grants during the upcoming school year. Here are the winners:

Jesuit Middle School of Omaha

The Jesuit Middle School of Omaha (JMSO) provides a Christian education for young men who aspire to build strong character and earn a college degree. Founded in 1996, this private, independent Catholic school provides a unique, personal learning environment for young men in the fourth- through eighth-grade. JMSO is sponsored by the Society of Jesus in collaboration with a multicultural staff.

This year, we are proud to announce that we started the "Jesuit Jaguar Reading Program." This reading enhancement program allows each young man to read two books per month, at or above his grade level. Upon completing the book, he is tested via computer to show comprehension mastery. JMSO also has a summer reading program where students are required to read a novel prior to the start of the following school year.

The 70 young men at JMSO would benefit from the educational grant by using the funds to purchase additional books for reading program, both during the school year and summer months. It will also be used to give the young men a reward to purchase a book (from a school-sponsored ordering form) to add to their collection at home.

This program has been greatly received by students and teachers alike. It allows each young man to grow in his reading skills and encourages them to strive to a new goal each month. The young men were very excited and eager to pick their first reading selection and to work with Mr. David Verdirame, the staff member in charge of this program. A special bulletin board has been created in the school commons area that displays the monthly progress made by each grade.

Lothrop Magnet Center

The students at Lothrop Magnet Center continue to show success in all areas of academics. The grant will be used for books on tape for the students to listen to and read along with. Putting a book in children's hand allows them to feel proud of what they are reading without getting frustrated.

We will also purchase individual tape recorders with headset for a classroom. About 375 students will benefit from this great program.

Each classroom will benefit from five book titles that are on cassettes. These titles will be shared with the classrooms in that grade level. The titles will vary among grade levels.

Each child will have a chance to experience the books on tape, three times a week.

Lyons-Decatur Northeast Public School

Lyons-Decatur schools have made efforts to provide students with healthy benefits, but would like to do more in light of rising national childhood obesity rates. The Cash-In For Schools grant will provide economically disadvantages kindergarten through sixth-grade students the opportunity to try new activities outside the PE classroom. Students will be given three experiential learning opportunities through physically active field trips to Fun and Fitness at the Fremont YMCA, Fun on Wheels at Skate City and Summer Splash at the Lyons Swimming Pool among other outings.

Nathan Hale Middle School

The educators at Nathan Hale Middle School are dedicated to student learning and achievement. In order to fulfill state and district standards, the teachers of Nathan Hale believe that digital camera technology would enhance student learning.

Research has indicated that when students participate in hands-on activities, retention of material is increased (Wenglinsky, 2001). The students at Hale Middle School currently do not have access to a wide range of current technology due to economic factors. Educating and Building Community through Digital Camera Technology would allow students to learn how to capture images of projects and student activities. Photos of students would be taken for Student of the Month recognition. Educators would use the digital camera technology to enhance lessons and activities to better meet the needs of diverse learners. Digital imaging leads to lessons that come alive, which further augment student learning and achievement.

Educating and Building Community through Digital Camera Technology includes importing the digital photos in to the computer for the creation of a DVD, wall display or PowerPoint Presentation. This media would showcase the learning experiences students have at Nathan Hale Middle School.

The students of Nathan Hale live in a technological world where the need for technological literacy is vital in obtaining jobs and functioning in society. Student access to digital cameras at home is limited. Educating and Building Community through Digital Camera Technology would supplement the single DVD player at Nathan Hale that is shared among a staff of 35. Integrating technology such as digital imaging into the education of students at Nathan Hale Middle School will complement current lessons and activities. In addition, to enhancing student learning and achievement, high academic standards may be reached through Educating and Building Community through Digital Camera Technology.

Ralston High

The need for general business, consumer, private-enterprise, and economic education has been documented on a national basis. Young people need much more than the ability to read, write and compute. In conjunction with learning these fundamental abilities, young people must develop a facility to understand and apply them to all areas of their lives as producers, consumers and citizens. Several students have created the idea of an in-school business. The entire operation would be run by students with a business/DECA instructor as a supervisor. The students would receive class credits, community service, and gain valuable work skills and experience. The operation would be an embroidery business that could serve the entire school district. The students will be able to learn and apply economic, marketing and management concepts. Students at all levels could submit their creative designs for potential use. There are many teams, clubs and organizations that embroider their uniforms and apparel. The teams and clubs could save thousands of dollars by eliminating the profits of the middleman. The organizations could use the school embroidery business where the money made would go back to the high school and help in providing funding for scholarships, activities, and athletics.

South High School

Fluency in international languages breaks down barriers in our own community and opens doors to the world. The South High Dual Language program is a college preparatory program that builds fluency and strong academic skills in English and Spanish. It is currently the only dual language high school program in Nebraska.

In our Dual Language Program, instruction is given in 50 percent English and 50 percent Spanish. The language of instruction alternates daily. Students selected for the honors program come from either a Spanish-dominant or English-dominant educational background but their goals are the same; to become bilingual, biliterate, bicultural citizens of the world.

The only way to become fluent in another language is to be immersed in it and use it for meaningful communication. The students need to interact in both languages OUTSIDE of the classroom as well. The Dual Language Club is open to all Dual Language students who wish to improve their skills through social activities, community service projects, and field trips to explore various educational and career opportunities. Organizing such activities requires funding.

Whether it is paying for a bus to visit college campuses, buying treats for an after-school club meeting, or purchasing updated Spanish-English dictionaries for the classroom, our program could always use some extra financial help.

Thomas Jefferson High School

Thomas Jefferson students have the opportunity to take creative writing courses. The courses consist of a one-semester poetry course and a one-semester short fiction course. I

The poetry class is at capacity and students ask every day to join the course. The poetry submitted is amazing and places such a positive spotlight on our students. Their poetic abilities grow each day. Unfortunately, funds have prevented the class from being able to do some of the special projects that would make this class unforgettable. The money will help take students to a Poetry Slam at the Healing Arts Center in the Old Market and to publish a class book at the end of the semester with selected works, so students would know how it feels to be published. Some essential supplemental materials for the course will also be paid for by the grant.

Wake Robin Elementary

Goals:
To educate students and families about childhood obesity and provide educational material on nutrition and exercise by conducting a Health Fair and bi-weekly articles in our school newsletter, The Wizard. To promote exercise for students and families through an incentive program with a set goal.

Plan:
Health Fair in January in conjunction with Wake Robin's Family Fun Night at the Lied Activity Center. Lazy Marathon 6-week exercise incentive program. Newsletter inserts, articles and website information about nutrition and exercise ideas for families.

Details:
On Jan. 19 our school will host a Family Fun Night. This is an evening for families to come to the activity center and play together.

Wilson Junior High

To help our seventh- and eighth-grade Junior Optimist Club for dues, shirts, to help start two elementary junior clubs, and help to complete community service projects for Council Bluffs. Projects: Meals on Wheels, Special Olympics track meet, Salvation Army bell ringing, Thanksgiving/Christmas baskets delivery, fishing contest, a dance for special needs students (city wide), adopt-a-highway, and much, much more.