Community Builder
Meet our 2024 Community Builder winners
There are many incredible endeavors happening in support of local students. As part of the 2024 OnPoint Prize campaign, we are pleased to recognize five schools as Community Builder award recipients.
Congratulations to Adams Elementary School for being selected by community votes as our $5,000 school winner.
Adams Elementary School
Project/Program Name: Creative Collaboration Mural Project
Adams Elementary School is a Title I school housed in one of the oldest school buildings in the Eugene district. The 1949 building continues to give students an adequate location to learn and grow, but it is greatly lacking expression of the culture and community. The Adams Elementary School Mural Project will not only beautify an external wall of the aged neighborhood school, but give students a chance to express themselves through a large public art piece for the community to share. The wall that has been selected for the project is outward facing, along the school parking lot and sports fields, so the artwork will be enjoyed by everyone coming to and from the school and athletic practices, in addition to neighbors passing along the neighborhood streets.
Congratulations to our $2,000 Community Builder award winners.
Marysville Elementary
Project/Program Name: S.T.A.R. (Students’ Temporary Assistance Resource) Pantry
Marysville Elementary in Portland is launching S.T.A.R. (Students’ Temporary Assistance Resource) Pantry. The school pantry is a vital initiative to enhance students’ overall well-being and support. Through this project, the school seeks to alleviate the burden of food insecurity and ensure that every student has access to nutritious food. The pantry will provide essential food items and promote a sense of dignity and inclusivity by offering a supportive environment where individuals can access what they need without facing financial barriers. By addressing food insecurity, the aim is to create a more conducive learning environment where students can thrive academically and socially.
Bear Creek Elementary
Project/Program Name: Community Garden
Bear Creek Elementary in Bend is transforming and rebuilding its garden area. The school wishes to provide students with hands-on experience in growing food and flowers. Many students will benefit from time outside with a constructive break and to get their hands in the dirt! A garden will provide students with experience in planning, sowing and growing. Students will work together and across grade levels interacting with more adults that can become allies and mentors.
When we work together, we grow together. Students will have opportunities to care for something outside of their everyday life and be proud of their hard work.
Molalla Elementary School
Project/Program Name: Outside Learning Oasis
The Outdoor Learning Oasis project aims to create a vibrant outdoor area between the main building and the outdoor music module at Molalla Elementary School. This space will serve as a dedicated outdoor learning and enrichment area for students, promoting their mental health and overall well-being. Given the school’s Title I status and the majority of students on free/reduced lunch, this project seeks to provide a supportive and engaging environment that showcases the care for every student’s education and development.
St. Andrew Nativity School
Project/Program Name: Thriving through Middle School
Since 2001, St. Andrew Nativity School has been Oregon’s only private, tuition-free middle school exclusively serving families from underserved communities. All its students are eligible for the National School Lunch Program, ensuring access to free and reduced-priced meals. The school is introducing “Thriving through Middle School”, an initiative aimed at equipping the counseling center with wellness kits for families experiencing crises and enhancing the counseling environment to address the diverse mental health and social-emotional needs of its students.