FUTURES Foundation for Volusia County Schools

Today's FUTURES Classroom Grants Highlight comes from Highbanks Learning Center with Ms. Best!

In her own words:
The purchased materials were used to create a unique space on campus where students and teachers can visit in order to aide instruction or to find a quiet mindfulness moment in the middle of a busy day. Two above ground planters were filled to the brim with a collection of flowers, herbs, and greenery to access each of the students' senses. Two trellised pots have tomato plants in them. This space of calm provides access to stress reduction, emotional regulation, and social growth opportunities for students and staff alike. Students learned of the plant-life cycle and experienced planting their own flower seeds, tending to them and watching them grow and flourish. The plant care was tied into therapy groups on kindness, self-care, social skills, empathy, and many more. Students have been excited to help arrange and plant the garden, and a rotation of class chores is being formed for students to water and tend to the sensory garden.

Thank you Ms. Best, for implementing a successful grant project!
26-27 grant cycle opens July 1st!

Today's FUTURES Classroom Grants Highlight comes from Turie T. Small Elementary School with Mr. Menard!

In his own words:
Through the teacher classroom grant provided I was able to purchase 10 chess tournament boards, 10 training boards, as well as a travel board, chess clock, and other materials to start the Champion's Chess Club. While the club is open to all students, the primary draw has been from high achieving students in grades 4 and 5 with a lot of overlap of the National Elementary Honor Society. My hope is that this year we planted the seeds so that next year we can continue to grow the club. Student achievement for these students remains high as their critical thinking has grown.

Thank you Mr. Menard, for implementing a successful grant project!
26-27 grant cycle opens July 1st!

Wishing all Volusia County Schools educators a relaxing, well-deserved summer! 🌞—FUTURES

Today's FUTURES Classroom Grants Highlight comes from South Daytona Elementary with Ms. Quigley!

In her own words:
The project was created to allow students to learn, discover, and practice math skills while playing and teaching with classmates. Students worked with a partner walking around the room solving math questions that were posted on the walls. The students engaged in academic dialogue through inquiry. This grant gave my students the opportunity to work with a giant 120 chart that included large dice.
Student achievement, involvement, collaboration peer interaction was amazing. Students were having fun, having conversations with each other, asking questions, and working to solve their questions.

Thank you Ms. Quigley, for implementing a successful grant project! Stay tuned for info on the 26-27 grant cycle!

Today's FUTURES Classroom Grants Highlight comes from Ormond Beach Middle School with Ms. Rademacher!

In her own words:
The Creation Station supplies continue to be a homerun in the classroom! Students were engaged and eagerly awaited opportunities to use the resources. We used and will continue to use them in a wide variety of ways. The station materials promoted independence, entrepreneurial skills as well as enhancing problem-solving skills! The ChompSaw cardboard cutter is a fantastic addition to the tools in our art room. Students were able to create, draw and build in a more feasible and time efficient way. Students created their gameboards and use the ChompSaw to create game board pieces, boards and other elements. The 3-D drawing pens continue to be the most popular activity. Students proactively came up with 2-D and 3-D artwork and projects to make.

Thank you Ms. Rademacher, for implementing a successful grant project! Stay tuned for info on the 26-27 grant cycle!

Earlier this month our local Take Stock in Children program was excited to participate in Latitude Margaritaville's day of giving, where we received a $2,000 grant. This grant money will go towards purchasing a scholarship for our Take Stock in Children scholars. Latitude Margaritaville is also home to one of our staff members, and many of our amazing mentors.

Thank you Amscot Financial for supporting FUTURES Foundation of Volusia County Schools through the "Just A Dollar" campaign.
For nearly two decades, this campaign has raised more than $2 million to support Florida students, teachers, and classrooms.
Thank you for investing in Florida's future!
Consortium of Florida Education Foundations

Congratulations to Tomorrow's Leaders graduate, Sierra Hampton, on your achievements!

🎓Counting Down to Graduation: Meet Our Valedictorians and Salutatorians!

We are proud to introduce and celebrate Atlantic High School Class of 2026 Valedictorian and Salutatorian! Congratulations to Priya and Sierra. 💙

👏Let’s give a big round of applause to these incredible students.
We can't wait to see what they accomplish next!

Krista Goodrich, School Board Member District 2, Volusia County Schools

Congratulations to Tomorrow's Leaders graduate, Weston Millett, on your achievements!

🎓Counting Down to Graduation: Meet Our Valedictorians and Salutatorians!

We are proud to introduce and celebrate DeLand High School Class of 2026 Valedictorian and Salutatorian! Congratulations to Weston and Caden. 💙

👏Let’s give a big round of applause to these incredible students.
We can't wait to see what they accomplish next!

Jamie M. Haynes, School Board Member District 1, Volusia County Schools

Congratulations to Tomorrow's Leaders graduate, Caleb Lewis, on your achievements!

🎓Counting Down to Graduation: Meet Our Valedictorians and Salutatorians!

We are proud to introduce and celebrate New Smyrna Beach High School Class of 2026 Valedictorian and Salutatorian! Congratulations to Caleb and Madison. 💙

👏Let’s give a big round of applause to these incredible students.
We can't wait to see what they accomplish next!

Jessie Thompson, School Board Member District 3, Volusia County Schools