Innovative Schools Project

10/16/2026

Wow! What awesome learning experiences for Sebeka students!! 💛 Thank you for sharing!

10/09/2026

10/09/2026

10/09/2026

We’re excited to share that the Sebeka School Music Department was recently awarded a generous $2,200 grant from the ISP/Sebeka Foundation! 🎶

Thanks to this support, we were able to purchase 10 brand-new Yamaha full-size beginner acoustic guitars, along with 24 sets of replacement strings. These instruments will be used in our General Music 8 class, where they’ll help students continue building their skills and love for music.

Our previous guitars were well-loved and well-used, so this upgrade makes a big difference for both learning and enjoyment in the classroom. We chose full-size guitars to give students the best experience as they grow and develop their abilities.

We are incredibly grateful for the continued support of our community and the ISP/Sebeka Foundation for helping us keep music education strong at Sebeka! 🎸

10/09/2026

Today we pause with full hearts to honor Kim Rife — a founding board member of the Sebeka School Foundation, and someone who truly believed in this community.

Kim didn’t just talk about giving back… she lived it. She gave her time, her energy, and her heart to helping create opportunities for our students and supporting the future of Sebeka. She saw what could be — and she helped make it happen.

This photo captures a moment when our foundation members were learning about ISP funding and how we could bring additional resources into our school. Because of that work — and Kim being part of it — we were able to award $5,000 in grants to Sebeka Public School:

• Solar Cars (Science) – $700
• Microscopes (Science) – $1,000
• Guitars (Music) – $2,200
• Elementary Sensory Materials – $1,100

With her help, the Sebeka school recently received additional support through grants we worked together to find and apply for:

• Minnesota Twins equipment grants for spring and summer rec programs
– Tee Ball Kit
– Baseball (Ages 11–12) Kit
– Softball (Ages 11–12) Kit

• A grant from the Lewis Sports Foundation
– $500 to support youth physical activity and summer rec programming

Kim… thank you for saying yes. Thank you for believing in Sebeka. Thank you for helping us build something meaningful for our kids and our community.

You will be deeply missed.

—

For those wishing to pay their respects:
Visitation will be held Saturday, April 18 from 4–7 PM at Wevley Funeral Home in Sebeka.

A funeral service will take place Sunday, April 19 at 1 PM at the Sebeka High School Gymnasium, with burial to follow at Sebeka West Cemetery. Additional visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the school.

—

With gratitude,
Jenny Hoppe
Sebeka School Foundation Board

08/30/2026

Region 5 teachers… we’re looking for the ones who tried something a little different.

You know who you are.

You had an idea.
You thought, “This might work…”
You tried it with your students.
You adjusted it.
Maybe you tried it again.
And somewhere along the way, learning got better.

That’s innovation — and the Innovative Schools Project wants to hear about it!

Applications are now open for the 2026–2027 Innovative Teacher of the Year! The award is accompanied with a $2,500 classroom grant.
https://www.ispmn.org/innovative-teacher
Sourcewell Alison Medeck Steve Barrows, Crow Wing County Commissioner Erich Heppner Steve Uban Jordan Herman Region Five Development Commission

07/14/2026

Great work, Pierz! Thank you for leading the way and showing what's possible when innovation and collaboration come together to meet the unique needs of your community.

This is exactly what the Innovative Schools Project is all about—empowering educators to think differently, build partnerships, and develop solutions that prepare students for success both in the classroom and beyond.

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

07/14/2026

A huge congratulations to Pierz School District for putting Innovative Schools Project funding to work in a way that truly meets the needs of students and strengthens the future of education.

Their creative program brings together preschool learners and high school students, creating meaningful connections while introducing older students to potential careers in education. It's a powerful example of how innovative thinking and collaboration can create authentic learning experiences that benefit students of all ages.
Sourcewell Lindsey Riffle