Bellevue Public Schools is excited to announce that the district has been awarded a $2,000,000 Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) competitive grant. The 5-year award will be used to increase Math Proficiency for all students and initiate a BPS Aviation Academy.
Grant funds will be utilized to improve math performance by funding costs associated with K-12 curriculum development in alignment to the new Nebraska College and Career Ready Standards for Mathematics. These costs include substitute teachers for curriculum development, training for staff members to implement the new standards with key instructional shifts, and nearly half the cost of purchasing new high-quality K-12 math instructional resources.
Grant funds will also be utilized to initiate the BPS Aviation Academy at the Frank Kumor Career Center. The two new aviation courses will allow students to explore the aviation industry by introducing them to concepts related to flight, aircraft systems and performance, the flying environment, flight planning, and drones. The program will also focus on careers in aviation and allow students to earn industry certifications, including the Private Pilot Knowledge Test and Part 107 Remote Pilot Knowledge Test. The district will partner with the Aviation Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Foundation to implement the You Can Fly curriculum and resources (You can find out more about the You Can Fly curriculum here). Flight simulator equipment (12) and drones (18) will also be utilized to support the curriculum.
“Bellevue Public Schools is honored to once again partner with DoDEA to support Operation Taking Flight. The 5-year grant will provide the necessary funding associated with K-12 curriculum development to support improvement in student math performance and the implementation of the BPS Aviation Academy at the high school level,” said Dr. Jeff Rippe, Superintendent.
Rebecca Zurcher, owner of Erwin’s Jewelers and daughter of Frank Kumor, had a lot of positive things to say about the new BPS Aviation Academy being a part of the career center named after her father. “What a wonderful addition to the Career Center! With a strong military community, the aviation program is a great fit. Students will have the opportunity to explore different aviation experiences that they may not have otherwise. My dad would be thrilled with the addition!”
