Billy O'Brien, BCHS Ag teacher, recently applied for a $100,000 reVISION Action Grant through the Nebraska Department of Education. The purpose of the reVISION Action Grant is to improve, modernize, and expand career and technical education(CTE) programs to align with Nebraska's economic priorities and workforce demands. The State School Board officially approved Battle Creek Public Schools as one of 19 recipients of a reVISION Action Grant for the 24-25 school year. The grant is worth $99,999 and the funds will be used to purchase equipment for three projects within Ag education.
Project Activity 1: Veterinary Technical Skill Lab(Beef Lab Enterprise) will be a cow/calf project that will give students hands-on experience in animal care, breeding, and calving cows. Grant funds will be utilized to purchase 4 purebred Black Angus heifers to calve out. The heifers will be bred through artificial insemination.
Project Activity 2: Cattle Feeding Lab. This lab will keep the calves on site to feed them until they are ready for slaughter. Students will develop specific rations for cows and calves and collaborate to design rations that meet their energy needs as the cow's nutrient requirements change. Grant funds will be used to purchase three bulk bins for feed storage.
Projet Activity 3: Metal Design and Fabrication Enterprise. This project will incorporate a student-led, school based enterprise in Metal Design and Fabrication. Students will design and create custom projects for people/businesses. Grant funds will be used to purchase a plasma table to make customized signs.
Earlier this year, Art teacher Stephanie Nelson, applied for and received an ARTS Now grant worth $5,253. These funds were used to purchase new pottery wheels for art students to expand and enhance art students' experiences in pottery.
These are two example of the "Commitment to Excellence" that exists throughout the Battle Creek Public School system. A lot of time and energy goes into writing grants with no guarantee of being awarded one. Congratulations to Mr. O'Brien and Mrs. Nelson!