Impact

Classroom Grants empower innovative hands-on class projects of all ages.
Santa's Workshop brings food, clothing, and joy to our neediest children.
Kindergarten Readiness helps our Birth-5 children prepare for success in District 116.

The RLAS-116 Education Foundation proud to have funded approximately $75,000 in classroom grants since its inception!

May 2026: A Voice for Self-Advocacy — Suraj Katial Visits Educational Life Skills Classrooms
Thanks to a grant from the Round Lake Area Schools CUSD #116 Education Foundation, Suraj Katial visited students to share his powerful presentation, "My Journey with Disability and Advocacy." Suraj spoke about his education, training, day-to-day life, and the advocacy work that shapes who he is today.

Drawing on the barriers he has navigated as a person with a disability, Suraj emphasized three principles he lives by — Communicate, Educate, and Advocate — reminding students how important it is to speak up, learn, and ensure their needs are understood and met.

Experiences like this are made possible by the generosity of our donors and the dedication of our teachers. Thank you, Suraj, for inspiring our students — and thank you to everyone who supports the Foundation in bringing meaningful learning moments like this to RLAS-116!

2025-2026 Grants - $5,375 Awarded

Cardboard Creations: Building Architecture & Sculpture in the TAB Art Studio $815: Village Elementary School
Glowing Oxacan Inspired Spirit Animal Sculptures $372: Murphy Elementary School
"iReady" for Family Game Time $1,038: Ellis Elementary School
Artineering Lab $1,400: Ellis Elementary School
Entrepreneurship Preservation & Maintenance - Takin' Care of Business $60: John T. Magee Middle School & Round Lake Middle School
iPad Portable Projector Stand - Making Learning Visible & Enhancing Instruction with iPad Projection $1,692: Elementary Schools

2024-2025 Grants - $15,780 Awarded

School Rocks $300: Ellis Elementary School
Building Thinking Classrooms $1,880: Round Lake Middle School
RLHS Guitar Club $1,500: Round Lake High School
From Demonstration to Exploration $2,000: John T. Magee Middle School
Rock Band Part 2 $2,000: Round Lake Middle School
Empowering Entrepreneurs - School Based Enterprise $4,400: John T. Magee Middle School
Summer Mystery Book Giveaway $2,000: Round Lake High School
iReady Personal Pathways $500: Ellis Elementary School
3-D Pen Expansion $1,200: Ellis Elementary School

Teacher Testimonials
GRAPHIC NOVELS FOR VILLAGE SCHOOL
"The students at Village Elementary are enjoying our new graphic novels due to the generation of the Foundation! Thank you again!" - Megan Rasmussen, District Librarian

RLTC LENDING LIBRARY
"Amairani said she enjoys the library because it allows her to go to another place. “I am able to read books such as Goosebumps and imagine myself in the book with the characters which is fun to do”.

Another one of our students, Bethany likes having a library at transition. “I love reading, it is a fun activity to do and something I am happy to do at transition. I really like having a library and being able to pick a book to read!" - Matt Rosenberg, Teacher Assistant, RLTC

July 2017 Flood
In July 2017, the Round Lake Area experienced catastrophic flooding. Sadly, two school libraries were destroyed. Images of the flooding prompted support from local, state and regional organizations! Over 100,000 books were donated to RLAS-116 in hopes to replace the ruined books. In addition, many organizations donated monetarily - their donations helping to renovate these library/tech spaces into innovative spaces for children. The RLAS-116 Education Foundation served as a flow through organization for these donations. We are pleased to announce that Ellis Elementary School in Round Lake Beach and Murphy Elementary School in Round Lake Park are home to brand new Limitless Learning Commons!