Rich Township High School FAC Media Center Wins Competitive State Grant to Boost Social-Emotional Learning Collection RICHTON PARK, IL [October 21, 2025] — The Rich Township High School (RTHS) Fine Arts Campus (FAC) School Media Center is proud to announce it has been awarded a $2,000.00 Feed Your Need Grant from the Association of Illinois School Librarians (AISLE) / Library Book Selection Service (LBSS) Endowment Fund. RTHS FAC is one of only 26 school libraries across Illinois to receive this competitive, annual, statewide award. The grant funds must be used exclusively to purchase books and/or e-books to update an area of the collection that is outdated or does not meet curricular standards. RTHS FAC Media Center Specialist Danielle Baker successfully applied for the grant to significantly enhance the library’s Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) resources. “This grant is critical because SEL resources empower students to better understand themselves and others, build resilience, and develop healthy coping strategies,” said Baker. “In a post-pandemic educational landscape, our students are navigating unprecedented emotional and social challenges. A robust SEL collection can serve as a safe space for exploration, healing, and growth, especially for students who may not have access to mental health support outside of school.” The Feed Your Need Grant recognizes the importance of specialized library collections that support specific curricular needs and AISLE’s I-SAIL Standards. The rigorous application process required Mrs. Baker to: • Identify the specific need for the SEL materials in the current book collection. • Detail how school staff, students, parents, and the community will be involved in the project. • Outline the evaluation plan for assessing the effectiveness and use of the new book collection. The updated SEL collection will provide RTHS FAC students with timely and relevant materials to support their emotional well-being and academic success. For more information about this grant and the LBSS Endowment Fund, visit http://lbssfund.org

Rich Township High School FAC Media Center Wins Competitive State Grant to Boost Social-Emotional Learning Collection

Rich Township High School District 227

October 21, 2025

RICHTON PARK, IL [October 21, 2025] — The Rich Township High School (RTHS) Fine Arts Campus (FAC) School Media Center is proud to announce it has been awarded a $2,000.00 Feed Your Need Grant from the Association of Illinois School Librarians (AISLE) / Library Book Selection Service (LBSS) Endowment Fund. RTHS FAC is one of only 26 school libraries across Illinois to receive this competitive, annual, statewide award. 

The grant funds must be used exclusively to purchase books and/or e-books to update an area of the collection that is outdated or does not meet curricular standards. RTHS FAC Media Center Specialist Danielle Baker successfully applied for the grant to significantly enhance the library’s Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) resources. 

“This grant is critical because SEL resources empower students to better understand themselves and others, build resilience, and develop healthy coping strategies,” said Baker. “In a post-pandemic educational landscape, our students are navigating unprecedented emotional and social challenges. A robust SEL collection can serve as a safe space for exploration, healing, and growth, especially for students who may not have access to mental health support outside of school.” 

The Feed Your Need Grant recognizes the importance of specialized library collections that support specific curricular needs and AISLE’s I-SAIL Standards. The rigorous application process required Mrs. Baker to:

  • Identify the specific need for the SEL materials in the current book collection.

  • Detail how school staff, students, parents, and the community will be involved in the project.

  • Outline the evaluation plan for assessing the effectiveness and use of the new book collection.

The updated SEL collection will provide RTHS FAC students with timely and relevant materials to support their emotional well-being and academic success.

 

For more information about this grant and the LBSS Endowment Fund, visit  http://lbssfund.org