The Northwestern Water and Sewer District recently awarded grant funding to Rossford Schools to support educational programs focused on water resources. The Water And Environment Teacher Education Resources (WATER) grants give back to local schools by providing direct financial support to teachers demonstrating a commitment to nurturing the next generation of environmental stewards.
In 2025, the district will provide $8,150 to seven local school districts: Eastwood, Elmwood, Lake, Northwood, Perrysburg, Otsego, and Rossford. The WATER grant program enables teachers to:
Develop hands-on water quality research projects
Purchase critical scientific equipment
Create immersive learning experiences
Encourage student engagement with water-related environmental sciences
The fistrict recently awarded five WATER grants totaling $2,100 to Rossford teachers. These grants aim to enhance water-focused educational initiatives and foster environmental stewardship among students.
The recipients and their projects are as follows:
• Beth Cramer, a second-grade teacher at Rossford Elementary School, will use a $500 grant to purchase materials for studying the water cycle and its environmental connections.
• Scott Dorn, a social studies teacher, and Rachel Hood, a science teacher at Rossford Junior High School, will use $1,000 in combined funding for the “Trout in the Classroom Project.” This program allows students to care for trout hatchlings until their release at the Crystal River and Hatchery. The project integrates water quality science with social studies topics like ecosystems and mapping. Additional support for this initiative comes from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and a Bulldog Foundation Grant.
• Jason Isaacs, a science teacher at Rossford High School, will receive $100 to purchase materials for constructing simple wastewater filters, providing students with hands-on experience in water treatment processes.
• Ron Recknagel, also a science teacher at Rossford High School, will use a $500 grant to acquire equipment for studying water quality, safe drinking water, chemical testing, and contamination from runoff.
Launched in 2014, the WATER grant program reflects the district’s mission of responsible environmental stewardship and responsive public service. By investing directly in classroom resources, the program bridges scientific knowledge with environmental understanding.