It’s just after lunch on a Wednesday at Moyer Elementary and in Michelle Fair’s preschool class there’s about to be a huge party. As the students and teachers take their seats kris-kross applesauce, their host begins the proceedings and the fidgeting students get ready to let off a little musical steam.

The program visiting Moyer is called Heartseed, funded by a grant from the Fort Thomas Education Foundation, and its owner and host Bryan McCartney engages with the students in a way that helps to both immerse them in music and get a little “extra energy” out during the day. He encourages them to get excited and make some noise as he passes out old license plates and drumsticks with which to beat on them like drums. Before long the room is filled with makeshift music, a symphony of five year olds having the time of their lives.

“We wanted to bring Heartseed into our classroom because music is such a powerful way for young children to learn and express themselves,” says Fair, who worked with the Education Foundation to bring the program to her classroom. “For our preschoolers, music creates an engaging way to practice listening skills, following directions, and working together as a group while also giving them the joy of movement and song.”

Fair says that the Education Foundation’s assistance helped her bring this outside program into the school and supplement her curriculum. “We reached out to the Education Foundation because we knew this program would be an enrichment opportunity that could really benefit our preschoolers, but it was beyond our regular classroom budget,” she explains. “The process was very straightforward, and the Foundation was incredibly supportive in helping us secure the grant.”

Heartseed’s involvement in Moyer’s young student curriculum has so far been met with massive success, with teachers reporting that the students continue to sing Heartseed songs and parents reporting them bringing the music home with them even after the organization’s monthly visits.

Fair hopes Moyer’s involvement with the Education Foundation’s support can continue to help fund projects involving storytelling, science and art for Moyer’s youngest students. “Having the support of the Education Foundation is invaluable – it allows us to provide opportunities that we otherwise could not, enriching our students’ early learning experiences in lasting ways,” says Fair. “I believe having an organization like this is truly special and not something every community is fortunate to have. It makes a real difference for our children, families, and teachers.”