The deadlines to apply for two NAESP cosponsored grant contests are in June.

Sponsored by Crayola and NAESP, the Champion Creatively Alive Children grant program seeks to help educators integrate the arts across the curriculum to build students’ 21st century skills in critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity. Up to 20 elementary schools will receive grants to implement, document, and share results of an innovative arts-infused project. Each grant includes $2,500 and $500 worth of Crayola products. The deadline to apply has been extended to June 22.

Landscape Structures, in partnership with the NAESP Foundation, has introduced the School Grounds. Playgrounds. Common Ground.™ essay contest in an effort to bring inclusive playgrounds to schools throughout North America. Enter for your chance to win the grand prize, $50,000 in inclusive playground equipment, or be one of five runners-up for $15,000 in inclusive playground equipment! The contest, which runs through June 30, 2012, is open to practicing elementary and middle school principals and related educators in the U.S. and Canada (except Quebec). Visit http://playlsi.com/school-playground-contest to learn more.