Wondering what the BEF has funded so far this year? Look no further!
Amount funded to date: $117,713.85
The number of times BPS students were impacted by grants awarded this year: 26,166
Amount funded to date: $117,713.85
The number of times BPS students were impacted by grants awarded this year: 26,166
Whiteboard tables
School: Berkshire
Teacher: Deanna Brown, Chelsea Edwards and Heather Gambone
Amount: $2,557.92
Students Impacted: 480
From the Great Idea Grant Application: This grant allowed these math teacher to purchase twelve whiteboard tables which offered collaborative spaces in three different classrooms.
School: Berkshire
Teacher: Deanna Brown, Chelsea Edwards and Heather Gambone
Amount: $2,557.92
Students Impacted: 480
From the Great Idea Grant Application: This grant allowed these math teacher to purchase twelve whiteboard tables which offered collaborative spaces in three different classrooms.
College Success Skills
School: Groves
Teacher: Norman C. Burns, Sr.
Amount: $1,932
Students Impacted: 12 per year
From the Great Idea Grant Application: This grant allowed Mr. Hurns to send 12 students to attend OCC for a college success skills course. This course is designed to assist the students in becoming more effective and better prepared for success in college. The ultimate goal is to help them identify and apply study skills and academic strategies that will increase their productivity and enable them to select, develop and adapt the learning techniques that will serve them best. Topics include time management,motivation, textbook reading, preparing for and taking exams, stress management, note taking creative problem solving, mindset and classroom and college etiquette. The BEF is handling half of the costs for the program.
School: Groves
Teacher: Norman C. Burns, Sr.
Amount: $1,932
Students Impacted: 12 per year
From the Great Idea Grant Application: This grant allowed Mr. Hurns to send 12 students to attend OCC for a college success skills course. This course is designed to assist the students in becoming more effective and better prepared for success in college. The ultimate goal is to help them identify and apply study skills and academic strategies that will increase their productivity and enable them to select, develop and adapt the learning techniques that will serve them best. Topics include time management,motivation, textbook reading, preparing for and taking exams, stress management, note taking creative problem solving, mindset and classroom and college etiquette. The BEF is handling half of the costs for the program.
Raspberry Pi and invitations to Connect- Super STEM Saturday Enrichment Program
School: Derby
Teacher: Ralph Hickmott and Doug Baltz
Amount: $4,522.59
Students Impacted: 100
From the Great Idea Grant Application: This grant allowed Mr. Hickmott and Mr. Baltz to purchase a set of 20 complete RPI3 systems to provide an invitation to connect to computer programming and coding for all participants in the Super STEM Saturday enrichment program and middle school students.
School: Derby
Teacher: Ralph Hickmott and Doug Baltz
Amount: $4,522.59
Students Impacted: 100
From the Great Idea Grant Application: This grant allowed Mr. Hickmott and Mr. Baltz to purchase a set of 20 complete RPI3 systems to provide an invitation to connect to computer programming and coding for all participants in the Super STEM Saturday enrichment program and middle school students.
Sarah Weeks, books for middle school
School: BCS, Derby, Berkshire
Teacher: Ann Truesdell, Candace Greer-Jefferson, Sarah Sindelar
Amount: $4,000
Students Impacted: 1,000
From the Great Idea Application: This grant allowed the middle schools to purchase Sarah Weeks' book to read and discuss in anticipation of the authors visit to all three schools.
School: BCS, Derby, Berkshire
Teacher: Ann Truesdell, Candace Greer-Jefferson, Sarah Sindelar
Amount: $4,000
Students Impacted: 1,000
From the Great Idea Application: This grant allowed the middle schools to purchase Sarah Weeks' book to read and discuss in anticipation of the authors visit to all three schools.
Harlan Writing Club
School: Harlan
Teacher: Karen Abels
Amount: $96.82
Students Impacted: 18
From the Small but Mighty Grant Application: This grant allowed Ms.Abels to purchase journals, writing tools and cards to help being the new writing club at Harlan.
School: Harlan
Teacher: Karen Abels
Amount: $96.82
Students Impacted: 18
From the Small but Mighty Grant Application: This grant allowed Ms.Abels to purchase journals, writing tools and cards to help being the new writing club at Harlan.
Quicksilver Experiential Adventure Challenge Kit
School: Whole District
Teacher: Sarah Kuretsky
Amount: $678
Students Impacted: 8,000
From the Nuts & Bolts Grant Application: This grant allowed Ms. Kuretsky to facilitate more adventure team building activities to classroom reacher throughout the schools by using the Quicksilver Packs. These are portable adventure kits that can be taken school to school. This kit is a large duffle bag that is full of 150 activities that include trust exercises and problem solving initiatives.
School: Whole District
Teacher: Sarah Kuretsky
Amount: $678
Students Impacted: 8,000
From the Nuts & Bolts Grant Application: This grant allowed Ms. Kuretsky to facilitate more adventure team building activities to classroom reacher throughout the schools by using the Quicksilver Packs. These are portable adventure kits that can be taken school to school. This kit is a large duffle bag that is full of 150 activities that include trust exercises and problem solving initiatives.
Bingham Farms Diversity International Peace Pole
School: Bingham Farms
Teacher: Russell Facione
Amount: $115
Students Impacted: 300
From the Nuts & Bolts Grant Application: This grant allowed Mr. Facione to purchase a Peace Pole to be placed at Bingham Farms where the international Peace Pledge on Peace day is said to remind ourselves of the diversity in the school. The languages on the pole include English, Spanish, French and American Sign Language to represent the students in the building.
School: Bingham Farms
Teacher: Russell Facione
Amount: $115
Students Impacted: 300
From the Nuts & Bolts Grant Application: This grant allowed Mr. Facione to purchase a Peace Pole to be placed at Bingham Farms where the international Peace Pledge on Peace day is said to remind ourselves of the diversity in the school. The languages on the pole include English, Spanish, French and American Sign Language to represent the students in the building.
Greenfield's Makerspace Construction Site
School: Greenfield
Teacher: Annette LaBelle, Shelly Potter, Noelle Davis
Amount: $1,000
Students Impacted: 300
From the Nuts & Bolts Grant Application: This grant allowed Ms. LaBelle, Ms. Potter and Ms. Davis to purchase mobile cabinetry in order to hold and use supplies for Makerspaces. Students are able to create something of their own design that is STEAM focused (science, technology, engineering, art, mathematics), especial centers for creative play, generating intellectually creative learners, and empowering students to make decisions about their own learning through trial and error.
School: Greenfield
Teacher: Annette LaBelle, Shelly Potter, Noelle Davis
Amount: $1,000
Students Impacted: 300
From the Nuts & Bolts Grant Application: This grant allowed Ms. LaBelle, Ms. Potter and Ms. Davis to purchase mobile cabinetry in order to hold and use supplies for Makerspaces. Students are able to create something of their own design that is STEAM focused (science, technology, engineering, art, mathematics), especial centers for creative play, generating intellectually creative learners, and empowering students to make decisions about their own learning through trial and error.
Replace and Replenish Pembroke Library's High interest titles
School: Pembroke
Teacher: Julie Green
Amount: $998.44
Students Impacted: 338
From the Nuts & Bolts Grant Application: This grant allowed Ms. Green to purchase high interest series and titles for students who have been requesting them and also to replace books that have fallen apart.
School: Pembroke
Teacher: Julie Green
Amount: $998.44
Students Impacted: 338
From the Nuts & Bolts Grant Application: This grant allowed Ms. Green to purchase high interest series and titles for students who have been requesting them and also to replace books that have fallen apart.
Math Games and Book tubs
School: Pierce
Teacher: Debra Prindle
Amount: $478.99
Students Impacted: 44
From the Nuts & Bolts Grant Application: This grant allowed Ms. Prindle to purchase math games to supplement district materials and support math workshop by providing fun ways to practice math skills. She was also able to purchase book boxes to better organize and present materials so children will be able to easily access leveled books for reading practice.
School: Pierce
Teacher: Debra Prindle
Amount: $478.99
Students Impacted: 44
From the Nuts & Bolts Grant Application: This grant allowed Ms. Prindle to purchase math games to supplement district materials and support math workshop by providing fun ways to practice math skills. She was also able to purchase book boxes to better organize and present materials so children will be able to easily access leveled books for reading practice.
Japanese program practice materials for Michigan Japan Quiz Bowl
School: Groves
Teacher: Harumi Cooper
Amount: $450
Students Impacted: 130
From the Nuts & Bolts Grant Application: This grant allowed Ms. Cooper to purchase two new sets of buzzers to practice for the statewide competition called the Michigan Japan Quiz Bowl.
School: Groves
Teacher: Harumi Cooper
Amount: $450
Students Impacted: 130
From the Nuts & Bolts Grant Application: This grant allowed Ms. Cooper to purchase two new sets of buzzers to practice for the statewide competition called the Michigan Japan Quiz Bowl.
Math Workshop Games
School: Pierce
Teacher: Christina Jotanovic
Amount: $1002.86
Students Impacted: 44
From the Nuts & Bolts Grant Application: This grant allowed Ms. Jotanovic to purchase small group and math games to supplement district materials and support ,math workshop by providing games based on student needs.
School: Pierce
Teacher: Christina Jotanovic
Amount: $1002.86
Students Impacted: 44
From the Nuts & Bolts Grant Application: This grant allowed Ms. Jotanovic to purchase small group and math games to supplement district materials and support ,math workshop by providing games based on student needs.
Art for the Sky- Additional funding for supplies
School: Pembroke
Teacher: Sarah Smith
Amount: $1,000
Students Impacted: 320
From the Nuts & Bolts Grant Application: This grant allowed Ms. Smith to purchase tshirts for students for the program, Art For the Sky.
School: Pembroke
Teacher: Sarah Smith
Amount: $1,000
Students Impacted: 320
From the Nuts & Bolts Grant Application: This grant allowed Ms. Smith to purchase tshirts for students for the program, Art For the Sky.
Project Get Organized
School: Groves
Teacher: Jennifer Hoinka
Amount: $177.60
Students Impacted: 240
From the Nuts & Bolts Grant Application: This grant allowed Ms. Hoinka to assemble and purchase kits to give to her students on the first day of class that has helpful organization materials for their school work. Students also receive a list of level appropriate techniques and uses for their new supplies.
School: Groves
Teacher: Jennifer Hoinka
Amount: $177.60
Students Impacted: 240
From the Nuts & Bolts Grant Application: This grant allowed Ms. Hoinka to assemble and purchase kits to give to her students on the first day of class that has helpful organization materials for their school work. Students also receive a list of level appropriate techniques and uses for their new supplies.
Whiteboard revival
School: Greenfield
Teacher: Jane Bell, Amy Denys, Tori Howe
Amount: $356.31
Students Impacted: 50
From the Nuts & Bolts Grant Application: This grant allowed Ms. Bell, Ms. Denys and Ms. Howe to supplement new whiteboards for their students and a large teacher whiteboard that is magnetic.
School: Greenfield
Teacher: Jane Bell, Amy Denys, Tori Howe
Amount: $356.31
Students Impacted: 50
From the Nuts & Bolts Grant Application: This grant allowed Ms. Bell, Ms. Denys and Ms. Howe to supplement new whiteboards for their students and a large teacher whiteboard that is magnetic.
Performance Library Special Collection
School: Seaholm
Teacher: Peter Shaheen and Nancy Waters
Amount: $1,000
Students Impacted: 1,000
From the Nuts & Bolts Grant Application: This grant allowed Ms.Waters and Mr. Shaheen to purchase a special collection for performance literature that would include plays, children's stories, poetry, short stories, novels, memoirs and other genres.
School: Seaholm
Teacher: Peter Shaheen and Nancy Waters
Amount: $1,000
Students Impacted: 1,000
From the Nuts & Bolts Grant Application: This grant allowed Ms.Waters and Mr. Shaheen to purchase a special collection for performance literature that would include plays, children's stories, poetry, short stories, novels, memoirs and other genres.
Sand table replacement and book shelving unit
School: Beverly
Teacher: Laura Boeve
Amount: $376
Students Impacted: 21
From the Nuts & Bolts Grant Application: This grant allowed Ms. Boeve to purchase a sand table which allows many children to enjoy cooperative play together while incorporating math, science and literacy concepts. It is also a vehicle for social/emotional learning.
School: Beverly
Teacher: Laura Boeve
Amount: $376
Students Impacted: 21
From the Nuts & Bolts Grant Application: This grant allowed Ms. Boeve to purchase a sand table which allows many children to enjoy cooperative play together while incorporating math, science and literacy concepts. It is also a vehicle for social/emotional learning.
Next Generation science eBooks
School: West Maple
Teacher: Carrie Betts
Amount: $913.68
Students Impacted: 240
From the Nuts & Bolts Grant Application: This grant allowed Ms. Betts to purchase 21 new multiuser books to add to her eBook collection. These books can be viewed on all electronic devices and multiple students can be viewing the same book at the same time. These books can be used at home providing students and parents with anytime, anywhere access to library materials.
School: West Maple
Teacher: Carrie Betts
Amount: $913.68
Students Impacted: 240
From the Nuts & Bolts Grant Application: This grant allowed Ms. Betts to purchase 21 new multiuser books to add to her eBook collection. These books can be viewed on all electronic devices and multiple students can be viewing the same book at the same time. These books can be used at home providing students and parents with anytime, anywhere access to library materials.
Little Free library- Community lending library
School: Bingham Farms
Teacher: Dawn Murua
Amount: $543
Students Impacted: 330
From the Nuts & Bolts Grant Application: This grant allowed Ms. Murua to purchase the necessary materials to install a Little Free Library which is a weatherproof box that would be placed in the front of the school. The community is encourage to "take a book, return a book", a free book exchange where anyone can take a book or bring a book to share. This promotes a love of literacy to not only the students but also to the community by sharing books, inspiriting readers and building a community.
School: Bingham Farms
Teacher: Dawn Murua
Amount: $543
Students Impacted: 330
From the Nuts & Bolts Grant Application: This grant allowed Ms. Murua to purchase the necessary materials to install a Little Free Library which is a weatherproof box that would be placed in the front of the school. The community is encourage to "take a book, return a book", a free book exchange where anyone can take a book or bring a book to share. This promotes a love of literacy to not only the students but also to the community by sharing books, inspiriting readers and building a community.
Portable reversible dry erase board
School: Groves
Teacher: Aaron Guay
Amount: $914.98
Students Impacted: 150
From the Nuts & Bolts Grant Application: This grant allowed Mr. Guay to purchase a portable reversible dry erase board which can be used for collaboration, group discussions and class lessons in the television studio.
School: Groves
Teacher: Aaron Guay
Amount: $914.98
Students Impacted: 150
From the Nuts & Bolts Grant Application: This grant allowed Mr. Guay to purchase a portable reversible dry erase board which can be used for collaboration, group discussions and class lessons in the television studio.
Games for English class
School: Derby
Teacher: Rosemary Hall
Amount: $104.89
Students Impacted: 40
From the Nuts & Bolts Grant Application: This grant allowed Ms. Hall to purchase Bananagrams Anagram game which is a fun, educational word game that improves critical thinking, vocabulary and spelling skills. This grant also allowed her to purchase Authors which is a game that familiarizes students with famous authors and their novels.
School: Derby
Teacher: Rosemary Hall
Amount: $104.89
Students Impacted: 40
From the Nuts & Bolts Grant Application: This grant allowed Ms. Hall to purchase Bananagrams Anagram game which is a fun, educational word game that improves critical thinking, vocabulary and spelling skills. This grant also allowed her to purchase Authors which is a game that familiarizes students with famous authors and their novels.
Whiteboard Table
School: Quarton
Teacher: Andrea Yakima
Amount: $355.46
Students Impacted: 22 per year
From the Nuts & Bolts Grant Application: This grant allowed Ms.Yakima to buy a whiteboard table for her 2nd grade classroom which promotes big scale student collaboration, group discussions, small teacher led activities and the surface will lend itself to endless creativity!
School: Quarton
Teacher: Andrea Yakima
Amount: $355.46
Students Impacted: 22 per year
From the Nuts & Bolts Grant Application: This grant allowed Ms.Yakima to buy a whiteboard table for her 2nd grade classroom which promotes big scale student collaboration, group discussions, small teacher led activities and the surface will lend itself to endless creativity!
Shared texts for social emotional learning
School: Beverly
Teacher: Amy Airgood
Amount: $303.64
Students Impacted: 348
From the Nuts & Bolts Grant Application: This grant allowed Ms. Airgood to purchase over 30 texts that can be used to teach social emotional learning for grades
K-5.
School: Beverly
Teacher: Amy Airgood
Amount: $303.64
Students Impacted: 348
From the Nuts & Bolts Grant Application: This grant allowed Ms. Airgood to purchase over 30 texts that can be used to teach social emotional learning for grades
K-5.
Collaboration Connection
School: Harlan
Teacher: Joanne Rowe
Amount: $1,000
Students Impacted: 44
From the Nuts & Bolts Grant Application: This grant allowed Ms. Rowe to buy new learning spaces that stipulates deeper learning. Students are able to reconfigure their learning spaces quickly and easily to accommodate their changing needs. All types of learners will be able to maximize their opportunities to redesign their space in regards to where in the room to meet and with how many students.
School: Harlan
Teacher: Joanne Rowe
Amount: $1,000
Students Impacted: 44
From the Nuts & Bolts Grant Application: This grant allowed Ms. Rowe to buy new learning spaces that stipulates deeper learning. Students are able to reconfigure their learning spaces quickly and easily to accommodate their changing needs. All types of learners will be able to maximize their opportunities to redesign their space in regards to where in the room to meet and with how many students.
Royal Reading Writing Center
School: Beverly
Teacher: Marni Freedman
Amount: $437.71
Students Impacted: 20
From the Nuts & Bolts Grant Application: This grant allowed Ms. Freedman to purchase a new easel which provides an organized lesson center, magnetic dry erase board, book ledge, tub and chart paper storage as well as new book folders.
School: Beverly
Teacher: Marni Freedman
Amount: $437.71
Students Impacted: 20
From the Nuts & Bolts Grant Application: This grant allowed Ms. Freedman to purchase a new easel which provides an organized lesson center, magnetic dry erase board, book ledge, tub and chart paper storage as well as new book folders.
Building a classroom library
School: Groves
Teacher: Kristen Moore Cove
Amount: $697.62
Students Impacted: 300 per year
From the Nuts & Bolts Grant Application: This grant allowed Ms. Moore Cove to purchase new books for the Independent Reading Programs.
School: Groves
Teacher: Kristen Moore Cove
Amount: $697.62
Students Impacted: 300 per year
From the Nuts & Bolts Grant Application: This grant allowed Ms. Moore Cove to purchase new books for the Independent Reading Programs.
Makerspace- Creating STEM activity moments
School: Berkshire
Teacher: Candace Greer-Jefferson
Amount: $500
Students Impacted: 580
From the Nuts & Bolts Grant Application: This grant allowed Ms. Greer-Jefferson to to purchase additional supplies for the Makerspace allowing her to run special programming.
School: Berkshire
Teacher: Candace Greer-Jefferson
Amount: $500
Students Impacted: 580
From the Nuts & Bolts Grant Application: This grant allowed Ms. Greer-Jefferson to to purchase additional supplies for the Makerspace allowing her to run special programming.
Classroom improving grant
School: Beverly
Teacher:Jennifer Stoller
Amount: $500
Students Impacted: 20
From the Nuts & Bolts Grant Application: This grant allowed Ms. Stoller to buy new book bags, book boxes, mini white boards and book baskets to further organize her classroom.
School: Beverly
Teacher:Jennifer Stoller
Amount: $500
Students Impacted: 20
From the Nuts & Bolts Grant Application: This grant allowed Ms. Stoller to buy new book bags, book boxes, mini white boards and book baskets to further organize her classroom.
Improving informational text reading skills
School: Derby
Teacher: Michelle Lynn Gallacher
Amount: $299.60
Students Impacted: 40
From the Nuts & Bolts Grant Application: This grant allowed Ms. Gallacher to purchase a subscription to Time Edge which allows her students to access information digitally. Students in 6th, 7th and 8th grade would use this platform to access nonfiction text at various exile levels. Time Edge would help reinforce informational text school improvement goal.
School: Derby
Teacher: Michelle Lynn Gallacher
Amount: $299.60
Students Impacted: 40
From the Nuts & Bolts Grant Application: This grant allowed Ms. Gallacher to purchase a subscription to Time Edge which allows her students to access information digitally. Students in 6th, 7th and 8th grade would use this platform to access nonfiction text at various exile levels. Time Edge would help reinforce informational text school improvement goal.
Kindergarten Supplies
School: Greenfield
Teacher: Marcia O'Connell
Amount: $313
Students Impacted: 22 per year
From the Nuts & Bolts Grant Application: This grant allowed Ms. O'Connell to purchase magnetic white boards, word family pocket chart, number line dry erase boards, desktop stand with dry erase board, magna tiles starter set, magnetic letters, and counting bears for her new classroom.
School: Greenfield
Teacher: Marcia O'Connell
Amount: $313
Students Impacted: 22 per year
From the Nuts & Bolts Grant Application: This grant allowed Ms. O'Connell to purchase magnetic white boards, word family pocket chart, number line dry erase boards, desktop stand with dry erase board, magna tiles starter set, magnetic letters, and counting bears for her new classroom.
Media Center Supplies
School: Greenfield
Teacher: Annette LaBelle
Amount: $725
Students Impacted: 300 per year
From the Nuts & Bolts Grant Application: This grant allowed Ms. LaBelle to enhance her organization and quality of instruction in the Media Center. She was able to purchase a new book cart to assist students in reading at their "just right" book level, whisper phones to help students hear themselves read without interrupting other students and white boards to assist with formative instruction.
School: Greenfield
Teacher: Annette LaBelle
Amount: $725
Students Impacted: 300 per year
From the Nuts & Bolts Grant Application: This grant allowed Ms. LaBelle to enhance her organization and quality of instruction in the Media Center. She was able to purchase a new book cart to assist students in reading at their "just right" book level, whisper phones to help students hear themselves read without interrupting other students and white boards to assist with formative instruction.
Math/Reading Supplemental orders
School: Pierce
Teacher: Debra Prindle
Amount: $458.83
Students Impacted: 25 per year
From the Nuts & Bolts Grant Application: This grant allowed Ms. Prindle to purchase magnetic dry erase boards and magnetic place value blocks to use during math and reading instruction.
School: Pierce
Teacher: Debra Prindle
Amount: $458.83
Students Impacted: 25 per year
From the Nuts & Bolts Grant Application: This grant allowed Ms. Prindle to purchase magnetic dry erase boards and magnetic place value blocks to use during math and reading instruction.
Classroom Improving grant
School: Greenfield
Teacher: Sylvia Rowland
Amount: $200
Students Impacted: 22 per year
From the Nuts & Bolts Grant Application: This grant allowed Ms. Rowland to purchase 24 dry erase white board sets and an electric pencil sharpener.
School: Greenfield
Teacher: Sylvia Rowland
Amount: $200
Students Impacted: 22 per year
From the Nuts & Bolts Grant Application: This grant allowed Ms. Rowland to purchase 24 dry erase white board sets and an electric pencil sharpener.
Supplies for a new 1st grade teacher
School: Greenfield
Teacher: Tori Howe
Amount: $430
Students Impacted: 22 per year
From the Nuts & Bolts Grant Application: This grant allowed Ms. Howe to purchase books, blocks, dominoes, and magnetic letters for her new classroom.
School: Greenfield
Teacher: Tori Howe
Amount: $430
Students Impacted: 22 per year
From the Nuts & Bolts Grant Application: This grant allowed Ms. Howe to purchase books, blocks, dominoes, and magnetic letters for her new classroom.
Tools Grant
School: Groves
Teacher: Erin Kelly
Amount: $593.79
Students Impacted: 200 per year
From the Nuts & Bolts Grant Application: This grant allowed Ms. Kelly to purchase new tools for the Ceramics class. These tools would either help to make the students work easier to produce to to assist in making their work at a more advanced level.
School: Groves
Teacher: Erin Kelly
Amount: $593.79
Students Impacted: 200 per year
From the Nuts & Bolts Grant Application: This grant allowed Ms. Kelly to purchase new tools for the Ceramics class. These tools would either help to make the students work easier to produce to to assist in making their work at a more advanced level.
Whiteboard Horseshoe Activity Table
School: Beverly
Teacher: Melissa Konen
Amount: $515.91
Students Impacted: 18-25
From the Nuts & Bolts Grant Application: This grant allowed Ms. Konen to purchase a horseshoe shaped table for her class. She will use it during large groups instruction. The shape ensure that students are able to simultaneously view instructional tools and communicate among each other. The whiteboard tabletop allows students to make their thinking viable and easily modify their work.
School: Beverly
Teacher: Melissa Konen
Amount: $515.91
Students Impacted: 18-25
From the Nuts & Bolts Grant Application: This grant allowed Ms. Konen to purchase a horseshoe shaped table for her class. She will use it during large groups instruction. The shape ensure that students are able to simultaneously view instructional tools and communicate among each other. The whiteboard tabletop allows students to make their thinking viable and easily modify their work.
LEGO Education WeDo 2.0
School: Harlan
Teacher: Joanne Rowe, Heidi Smith, Deb Woodman
Amount: $7478.65
Students Impacted: 66
From the Technology Grant Application: Through hands-on, rigorous, real world, project-based activities, students skills are enhanced across science, engineering, technology, and coding. The unique combination of the LEGO brick, classroom-friendly software and inspiring, standards based science projects results in an engaging learning experience that builds students' confidence and stimulates innovative thinking. These highly motivating, collaborative project based learning tasks empower students to take risks, generate questions, define problems and design (and redesign) their own solutions.
School: Harlan
Teacher: Joanne Rowe, Heidi Smith, Deb Woodman
Amount: $7478.65
Students Impacted: 66
From the Technology Grant Application: Through hands-on, rigorous, real world, project-based activities, students skills are enhanced across science, engineering, technology, and coding. The unique combination of the LEGO brick, classroom-friendly software and inspiring, standards based science projects results in an engaging learning experience that builds students' confidence and stimulates innovative thinking. These highly motivating, collaborative project based learning tasks empower students to take risks, generate questions, define problems and design (and redesign) their own solutions.
VEX Robotics Kits
School: Groves
Teacher: Rosa Everitt
Amount: $3,225
Students Impacted: 150+
From the Technology Grant Application: Currently, Groves does not have a set of these robots, the only set exists at Seaholm. It would be nice for each school to have their own. Though I would like to use this kit to work with CAD and Engineering students, I see this as an opportunity to engage students not necessarily enrolled in our classes. Perhaps a math or science teacher cares to use this kit in the Makerspace to enhance curriculum, or the art classes use it for drawing, or architecture creates an out-of-the-box deconstruction piece with ones that have already been put together.
School: Groves
Teacher: Rosa Everitt
Amount: $3,225
Students Impacted: 150+
From the Technology Grant Application: Currently, Groves does not have a set of these robots, the only set exists at Seaholm. It would be nice for each school to have their own. Though I would like to use this kit to work with CAD and Engineering students, I see this as an opportunity to engage students not necessarily enrolled in our classes. Perhaps a math or science teacher cares to use this kit in the Makerspace to enhance curriculum, or the art classes use it for drawing, or architecture creates an out-of-the-box deconstruction piece with ones that have already been put together.
Sensorizing
School: Seaholm
Teacher: Victoria Barbieri, Lauren Woodhull, Robert Hart, Muyi Cornish, & Kelsey Hall
Amount: $349.50
Students Impacted: 32 each year
From the Great Idea Grant Application: Students with Autism have enormous sensory needs that must be regulated so that students are able to focus their energy on cognitive processes. Many times, we have to spend instructional time, preparing our students to learn by stimulating proprioceptive and vestibular CNS responses. What if we could address those issues while we are teaching without losing instructional time? Having students use a ball chair will address these sensory regulation needs and simultaneously instructing students in our curriculum.
School: Seaholm
Teacher: Victoria Barbieri, Lauren Woodhull, Robert Hart, Muyi Cornish, & Kelsey Hall
Amount: $349.50
Students Impacted: 32 each year
From the Great Idea Grant Application: Students with Autism have enormous sensory needs that must be regulated so that students are able to focus their energy on cognitive processes. Many times, we have to spend instructional time, preparing our students to learn by stimulating proprioceptive and vestibular CNS responses. What if we could address those issues while we are teaching without losing instructional time? Having students use a ball chair will address these sensory regulation needs and simultaneously instructing students in our curriculum.
Literacy Night
School: Harlan
Teacher: Lynne Keller
Amount: $800
Students Impacted: 400
From the Foundation Grant Application: This year, we have decided to use literacy night as our venue to educate parents and give them ways to support reading at home, as required by the new third grade reading bill. Our literacy night will be separated in to an area for K-2 and a separate area for 3-5, with age appropriate activities for each level.
School: Harlan
Teacher: Lynne Keller
Amount: $800
Students Impacted: 400
From the Foundation Grant Application: This year, we have decided to use literacy night as our venue to educate parents and give them ways to support reading at home, as required by the new third grade reading bill. Our literacy night will be separated in to an area for K-2 and a separate area for 3-5, with age appropriate activities for each level.
Office of Civil Rights Anthony Ianni presentation on bulling and building empathy
School: All Elementary Schools
Teacher: Marcia Wilkinson
Amount: $2,700
Students Impacted: 1,271
From the Great Idea Grant Application: We would like to bring Anthony Ianni to present at each of our elementary schools. Each one hour session provides information about how to develop for others, stand up to bullying, be an upstander rather than a bystander and how to respect others. By focusing on students in grades four and five, we will provide our students with the tools necessary to be elementary school leaders who set an example on being empathetic words and actions.
School: All Elementary Schools
Teacher: Marcia Wilkinson
Amount: $2,700
Students Impacted: 1,271
From the Great Idea Grant Application: We would like to bring Anthony Ianni to present at each of our elementary schools. Each one hour session provides information about how to develop for others, stand up to bullying, be an upstander rather than a bystander and how to respect others. By focusing on students in grades four and five, we will provide our students with the tools necessary to be elementary school leaders who set an example on being empathetic words and actions.
Flexible Seating for Kids on the Move
School: Greenfield
Teacher: Noelle Davis & Shelly Potter
Amount: $1,030
Students Impacted: 200
From the Great Grant Application: One of our goals at Greenfield is to meet the needs of our students to the best of our ability. We have many students who have been diagnosed with ADHD, who have a difficult time sitting still during instruction. We believe that if we could offer them alternative seating, they may be able to function better in the classroom. We believe that if we could offer them alternative seating, they may be able to function better in the classrooms. We plan to start out by placing two sizes of two different types of ergonomic rocking seats in our alcoves for group instruction, and monitoring how they affect student achievement and behavior.
The BEF has decided to use this grant as a test case for the impact of this type of grant.
School: Greenfield
Teacher: Noelle Davis & Shelly Potter
Amount: $1,030
Students Impacted: 200
From the Great Grant Application: One of our goals at Greenfield is to meet the needs of our students to the best of our ability. We have many students who have been diagnosed with ADHD, who have a difficult time sitting still during instruction. We believe that if we could offer them alternative seating, they may be able to function better in the classroom. We believe that if we could offer them alternative seating, they may be able to function better in the classrooms. We plan to start out by placing two sizes of two different types of ergonomic rocking seats in our alcoves for group instruction, and monitoring how they affect student achievement and behavior.
The BEF has decided to use this grant as a test case for the impact of this type of grant.
Salmon in the Classroom
School: Lincoln Street Alternative
Teacher: Anna Nelson-Lenhart
Amount: $1.060
Students Impacted: 45 each year
From the Great Idea Grant Application: We would like to bring the Michigan Department of Natural Resources "Salmon in the Classroom" program to our school. The DNR partners with schools throughout Michigan to raise and release salmon with their students. Students raise the salmon from eggs in their classroom and then the students go on a field trip to release the salmon in a local river in the spring. The DNR provides training for teachers, lesson plans, support and some supplies. Schools are responsible for acquiring the aquarium, water chiller, and some other items.
School: Lincoln Street Alternative
Teacher: Anna Nelson-Lenhart
Amount: $1.060
Students Impacted: 45 each year
From the Great Idea Grant Application: We would like to bring the Michigan Department of Natural Resources "Salmon in the Classroom" program to our school. The DNR partners with schools throughout Michigan to raise and release salmon with their students. Students raise the salmon from eggs in their classroom and then the students go on a field trip to release the salmon in a local river in the spring. The DNR provides training for teachers, lesson plans, support and some supplies. Schools are responsible for acquiring the aquarium, water chiller, and some other items.
Career Day Shadow Experience
School: Seaholm
Teacher: Judi Stahl
Amount: $500
Students Impacted: 331
From the Foundation Grant Application: This event, run in conjunction with the Optimist Club of Birmingham, facilitates a career shadow experience for juniors at Seaholm. We use the event to familiarize the community with the Birmingham Education Foundation, as well as to satisfy the key concept for careers, as career exploration is one of the goals for our students.
School: Seaholm
Teacher: Judi Stahl
Amount: $500
Students Impacted: 331
From the Foundation Grant Application: This event, run in conjunction with the Optimist Club of Birmingham, facilitates a career shadow experience for juniors at Seaholm. We use the event to familiarize the community with the Birmingham Education Foundation, as well as to satisfy the key concept for careers, as career exploration is one of the goals for our students.
Family Math Night
School: Beverly
Teacher: Janice Hausman
Amount: $500
Students Impacted: 350
From the Foundation Grant Application: Beverly is hosting a Math Night in January to increase family engagement in the learning process. Math is also the focus of our school's current SMART goal.
School: Beverly
Teacher: Janice Hausman
Amount: $500
Students Impacted: 350
From the Foundation Grant Application: Beverly is hosting a Math Night in January to increase family engagement in the learning process. Math is also the focus of our school's current SMART goal.
Math Night at Bingham Farms
School: Bingham Farms
Teacher: Cyndi Settecerri
Amount: $415
Students Impacted: 400
From the Foundation Grant Application: We are planning a Family Math Night at Bingham Farms Elementary. Our SMART Goal for Bingham for the past few years has focused on improving our achievement in math. We have focused on professional learning for our teachers, but would like to involve families in our learning endeavor to bring more math fun to home, via games and activities.
School: Bingham Farms
Teacher: Cyndi Settecerri
Amount: $415
Students Impacted: 400
From the Foundation Grant Application: We are planning a Family Math Night at Bingham Farms Elementary. Our SMART Goal for Bingham for the past few years has focused on improving our achievement in math. We have focused on professional learning for our teachers, but would like to involve families in our learning endeavor to bring more math fun to home, via games and activities.
Field Production DSLR Video/Audio Kit for Groves Video Production
School: Groves
Teacher: Aaron Guay
Amount: $1,470
Students Impacted: 75+
From the Technology Grant Application: I am looking to purchase multiple (2) field production DSLR Video/Audio kits to use with my video production classes, and video club. This will provide more students hands-on experience with professional grade equipment and really give them a feel in to what it is like to be a part of a professional production. A great focus in my classes is broadcasting, which include a lot of interviewing and creation of news packages. Having access to these field production kits, especially the audio equipment involved, would greatly enhance the quality of productions.
School: Groves
Teacher: Aaron Guay
Amount: $1,470
Students Impacted: 75+
From the Technology Grant Application: I am looking to purchase multiple (2) field production DSLR Video/Audio kits to use with my video production classes, and video club. This will provide more students hands-on experience with professional grade equipment and really give them a feel in to what it is like to be a part of a professional production. A great focus in my classes is broadcasting, which include a lot of interviewing and creation of news packages. Having access to these field production kits, especially the audio equipment involved, would greatly enhance the quality of productions.
Super STEM Saturdays
School: Districtwide
Teacher: Doug Baltz
Amount: $3,984.62
Students Impacted: 200+
From the Great Idea Grant Application: The Super STEM Saturday Enrichment Program is a unique opportunity for BPS students and teachers to engage throughout our district. As educators, we attempt to bridge the academic and skills gaps with innovative best practices and strategies. However, the opportunity gap is beginning to widen at an astounding rate. As a result, to help bridge all of these gaps, we have decided this year's Super STEM Saturday Theme should be "An Invitation to Connect". We would like to use the LEGO Mindstorm materials as well as the Kelvin Solar Cars as part of Super STEM Saturday.
School: Districtwide
Teacher: Doug Baltz
Amount: $3,984.62
Students Impacted: 200+
From the Great Idea Grant Application: The Super STEM Saturday Enrichment Program is a unique opportunity for BPS students and teachers to engage throughout our district. As educators, we attempt to bridge the academic and skills gaps with innovative best practices and strategies. However, the opportunity gap is beginning to widen at an astounding rate. As a result, to help bridge all of these gaps, we have decided this year's Super STEM Saturday Theme should be "An Invitation to Connect". We would like to use the LEGO Mindstorm materials as well as the Kelvin Solar Cars as part of Super STEM Saturday.
LIT! Club
School: Groves
Teacher: Maurya Kay
Amount: $750
Students Impacted: 8 this year, more next year
From the Great Idea Grant Application: Student in LIT club experience growth in three major areas. The first is service learning, where students engage in projects that support community causes. The second is adventure, where students have outdoor adventure experience that push their edges and abilities, while having them cooperate with each other. The third is leadership, which builds upon the first two experiential experiences. We are asking for support to fund the facilitators fee for this year, to help us pay for both the facilitator fee and the adventure component of the club.
School: Groves
Teacher: Maurya Kay
Amount: $750
Students Impacted: 8 this year, more next year
From the Great Idea Grant Application: Student in LIT club experience growth in three major areas. The first is service learning, where students engage in projects that support community causes. The second is adventure, where students have outdoor adventure experience that push their edges and abilities, while having them cooperate with each other. The third is leadership, which builds upon the first two experiential experiences. We are asking for support to fund the facilitators fee for this year, to help us pay for both the facilitator fee and the adventure component of the club.
ABC Bootcamp with Zoo Phonics
School: Greenfield
Teacher: Kate Alexander, Penny Shimoura, Marcia O'Connell
Amount: $1,200
Students Impacted: 50 each year
From the Great Idea Grant Application: Last fall, our Kindergarten teachers, Instructional Specialist and Reading Teachers teamed up to run Greenfield's ABC Bootcamp for the first 10-12 weeks of school. We were finding that introducing one letter per week was not getting us the results we needed for our students to be competitive and achieve their reading goals. According to the Kindergarten assessment, given in the beginning of the year, many students came to us knowing several of their letters and sounds. However there were a handful of students in each classroom who were not familiar with letter names and sounds at all. While classroom teachers were able to use a variety of methods, they were able to experiment with components of Zoo Phonics and were amazed with the results that they say. We would like to purchase the Zoo Phonics system to use in our ABC Bootcamp for next year.
School: Greenfield
Teacher: Kate Alexander, Penny Shimoura, Marcia O'Connell
Amount: $1,200
Students Impacted: 50 each year
From the Great Idea Grant Application: Last fall, our Kindergarten teachers, Instructional Specialist and Reading Teachers teamed up to run Greenfield's ABC Bootcamp for the first 10-12 weeks of school. We were finding that introducing one letter per week was not getting us the results we needed for our students to be competitive and achieve their reading goals. According to the Kindergarten assessment, given in the beginning of the year, many students came to us knowing several of their letters and sounds. However there were a handful of students in each classroom who were not familiar with letter names and sounds at all. While classroom teachers were able to use a variety of methods, they were able to experiment with components of Zoo Phonics and were amazed with the results that they say. We would like to purchase the Zoo Phonics system to use in our ABC Bootcamp for next year.
STEAM Night & Robot Garage Field Trip
chool: Pembroke
Teacher: Sarah Smith
Amount: $1,215
Students Impacted: 300
From the Great Idea Grant Application: This year the first grade students are receiving a STEAM based art class as one of their Unified Arts times. We have been working on inventing, coding, and building several different projects using STEAM based core standards. We also have a 4/5 STEAM based class as well. The Robot garage would be a great opportunity for first grade students to see other areas that deal with robotics, coding and programming in their own community. The other part of this grant would be used to have the Robot Garage send staff to use for a STEAM night that we will be hosting this year for all families in the school.
chool: Pembroke
Teacher: Sarah Smith
Amount: $1,215
Students Impacted: 300
From the Great Idea Grant Application: This year the first grade students are receiving a STEAM based art class as one of their Unified Arts times. We have been working on inventing, coding, and building several different projects using STEAM based core standards. We also have a 4/5 STEAM based class as well. The Robot garage would be a great opportunity for first grade students to see other areas that deal with robotics, coding and programming in their own community. The other part of this grant would be used to have the Robot Garage send staff to use for a STEAM night that we will be hosting this year for all families in the school.
Big Brothers, Big Sisters Enrichment/RTI
School: Groves
Teacher: Leandrea Boyer, Shannon Torres
Amount: $520
Students Impacted: 400
From the Great Idea Grant Application: Last year, Big Brothers, Big Sisters (the Groves freshmen mentorship program) started a BBBS Cafe. This is held bi-monthly and is "staffed" by the mentors on a rotating basis. Last year, the goal was to get teh freshmen used to coming in during X block and having them socialize with each other and their mentors, as well as get extra help as needed. This year, we would like to expand the program and offer people to come and speak during each session, including experts in yoga, nutrition, animal therapy and more.
School: Groves
Teacher: Leandrea Boyer, Shannon Torres
Amount: $520
Students Impacted: 400
From the Great Idea Grant Application: Last year, Big Brothers, Big Sisters (the Groves freshmen mentorship program) started a BBBS Cafe. This is held bi-monthly and is "staffed" by the mentors on a rotating basis. Last year, the goal was to get teh freshmen used to coming in during X block and having them socialize with each other and their mentors, as well as get extra help as needed. This year, we would like to expand the program and offer people to come and speak during each session, including experts in yoga, nutrition, animal therapy and more.
Battle of the Books Author Visit
School: All Elementary Schools
Teacher: Laurie Olmstead
Amount: $3,000
Students Impacted: 1,000
From the Great Idea Grant Application: We would like the BEF to partner with the Friends of the Baldwin Library to bring an award winning author to visit the fourth and fifth grade students at every elementary school in BPS. In years past, the Battle Author has visited half of the schools in the district, and we would like this to become a yearly event for students at each school.
School: All Elementary Schools
Teacher: Laurie Olmstead
Amount: $3,000
Students Impacted: 1,000
From the Great Idea Grant Application: We would like the BEF to partner with the Friends of the Baldwin Library to bring an award winning author to visit the fourth and fifth grade students at every elementary school in BPS. In years past, the Battle Author has visited half of the schools in the district, and we would like this to become a yearly event for students at each school.
Art for the Sky
School: Pembroke
Teacher: Sarah Smith
Amount: $1,800
Students Impacted: 300
From the Great Idea Grant Application: A resident artist will come out to Pembroke - Daniel Dancer. He works 3 days with the students to create a landscape artwork using grids and mathematics. Students help plot out the artwork and then all the students are part of the aerial photograph that is taken. There are two assemblies he does while he is here and also puts together a DVD of photos and videos of his time here. This is a great experience for the students to see some ideas from our STEAM program in action outside of the art room. Students have ownership of this project because they help him create the aerial photograph. This is also tied to Michigan and the environment, helping students to connect to their community.
School: Pembroke
Teacher: Sarah Smith
Amount: $1,800
Students Impacted: 300
From the Great Idea Grant Application: A resident artist will come out to Pembroke - Daniel Dancer. He works 3 days with the students to create a landscape artwork using grids and mathematics. Students help plot out the artwork and then all the students are part of the aerial photograph that is taken. There are two assemblies he does while he is here and also puts together a DVD of photos and videos of his time here. This is a great experience for the students to see some ideas from our STEAM program in action outside of the art room. Students have ownership of this project because they help him create the aerial photograph. This is also tied to Michigan and the environment, helping students to connect to their community.
Beverly's League of Leading Ladies
School: Beverly
Teacher: Stacy Glowacki
Amount: $150
Students Impacted: 20
From the Small but Mighty Grant Application: The purpose of this group is to inspire our girls to become young women of character, in school and out. We hope to inspire them with fun and engaging social and emotional based activities that will motivate them to internalize positive behaviors and attitudes. Our goal is that they will become leaders among their peers and in the world, not just in 4th and 5th grade, but in the years to come.
School: Beverly
Teacher: Stacy Glowacki
Amount: $150
Students Impacted: 20
From the Small but Mighty Grant Application: The purpose of this group is to inspire our girls to become young women of character, in school and out. We hope to inspire them with fun and engaging social and emotional based activities that will motivate them to internalize positive behaviors and attitudes. Our goal is that they will become leaders among their peers and in the world, not just in 4th and 5th grade, but in the years to come.
Ben Franklin Visits Greenfield
School: Greenfield
Teacher: Sherri Levitt
Amount: $250
Students Impacted: 44
From the Small but Mighty Grant Application: We have had Ben Franklin visit our fifth graders for the past two years. His visit is informative not only about his amazing life and talents, but about the Revolutionary War era, which we study in fifth grade. In addition, he sets the stage as a first person presenter. We will be able to refer back to the presentation often when our fifth graders become historical figures for our wax museum in May.
School: Greenfield
Teacher: Sherri Levitt
Amount: $250
Students Impacted: 44
From the Small but Mighty Grant Application: We have had Ben Franklin visit our fifth graders for the past two years. His visit is informative not only about his amazing life and talents, but about the Revolutionary War era, which we study in fifth grade. In addition, he sets the stage as a first person presenter. We will be able to refer back to the presentation often when our fifth graders become historical figures for our wax museum in May.
Student produced play written by Groves alumni Ken Jones
School: Groves
Teacher: Stephen Carpenter
Amount: $250
Students Impacted: 300
From the Small but Mighty Grant Application: This project will serve as a capstone-learning project for upper level theater students to give them real world experience in the realm of theater. The show will be fully student produced and directed, with staff advisers. The show that we intend to produce is Alabama Story, by Ken Jones, a Groves Alumni. Earlier this school year, Mr. Jones came to our class adn helped us to create designs for his show, and now we want to honor his work and bring our ideas to life.
School: Groves
Teacher: Stephen Carpenter
Amount: $250
Students Impacted: 300
From the Small but Mighty Grant Application: This project will serve as a capstone-learning project for upper level theater students to give them real world experience in the realm of theater. The show will be fully student produced and directed, with staff advisers. The show that we intend to produce is Alabama Story, by Ken Jones, a Groves Alumni. Earlier this school year, Mr. Jones came to our class adn helped us to create designs for his show, and now we want to honor his work and bring our ideas to life.
'Wonder' Movie Field Trip
School: Derby
Teacher: Stacie Tait-Fiori and Ryan Pemberton
Amount: $91
Students Impacted: 10
From the Small but Mighty Grant Application: Ryan Pemberton teaches a LRC Language Arts class which is geared towards our special education students that need more support than would be offered in a General Education Language Arts Classroom. As the Speech-Language Pathologist for Derby, Ryan and I have been team teaching one day per week, which is the imitative for the district this year. Our lessons have been focusing on reading the book 'Wonder' by Raquel Palacio aloud while incorporating lessons on vocabulary and making inferences (which are each student's language goals per their IEP). The book 'Wonder' is being made in to a movie and we would love to be able to take the students to see this.
School: Derby
Teacher: Stacie Tait-Fiori and Ryan Pemberton
Amount: $91
Students Impacted: 10
From the Small but Mighty Grant Application: Ryan Pemberton teaches a LRC Language Arts class which is geared towards our special education students that need more support than would be offered in a General Education Language Arts Classroom. As the Speech-Language Pathologist for Derby, Ryan and I have been team teaching one day per week, which is the imitative for the district this year. Our lessons have been focusing on reading the book 'Wonder' by Raquel Palacio aloud while incorporating lessons on vocabulary and making inferences (which are each student's language goals per their IEP). The book 'Wonder' is being made in to a movie and we would love to be able to take the students to see this.
Video Production Supplies - Audio Equipment
School: Groves
Teacher: Aaron Guay
Amount: $250
Students Impacted: 75+
From the Small but Mighty Grant Application: SI would like to purchase lavaliere microphones, hand held microphones, and microphone cables to be used with our classroom. We do a lot of interviewing outside of the classroom and this would help increase student productions and provide more students the chance to work with advanced equipment and develop professional skills relative to the industry. Having access to these tools would provide students with the creative edge and assist in creating quality productions.
School: Groves
Teacher: Aaron Guay
Amount: $250
Students Impacted: 75+
From the Small but Mighty Grant Application: SI would like to purchase lavaliere microphones, hand held microphones, and microphone cables to be used with our classroom. We do a lot of interviewing outside of the classroom and this would help increase student productions and provide more students the chance to work with advanced equipment and develop professional skills relative to the industry. Having access to these tools would provide students with the creative edge and assist in creating quality productions.
Wobble Chairs to Help Students Focus in Class
School: Bingham Farms
Teacher: Jason Smith
Amount: $210
Students Impacted: 10 students per year
From the Small but Mighty Grant Application: Studies are showing that using flexible seating, such as wobble chairs, improves student focus and learning. This year, I have a few students who have a really hard time sitting still and focusing in class. I believe that getting these students wobble seats will help them to be more successful in school because it will help them to focus and pay attention to their work for longer periods of time.
School: Bingham Farms
Teacher: Jason Smith
Amount: $210
Students Impacted: 10 students per year
From the Small but Mighty Grant Application: Studies are showing that using flexible seating, such as wobble chairs, improves student focus and learning. This year, I have a few students who have a really hard time sitting still and focusing in class. I believe that getting these students wobble seats will help them to be more successful in school because it will help them to focus and pay attention to their work for longer periods of time.
High Interest, Low Reading Level Books for ELL Students
School: Pierce
Teacher: Amanda Papaghanian
Amount: $254.10
Students Impacted: 20 per year
From the Small but Mighty Grant Application: Finding high interest, low reading level books for English Language Learners (ELLs) can be difficult. This is compounded by the fact that our ELL students are not only learning to read in a new language, but are also learning a whole new vocabulary. Purchasing some high interest, low reading level books for our older students will give these students access to interesting chapter books that they will otherwise do not have access to in the classroom, at home, or in the English as a Second Language setting. Students will be able to borrow these books to read at home or in the class.
School: Pierce
Teacher: Amanda Papaghanian
Amount: $254.10
Students Impacted: 20 per year
From the Small but Mighty Grant Application: Finding high interest, low reading level books for English Language Learners (ELLs) can be difficult. This is compounded by the fact that our ELL students are not only learning to read in a new language, but are also learning a whole new vocabulary. Purchasing some high interest, low reading level books for our older students will give these students access to interesting chapter books that they will otherwise do not have access to in the classroom, at home, or in the English as a Second Language setting. Students will be able to borrow these books to read at home or in the class.
ASD Community Based Instruction Trip to Play Place for Autistic Children
School: Derby
Teacher: Elizabeth Wilde
Amount: $90
Students Impacted: 18
From the Small but Mighty Grant Application: Derby has 4 Autism Spectrum Disorder classrooms, and we would like to take the students from this class on a Community Based Instruction field trip to the Autistic Play Place for Children. They provide an educational and therapeutic environment where out students can further develop life skills. They offer curriculum ranging from money skills, fine motor fun, recreational therapy, as well as music and movement therapy. So much learning outside of the classroom and in the natural environment and we want to expose our students to going out in the community and learning. Many of our students can be limited in the places they can go in the community due to heightened sensitivity/over stimulation to lights, sounds, crowds, etc. Autistic Play Place for Children provides a safe and welcoming environment for special needs students with all different cognitive functioning levels, and we think our students will benefit greatly.
School: Derby
Teacher: Elizabeth Wilde
Amount: $90
Students Impacted: 18
From the Small but Mighty Grant Application: Derby has 4 Autism Spectrum Disorder classrooms, and we would like to take the students from this class on a Community Based Instruction field trip to the Autistic Play Place for Children. They provide an educational and therapeutic environment where out students can further develop life skills. They offer curriculum ranging from money skills, fine motor fun, recreational therapy, as well as music and movement therapy. So much learning outside of the classroom and in the natural environment and we want to expose our students to going out in the community and learning. Many of our students can be limited in the places they can go in the community due to heightened sensitivity/over stimulation to lights, sounds, crowds, etc. Autistic Play Place for Children provides a safe and welcoming environment for special needs students with all different cognitive functioning levels, and we think our students will benefit greatly.
Greenfield's League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
School: Greenfield
Teacher: Cameron Dominick
Amount: $250
Students Impacted: 50 each year
From the Small but Mighty Grant Application: This group was designed to inspire our boys to become gentlemen on character, in school and out. We hope to inspire them with fun and engaging social and emotional based activities that will motivate them to internalize positive behaviors and attitudes. Our goal is that they will become leaders among their peers and in the world, not just in 4th and 5th grades, but in the years to come.
School: Greenfield
Teacher: Cameron Dominick
Amount: $250
Students Impacted: 50 each year
From the Small but Mighty Grant Application: This group was designed to inspire our boys to become gentlemen on character, in school and out. We hope to inspire them with fun and engaging social and emotional based activities that will motivate them to internalize positive behaviors and attitudes. Our goal is that they will become leaders among their peers and in the world, not just in 4th and 5th grades, but in the years to come.
Berkshire Garden Patio
School: Berkshire
Teacher: Lori Lackowicz
Amount: $250
Students Impacted: 200
From the Small but Mighty Grant Application: The Berkshire Garden has an area between the garden shed and the faucet (which provides water for the drip irrigation system) which is currently uneven grass, weeds, and mud. The area is unsightly, potentially unsafe and needs to be maintained by the grounds crew from May to October. This Eagle Scout proposed patio project will provide a level, no/low maintenance area that will not only improve the look of the proposed patio project will provide students and other community garden volunteers with a work surface that is safe,
School: Berkshire
Teacher: Lori Lackowicz
Amount: $250
Students Impacted: 200
From the Small but Mighty Grant Application: The Berkshire Garden has an area between the garden shed and the faucet (which provides water for the drip irrigation system) which is currently uneven grass, weeds, and mud. The area is unsightly, potentially unsafe and needs to be maintained by the grounds crew from May to October. This Eagle Scout proposed patio project will provide a level, no/low maintenance area that will not only improve the look of the proposed patio project will provide students and other community garden volunteers with a work surface that is safe,
Take Home Books for Book Bags
School: Greenfield & Pierce
Teacher: Tresa Johnson
Amount: $250
Students Impacted: 35
From the Small but Might Grant Application: I have been slowly building a library of take home books for students to self select and take home in their reading support book bags. These books are a variety of reading levels and are a mixture of fiction and nonfiction texts. My goal is to have books that appeal to many students in an effort to help build the love of reading. Research shows that students who select their own books are more likely to enjoy reading and they read more. I hope to continue growing my take home library and with this grant I will fill some of the "holes" at different reading levels.
School: Greenfield & Pierce
Teacher: Tresa Johnson
Amount: $250
Students Impacted: 35
From the Small but Might Grant Application: I have been slowly building a library of take home books for students to self select and take home in their reading support book bags. These books are a variety of reading levels and are a mixture of fiction and nonfiction texts. My goal is to have books that appeal to many students in an effort to help build the love of reading. Research shows that students who select their own books are more likely to enjoy reading and they read more. I hope to continue growing my take home library and with this grant I will fill some of the "holes" at different reading levels.
Multicultural Awareness Through Play
School: Beverly
Teacher: Janet Siegel
Amount: $262.02
Students Impacted: 21
From the Small but Mighty Grant Application: Children learn about diversity through play, including music, clothing, foods, and dramatic play. The dolls that are currently in the classroom do not represent the cultural diversity of our classroom, school, community and the world at large. Through play with the dolls children develop their racial identity, a healthy self image, and form a well rounded world.
School: Beverly
Teacher: Janet Siegel
Amount: $262.02
Students Impacted: 21
From the Small but Mighty Grant Application: Children learn about diversity through play, including music, clothing, foods, and dramatic play. The dolls that are currently in the classroom do not represent the cultural diversity of our classroom, school, community and the world at large. Through play with the dolls children develop their racial identity, a healthy self image, and form a well rounded world.
Math Problem Solving Games
School: Bingham Farms
Teacher: Tonya Paige, Lindsay Stone, & Tom Zabawa
Amount: $250
Students Impacted: 58
From the Small but Mighty Grant Application: Tonya Paige, Lindsay Stone and Tom Zabawa attended the 5 day Foundations of Math workshop put on by Oakland Schools. Bingham Farms is piloting this program for the school district. During our instruction it was highly recommended that each classroom have a variety of basic math oriented games, such as Chess, Checkers, Connect 4, etc. It has been observed that children do not have the basic problem solving skills that playing these types of games provide. Having these games and providing opportunities to challenge students is an integral part of what we'd like to do in conjunction with our math program.
School: Bingham Farms
Teacher: Tonya Paige, Lindsay Stone, & Tom Zabawa
Amount: $250
Students Impacted: 58
From the Small but Mighty Grant Application: Tonya Paige, Lindsay Stone and Tom Zabawa attended the 5 day Foundations of Math workshop put on by Oakland Schools. Bingham Farms is piloting this program for the school district. During our instruction it was highly recommended that each classroom have a variety of basic math oriented games, such as Chess, Checkers, Connect 4, etc. It has been observed that children do not have the basic problem solving skills that playing these types of games provide. Having these games and providing opportunities to challenge students is an integral part of what we'd like to do in conjunction with our math program.
Second Grade iPad Storage for Listening, and Docking Station
School: Quarton
Teacher: Jennifer Wind
Amount: $242.17
Students impacted: 80
From the Small but Mighty Grant application: The Quarton Second Grade would like to better utilize the 6 current iPads for our grade level. Currently the iPads do not have any covers. The covers will protect the technology and also allow the kids to move around the room while working in math stations, listening to a story or doing collaborative research. We have requested 6 different colors to help the kids know which iPad they are to use and also to keep track of them visually.
We have a very large cart that houses our 6 iPads. The cart is too large for our small classrooms. The iPad storage crate that we'd like to purchase will allow us to easily pass the iPad between teachers and classrooms. Additionally, we would no longer have to use the elevator to access the iPads, and would allow teachers to lock up the technology in our classroom drawers/cupboards each night. Overall this grant will help us to make better use of our current technology.
School: Quarton
Teacher: Jennifer Wind
Amount: $242.17
Students impacted: 80
From the Small but Mighty Grant application: The Quarton Second Grade would like to better utilize the 6 current iPads for our grade level. Currently the iPads do not have any covers. The covers will protect the technology and also allow the kids to move around the room while working in math stations, listening to a story or doing collaborative research. We have requested 6 different colors to help the kids know which iPad they are to use and also to keep track of them visually.
We have a very large cart that houses our 6 iPads. The cart is too large for our small classrooms. The iPad storage crate that we'd like to purchase will allow us to easily pass the iPad between teachers and classrooms. Additionally, we would no longer have to use the elevator to access the iPads, and would allow teachers to lock up the technology in our classroom drawers/cupboards each night. Overall this grant will help us to make better use of our current technology.
Flexible Seating within the Classroom
School: Quarton
Teacher: Gloria Donnellon
Amount: $247.32
Students impacted: 19 annually
From the Small but Mighty Grant application: Giving my students the choice of flexible seating within the classroom provides my students with the power to choose what learning space works best for them. It helps them to engage in critical thinking skills and it's better for their health! Children who sit too long can have health concerns as adults. I want my students to be able to move while learning. Being able to wiggle while working on a wobble stool or a stability disc allows children the freedom to move without distracting those around them, while also strengthening low muscle tone. These materials will provide the support that young children need year after year in my classroom.
School: Quarton
Teacher: Gloria Donnellon
Amount: $247.32
Students impacted: 19 annually
From the Small but Mighty Grant application: Giving my students the choice of flexible seating within the classroom provides my students with the power to choose what learning space works best for them. It helps them to engage in critical thinking skills and it's better for their health! Children who sit too long can have health concerns as adults. I want my students to be able to move while learning. Being able to wiggle while working on a wobble stool or a stability disc allows children the freedom to move without distracting those around them, while also strengthening low muscle tone. These materials will provide the support that young children need year after year in my classroom.
Read Like a Bobcat Parent & Child Literacy Night
School: Beverly
Teacher: Janice Hausman
Amount: $250
Students impacted: 16
From the Small but Mighty Grant application: At Beverly, we firmly believe that family engagement is key to a child's education. After identifying struggling readers in the first grade, we have invited the parents and students to a literacy event. During the evening, they will visit three different stations: reading with your child, sight word games and words their way, facilitated by the first grade teachers and Mrs. Reef, Reading Specialist. We hope to provide each student participant with a complementary basked filled with a book, a set of magnetic letters, and a dry erase board. Thee items will help them continue their learning at home. To encourage participation in the event, we are offering a pizza dinner beforehand, and childcare for siblings.
School: Beverly
Teacher: Janice Hausman
Amount: $250
Students impacted: 16
From the Small but Mighty Grant application: At Beverly, we firmly believe that family engagement is key to a child's education. After identifying struggling readers in the first grade, we have invited the parents and students to a literacy event. During the evening, they will visit three different stations: reading with your child, sight word games and words their way, facilitated by the first grade teachers and Mrs. Reef, Reading Specialist. We hope to provide each student participant with a complementary basked filled with a book, a set of magnetic letters, and a dry erase board. Thee items will help them continue their learning at home. To encourage participation in the event, we are offering a pizza dinner beforehand, and childcare for siblings.
Flexible Seating within the Classroom
School: Quarton
Teacher: Andrea Yakima
Amount: $250
Students impacted: 19 annually
From the Small but Mighty Grant application: Giving my students the choice of flexible seating within the classroom provides my students with the power to choose what learning space works best for them. It helps them to engage in critical thinking skills and it's better for their health! Children who sit too long can have health concerns as adults. I want my students to be able to move while learning. Being able to wiggle while working on a wobble stool or a stability disc allows children the freedom to move without distracting those around them, while also strengthening low muscle tone. These materials will provide the support that young children need year after year in my classroom.
School: Quarton
Teacher: Andrea Yakima
Amount: $250
Students impacted: 19 annually
From the Small but Mighty Grant application: Giving my students the choice of flexible seating within the classroom provides my students with the power to choose what learning space works best for them. It helps them to engage in critical thinking skills and it's better for their health! Children who sit too long can have health concerns as adults. I want my students to be able to move while learning. Being able to wiggle while working on a wobble stool or a stability disc allows children the freedom to move without distracting those around them, while also strengthening low muscle tone. These materials will provide the support that young children need year after year in my classroom.
Books for Classroom Library
School: Harlan
Teacher: Heidi Smith
Amount: $245.88
Students impacted: 21 annually
From the Small but Mighty Grant application: As a new teacher in the district, as well as being new to this grade level, I inherited the library in my classroom. The library needs updating with more contemporary literature to peak interest and keep students engaged. The students have requested authors and series that they enjoy adn I want to meet their needs to continue to support their love of reading as well as have a variety of texts that meet the needs of all students.
School: Harlan
Teacher: Heidi Smith
Amount: $245.88
Students impacted: 21 annually
From the Small but Mighty Grant application: As a new teacher in the district, as well as being new to this grade level, I inherited the library in my classroom. The library needs updating with more contemporary literature to peak interest and keep students engaged. The students have requested authors and series that they enjoy adn I want to meet their needs to continue to support their love of reading as well as have a variety of texts that meet the needs of all students.
Mural for Hallway at Greenfield
School: Greenfield
Teacher: Alethea Cierpial
Amount: $250
Students impacted: 100
From the Small but Mighty Grant application: We will be creating a collaborative mural that will hang on the wall at Greenfield. Fourth and fifth grade students will be working on the project throughout the year. We will need paint, a wood panel and brushes for this project.
School: Greenfield
Teacher: Alethea Cierpial
Amount: $250
Students impacted: 100
From the Small but Mighty Grant application: We will be creating a collaborative mural that will hang on the wall at Greenfield. Fourth and fifth grade students will be working on the project throughout the year. We will need paint, a wood panel and brushes for this project.
Essential Books for Guided Reading Instruction
School: West Maple
Teacher: Bailee Braunreuther, Danielle Little, Laura Parker, Madeleine Parthum, and Lynne Robertson May
Amount: $921.60
Students impacted: 100
From the Great Idea Grant application: West Maple's first grade team and reading specialists have identified a need for high quality, engaging, and age-appropriate texts to be used for small reading group instruction in our first grade classrooms. We are asking the BEF to provide the necessary funds to purchase 6 packs of leveled books that we will use to engage students in rich, text based instruction that both deepens comprehension and supports early literacy skills. These books will help us to fill a current gap, and is the final set necessary to complete our collection.
School: West Maple
Teacher: Bailee Braunreuther, Danielle Little, Laura Parker, Madeleine Parthum, and Lynne Robertson May
Amount: $921.60
Students impacted: 100
From the Great Idea Grant application: West Maple's first grade team and reading specialists have identified a need for high quality, engaging, and age-appropriate texts to be used for small reading group instruction in our first grade classrooms. We are asking the BEF to provide the necessary funds to purchase 6 packs of leveled books that we will use to engage students in rich, text based instruction that both deepens comprehension and supports early literacy skills. These books will help us to fill a current gap, and is the final set necessary to complete our collection.
Kingergarden/First Grade Non-Fiction Literacy Library
School: Pembroke
Teacher: Leze Djokaj, Erin Gallagher, Gina Smith
Amount: $1,611
Students impacted: 120
From the Great Idea Grant application: The K-1 teams would like to teach non-fiction elements through quality books all year long. We want to slowly move away from only having non-fiction teaching during specific times of the year. We notice the demand for quality non-fiction instruction and notice that we do not have nearly as many non-fiction books as we do fiction. As a grade level team, we noticed that kids do not read non-fiction very frequently, and we want to change that! We can keep kids engaged not only with fiction books, but also with non-fiction topics that intrigue them! The new common core standards are heavily based on informational texts and strategies that students need to learn from reading non-fiction texts.
School: Pembroke
Teacher: Leze Djokaj, Erin Gallagher, Gina Smith
Amount: $1,611
Students impacted: 120
From the Great Idea Grant application: The K-1 teams would like to teach non-fiction elements through quality books all year long. We want to slowly move away from only having non-fiction teaching during specific times of the year. We notice the demand for quality non-fiction instruction and notice that we do not have nearly as many non-fiction books as we do fiction. As a grade level team, we noticed that kids do not read non-fiction very frequently, and we want to change that! We can keep kids engaged not only with fiction books, but also with non-fiction topics that intrigue them! The new common core standards are heavily based on informational texts and strategies that students need to learn from reading non-fiction texts.
Breakfast and Books
School: Groves
Teacher: Sharla Lawshea
Amount: $300
Students impacted: 150
From the Foundation Grant application: The Groves Breakfast and Books Club is a collaborative reading group led by staff and students, and is open to all Groves students. The purpose is to encourage students to read for pleasure and to give students the opportunity to meet with others to discuss selected titles.
School: Groves
Teacher: Sharla Lawshea
Amount: $300
Students impacted: 150
From the Foundation Grant application: The Groves Breakfast and Books Club is a collaborative reading group led by staff and students, and is open to all Groves students. The purpose is to encourage students to read for pleasure and to give students the opportunity to meet with others to discuss selected titles.
Detroit Symphony Orchestra Sectionals
School: Groves
Teacher: Paul Shawver
Amount: $3,000
Students impacted: 125
From the Foundation Grant application: The Wylie E. Groves Orchestra Program is requesting a grant from the Birmingham Education Foundation for $3,000 to financially support Detroit Symphony Orchestra Sectionals for the 16-17 school year. A sectional provides the opportunity to work with and learn from world class professional musicians from the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Five members of the orchestra (two violinists, one violist, one cellist, and one bassist) will come to Groves to work with all 125 members of the Groves Orchestra Program. We are asking the BEF to support two of these visits.
School: Groves
Teacher: Paul Shawver
Amount: $3,000
Students impacted: 125
From the Foundation Grant application: The Wylie E. Groves Orchestra Program is requesting a grant from the Birmingham Education Foundation for $3,000 to financially support Detroit Symphony Orchestra Sectionals for the 16-17 school year. A sectional provides the opportunity to work with and learn from world class professional musicians from the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Five members of the orchestra (two violinists, one violist, one cellist, and one bassist) will come to Groves to work with all 125 members of the Groves Orchestra Program. We are asking the BEF to support two of these visits.
4th Grade Students to the Detroit Symphony Orchestra
School: District Wide
Teacher: Laurie Frick
Amount: $5,022
Students impacted: 785
From the Foundation Grant application: The Birmingham Public Schools Music Department would like to take all 4th grade students to Orchestra Hall in Detroit, MI to see and hear a live performance of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. The Orchestra has created a series of Educational Concerts designed for students in grades 3-8. Attending a live performance of a Symphony Orchestra is an important part of the 4th grade music curriculum, as it is an opportune time to introduce students to the instruments of the orchestra. Attending a live symphony performance has a life long impact on them at this age, as it is such a powerful experience. This benefits students both culturally and academically, and is a significant part of a well rounded education.
School: District Wide
Teacher: Laurie Frick
Amount: $5,022
Students impacted: 785
From the Foundation Grant application: The Birmingham Public Schools Music Department would like to take all 4th grade students to Orchestra Hall in Detroit, MI to see and hear a live performance of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. The Orchestra has created a series of Educational Concerts designed for students in grades 3-8. Attending a live performance of a Symphony Orchestra is an important part of the 4th grade music curriculum, as it is an opportune time to introduce students to the instruments of the orchestra. Attending a live symphony performance has a life long impact on them at this age, as it is such a powerful experience. This benefits students both culturally and academically, and is a significant part of a well rounded education.
FIRST Robotics STEM grant
School: Seaholm/Groves
Teacher: Bernie Simms
Amount: $5,000
Students impacted: 45
From the Foundation Grant application: We have a combined FIRST robotics team. FIRST stands for For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology. Our students compete at local district, state and even world championships, which this year will be held in St. Louis, MO. I believe that participation in our FIRST Robotics team is a great outlet for students to apply Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math concepts outside of class in a variety of situations. Students are challenged to be great through lots of hard work as a team for a common outcome. Also, students who participate in FIRST have the opportunity to earn scholarships. The cost to participate in FIRST Robotics competitions can reach upwards of $30,000, and the BEF has become a critical piece to ensure success for our students in this competition.
School: Seaholm/Groves
Teacher: Bernie Simms
Amount: $5,000
Students impacted: 45
From the Foundation Grant application: We have a combined FIRST robotics team. FIRST stands for For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology. Our students compete at local district, state and even world championships, which this year will be held in St. Louis, MO. I believe that participation in our FIRST Robotics team is a great outlet for students to apply Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math concepts outside of class in a variety of situations. Students are challenged to be great through lots of hard work as a team for a common outcome. Also, students who participate in FIRST have the opportunity to earn scholarships. The cost to participate in FIRST Robotics competitions can reach upwards of $30,000, and the BEF has become a critical piece to ensure success for our students in this competition.
Unity Assets for GAME DESIGN class for students to create 3-D Virtual Reality Games
School: Seaholm
Teacher: Leisa Passarelli
Amount: $249.27
Students impacted: 90
From the Small but Mighty Grant application: We have a course called GAME DESIGN, where students learn digital design and programming techniques by creating 3-D multi-level, multi-player Virtual Reality games, The game engine we use is called Unity, which uses C# programming language, self-created images and pre-made assets purchased through the Unity website. The purchase of the assets will help to broaden the amount and type of assets to appeal to the large number of students taking the class for the first time this school year.
School: Seaholm
Teacher: Leisa Passarelli
Amount: $249.27
Students impacted: 90
From the Small but Mighty Grant application: We have a course called GAME DESIGN, where students learn digital design and programming techniques by creating 3-D multi-level, multi-player Virtual Reality games, The game engine we use is called Unity, which uses C# programming language, self-created images and pre-made assets purchased through the Unity website. The purchase of the assets will help to broaden the amount and type of assets to appeal to the large number of students taking the class for the first time this school year.
Greenfield's League of Leading Ladies
School: Greenfield
Teacher: Shelly Potter
Amount: $250
Students impacted: 35-45
From the Small but Mighty Grant application: The purpose of this group is to inspire our girls to become young women of character, in school and out. We hope to inspire them with fun and engaging social and emotional based activities that will motivate them to internalize positive behaviors and attitudes. Our goal is that they will become leaders among their peers and in the world, not just in the 4th and 5th grade, but in years to come.
School: Greenfield
Teacher: Shelly Potter
Amount: $250
Students impacted: 35-45
From the Small but Mighty Grant application: The purpose of this group is to inspire our girls to become young women of character, in school and out. We hope to inspire them with fun and engaging social and emotional based activities that will motivate them to internalize positive behaviors and attitudes. Our goal is that they will become leaders among their peers and in the world, not just in the 4th and 5th grade, but in years to come.
Super Cool Beans - Start Up Supplies for Coffee Micro-Business
School: Seaholm
Teacher: Robert Hart
Amount: $191.02
Students impacted: 4-8
From the Small but Mighty Grant application: Super Cool Beans is a micro-business designed to help students with autism. The students in the ASD program at Seaholm will work on vocational skills, such as money math, keeping a ledger, weighing and measuring, packing items for sale, and more. The business will be up and running in mid-October, and will be on going.
School: Seaholm
Teacher: Robert Hart
Amount: $191.02
Students impacted: 4-8
From the Small but Mighty Grant application: Super Cool Beans is a micro-business designed to help students with autism. The students in the ASD program at Seaholm will work on vocational skills, such as money math, keeping a ledger, weighing and measuring, packing items for sale, and more. The business will be up and running in mid-October, and will be on going.
Mental Illness Needs Discussion (MINDS)
School: Seaholm & Groves
Teacher: Brian Hafner, Kathy Trupiano, Abbey Mencotti and Mary Schwartz
Amount: $2,000
Students impacted: 625
From the Foundation Grant application: All students will be made more aware of the causes of mental illnesses, the types of mental illnesses including addiction, the symptoms of the illnesses and their treatments, as well as how to help a person with mental illness. The founder and presenter of the program is a recovering alcoholic and drug addict. You can visit http://www.mindsprogram.org to learn more.
School: Seaholm & Groves
Teacher: Brian Hafner, Kathy Trupiano, Abbey Mencotti and Mary Schwartz
Amount: $2,000
Students impacted: 625
From the Foundation Grant application: All students will be made more aware of the causes of mental illnesses, the types of mental illnesses including addiction, the symptoms of the illnesses and their treatments, as well as how to help a person with mental illness. The founder and presenter of the program is a recovering alcoholic and drug addict. You can visit http://www.mindsprogram.org to learn more.
Berkshire Challenge Day
School: Berkshire
Teacher: Joanna McKinney and Jason Clinkscale
Amount: $3,025
Students impacted: 100 on Challenge Day, 800 after the event
From the Great Idea Grant application: Challenge day immerses student and staff participants in an intensive 6.5 hour, highly interactive experience that creates connections and builds community. As described on the Challenge Day website, "Challenge Day is a program that provides teens and adults with tools to tear down the walls of separation, and inspires participants to live, study, and work in an encouraging environment of acceptance, love, and respect." (www.challengeday.org)
We believe that this opportunity will have a direct and positive impact on the 100 participating students and 30 adult participants. Furthermore, the greater impact will be felt by our entire student and staff population as the leadership expectations are spread throughout our community. In addition, we will bring many of these positive principles such as "pay it forward" and "acts of change" that will be learned from this unique experience though our C3 class platform.
School: Berkshire
Teacher: Joanna McKinney and Jason Clinkscale
Amount: $3,025
Students impacted: 100 on Challenge Day, 800 after the event
From the Great Idea Grant application: Challenge day immerses student and staff participants in an intensive 6.5 hour, highly interactive experience that creates connections and builds community. As described on the Challenge Day website, "Challenge Day is a program that provides teens and adults with tools to tear down the walls of separation, and inspires participants to live, study, and work in an encouraging environment of acceptance, love, and respect." (www.challengeday.org)
We believe that this opportunity will have a direct and positive impact on the 100 participating students and 30 adult participants. Furthermore, the greater impact will be felt by our entire student and staff population as the leadership expectations are spread throughout our community. In addition, we will bring many of these positive principles such as "pay it forward" and "acts of change" that will be learned from this unique experience though our C3 class platform.
Artist-in-Residence: Ken Jones
School: Groves
Teacher: John Rutherford
Amount: $300
Students impacted: 30
From the Great Idea Grant application: Working with Groves Alumni, Ken Jones, students will present scenes from his play Alabama Stories as well as design ideas. Ken will evaluate and assess the students work from the perspective of the playwright and provide feedback. Mr. Jones will visit our school from September 19-23.
School: Groves
Teacher: John Rutherford
Amount: $300
Students impacted: 30
From the Great Idea Grant application: Working with Groves Alumni, Ken Jones, students will present scenes from his play Alabama Stories as well as design ideas. Ken will evaluate and assess the students work from the perspective of the playwright and provide feedback. Mr. Jones will visit our school from September 19-23.
Nurturing Healthy Eating Habits
School: BCS
Teacher: Scarlet Butzin, Julie Frishman, Morris Wallington, Lynne Parkin
Amount: $250
Students impacted: 108
From the Small but Mighty Grant application: Last year, our 3/4 grade classes were very fortunate to receive a grant for an aeroponic Tower Garden for our classrooms. in order to keep the Tower Garden running with our new class, we need supplies including net pots, nutrients, rock wool, seeds and PH test kits. Our incoming classes can't wait to get started planting their seeds and watching them grow into food!
We hope to grow various herbs, leafy greens, and vegetables to supplement our school lunch program, community food pantry, and perhaps even sell some in our community. Our students have so many wonderful ideas of what we can do with our produce that it might be hard to choose how to spread the bounty!
School: BCS
Teacher: Scarlet Butzin, Julie Frishman, Morris Wallington, Lynne Parkin
Amount: $250
Students impacted: 108
From the Small but Mighty Grant application: Last year, our 3/4 grade classes were very fortunate to receive a grant for an aeroponic Tower Garden for our classrooms. in order to keep the Tower Garden running with our new class, we need supplies including net pots, nutrients, rock wool, seeds and PH test kits. Our incoming classes can't wait to get started planting their seeds and watching them grow into food!
We hope to grow various herbs, leafy greens, and vegetables to supplement our school lunch program, community food pantry, and perhaps even sell some in our community. Our students have so many wonderful ideas of what we can do with our produce that it might be hard to choose how to spread the bounty!