2010 Grant Award Winners

Increasing the Temperature in Science Class will provide Vernier Temperature probes to allow teachers to further promote inquiry-based Science instruction.  The probes allow for animated real-time data collection, which teachers can project to an entire class.  Students will simultaneously be honing in on their mathematical skills by analyzing a variety of graphs. Sarah Matthews (grade 5 Math and Science teacher, Sherwood Middle School)

Steps to Respect supports the district's commitment to meeting portions of the new Massachusetts law titled AN ACT RELATIVE TO BULLYING IN SCHOOLS.  The Steps to Respect program will provide professional development related to bullying prevention for all staff members in an effort to improve learning environments for our students.  It also includes parent education events that will be offered to all families in the community.   
Patricia Degon-(Dir. Health/Physical Education/Family and Consumer Science, Shrewsbury High School), James Cummings (Asst. Superintendant &Curriculum Director,Shrewsbury Public Schools), Gail Goodness (Health teacher, Sherwood Middle School), Alison McDonald (Health teacher, Floral Street Elementary School and Spring Street Elementary School)

Integrating Technological Experimentation in Physics will encourage students to learn through technological experimentation and give them an opportunity to individually discover physical principles through hands-on testing.  Students will use versatile materials and lab equipment to perform a variety of experiments which will enrich Physics education.     
Sharon Roland (Physics teacher, Shrewsbury High School)

Listening Leads to Literacy Learning will allow students to use MP3 players to listen to digital audio books.  The goals of the "listen to reading" option are to provide a choice of titles that will allow students to hear literature at their individual level, increase fluency and to provide a meaningful literacy experience that helps build vocabulary and increase comprehension.     
Alice Brennan (Principal, Beal Early Childhood Center), Stephanie Halacy (grade 1  teacher, Beal Early Childhood Center)

Let's Go Digital will give all students and staff the opportunity to obtain information through new digital technology, which includes e-books, e-readers and a document camera.  It will enable students to enhance research in a number of disciplines, specifically for one project that looks at the world's "hot spots" where conflict and upheaval define the political landscape.  These authoritative references will be available 24/7 to multiple users through the Media Center's website.  Sarah Wilkinson (Media Specialist at Shrewsbury High School), Dawn Vigliatura (Media Aide at Shrewsbury High School)  Principal grant sponsor: Webster Five Cents Savings Bank, Secondary grant sponsor: Central One Federal Credit Union.

What a View!  will involve the use of a document reader, which converts an electronic file, printed matter or object to be enlarged onto a full-size screen.  All of the students will view one sample at the same time so that it can be the focus for whole class discussion.  The document reader can be used by all grade levels in any subject and will be shared by the entire school.  Shirley LeMay (grade 3 teacher, Coolidge Elementary School), Kelly Finneran (grade 4 teacher, Coolidge Elementary School)