Grants
SEF Grant Summaries
2011-2012
Broadway Here We Come!
(Stephanie Halacy and Camille Viscomi, Beal grade 1 teachers)
This program will introduce the element of drama into literacy learning for kindergarten and first grade students and magically transform the classroom into a stage. Teachers will use Reader’s Theatre scripts to accommodate emergent readers and allow for differentiation among the various reading levels.
Enhancing Global Awareness Using 21st Century Skills & Technology
(Catherine Duchesneau, Oak grade 7 geography teacher)
The social studies department will purchase three five-year licenses to Stratelogica, an on-line mapping system for teachers and students. Using this program in the classroom or at home, students will be able to access real time Google earth images and current geographic information to enhance the seventh grade geography curriculum.
A Novel Approach to Enhancing Math Literacy The Mobile Math Library
(Sharon Freedman, Oak Advanced Math Coach; Melissa McCann, Sherwood Advanced Math Coach; Matthew Rosenthal, Middle School Math Curriculum Coordinator)
A Mobile Math Library will be created for each middle school. This resource integrates the grades 5 - 8 math curriculum with high-interest, age-appropriate literature and reference books. Students of all math levels will have access to this mobile library and be able to utilize the books to extend their learning and interest in a particular topic.
Staples Grant: Calendar Math for the Interactive Whiteboard
(Annmarie Hurley, Coolidge grade 3 teacher; Kelly Finneran, Coolidge grade 4 teacher)
Six licenses for the interactive Calendar Math program will be used by students of all grade levels. The software will augment the district’s Every Day Math curriculum. Every Day Counts Calendar Math provides lessons and activities to preview, review, practice, and discuss critical math concepts and skills while building math understanding in a few minutes each day.
It Takes “Guts”
(Shirley LeMay, Coolidge and Paton Health Teacher)
This project will bring to life the human digestive and circulatory systems for second grade students. A human torso model comes with parts for the digestive, circulatory, respiratory, nervous and excretory systems. They are removable, allowing students to manipulate the parts while making an association with their own bodies.
No “Bones” About It
(Shirley LeMay, Coolidge and Paton Health Teacher)
A full-sized skeleton model will visit fourth graders during the Growth and Development unit. As human skeletal parts are introduced, students will be able to see and touch them, making it easier to visualize what is inside their own bodies. Since Coolidge is the only elementary school without such a model, it is important to give these students the same privilege as other children in the district.
Staples Grant: History Through the Novel
(Eileen McNamara and Sarah Wilkinson, Shrewsbury High School social studies teachers)
The project will promote literacy while illustrating what life was like in America for immigrants during the Gilded Age and for African Americans during the 1950s. The high school will purchase two class sets of novels (Ashes of Roses by Mary Jane Auch and Black Like Me by John Howard Griffin) which tie into the US II junior year curriculum.
Etching After Italy; Non-toxic Etching
(Kristine Cobb, Shrewsbury High School art teacher)
Studio Art students will now have the equipment needed to learn advanced printmaking techniques through creating etchings. These prints will be a unique addition to their portfolios and enable students to show a wider range in diversity of art techniques.
Individuals and groups submit grant applications that describe the educational opportunity, the goals and objectives of the program, the number of students that will benefit from the program, implementation and evaluation plans, and a detailed budget. The SEF Board of Directors evaluates each application and awards grants annually based on merit and available funds.
In 2011, the grant application deadline is November 29 2011. Please submit applications to SEFGrants@GoPats.com. In addition, please CC the appropriate school principal.
Grant applications are normally submitted in late November and awards are made in late December. Grant award recipients will be recognized during the SEF annual awards event in late January.
All applicants must submit an application cover page and grant proposal, which includes:
- Introduction - Briefly define the purpose of the project, why it is innovative, and which students will benefit.
- Statement of Need - Describe why this project will be beneficial and why outside funding is needed.
- Goals and Objectives - Describe what the program will accomplish and how it will be accomplished.
- Methods - Discuss the approach that will be utilized and how the project will be implemented to benefit the most students.
- Evaluation - Describe how you will determine whether your objectives have been reached and whether the project has been successful.
- Budget – Please provide details supporting your total dollar request. All budget items must be directly related to the proposed program. Items such as salaries or food should not be included in your budget request.
Historically individual requests are for less than $2,000. Team request budgets can vary widely depending on the intended breadth and/or longevity of the proposal.
On the cover page of the application form signatures from the applicant(s) and the building principal are required. Simply CCing the school principal on your emailed submission will constitute his or her signature. These signatures are to ensure that the proposed project is in accordance with the school's programmatic focus, but it is not meant to require a formal review of the proposal at the school level.
Applications will be reviewed on a competitive basis. The review committee of the Shrewsbury Education Foundation will evaluate and rank proposals solely on the basis of merit.
The grant applications will be evaluated and ranked using the following metrics:
- Creativity and Innovation
- Clarity of Goals and Objectives
- Quality and Longetivity of Impact
- Evaluation Plan
- Realistic Budget
- Collaborative Effort (is encouraged and recognized but not required)
- Quality of Presentation
Projects should meet as many of the following criteria as appropriate:
- Involve as many students as possible
- Stimulate creativity in or out of the classroom
- Meet student’s needs and increase motivation to learn
- Encourage unique ideas
- Enhance or enrich the curriculum
Purposes of the program are to:
- Develop new resources for schools
- Encourage extraordinary curricula