iPad ilearn 

Awarded to Claudia Bennett, Mindess School 

Our goal is to provide our students and teachers with current technology to enhance the learning/teaching experience.  IPads bring the technology students use in their own lives to the classroom learning experience increasing student engagement. The AEFI grant will fund three iPads to add to our iPad cart, bringing the total number to 28.

 

Reading is Music to my Ears 

Awarded to Claudia Bennett, Mindess School 

The Mindess School continues to explore ways to improve reading skills.  This project is another tool to encourage reading and perhaps even a love of reading. The grant will fund four iPod Shuffles and five headsets for students to use audio books. Additionally, this would offer an extension activity to students who are reading at a level beyond most of their classmates.  And teachers could borrow some or all of the iPods for a reading center or book club.

Increase Technology in AMS World Language Classroom

Awarded to Ellen Dill, Ashland Middle School

The World Language Department seeks to increase the use of technology at the Middle School.  This proposal seeks to meet two needs:  provide proper headphone equipment in the Foreign Language Lab for use only by the World Language Department for running Rosetta Stone, and provide other programs from our Classroom Wikispaces Pages, such as TV5Monde: Learn French. The projectors will help increase the use of CD-ROMs, PowerPoints and other presentations, and student projects. The AEFI grant will fund three InFocus projectors and 15 headsets.

2010/2011 Teacher Grant Award Recipients

Interactive 21st Century Classroom

Awarded to Dolores Frazer, Cathy Stickney, Mary Moynagh and Claudia Bennett; Ashland Middle School

Twenty-first century learning is not just the current buzz word in education, it is a pressing reality.  Educational and industry leaders are calling for responsive action in today’s K-12 classrooms to make the necessary paradigm shift from traditional educational practices to those that incorporate “new literacies,” defined as learning to read and produce the kinds of texts typical of the emerging information and multimedia age.  The AEFI grant will fund two In-touch projectors, eight Flip video cameras, 30 wireless mice and associated equipment. This project will help build the infrastructure needed to enable teachers to incorporate technology into the curriculum so that students at Ashland Middle School can be at the forefront of this educational movement, and we can begin to develop a school of the future.   Award: $2,000

Mindess Science and Technology Symposium

Awarded to Thomas Bannon, Claudia Bennet, Martha Thompson, Marilyn Matarese

Last June, the first Mindess Science and Technology Symposium was was a huge success. This involves the 600 students at Mindess, the entire staff, parents of Mindess students who are engaged in scientific fields, and scientific resources within the Ashland community. The AEFI will help fund equipment and materials, such as a multimedia video projector and multiple t-views for classroom set-up. Science and technology is an integral piece of the 21^st century.  The symposium exposes young children to “real” science and helps them understand the impact of science in their daily lives.   Award: $1,948

 

Gallery Space and Art Exhibition Panels

Awarded to Scott Smith; Ashland High School

This permanent museum quality gallery room and portable art panels will be housed and maintained at the Ashland High School to display student artwork. The gallery space will be used for small student/class exhibitions, as well as local community artists short-term exhibition space. The AEFI will fund this space and new art display panels for student art shows throughout the year.  When not in use for school wide exhibition, the panels will be attached to the walls in the art hallway increasing our ability to display work that is created on a weekly basis, for short-term display, critiques and discussion. Award: $1,588.16

 

English Department Document Cameras

Awarded to Jessica McGuire and Aleisha Egan, Ashland High School

Model essays are an integral part of the teaching process in the English classroom. To this end, educators make several copies for classes and attempt to use overhead projectors to show students the whole writing process from brain storming to writing, editing and correcting.  While this is effective it is also wasteful. Each essay needs to be copied onto an overhead and special markers are required in order to write on the overheads. The AEFI is funding three iPevo document cameras, which will work well for both of these type lessons. This camera will enable the educator to easily project an essay or an example text. This way, educators will have more teachable moments!  Award: $202.50

 

Improving Education of Special Needs Students with iPads

Awarded to Jennifer Caputo; Ashland Middle School

This project involves the introduction of alternative technology to teach and reinforce reading, writing, math, science, social studies and languages arts skills to students with significant special needs. The students in this classroom are motivated and excited to learn, yet they face challenges in order to learn and be exposed to typical curriculum and opportunities every day that other students would never consider having to overcome. The AEFI is funding two iPads and two cases to help offer a variety of alternative and creative ways to teach and modify curriculum to these students.  Award: $838

 

Portable Devices for Learning

Awarded to Sharon Ames; Ashland Middle School

The Kindle can bridge the gap between home and school, making reading more exciting and interactive, as well as making text more accessible for our students. The AEFI is pleased to fund three Kindles and cases. By providing our students with this device, we can access titles that may be otherwise hard to find and download as e-books. Audio support addresses challenges of students with vision issues, language barriers, special needs students and ESL/ELL students. Other features of this device include the capability for teachers and students to load and read their own text, as well as notes and study guides. Overall, this device allows many students to access their curriculum and to be more engaged and actively involved in their lessons.  

Award: $627

 

Technology in the Science Classroom

Awarded to Lauren Laing; Ashland Middle School

When our students graduate from high school and college, they will be entering a workforce that uses 21^st century technologies. Through the use of these technologies in the classroom, such as iPods/iPads with the ability to airprint (e-print) and document cameras, students will be exposed to technologies that will be prevalent in the future workforce. The AEFI is funding an iPad and case with Wifi 32GB, and accompanying connection to a TV and a document camera that can be connected to a microscope, and an all-in-one printer. The ultimate goal of the project is to enhance the students’ learning in the classroom and show them how technologies that many use just for entertainment can actually be used effectively in educational ways.  Award: $1,494.97

 

Awarded to Len Rabinowitz, Ashland High School

The AEFI is pleased and proud to introduce the first interactive white board at Ashland High School. Research indicates that, with proper training, the smart board is most effective when used between 50% and 80% of the time in the classroom. Learning new technologies encourages innovation by teachers, and the interactivity encourages student involvement. The AEFI is funding an interactive white board, document camera, a combined printer/scanner/copier for classroom use, and a new computer. Many varied activities can be done using this technology once it is installed.  For example, students or teachers could scan important documents into a presentation and use the smart board technology to highlight or zoom in on important parts of them. Many lessons will be brought to life by this technology. This will unquestionably be an innovative approach to learning and problem solving for both the educators and the student. 

Award: $1,557.50

 

Awarded to Claudia Bennett; Mindess School

Photography and videography have become important tools of learning in the 21^st century. In schools, we use pictures and video to engage our students and enhance their learning experience.  The AEFI will fund 10 digital cameras, 10 memory cards, and a green screen photography kit. Students will photograph things about which they are learning. They will be reporters and recorders for and of each other when giving presentations. They will also have the opportunity to view themselves as presenters and reflect on themselves in that role. The camera as a learning tool will also be able to transcend learning styles and language barriers. Photography will be a microscope through which a student can deepen their learning experience.  Award: $1,450

 

Awarded to Claudia Bennett; Mindess School

Technology is our portal to learning in the 21^st century.  Information technology is transforming the lives of our students and educators as student learners and teacher learners. Unfortunately, all too often students and staff are separated from the technology they use in their daily lives when they enter the doors of our educational institutions. As we strive to prepare our students to live well in the 21^st century it becomes increasingly evident that we must provide them with the laboratory in which they can safely explore, experiment and practice the skills that will help them live well and effectively. Providing WiFi access within the walls of Mindess allows us to make the most of employee-owned technology to increase and improve student learning. Providing Wifi access is a critical component to creating a 21^st century learning community fully able to access, participate in and benefit from the vast resources of the Internet and a world of unconstrained learning. The AEFI will fund two wireless access points at the Mindess School. Award: $1,694.18

 

Awarded to Barbara Ball; Warren School

The Warren School is currently dependent on hard wiring to access the Internet and this access is limited to our computer lab or desktops in the classroom/offices. The AEFI will fund two wireless access points. The addition of WiFi functionality will allow classroom teachers and the administration to introduce web-based instruction. Wireless at Warren will afford computer access and educational opportunities with greater flexibility to all members of the Warren School community. To ensure that everyone at the Warren School has access to this functionality, Wireless at Warren will enable teachers to reserve the library to offer whole group, small group or one-on-one academic instruction through webinars, podcasts and educational websites.  Additionally, access to Apple Applications and educational websites will be available through iPod Touches and iPads as part of this initiative. The administration will also benefit from the this access and the accompanying web-based resources during staff and curriculum meetings. Award: $1,694.18

 

2009/2010 Teacher Grant Award Recipients

Kites and Bikes

Awarded to Teresa McCarrick, Warren School

A number of bicycles, helmets and kites were donated by parents, the Ashland Police Department and others in the community to enhance the Warren School physical education program. The bikes are actively used in teaching units that tie into many areas of the curriculum and include important instruction on riding safety, signals, and using proper equipment. The kiting unit provides additional exercise, teaches coordination skills and reinforces the science curriculum. The equipment was previously stored at a rented, off-site location, and this grant has funded an 8' by 8' secured shed to house more than 40 small bicycles, kites and related equipment on-site. Award: $1,600.

Point of Sale System

Awarded to Lisa Beaudin, Ashland Middle School

In 2007, the Ashland Public Schools installed a food services Point of Sale (POS) System in our new High School. This system allows students to prepay for meals, streamlines the free and reduced lunch application process while protecting confidentiality at checkout, tracks student food purchases, and will eventually be used to process other fees in the district. This grant helps to expand into the Middle and Mindess Schools this year, and Warren and Pittaway next year. At a time when we are experiencing an increase in fees and a reduction in staff, the POS System allows for safe and efficient management of funds while offering a critical service to students and their families. Award: $2,000.

Massachusetts Children’s Book Award

Awarded to Patricia Kacevich, Mindess School

Each year, Salem State College sponsors the Massachusetts Children’s Book Award, an award voted on by the children of Massachusetts in grades 4-6. The ultimate goal of the project is to encourage students to read and to give them an opportunity to voice their opinions. This grant funds two copies of each of the 25 books on the master list. In addition, this is an opportunity to expand the Mindess library collection and provide teachers with current titles for classroom read aloud. Award: $750.

Clay in Class - A Lasting Impression

Awarded to Colleen Glynn, Mindess School

This grant will help to purchase a new kiln for the Mindess art program. Clay is a wonderful, tactile medium that many kids have never experienced. The new kiln will ensure the continuation of the clay unit at Mindess and increase capacity to include 3rd grade instruction. Exposing more students to this art form will encourage the creative spirit in every child and reinforce new skills for three years and beyond as they continue with clay instruction at the Middle School. Award: $2,000.

Calling All Scientists

Awarded to Jennifer Temple, Warren School

When Mrs. Temple says, “Calling all scientists” her first graders transition into science time. She has a puppet named Einstein, who wears a white lab coat and helps to get the students excited about science lessons. One day, one of her first graders suggested they should be wearing lab coats too. This inspired Mrs. Temple to apply for this grant to purchase lab coats and tools such as magnifiers, clipboards, specimen viewers and a microscope with prepared slides. The students will feel like real scientists as they learn and discover the wonders of science with their new equipment! Award: $613.13.

Linking Traditional Literature to
Social Studies Topics and Contemporary Literature

Awarded to Kimberlee Arnold and Maureen Welzel, Ashland Middle School (Accepted by Principal Kevin Carney)

The roots of literature reach deep into the history of civilization with ancient societies and folk literature. This grant enables Ashland Middle School students to explore these connections. The teachers will purchase a collection of myths, legends, and multi-cultural folk tales for use across both sixth grade teaching teams in Social Studies and English Language Arts (ELA). Augmented by these materials, students will have the opportunity to read, discuss and connect these tales to Greek and Roman cultures presented in the Social Studies curriculum. Furthermore, in ELA, students will explore common themes and story patterns that have carried through to contemporary prose, poetry and dramatic literature. Award: $1,270.

ELL Classroom Library

Awarded to Daniella Alvarez-Bradley and Nicole Lynch, Ashland Middle Schoool, Ashland High School

The Ashland Public Schools service approximately 70 English Language Learner (ELL) students each year. Research shows that reading not only increases literacy levels, but also increases student motivation and overall language proficiency, including writing and vocabulary. This grant enables the schools to purchase classroom libraries for the Middle School and High School ELL classrooms from inZone Books (National Geographic/ Hampton Brown). This will help our ELL students increase their reading skills and language proficiency by providing them with a wealth of books that are of high-interest, but at their reading and linguistic levels. These books will fill the gap in materials available to ELL teachers and students at the Middle School and High School. Award: $1,500.

Maintenance of New Salt Water Aquarium

Awarded to Christine Fletcher, Ashland High School

Last year, a generous donor gave Ashland High School an amazing 135-gallon salt water aquarium and supplies. Students in the marine biology classes have begun setting up the tank in anticipation of creating a tropical salt water fish and invertebrate environment to study. This unique gift has fueled great excitement and interest in marine biology classes and elsewhere throughout the high school. The aquarium habitat will enrich the marine biology curriculum, providing a hands-on opportunity to work with the living creatures studied in class. The AEFI grant provides seed money to purchase the necessary animal food, tank filter supplies, and water quality testing materials. Award: $1,100 over two years.

Jump for the Health of It!

Awarded to Geri Sprague and Ann King, Ashland Middle School

The Jumping Rope Project promotes physical fitness as a lifetime sport. One of the Grade 6 Advisory Groups jumped rope at the start of every school day for three weeks. Teachers introduced topics such as responsibility, self-esteem, and bullying, while also addressing healthy behaviors and choices. After just three weeks, the teachers noticed enthusiastic participation by previously uninvolved students and a once-chronically tardy student began attending more punctually. Through the equipment purchased with this grant, the Jump Rope Project will be expanded to help additional students focus on developing fitness skills, self-awareness and self-confidence. The social benefits will aid in the student’s sense of being an integral part of a team. Award: $300.

Digital Scanner

Awarded to Tina Hunter, Ashland High School

Parent volunteers have developed a 2lst century website for the Guidance Department. This high-end scanner will enhance the High School’s ability to digitize and upload forms to the website, keeping information current and easily accessible for students, parents, teachers and the greater Ashland community. This scanner will also enable Guidance to streamline college application documentation and submissions, scholarship postings, and other timely communications. Although originally proposed by the Guidance department, the district’s Technology Department has offered to co-fund this scanner as a shared resource to fill a growing need by the main office staff and others throughout the school. Award: $1,350.

2009 Grant Award Recipients

Interactive Technology in Math

Awarded to: Joshua Wiczer and Stephen O’Leary, Ashland High School

The students in the Algebra I, Algebra II, Pre-calculus and other classes use Texas Instruments TI-83 graphing calculators to help understand the visual representations of equations, from linear to polynomial to trigonometric. This allows students to easily see the effects of changes in parameters. Unfortunately, many students do not or cannot purchase these calculators either due to cost or the perception that they will not be widely used. As a result, teachers might not use them enough, or students need to share, which limits the learning effectiveness. Having a supply of the same calculator that the teacher is using and projecting onto the whiteboard is an efficient and effective way to enhance student engagement and comprehension in class. Award: $2,000 for 22 calculators.

Units of Study for Teaching Writing 3 – 5

Awarded to: David Bernard, Mindess School

In the past few years the English Language Arts MCAS scores at Mindess have been under scrutiny, particularly the long composition. The current program does not effectively teach writing or topic development that is so crucial to the MCAS long composition. The purchase of new materials includes six carefully constructed units that use a spiraling curriculum to teach narrative and expository writing. The benefits include advice and instruction in having effective writing workshops. This type of writing program has great potential to improve student writing and our MCAS long composition scores. Award: $350 for two units of study, including 14 books and two CDs.

Smart Classroom

Awarded to: Karen Bernier, Ashland Middle School

Students today arrive to school with a much different mindset than students 20, 10, or even five years ago. Teaching has become more about building a tool chest from which students can pull to excel in a world that is more technology dependent. We cannot expect to help children navigate in a technological society without mirroring that in the classroom. Bringing a Smartboard to the classroom, a computerized interactive whiteboard, will revolutionize the way we interact with students, the way students interact with one another, the way we interact with technology and how we bridge communication between home and school. This Smart Classroom will bring the learning environment into the 21st century. Award: Partial project funding of $2,000.

Literacy Through the Lens of Books and Games

Awarded to: Patricia J. Kacevich, Mindess School

The literacy class is a new program which began at Mindess in September of 2008 and serves about 650 students in grades 3-5. The focus of the class has been to expand and support classroom instruction by reinforcing reading strategies and fostering discussion of well-written children’s literature. This grant will provide materials of two types, picture books and leveled games, to use for literacy classes. Students need exposure to good literature and practice in comprehension strategies in order to become life-long readers and perform well on standardized testing. The books and games will provide opportunities for collaborative learning, build on reading strategies presented during the 2008-2009 school year, and reinforce the power standards for each grade level. Award: $993.

Outdoor Learning Space

Awarded to: Karen Taylor and Lauren Alves, Warren School

The Outdoor Learning Space will consist of a 16’ x 16’ ground level deck, covered by indoor/outdoor carpeting and a 20’ x 20’ durable canopy to provide shade. The area will lend itself to numerous seating configurations, depending on teacher preference, and will be conducive to physical education, art, reading/literature, math and science activities. Since there is neither shaded space outside nor air conditioning in our school (and most classrooms are unbearably hot and stuffy), teachers and students will benefit greatly from the ventilated, comfortable space in spring, early summer and fall. It will also protect students and teachers from harmful rays of the sun. This Outdoor Learning Space will benefit students and teachers at the Warren School for many years to come! Award: $2,000.

Project Adventure/Outdoor Pursuits

Awarded to: Naomi Martin, Ashland High School

Currently, there is a need for an Adventure program in the Ashland Public School district, as well as a Peer Leadership program in the elementary and middle school grades. In our individualistic culture, people are encouraged to branch out from societal norms by following their own dreams and celebrating their personal strengths. Through several Project Adventure activities and principles, the goal of this program is to provide a safe and positive learning environment for our students, who will learn that every member of a team plays a vital role in the team’s success. Outdoor Pursuits will not only encourage individuals to explore and show confidence in their own abilities, but also promote the acceptance of others’ strengths and support students as they learn cooperation, collaboration and teamwork. Additionally, this program will teach our high school students how to be mentors so they can transfer their knowledge and skills to younger students in the district. The Physical Education and Wellness Department at Ashland High School will begin offering the Outdoor Pursuits class in the fall of 2009. Award: $1,983 for professional development to prepare for the course, along with curriculum books and activity kits.

 

2008 Grant Award Recipients

Weather Observatory Station, $2,000

Awarded to: Karen Taylor, Warren School

Provides a hands-on weather station along with a raised platform observatory where students monitor and record weather data. Includes wireless outdoor and indoor components that allow for daily readings, even in inclement weather.

Art Library Flat File, $2,050

Awarded to: Leah Sumner, High School

The flat file houses a growing collection of great works of art for teachers to use in every subject for curriculum enrichment. The file case protects and preserves fine posters and photographs for years of use.

Auditory Success in the Classroom, $1,840

Awarded to: Sharon Ames, Middle School

The Soundfield Amplification System provides a wireless sound system for the core teachers of students with hearing impairments, and the lecture hall that seats 600 students. All students in these rooms benefit from the amplification system, which evenly distributes the teacher’s voice.

Big 6 Circus, $1,950

Awarded to: Jessica Zaborowski, Middle School

Students put their creative powers to work as they play the role of a circus performer, designer, or other production staff; helps to develop emotional, social and physical wellbeing. This grant provided a Rolla-bola, juggling props, glove, Diablo, costumes, makeup, and signage supplies.

Celebrating Our Differences, $1,971

Awarded to: Kristi Corbin & Jean Bruneault, Preschool

This grant enhances preschool curriculum in History and Social Sciences by teaching students to recognize and celebrate increasing diversity. Multi-cultural materials help children investigate language, food, customs, creative arts and play through a multi-sensory approach.

Little Snapshots into a Big Picture, $2,000

Awarded to: Catherine Stickney and Betsy Salomone, Pittaway School

Pictures can literally mean “a thousand words”. Through photos, kindergartners independently execute daily work as they follow visual directions of themselves completing the task at a prior time. This grant provides digital camera, docking station/printer and supplies, and memory card.

Math the Fun Way, $1,050

Awarded to: Lorraine McLaughlin and Beth Lewis, Mindess School

Many of our 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students have significant difficulty mastering the basic facts of addition and subtraction, multiplication and division. Touch Math uses classroom kits to help students memorize the basic number facts through visual, story and mnemonic devices.

Reading Phones, $1,168

Awarded to: Jennifer Temple, Warren School

Toobaloos are phone-like devices that magnify a student’s voice as the student reads into it. They provide immediate feedback to improve fluency, decoding skills, and comprehension on one’s own, and build confidence to speak in front of the class.

Research and Learning, $750

Awarded to: Claudia Bennett, Mindess School

This grant funds computer lab software including two encyclopedias, a reference series (dictionary, thesaurus, translation and verb conjugation), math, general homework help, and a multitude of templates for preparing reports and presentations.

 

Green Spaces For Green Places, $775

Awarded to: Chris Scott, Ashland High School

The Outdoor Learning Laboratory is an outdoor science lab planned, designed and built by students. It encompasses a water garden and earth garden that allow students to conduct experiments in a real environment rather than something simulated or artificial. There will be solar pumps and fountains and self-sustaining plants. In addition, through this grant, the high school will meet the requirements and specifications to achieve the status of a National Wildlife Federation certified habitat.

Improving Classroom Libraries for All Readers, $1,972

Awarded to: Erin Bannon, David Mindess School

This grant recognizes that independent reading is an integral part of literacy instruction. As the Neighborhood program transitioned from grades 4-6 to grades 3-5, the classroom libraries were not adequately prepared for the reading levels of third grade students. According to Scholastic and the National Reading Panel, at least 40% of all titles in classroom libraries should be nonfiction, and should span a wide range of reading levels. This grant furnished the Neighborhood classroom libraries with more picture books, early chapter books, and nonfiction texts.

Using Technology to Improve Articulation, $1,118

Awarded to: Sharon Ames and Jen Hoffmaster, Special Education, Warren and Mindess Schools

The innovative teaching techniques enabled by this grant improve a student's awareness and skills in producing specific target sounds necessary for intelligible speech production. Consistent cueing presented in computer programs lessens the overall time a student needs to work on specific articulation skills. The software not only increases the students' intelligibility, but takes baseline data on each student, converts raw scores, organizes and manages information, and provides post test data for the teachers.

Digital Story Telling, $2,411

Awarded to: Delores Frazer, Ashland Middle School

In the eighth grade “flex” rotation, students have the opportunity to work on content area module projects. The Language Arts module is an interdisciplinary project in which students write, direct, and produce their own original plays and movies. The opportunity to create movies and broadcast documentaries is very exciting for the students but was limited by the availability of technology equipment. The equipment purchased through this AEFI grant allows more students to participate in this option!

Climbing Wall, $2,000

Awarded to: Dan Powers and Janet Crawford, David Mindess School

This grant helps to purchase and install a traverse wall (8 feet high by 48 feet in length) in the Mindess Gymnasium to be used during Physical Education Classes and Fitness Club. Not only will climbing contribute to the students' overall physical fitness levels, but it will also promote self-esteem, team building, trust building, problem solving and positive risk-taking.

Super Science Sacks, $1,500

Awarded to: Deborah Montenegro and Maureen Clough, Henry Warren School

Through this grant, second grade teachers and parents will develop 40 take-home science kits that enhance the new inquiry-based science curriculum. Each kit will include a book, a parent-child response journal, and materials with directions for a parent-child activity. The Sacks will be designed to stimulate "inquiry", the core of scientific thought, and sustain the inquisitiveness that is natural for second grade children.

Encyclopedia Extravaganza: Little Step, Big Rewards, $1,092

Awarded to: Patti Karam, David Mindess School

The addition of the Heinemann First Encyclopedia to the reference section will enable the Mindess Library to teach ‘basic research’ skills to the new school population of third graders (220 students), using age appropriate materials. Multiple copies will allow classroom teachers the ability to have a set on loan in their classrooms, where they can continue to practice research skills geared to unit studies.

Wireless Microphone System and Portable Sound System, $1,203

Awarded to: Julian Doktor, Henry Warren School

This grant for a wireless microphone and portable sound system will allow greater versatility in the lower elementary school's programs. Students performing on stage will no longer be "tied" to a cord for their presentations, and program speakers will have greater freedom to address, and be heard by, the assembly. The portable sound system will be used in the gym, cafeteria, outside, and in the classrooms for programs and presentations.

 

2005 Grant Award Recipients

Table Talkers, $2,000

Awarded to: Stephanie Cook, Speech Language Pathology and Cathy Stickney, Kindergarten Inclusion Teacher

After a successful pilot in 2004, this grant for 21 Cheap Talk 4 devices was awarded to expand the use of table-talkers communication devices. These provide kindergartners with visual and auditory support to help them recall spoken directions and expectations.

Multicultural Sports/Dance Curriculum, $700

Awarded to: Teresa McCarrick, Physical Education Teacher, Henry Warren School

This grant to develop a multi-cultural sports/dance curriculum funded a maypole, tug-of-colors rope, treasure chest, jump poles and other equipment. This program is tied to the classroom curriculum to teach cultural diversity and culminates in a springtime Folkmoot Festival.

In My Shoes, $1,500

Awarded to: Damien Sugrue & Michael Conner, Teachers, David Mindess School

The Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital presents this acclaimed three-part In My Shoes program which includes reading a polio memoir, meeting with a polio survivor, and participating in hands-on activities to simulate some of the challenges disabled people face. Extended learning activities are also provided.

Independent Reading Project, $1,973

Awarded to: Kevin Carney, Assistant Principal; Tammy Knoff and Delores Frazer, Middle School Teachers

Through the purchase of 295 books for independent reading, this project aims to increase reading comprehension in middle school students, foster reading enjoyment, encourage collaborative book group work and provide leadership opportunities.

Senior Project "Bank", $1,000

Awarded to: Deborah Del Dotto, High School Teacher

This grant provides financial assistance for materials to seniors pursuing a year-long independent study of topics not addressed in the traditional curriculum. This opportunity helps develop self-directed learning skills and promotes in-depth academic exploration.

 

2004 Grant Award Recipients

Interactive Social Studies Unit, $557

Awarded to: Anne Stacey and Jennifer Temple, First Grade Teachers, Henry Warren School

This grant seeded a pilot program for first grade students that develops mapping skills and knowledge of famous Americans using a variety of kinesthetic and auditory methods. The children love walking around the world on the two World Explorer Floor Maps and enjoy learning about famous historical figures through two Time Traveler History Read-Alongs.

Table Talkers, $1,200

Awarded to: Stephanie Cook, Speech Lang. Path., Cathy Stickney, Kindergarten Inclusion, William Pittaway School

This pilot program for two Cheap Talk 8 Devices and six Cheap Talk 4 Devices provide kindergartners with visual and auditory support to enhance comprehension of spoken directions and expectations.

Taking Chances, $2,000

Awarded to: Karen Bernier, Lead Teacher, David Mindess School

This grant provided 22 T180 calculators and one view screen package for a creative statistics and probability program: Mindess neighborhood students observe, analyze and graph practical math usage in downtown Ashland, study games of chance at the Topsfield Fair, then apply the concepts learned to create a carnival for the entire school.

The Mountain Classroom, $2015

Awarded to: Barbara Dyer, Technology Innovation Specialist, Ashland Middle School

This grant helped to establish a highly collaborative program for seventh graders to participate in environmental studies, data collection and analysis at several New England sites. The program incorporates civic connections and seven academic disciplines. The grant was used to purchase a digital camera and printer, DVD burner, DVDs, GPS, journals and allocated funds for a field trip scholarship fund.

 

Previous Grant Award Recipients

Here's Looking At Us!

Awarded to: Cindy Murphy, Kindergarten

A digital camera and color printer was purchased for use by kindergarten classes. Photos of classroom activities are used to enhance oral and written and language skills.

Adventures in Science

Awarded to: Maureen Clough, Debbie Montenegro and Joan Walsh, 2nd Grade

The Museum of Science's School Outreach Program and related follow-up classroom activities delighted second graders.

School is Real Science

Awarded to: Thomas Bannon, 4th Grade

In a unique opportunity to experience and learn the application of the scientific process, students watched their own classroom experiments duplicated by scientists at Natick Labs.

Learning Spanish I with Kinesthetic Projects

Awarded to: Nancy Albertini, World Language

Spanish I students applied a hands-on approach to language studies by creating authentic projects relating to Mexican culture.

Ashland High School / Middle School Library Technology Reserve

Awarded to: Susan Telage and Suzanne Kenney, Library

The Foundation funded the purchase of a network printer for student use.