2009 GRANT RECIPIENTS
Promoting Positive Physical Well-Being: Dale Burgess, Penny Morse, Tom McCabe , Mary Finn School
This goal of this grant is to allow students to participate in physical activities and expend energy in a positive way especially during periods of prolonged indoor recess during the winter months.
Teaching Through Interactive Technologies: Amy Benford, Allison Garand, Karyn Fisher, Woodward School
Using RM Easitech software and interactive Whiteboards, teachers will create innovative and motivating technology enhanced lessons that meet the needs of the many different learning styles found in a classroom while addressing the state and district standards.
Resource Library on Death and Grieving: Donna Bradley, Woodward School
The goal of this project is to improve the school response to the death of a student, family member or staff member. This project will provide children’s books that explain death at an age-appropriate level, literature for adults that provides information about how to talk to a child about death and strategies for helping a child cope with death and grieving, a list of community resources, and resources for teachers and staff to facilitate their response to the child and/or situation.
Technology Infused Classrooms: Project Eno Easitech: Kelly Farrell, Lisa Wagoner, Margaret Neary School
The Eno interactive whiteboard and the RM Easitech Software will be piloted in two fourth grade classrooms. These products will allow the teachers to engage and inspire students through the use of interactive, creative and flexible lessons and activities that are directly connected to specific Massachusetts learning standards in mathematics and language arts.
EmPOWER: Sandy Scordato, Nicole Ferrara, Trottier Middle School
The EmPOWER method is an innovative instructional method for teaching students to manage their school writing assignments. Through the initiation, implementation and sustainment of this systematic approach toteaching reading comprehension and note-taking strategies, students will develop their ability to independently formulate appropriate and well-written text.
Shake, Rattle and Roll Earthquake Table: Lisa Klein, Kate Gaffney, Trottier Middle School
In this project, students design a tower or bridge, attach it to an earthquake simulator and determine the stability of the structure. This project teaches the design process standard of the Massachusetts State Frameworks while engaging all students and affording leadership opportunities within teams. The earthquake simulators also measure frequency and amplitude and provide mathematical challenges for students.
Multi-Media Learning: Gina Johnston, Algonquin Regional High School
Through the use of standard-based multimedia Social Studies presentations, students will use graphs, charts, maps, historical documents and artwork to learn history through multiple visual elements. This project will improve the students’ ability to access multiple forms of information efficiently and evaluate information critically and competently.
G.A.P.S. – Group for Algonquin Parent Support: Elizabeth Halvorsen, Algonquin Regional High School
The goal of this project is to help parents of freshmen and sophomore students feel supported by the school and to have help navigating through the first two years of high school. Parents can participate in monthly meetings and/or presentations on topics such as time management, peer pressure, academic challenges,relational aggression in girls, and cyber safety.
Algonquin Vegetable Garden: Susan Halpin, Algonquin Regional High School
The ARHS Vegetable Garden will be a space available during school hours to teach curriculum across many disciplines, including Nutrition and Culinary Arts, Lifeskills classes, Environmental Sciences, Fine Arts and Metals. Classes will learn a variety of topics such as sustainability, gardening, soil testing, composting and creating outdoor works of art. The Garden will also offer a space where students and faculty can gather and enjoy the outdoors. The garden will be created using the labor, materials and expertise from the Northborough, Southborough and Algonquin communities.
