Published: April 23, 2008 10:21 am         

SPEF awards $18,473

Stillwater Public Education Foundation awarded $18,473 in grants recently to support creative and innovative educational programs at eight Stillwater Public School sites.

Grants were presented to eight district teachers, as well as a parent volunteer, for projects that will benefit more than 3,500 students now and many more students in years to come.

Schools receiving funds were Stillwater Middle School, Lincoln Alternative Academy and Highland Park Richmond, Skyline, Sangre Ridge, Westwood and Will Rogers elementaries.

“The foundation’s trust-ees and I would like to express our appreciation to the teachers and parents who submitted grant proposals that will enrich the lives and educational experiences of so many students,” said Gina Miller, SPEF executive director. “Additionally, a heartfelt ‘thank you’ goes out to Stillwater citizens and business leaders for investing in the futures of our children through their contributions to SPEF.”



• Digital Video Creation Work Stations

Amount awarded: $1,400

Site: Lincoln Academy

This technology-based grant allows alternative school teachers to record and store lessons on the district’s server and iPods, so material may be accessed by students at their own pace, both in the classroom and in out-of-school environments. Students will be able to view audio-visual lessons from any school computer because of the digital video creation workstations. Twenty iPods are additional learning tools that can be loaded with course content and checked out by students so they can listen to lectures at their convenience. This flexible availability to information is especially beneficial for non-traditional students at Lincoln Alternative Academy. Grant funds computer software and site licenses, as well as 20 iPods.



• Wiring the World

Amount awarded: $205

Grant writer: Beth Watt

Site: Stillwater Middle School

This science-based grant funds the purchase of items to build electrical boards that will enhance the sixth-grade study of electricity. By wiring real-world components, students can more fully recognize the role of various electrical materials in their everyday environments.



• 21st Century Communications Project for Severe to Moderately Disabled Students

Amount awarded: $3,518

Grant writer: Shelly Fowler

Site: Skyline

Adaptive computer equipment and software will help elementary-level severe to moderately disabled students achieve their maximum potential as individuals and contributing members of society. The grant purchases a touch-sensitive screen that is mounted to a laptop computer monitor, as well as language development software and computer accessories. This adaptive equipment makes computer learning accessible for children who are unable to make the mental connection between the movements of a traditional computer mouse and activity on a monitor, as well as those who lack the coordination necessary to manipulate a keyboard or mouse.



• It’s All Fun & Games When You Can Read!

Amount awarded: $1,300

Grant Writer: Shannon Comer

Site: Skyline

Activities, games and materials purchased through this grant will enhance Skyline Elementary’s innovative Reading Academy for first grade students.



• Healthy Hearts for Fourth and Fifth Grade Students

Amount awarded: $850

Grant writer: Sarah Ehrlich

Site: Sangre Ridge

Grant provides funding for 12-pack Ekho E-15 heart rate monitors. The equipment allow students to estimate calories burned and monitor target versus resting heart rate, which meets state objectives within physical education, as well as math and technology. The monitors will also assist in educating students about obesity and life-long healthy lifestyles.



• Songs for a Singing School

Amount awarded: $3,300

Grant writer: Trish Ranson

Site: All elementary schools in the district

Peter and Mary Alice Amidon will perform at all district elementary schools for all-school sings this fall. The Amidons are well-known performers/teachers who offer participatory concerts that include folk tales from around the world, singing games from and for children and songs to keep on singing. Grant funds provide the performance fee for the Amidon concerts.



• Book Clubs for First Grade

Amount awarded: $1,750

Grant writer: Courtney Parks

Site: Highland Park

Grant furnishes more than 300 books, as well as multiple book bags and accompanying stands, to use during first-grade guided reading. The small-group book sets allow the class to divide into four or five varied reading groups or book clubs. Each group reads and discusses their book selection, first within the book club group and then with the whole class.



• Chess for Change

Amount awarded: $950

Grant writer: Annie Ortiz

Site: Skyline

A giant chess set and portable chess sets with travel bags encourage students to share and practice chess with an extended community, and assists in the development of an academic chess club for students. The impact on students is both academic and social. The project will potentially serve 1st through 5th grade students. Portable chess sets and travel bags will be available for checkout, so children can practice and play at home, as well as at school. A tournament clock is also funded. Skyline library is open before school three days a week for Chess Club. The large, oversized chess board and pieces will be available so two classes may play together both indoors and outdoors. Studies show that children who have been taught and play chess regularly have had significant increases in math and reading test scores.



• Orffing Around: An Outdoor Classroom

Amount awarded: $5,200

Grant writer: Gina Taguchi, parent & PTA representative

Site: Sangre Ridge

Grant furnishes outdoor musical instruments to be used in the Orff Schulwerk method of teaching. Tongue drums, a palm pipe drum and a soprano metallophone create a musical outdoor classroom on Sangre’s playground area. The instruments are made from durable materials, child-safe pressure treated lumber and harvested Brazilian hardwood that can withstand weather and insects. The advantage of having these innovative instruments on the playground, rather than inside the classroom, is that children will have access to them on a daily basis, rather than being limited to once-a-week usage in a traditional music classroom.

     

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