SEF 2014 – 2015 Grants Awarded

From a middle schooler teacher:--
“…[W]e are starting an extended novel study in ELA called Wonder, by RJ Palacio. Each student has borrowed a book from our library to enjoy, thanks to a generous grant provided by the Shrewsbury Educational Foundation a few years ago.”

“WHAT IS CLASSROOM JEOPARDY?”
Jason Ponticelli, 8 Grade World History
Oak Middle School

“Classroom Jeopardy” is an active, fun, and innovative tool where individuals or teams from an entire class can play America’s favorite game show right in the classroom!

“TAKING ROOT AT PARKER ROAD PRESCHOOL”
Kristen Stewich, RN
Parker Road Preschool

This grant will support expand the Parker Road school garden by building an outdoor classroom/sensory garden that will be accessible and inclusive to all students.

“KEEPING YOUR COOL AT SCHOOL: SENSORY STATIONS FOR SELF-REGULATION”
Deidra Lincoln, COTA/L
Laureen McGourty, MS, OTR/L
Calvin Calvin Coolidge Elementary School

This grant will enable us to acquire materials to set up school-wide sensorimotor areas also known as “Tune-Up Stations,” for gross motor and sensorimotor activities. Also available will be smaller Sensory Tool Kits for each regular education classroom. We are special educators who work with children with a wide range of challenges in collaboration with regular and special education teachers and other service providers.

“YOUNG SCIENTISTS AT PLAY: THE POWER OF STEM AT PARKER ROAD PRESCHOOL”
Melissa Johnson, Classroom Teacher
Parker Road Preschool

Teachers will be able to use their background knowledge to create STEM kits that will provide the best possible learning experience for all preschool students. Centrally located for access to all classrooms, teachers will be able to sign-out STEM kits for a two week period. The use of non-fiction text, recyclable/re-usable materials, as well as opportunities to collaborate with peers to reflect upon and record what they have learned, will give students a chance to explore the materials multiple times in a a variety of ways.

“ENHANCING WORD STUDY IN FIRST GRADE WITH HANDS-ON MANIPULATION”
Lisa Cantin, First Grade Teacher
Calvin Calvin Coolidge Elementary School

Enhancing word study in the first grade is designed to enhance current curriculum. The grant involves acquiring a wide variety of word study manipulatives. One of the manipulatives is a set of two sided letter tiles and resource books that will provide teacher hands-on word study: phonics, vocabulary, and spelling lessons one on one, small or whole class groups of children based on their needs and grade level expectations.

“SHARED READING, SHARED EXPECTATIONS”
Angelina Ciccantelli, School Psychologist
Walter J. Paton Elementary School

Our goal is to have every student at Paton School own the concept and expectation of Whole Body Listening and Thinking with their Eyes.

“COPING AND SENSORY INTERVENTIONS”
Michelle Lemay, School Psychologist
Miya Hanna, Occupational Therapist
Shrewsbury Public Schools

Providing our classrooms with access to sensory integration materials and resources, teachers will be able to teach and reinforce sensory and coping strategies and techniques for their students. Access to these materials will promote a healthy learning environment for all students.

“‘KIDFIT’ FOR THE FUTURE””
Carol Virzi, Grade 5 Teacher and Student Voice Advisor
Sherwood Middle School

This grant provides Sherwood Middle School students with the opportunity to explore health and wellness through a multi-disciplinary enrichment experience. Students will analyze aspects of personal wellness, will travel to a local farm for hands-on learning, will incorporate technology, and will share their learning with the greater Shrewsbury community.

BOOKS 2 COUNT ON: Using Children’s Literature to Address Mathematical Standards Differentiate Instruction and Engage ALL Students.
Kristine Gustafson, Teacher
Ann Early, Teacher
Walter J. Paton Elementary School

This grant will enable students to use children’s literature to develop a deeper understanding of the Math concepts presented in our district’s newly adopted Math curriculum. The grant is innovative because leading Math educators recognize the potential that children’s literature has to engage, motivate and challenge students through meaningful real world problem solving.
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