LASF: Grants / Spring 1998

About LASF: Grant Program

Spring 2001 Grant Awards

../funding/Adding%20Machine 1. Reading to Learn - $5,083

Teacher: Jeannine Pitney, Springhill, Reading Specialist

Curriculum Focus: History/Social Studies and Reading/Language Arts

Funding of materials that would support fluency, comprehension and literacy development using nonfiction science and social studies texts in 2nd-grade classrooms. Makes nonfiction texts (virtually unavailable in current 2nd-grade reading materials) accessible to the range of reading abilities in 2nd grade. Pilot program to take place at Springhill.

2. Discovery Boxes - $3,567

Parent: Laura Gambel, Happy Valley

Funding to create 24 "discovery boxes" that could be borrowed (via check-out system similar to a library book) by students to perform grade-appropriate science experiments at home, or as an adjunct to classroom science exercises. When returned, boxes would be replenished as needed. For K-5th grades; to be piloted at Happy Valley.

3. Leap Into Literacy - $3,083

Teachers: Carol Harris and Virginia Tiernan, Lafayette School Kindergarten

Funding of purchase of three "Leap Into Literacy" centers for use by Lafayette School reading specialists in kindergarten classrooms. Each includes a keypad that speaks the names of the letters of the alphabet and produces their phonic pronunciations in the context of specific words; students can see and feel the shapes of letters and hear the sounds they make. Also included are books with touch-interactive technology, allowing students to hear a story being "read" by the book by touching or dragging an electronic pen across the words or letters.

4. Super Saturday and Confratute 2001 - $3,000

District: Nancy White and Jon Frank, Teacher Training

Assist the Lafayette School District with funding of their Super Saturday program and a portion of funding for teachers from each site to attend the University of Connecticut's Confratute 2001 focusing on differentiated instruction.

5. Advanced Video Production for All - $13,000

Teacher: Mike Merrick, Stanley, Video Production

Funding of additional computers and editing software to support the existing Stanley Advanced Video class, in which students produce Wildcat T.V., a weekly video show blending creativity with technology. Will allow students to move beyond current limitations of existing software and hardware.

6. Big Bands Are Back! - $10,000

Teacher: Bob Athayde, Stanley, Instrumental Music Teachers, 6th-8th Grades

Funded through an endowment specifically designating Big Band music, will provide additional part-time, daily instruction for jazz musicians in all three grades at Stanley before school hours, as well as provide an additional tutor for bass players. Also funds acquisition of big-band sheet music and technological improvements to the large performance room in Stanley's music building.

7. Kids in Creeks - $13,000

Teachers: Jan Winter and Dixie Mohan, Stanley Science, 7th Grade

Funding of 30 stereo microscopes and related supplies and materials for an action-oriented, interdisciplinary program using hands-on science to investigate environmental issues and study local creeks. Allows 7th graders at Stanley to investigate and observe worms, insects, minerals and other relatively large items.

8. Electronic Writing - $3,000

Teachers: Mary Rayden and Samara Palko, Stanley 7th Grade Core

Funds a multimedia projector and additional computer technology to enable 7th grade teachers at Stanley to maximize the instruction potential of computers in the classroom as related to enhancing the existing LASF-funded Writing for Mastery program. Will allow teachers to more-clearly and effectively convey concepts simultaneously to all students.

9. Video Design - $13,000

Teacher: Lynne Bennett, Acalanes

Building on the funding of the video program at Stanley, funds digital video cameras, computers and video-editing software to expand digital video capability for Web Design and Advanced Graphic Design classes at Acalanes, in which students create short educational or public-service videos. Provides for expansion and development of students' film capture and editing skills.