WAYLAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES GRANTS FOR 2008-2009
As part of its 25th Anniversary campaign to "Light up a Classroom," the WPSF has helped to transform 8 High School, 12 Middle School and 17 Elementary classrooms this year by funding the addition of "Smart Classroom" technology. The WPSF also awarded additional curriculum enhancement and enrichment grants to 20 other outstanding teacher initiated programs, benefiting students across all schools.
Both types of grants, based on proposals from the teachers themselves in conjunction with school administrators and curriculum and technology specialists, help meet critical classroom needs for our children at a time when our schools simply do not have the resources to fully fund educational goals.
A wide range of requests were funded in all subject areas and grade levels. A brief summary of the awards follow:
LCD projectors, speakers, DVD/VCR players and document cameras provide more engaging and eye-opening lessons in 8 HS classrooms.
New Hens in the Hen House
"Eggs," handheld response technology, allows HS students to participate in lessons from their seats and enables teachers to provide immediate feedback on their grasp of the material.
Document Cameras for All
Document camera and LCD projectors let teachers instantly share student writing, visual examples and content-rich web sites for 3 more MS English classrooms.
Enhanced Technology for Social Studies Classrooms
LCD projectors, an interactive whiteboard, and voting eggs deliver cutting-edge lessons using maps, satellite photos, instant feedback, and the Internet's vast resources to 3 MS classrooms.
Technology Tools for Middle School Science Classrooms
Interactive demonstrations deepen students. understanding of science in 4 classrooms equipped with LCD projectors and an additional interactive whiteboard.
Enhancing Math Instruction with Technology
Document cameras and LCD projectors allow all 8th grade algebra students to easily share their work, see different problem solving methods, and interact with valuable Internet resources and curriculum-based software.
ActivStudio in the Math Classroom
An LCD projector and interactive whiteboard bring more visual and interactive lessons to support all types of learners in a 7th grade classroom.
Innovative Teaching
LCD projectors and document cameras deliver engaging presentations, web-based activities, and instant sharing of student work for 6 classrooms at Happy Hollow.
Enhancing Instruction Across the Curriculum through 21st Century Classrooms
LCD projectors, document cameras and an interactive whiteboard enable 5th grade teachers to integrate technology into all subject areas at Claypit Hill.
21st Century Classroom in the Elementary School
LCD projectors, document cameras and an interactive whiteboard bring lessons to life for all 4th grade Claypit Hill students.
Filmmaker from Boston University's Film School to lead 5th grade teachers and students through deciding a topic, writing the script, preparing the stage, producing the film and sharing the film with others.
Smart Music
Smart Music technology to help develop musicianship skills and provide feedback on student performance serving to strengthen Wayland's instrumental music program in all schools.
New Repertory Theater's performance of Othello and Of Mice and Men
Performance for all current 10th graders increasing appreciation for bringing the written word to life.
Jazz Icons
DVD series will offer the latest sound re-mastering technology and rare performance footage of America's jazz legends to jazz ensembles and jazz/rock history classes.
History of Modern Art for Visual Learners
Two textbooks and correlated slides to teach the development of modern art through a series of visual learning techniques to HS students.
Black Box Theater
Conversion of Lecture Hall Classroom at the high school into a technologically updated classroom for all theater arts classes, offering a practice and performance space for drama students, dance and music groups.
A continuation of last year's grant implementing writing instruction for all K-5 classrooms, providing teachers with "touchstone" textbooks to teach different genres of writing to students using strong examples of quality pieces within each genre.
iPods for Access
English and History novels provided on iPods to MS students with language-based disabilites.
Investigating Author Craft
Jerry Spinelli's body of works will expose 7th graders to the qualities of a great writer, facilitating shared high level thinking strategies.
Language Teachers on the Move
Mobile lab will increase speaking and listening opportunities through student, rather than teacher, centered activities.
Wayland Student Press Network (WSPN) Expansion
Kiosk in the Commons consisting of a computer and monitor will increase involvement in print and online journalism by improving access to the highly successful WSPN.
Timers to help students organize and plan time for subject areas, computer and daily schedules, allowing students to take ownership of time and allowing teachers more focused teaching time with fewer interruptions.
Science Discovery Labs
Comprehensive Hands-On Scientific Investigations, Projects, and Experiments . Labs to enhance the core topics in Grades 3 and 4 Science, based on guiding principles in the Mass. Science and Technology/Engineering Frameworks.
Binoculars for HS Biology and Environmental Science
Binoculars will enable students to observe wildlife, ecosystems, biodiversity, animals behavior, etc. in real time enhancing appreciation of natural history and the importance of preserving natural habitats and nature.
Exploring your Home's Carbon Footprint
"Watts Up" meters and "Pay Back Calculators" for HS physics. curriculum allowing students to monitor home energy use, making focus on energy and power more personally relevant.
Vernier Probes for Chemistry Lab
12 radiation monitors provided for study of nuclear chemistry and 12 magnetic stir stations to aid in micro titration of acids and bases.
Physical Education
Snow Walkers on the PlaygroundSnowshoes to provide another physical activity and social option for Elem. Students during winter recess.
Professional Development
Closing the Achievement GapSubgroup assessments taken to enable and create educational environments to support high achievement among our Black and Latino students.
Tech. Ed.
CAD & CNC: Computer Aided Design along with Computer Numbered CuttingNew curriculum to teach design and drafting, enabling elaborate projects to be produced by Middle Schoolers.
Social Studies
Fair Trade Filming Initiative40 hours of editing provided of recorded learning on the HS Chiapas, Mexico, Fair Trade Expedition and share findings with HS business classes.
About the Wayland Public Schools Foundation:
The purpose of the Wayland Public Schools Foundation is to enrich the education of Wayland's children by funding grants for innovative projects and creative units of study not funded by the regular school budget. Grants are made possible through the generosity of Wayland residents who contribute to the WPSF through its Fall Block Party, letter campaign, spelling bee, and Hats Off program. Proposals to the Foundation come from Wayland public school teachers with the support of school principals and the superintendent.
