April 2007 Special Project Grant Awards

In this round of Special Project Grants, $14,624 was awarded.

Linda Evans, Andrea Gratz, Ann Holl, and Cindie Littell at Kilbourne, McCord, Perry, and Worthingway Middle Schools were awarded $2,076 to purchase four complete sets (1 per middle school) of the DRA II, which will be administered twice yearly to the lowest 20% of middle school students at each grade level. This valuable tool will be used by the middle school reading teachers to assess student reading strengths and weaknesses and provide them with specific lesson plans that allow for differentiated instruction in the classroom.

Paul Roman and Jill Wiebell at Perry Middle School were awarded $2,500 to purchase various types of wellness and exercise equipment to help students develop personal fitness programs for life-long healthy lifestyles. Student wellness is one of the “cornerstones” of the Phoenix School. This equipment will expand opportunities to develop fitness strategies which will enhance the students’ personal fitness programs.

Mark Glasbrenner at the Worthington Education Center received $5,000 to provide scholarship funding for disadvantaged children to attend camp.

Mark Maley and Ron Pilatowski at the Linworth Alternative Program were awarded $1,377 to purchase technology equipment that will be used to help deliver the content of two new courses at Linworth. Global Climate Change will take an earth systems approach to climate change. Oil, Power and Energy will examine the historical development and uses of energy, which have been concentrated on fossil fuels.

Brian Morlan at McCord Middle School was awarded $2,404 to purchase SMART technology, which includes a 77” interactive whiteboard and LCD projector, necessary to create an interactive classroom. The Daily Living Skills Learning Center will be used by students with moderate to severe disabilities. This interactive technology will make learning engaging, collaborative and student centered.

Fritz Monroe at Brookside Elementary School was awarded $1,267 to purchase materials to establish a teaching center which will include the installation of plants to attract butterflies and milkweed to entice Monarchs to lay their eggs and have the caterpillars eat the milkweed. Treated lumber will be purchased and used to construct a small teaching center. This project will include a program that will demonstrate to parents, adults, and community members what plants to install at their own homes to attract and feed monarchs.