NEWS -- For Immediate Release
-- 5 Different Grants Awarded Today --
For more information, please call Kathleen Fahey, Grant Committee Chair, (978-692-0765) or visit the website (www.westfordeducationfoundation.org).
WESTFORD, MA -- October 21, 2004 -- The Westford Education Foundation (WEF), today announced they have awarded five different grants for innovative educational programs. The grants propose to fund innovative projects that will have the most educational impact on students. By granting funds for new endeavors, which are consistent with the Westford curriculum, WEF aims to introduce students to a broader array of new and impacting programs.
2004/2005 Fall Grant Recipients…
The winners of this year’s WEF grants are:
Suzanne McGrail (Assistant Principal) and Mary Weaver (Media Specialist), Blanchard School, for their “Building Community Thru Literacy” program. This program will help students better understand the dangers and negative impact of bullying and harassment in grades 6th through 8th. By reading the book “The Revealers” and being involved in teacher-led group discussions, students will become more aware of this issue;
Michelle Clark (PPD Autism Teacher) and Paulette Joyce (Integration Tech Specialist), Nabnasset School, for their “Intelli-Kids” program. This program will acquire the necessary hardware and software to aid learning for students with Autism and other special needs children;
Carol Shestok (Science Coordinator) Westford Public Schools, for her “Living Lab Brook Book” project. This grant will build upon the Living Lab initiative by providing art supplies and books that enhance the learning experience for all Westford 5th graders learning about the Reed Brook environment and the organisms that live there. ;
Elizabeth Moorman (Social Studies Teacher) Westford Academy, for her “Studying History Through Literature” program. This grant will acquire 30 copies of four historically-relevant novels (“Uncle Tom’s Cabin”, “The Killer Angels”, “The Autobiography of Malcolm X” and “Coming of Age in Mississippi”). The grant seeks to engage the students through novels that target the years of the Civil War and the Civil Right Movements;
Wanda Hall (3rd Grade Teacher) and Marianne Butterline (Instructional Technology Specialist) Norman E. Day School, for the “MapMaker’s Toolkit” project. This grant will acquire a site license so that every student at the Day School (grades 3-5) will be able to learn physical and political geography, map skills, U.S. history and world history from this award-wining software package.
WEF Quote…
“The students of Westford are fortunate to have educators as exemplified by these eight true professionals, who took the time to research and investigate, develop and submit their programs for funding,” noted Foundation President, Jeannette Wilkinson. “All five of these programs will have lasting impact on their students today, as well as Westford students for years to come. WEF is honored to be a catalyst in making these programs become a reality. Each of these educators epitomizes the drive, spirit and initiative of the best that our educational system has to offer.”
WEF Grant…
In the last year, WEF has awarded several grants that sponsor programs that have reached out to students of all ages. From introducing the complexities of their environment and new technologies to the basics of reading and writing, WEF grants are helping to make a difference.
Grants are available to all Westford faculty, educational staffers and community members with an innovative solution to education. Interested parties are encouraged to start preparing grant applications for next Fall’s awards. WEF also sponsors “Professional Development” grants in the Spring for town faculty, which helps Westford educators to enhance their teaching skills. Applications are available at the WEF website (www.westfordeducationfoundation.org).
Grant Criteria…
The WEF grant committee reviews all proposals and in making its selection it will use the following criteria:
About WEF…
The Westford Education Foundation, Inc. is an independent, non-profit organization that promotes innovative educational initiatives and champions life-long learning. They do this by building a wide community of support, fostering ideas, channeling resources, and funding exceptional learning programs. To learn more, please visit our website (www. westfordeducationfoundation.org).
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© 2004 WEF. All company and brand, product and service names are for identification purposes only and may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
Press Contacts...
Jeannette Wilkinson
Board of Directors
Westford Education Foundation
T: 978-418-9179
E: jwilkinson@westfordeducationfoundation.org
Craig Kevghas
Board of Directors
Westford Education Foundation
T: 978-392-9945
E: kevghas@aol.com
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