2009 Grants Awarded: $48,659.50

$2,833

Data Collection & Analysis in Science & Math

Cherokee

This proposal supports the purchase of Verneir science sensors and other related technology that allow Cherokee Middle School students to experience a high level of scientific processes including collecting and analyzing data in the field. These tools increase student motivation and engagement in the learning process and provide experience with tools needed in the 21st century work environment.

$2,833.50

Uniting Nationalities at Sandburg Elementary

Sandburg

Sandburg proposes to purchase simultaneous translation equipment, so that Hispanic and Hmong families can better participate in a wide variety of school-wide events.

$8,000

Engage, Empower, & Enlighten

MMSD T&L

Teaching and Learning proposes to increase professional development opportunities for caregivers in the MMSD Play & Learn programs (15 locations throughout Madison) in order to increase children's school readiness skills. These caregivers often are family, friend, or neighbor to low-income parents.

$10,000

Timebank Youth Court

LaFollette

This proposal will provide partial support for a Dane County Youth Court at LaFollette High School. A $31,000 grant from the Office for Justice Assistance provides most of the support.

$2,038

Sennett M.S. Drumming Project

Sennett
($1,969 from Music Endowment Fund)

Sennett Middle School proposes to purchase drums and percussion instruments and develop curriculum to support a drumming program that will include learning and performing; emphasis will be placed on integrating the "Drum Circle" concept into the regular curriculum.

$7,000

Woodlands Environment.

Crestwood

Crestwood Elementary staff will partner with parent/community volunteers including arborists, GPS specialists and gardeners to develop an environmental curriculum for students across all grades incorporating restoration and maintenance of the Crestwood grounds: mapping and photographing, removing/replacing invasive species with native plants and monitoring and maintaining the woodland progression. Funding would support the development of the curriculum and purchasing materials to support the curriculum including GPS units and cameras and a teacher workshop for training in curriculum.

$5,955

Desks of Dreams

Emerson

Emerson Elementary students will work with local artists to decorate/transform old desks from storage to reflect their own dreams. Several artistic treatments will be taught. The results will be desks that represent the students' dreams and talent. Desks will be auctioned to raise money for the school's endowment. Funding supports three local artists working with classes and the materials they will use.

$8,000

Facilitated Language Study

East

This proposal would implement a Facilitated Language Study course so that students at East High School could pursue study of less-commonly taught languages. Cohorts of students would study via on-line resources, print materials and native-speakers, facilitated and guided by a teacher certified in foreign language instruction. Funding would support training and pay for native- speaking conversation coaches.

$2,000

Bouncing Into Learning

Frank Allis

This proposal would provide each 1st and 4th grade child at Frank Allis Elementary the opportunity to have an alternative seating arrangement to manage the ability to attend to instruction. Ball chairs have been shown to allow students who have attention needs the ability to independently regulate their own movement while still be attending to instruction. Funding would provide professional development for teachers and materials for students.