Classroom Grants
Twice each year, the Springfield Schools Foundation awards grants for teacher initiated projects that will enrich the educational experience of students in Springfield Local Schools. All staff members are eligible to apply for grants. Applications are reviewed by members of the Classroom Grants committee which makes recommendations to the Board.
Since 2003, the Foundation has awarded nearly $150,000 for projects that promote literacy, engage students with cutting edge technology and expand the opportunities available to students in Springfield schools.
Winners
of the Classroom Grants for the 2010-11 school year were honored before the
Alumni Association’s All Star Basketball game on April 15, 2011 at 7 PM in the
Springfield High School Field House.
Here are the grants awarded during Spring 2011:
Movement Balls for
Brain-Based Learning. Janet King at Dorr Elementary will purchase
large weighted balls for her students with special needs. Research shows that sitting on these balls
improves concentration and relieves stress especially for students with autism
and ADHD. The grant also funded copies of
Catch a Brain Wave, a CD that increases learning power by encouraging movement.
Outdoor Education. Sixth grade teachers at SMS will collaborate with Toledo Metroparks and high
school biology teacher, Marty Perlaky, to create an outdoor educational
experience in the Grove. The grant will
fund waders so students can explore the stream as well as scientific testing
kits and equipment so they can do hands on fieldwork.
Teaching Music Through Puppets. Jennifer Mercer at Dorr Elementary will
encourage students in her music class to find their voices by using puppets
with large and expressive mouths. The
grant funds multi-ethnic puppets that will be used by K-3 students as well as counselors
and special education teachers.
Every Student Has an Answer. Three math teachers
at SMS received grants to
purchase instant response systems
for their
classrooms. These systems improve
student participation and
increase the effectiveness
of lessons because teachers have immediate
feedback about what each
student understands.
Games to Increase Social Skills. This grant will be used to purchase engaging, interactive games that help students develop social skills needed for school success including anger management and problem solving.
The Foundation caps its own Classroom Grants at $1,500. When teachers have good ideas that require more funding, the Outside Grants Committee seeks out funding sources. During the past two years, the Foundation has been able to obtain over $60,000 in outside grants to fund the a literacy program for pre-kindergartners, the Weatherbug weatherstation, the Grove restoration project and the Glass Arts Project.
