Windsor Education Foundation Awards Grants to Windsor Public Schools to Fund Innovative Learning Programs
$16,800 in Grants Awarded to Fund 12 Projects Proposed by Teachers in the District
Windsor Education Foundation (WEF) has awarded a total of $16,800 grants to fund 12 projects proposed by teachers in Windsor Public Schools, including a $1,000 science grant from The Christine Gasparino Memorial Fund. All Windsor Public Schools certified staff was eligible to apply for the grants.
WEF is a non-profit organization, now in its 13th year, that was formed with the goal of supporting excellence in Windsor Public Schools. Since 2007, WEF has awarded $175,800 to local, public school educators. The programs funded for 2020 will directly benefit more than 1,700 students across all grades. Following is a synopsis of the 2020 Grants:
Through improvisation, Windsor High students along with the help of their maestro, Paul Pierce, will work to Integrate Ensembles by creating their own compositions (written or improvised) rather than performing to the sounds of other composers. Students will be able to focus on music literacy.
Cameren Judge in the School Counseling Office at Windsor High oversees the College Exposure Project providing students with post-secondary plans opportunities for field trips to college campuses and connections through the Hartford National College Fair.
Students in the SPARK program along with Lauren Grimshaw will create a functional space for hands on learning to create a Courtyard Garden. Partners include Keney Park Sustainability Project.
Kyle Fusco and Kristin Ricci will take members of PRISM, Sage Park’s Gay Straight Alliance, to the True Colors conference to learn how to address the challenges facing the LBTQ community followed by completing a project, or conduct a workshop, based on their learning.
Dorio Soto, STEM Coach and Treehouse Program Leader, Rashida Davidson join forces to bring STEAM Recycle Racers into the Treehouse afterschool program using the Boston Science Museum Engineering Anywhere Curriculum for students in grades 3-5 at JFK. Grant is recipient of the Christine Gasparino Memorial Fund.
Kindergarten through grade 2 students at OE will work with their reading teacher, Melissa Lafayette to implement a school wide art and literature project. Students will read and listen to the book “Only One You” by Linda Kranz and design a rock mural at the school.
Lisa Thomas of Clover Street School looks to implement Visions and Voices, an art in residence program, by transforming art through the lens of hip hop education with her Fifth grade students. Lisa will work with community partners and host a spoken word workshop and an annual Poetry Slam.
Kim Wood and Gianna Gill of JFK look forward to supporting families with links to learning “Parent and Me” workshops to engage families and involve them in supporting their child’s academics.
Stacey Marcell of OE will take her Kindergarten class on a field trip to explore the post office, town hall and snack at the green to make real world connections to civics. Students will mail a postcard to their home and request a dog-tag for their stuffed animals.
Elizabeth Abbot with support from Poquonock teachers and students will launch the Poquonock Green Garden starting on Earth Day by planting seeds with The Windsor Women’s Garden Club. Second graders will then continue to investigate and plant their very own garden.
Sheena Boyle, teacher at Windsor High, will conduct SWEAT summer workshops for seniors who are making post-secondary plans. Student Workshops Enabling Academic Transitions offer students information about the college admissions process and other postsecondary opportunities.
Nicholas Mercier and students in different programs at LP Wilson will support their music program with the purchase of Baritone Ukuleles to support hands on music and develop skills to transfer to real world work experiences.
“We are pleased to provide funds for unique and innovative programs developed by passionate, creative and committed Windsor Educators,” said Cristina Santos, president of Windsor Education Foundation. “The impact [of these programs] to our educational communities is thrilling, as through these initiatives we can develop curious minds, build students’ confidence, and engage students in irreplaceable learning opportunities. We thank the generous business and individual donors and those who participated in our fundraising programs for making these grants possible.”
About The Windsor Education Foundation:
Windsor Education Foundation encourages community support for excellence in public education and provides funding for innovative projects and programs in the Windsor Public Schools. WEF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. For more information or to support WEF, visit windsoreducationfoundation.org or facebook.com/windsoreducationfoundation.