YORK EDUCATION FOUNDATION GRANTS FOR THE 2008 – 2009 SCHOOL YEAR

The York Education Foundation funded three grants for the 2008-2009 school year, with two at Coastal Ridge Elementary School, and one for York High School.

Scientist in Residence, Sean Murphy, CRES:

Funds from this grant will support the stipend for a “scientist-in-residence” 1/2 day per week at Coastal Ridge Elementary School.  Beth Walter will offer her expertise in environmental toxicology and other science areas of study, as well as her understanding of service learning to train teachers in developing and performing different science experiments and activities related to service learning and other projects.  In addition, she will work with teachers in all grades to develop science lessons while incorporating other parts of their curriculum into the experience.

Professional Development and Presentation Media, Eric Lawson, CRES:

Description: Funds from this grant will purchase a digital camcorder and microphones to be used in filming classroom instruction, activities for professional development, presentations as wellness the Broadcast News at Coastal Ridge Elementary School.  This grant will impact all students and teachers at CRES by enhancing the classroom experience through readers’ theatre, recording of class lessons, and expanding the ways in which teachers can share their experiences with each other;  in addition, the Broadcast News experience for grade 4 students will be more complete as they become able to participate in all aspects of the process including the editing and final production.

Navigating College Math Readiness, Sue Simoneau, YHS:

Description: Funds from this grant will be used to purchase two Texas Instruments Navigator Systems for the YHS Math Department.  The Navigator is an interactive math assessment tool connecting the teacher’s laptop to the students’ graphing calculators.  This system will change both the math teaching and learning cultures for all grade levels at YHS, and will encourage students to be more engaged in the lesson. The intent is that by using “more creative and formative assessment tools, students will actually know math and not just be able to do math”.