YORK EDUCATION FOUNDATION GRANTS FOR THE 2015 – 2016 SCHOOL YEAR

The York Education Foundation awarded $19,487 in five grants for the 2015-2016 school year, with two grants at York High School, one at York Middle School, one at Coastal Ridge Elementary School, and one for the Superintendent’s Office.

VEX Robotics Team, Stephanie Cleary, Michael Masi, Mary Testa, YHS:

The grant will provide equipment and supplies to launch a co-curricularVEX robotics program. YHS students will have an opportunity to enrich and enhance S.T.E.M. skills by working in teams to design, build, and program robots to compete at VEX competitions. They will learn project management skills, programming language, and tool mastery through a process that encourages creativity, problem solving, perseverance, and critical thinking.

Spanish Enrichment in the Classroom, Renee Fifield, Spanish Teacher, YHS:

The grant will purchase a document camera to enable the sharing of written work and non-textbook sources. The grant will also allow for the establishment of an independent reading program.

Sustainability in our Classrooms and Communities, Michael Harris, CRES:

The purpose of the grant is to create a service learning opportunity focused around reducing, reusing, and recycling. Students will compile data detailing the amount of waste created in our classrooms, home, and community and then challenge themselves and their community members to reduce the amount of generated waste. Students will explore ways to reuse materials. The project is designed to promote environmental awareness while developing math, writing, reading, social studies, and art skills.

Changing Student Perspectives with “Wonder”, Ellen Rothwell and Jessica Baxter, YMS:

The purpose of this grant is to address bullying and disability issues, as well as ELA learning standards, through a cooperative effort with the York Diversity Forum centered on the book Wonder, by R.J. Palacio. Classroom work in both Health and Wellness and Language Arts classes will complement a two-day workshop with Sam Drazin, an expert presenter from Changing Perspectives.

Wonder, a multi-award winning book, tells the story of Auggie Pullman who was born with severe facial deformities. Eighth grade ELA teachers will use it to instruct students to evaluate character point of view and analyze dialogue. Health and Wellness teachers will use the book as a springboard for students to research disabilities. During a two day visit, Sam Drazin will share his own experiences of growing up with facial disabilities to help provide perspective and empathy for middle school students, helping them understand how the challenges for students can increase in middle school. This grant supports a unique, collaborative effort by YMS, York Public Library, York Diversity Forum, and the York School district to enable students and families to access community-based activities around disability awareness.

We Are Here to do Great Things, Dr. Debra Dunn, YSD Superintendent:

The purpose of the grant is to allow Dr. Dunn to provide professional development opportunities to York School District staff. Knowing that schools are not buildings, but rather communities created by staff, this grant will allow for staff training as part of a year-long initiative, “We Are Here to do Great Things.” As Albert Einstein once said, “It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.” These funds will allow our educators to grow in the art of teaching as they inspire our children to become passionate learners.