Hillsboro Schools Foundation Awards $70,000 in Grants to Local Schools for 2010-11
For a decade, the Hillsboro Schools Foundation has raised funds to enhance public education through the support of innovative educational programs in the Hillsboro School District. The Foundation recently announced funding for 15 grants totaling $70,000 for the 2010-11 School Year.
The grants will provide students with enriching, innovative educational opportunities in art, music, science and technology at seven elementary schools, two middle schools and three high schools during the 2010-11 school year. Grant projects will be implemented by local classroom teachers who developed the proposals for the creative programs.
Grant recipients for 2010-11 are listed below, categorized by general subject area to show the broad range of projects that will benefit students across the District.
Science, Technology & Sustainability – The following grants were sponsored by Genentech.
· Green Thumbs of Rosedale: Rosedale Elementary School educators Erin Shepherd and Effie Silvis, $2,900. Establishes a garden as an "outdoor classroom." Garden will be used in lessons across math, language arts, science, social studies, health and PE.
· Future Field Guides: W.L. Henry Elementary School educator Travis Reiman, $6,000. In collaboration with Jackson Bottom Wetland staff, teachers and 4-6th grade students will study and develop field guides which will be used to introduce K-3 students to the Turner Creek Park ecosystem adjacent to the school.
· Lego Mindstorms Kits: Tobias Elementary School PTO and staff, $3,152. Expands existing grades 1-4 Lego Robotics program to grades 5-6.
· Connect Me2U: Brown Middle School educator Barbara Wickham, $2,188. Program engages students with professionals in the field through use of live video-conferencing on dedicated hardware.
· Engineering for the Future: Poynter Middle School educator Sue Peters, 4,200. The program uses renewable energy as the vehicle to teach new State Engineering Design Science Content Standards.
· Weatherbug Weather Station: Liberty High School educator Paul Hanson, $5,300. Installs a Weatherbug Weather Station allowing students to collect data, connect with 8,000 stations around the country, and apply information directly in science content standards.
Literacy
· Advanced readers after-school Battle of the Books Team: Lincoln Street Elementary School educator Brian Haats, $4,545. Funds the creation of an after school Battle for the Books Team that will meet weekly and train to compete in the Oregon Battle of the Books competition in spring 2011. The program targets TAG and advanced readers. Sponsored by Verizon.
· Family Literacy for parents and students - Read-ville Rams Family Literacy Program: Reedville Elementary School principal Gina Baez, $3,500. Funds a new phonics-based family literacy program in both English and Spanish for students and parents in K-1. Sponsored by Verizon.
· Engaging 9th graders in contemporary non-fiction novels - Liberty High School educators Brieanna Wilson and OJ Gulley, $2,500. Improves 9th grade literacy through high-interest contemporary nonfiction novels, "A Long Way Gone" and "Three Cups of Tea." Project crosses Language Arts and Social Studies curriculum. Sponsored by First Tech Credit Union.
Music
· Summer program – Collaboration with Hillsboro Parks & Recreation -If It's Too Loud, You're Too Old: Century High School educators Jim Dunlop and Keith Allen, $6,594. Funds will purchase dedicated music equipment for Hillsboro School District and Hillsboro Park & Recreation's collaborative summer program, "School of Rock."
· Instruments – enhance music at elementary level- Instruments of the Band: Minter Bridge Elementary School educator Patrick Lay, $8,000. Purchases a set of 30 rebuilt instruments to enhance general music curriculum, K-6, and allows 4-6 grade beginning band students to make informed instrument selection.
Art/Design
· Silk Screen Studio: Hillsboro High School educator Ezra Ereckson, $6,790. Establishes a screen printing studio to design and produce posters, apparel, accessories and fine art.
· Let's Draw: Free Orchards Elementary School principal Patti Wiemer, $4,030. Enhances free after school BLAST program with high quality art lessons designed to "close the experiential gap between students in poverty and those of more affluent means."
Theater
· Collaboration between high school theatre students and students in special education - The Jellybean Conspiracy: Liberty High School educator Janet Van Wess, $2,500. Funds staging of play, "The Jellybean Conspiracy," which is designed for collaboration between general education theater students and students in special education life skills.
Business Skills
· Embroidery by Falcons: Liberty High School educators Terri Nickens and Roger Pinder, $8,000. Students with mild to moderate disabilities will run a school-based embroidery business customizing various kinds of Liberty gear.