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March 3, 2008
|  | | | copyright Remindernet news |
Teacher projects funded by WEF
BY JOAN HUNT ReminderNews Editor
The Windsor Education Foundation is a group that many people in Windsor don't even know about yet, and already it has awarded seven mini-grants for projects suggested by teachers in the Windsor Public Schools.
At its helm is former Board of Education president Jane Garibay, who has put her considerable talents and energy into the nonprofit during the past year.
"I still wanted to do something in education," said Garibay, who added that she loves the non-political aspect of the Foundation. She is president of the 14-member board, which consists of Windsor citizens and business people and input from Superintendent Elizabeth Feser.
The group has raised $15,000 to date, and announced plans to award minigrants to seven worthwhile projects proposed by Windsor teachers:
Teacher Peggy Cass and Library Media Specialist Katrina Palazzolo at Sage Park Middle School plan to enhance the use of audiobooks in their programs in order to increase access to literature by all students.
Teacher Julie Roebelen at Kennedy Elementary School has initiated a project that will offer fourth and fifth grade students opportunities to learn about digital photography. It will teach them to use digital cameras to document school events and personal experiences and to create public exhibits at the school.
Supervisor for Libraries and Technology Rosemary Morante will receive a grant to support the publication and distribution of a family literacy booklet for parents of students entering prekindergarten through grade 3, as well as other agencies and day care providers. The booklet will be designed to promote early literacy and to strengthen relationships with families.
Wolcott Family Resource Center Leader Betsy Lepak and kindergarten teacher Laura Rumrill plan to create a kindergarten readiness DVD that will provide simple, practical ways that families can help children prepare for the challenges of academic learning.
Windsor High School science teacher Bruce Johnson plans to create "Turn Around, Tune Up," a hands-on summer project in which Sage Park and WHS students will be introduced to the world of engineering, will construct simple machines and robots, and work as a team to solve a technology challenge.
Ellsworth teacher Maxine Pincott wishes to help support "Camp Investigation Destination," a summer camp for grades 3-5 that focuses on exploratory science.
Sage Park teacher David Halbe and Student Support Specialist Jody Minotti will provide motivational activities for students in the V.I.P. program, a positive behavior program aimed at encouraging and rewarding responsible and appropriate school behavior.
Garibay said that $7,850 has been awarded this year, and the Foundation plans to offer mini-grants every year.
"We wanted to support our teachers and students in things they would like to do, but wouldn't normally be part of the Board of Education budget," said Garibay, adding that the intention was to support the public schools, rather than town projects. "There is already a Friends of Northwest Park and Friends of the Library, so we consider ourselves to be Friends of Windsor Public Schools," she said.
According to Garibay, the schools at one time received their own grants in the amount of $20,000 per year, but that expenditure was cut. She said the Chamber of Commerce, rather than giving a yearly scholarship, also gives $2,000 to the public schools to be used in $100 mini-grants.
The Windsor Education Foundation grants, she said, affect large numbers of children because the programs they support are cooperative between teachers, they are designed for longevity and they are from all different schools.
"The V.I.P. program at Sage Park School is one of my favorites," said Garibay. "It is for kids that are trying hard and behave themselves." She explained that every quarter the teachers have to sign off on a student to be on or remain on V.I.P. status. The students wear a V.I.P. bracelet to identify that they have qualified for the honor and the privileges that go with it, which include going to the front of the lunch line, enjoying certain age-appropriate video programs and being able to chat with friends at lunch.
"It encourages kids to be good citizens," said Garibay, "and it has created quite a buzz between the kids."
The Windsor Education Foundation is an all-volunteer group, which is in the process of preparing a brochure to inform residents about its purpose and plans. "We've had great sponsors, including an anonymous donor who gives $700 at Christmas time," said Garibay.
People can contribute to the fund in the memory of someone or in a teacher's name on the Web site at www.windsoreducationfoundation.org.
© copyright 2008 Remindernews
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