CONGRATULATIONS 2008-2009 GRANTS FOR SCHOOLS WINNERS!

FUNDED REP GRANTS
2008-2009

Accelerated Reader Classroom Libraries                           
Leona Glasser     Arroyo Verde               $3000
Leona will purchase a comprehension based Accelerated Reader Program to be used in the classroom and at home.  The 665 books will be used to improve student’s reading skills and comprehension by creating a lifelong love of reading.  The books will make a home to school connection for each student through Accelerated Reader take-home books and website. 

Colonial Williamsburg 2008-2009 Electronic Field Trips
Andrew Neuenschwaanter  Arroyo Verde     $800
Andrew will use his grant money for registration participation fees made to Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. This will enable him to infuse technology and interactive learning into the classroom.  Students will view and interact with Live National Television Broadcasts and will gain understanding of the political, religious, social and economic institutions in the colonial era.

Growing Up with Guitar- Elementary Guitar Course
Chuck Flemington     Arroyo Verde          $3000
Chuck’s grant will purchase 33 nylon string guitars, guitar books and a CD.  The students will learn how to play an instrument, rhythm, and intervallic relationships (high, medium, and low).  Students learn ratios, fractions, how to think ahead and about spatial relationships. They sing and perform with their instruments.  A new UCI study shows that a combination of computer games and music lessons can dramatically improve children’s math skills.

Garden Revitalization
John Hardin        Judson and Brown        $375
John will use his money to purchase flowers, plants, vegetables, potting soil, seeds, and garden tools.  This will provide kindergartners with hands-on creative learning opportunities and will promote community involvement in the educational process.  In spring of 2009 students will revitalize the school’s garden.  The project will involve parents and students in weeding, potting and planting.

Creating a Lasting Impression on the Youth of Redlands
Michelle Blomquest   Judson and Brown        $625
Michelle’s grant money will provide transportation for 21 classes to attend a performance of “Goldilocks and Peter Pan” at Redlands High School.  After the performance students will write a paper about their experience and will draw their favorite element of the field trip.  It is never too early to make a lasting impression of the Arts upon the youth of Redlands.

Fan the F.L.A.M.E.-Focused Learning thru Attention, Motivation, and Engagement
Judy Godon         Mariposa                      $3000
Judy will purchase a Promethean Active Board that will allow the teacher to design lessons that incorporate auditory, visual, kinesthetic and digital approaches. Use of the board will help high risk and special needs students stay focused, engaged and motivated.  It will help students increase their academic vocabulary, increase concept development and increase attention span and focus.  In an after school GATE program, students will learn to create simple, modified grade level lessons to be presented to special needs peers.

Eureka!
Dan Kane          McKinley                     $ 600
Dan’s grant will pay for a California Gold Rush Assembly for 6 classrooms.  Students will be presented a live dramatization of the excitement surrounding the discovery of gold in California.  Students will be taught how to “mine for gold” much as miners did during the Gold Rush times.  They will gain an understanding of the methods, means, and hardships encountered in the journey of those seeking their fortune in the California Gold Rush.

It’s All About Words and Numbers
Carol Lemoine          McKinley                     $ 922
Carol will purchase books, Math Centers, Story Problem Boxes to integrate Language Arts and Math at the first grade level.  Her students will experience key concepts in a variety of ways.  Story problem boxes will involve counting and comparing.  Hands-On Math Center will help students with basic skills of sorting, graphing, counting, shapes, patterns and measuring.  This will help promote a realization that Language Arts and Math are part of their everyday life.

A Student Response System to Energize the Math Curriculum
Louise Gonzales      Beattie Middle School              $2750
Louise will purchase a Pad System and an Inter Write Pad to enhance mathematics and algebra curriculum with the use of technology.  Students will use electronic clickers to respond to problems presented to them.  Students with multiple learning styles will use technology to report their understanding, or non-understanding, of a lesson without fear of the class knowing they gave the wrong answer. Teachers and students get instant feedback, a critical advantage in a fast-paced math curriculum.

Observing the Dynamic Sun 
Mike Arthur          Clement                              $2600
Mike will purchase a solar telescope, mount and an eyepiece for closer viewing.
Students will develop an experimental plan including hypothesis and data collection to carry out using the telescope.  Students will observe the sun over a period of time.  They will match their data gathered with information scientists have gathered and try to explain it.  Astronomy Club students will be able to use the solar telescope during lunch.

Beginning Band Student Assistance
John Gann            Clement                          $ 700
John will pay an instrumental specialist to work with small groups of students one day each week in order to better assist them with their specific needs and pinpoint and refine issues that each student is having.  This in turn will foster that student’s success in the classroom and improve the band as a whole.  These improved successes will increase ability and help to build the students’ confidence both musically and academically.

Seeing Science Clearly!
David Russell-Nichley    Moore                               $2950
David will purchase 2 Digital Video Teaching Microscopes, 2 Dissection Scope, and 10 lenses.  Digital video microscopes allow teachers to project onto an LCD screen, TV and computers, objects under a microscope lens.  This ensures that all students have access to accurate views of the object being studied, even if students are not able to correctly focus their individual lenses.  Students need to develop hands-on skills of drawing and viewing organisms under the microscope because it is foundational to the skills needed in high school.

Robotics Engineering
Brian Bartlett              RHS                            $2850
Brian will purchase an NXT Value Pack and base sets and a site license for NXT software.  Students will use the robotics kits to design, build, and program simple robots.  The robots can be programmed using a variety of programming languages, based on a level of prior knowledge.  The programming requires students to think in a linear manner, using a type of flowchart to complete any number of the robots automatic maneuvers. This will develop critical thinking and problem solving skills.  It will expose students to careers in engineering, robotics and manufacturing. 

Green is the New Black
Tracy Massimiano          REV                           $2500
Tracy will purchase 1,500 printed bags.  After learning the basics of Adobe Photoshop and silkscreen printing, Advanced Studio Art students will create logos incorporating the theme, “Green is the New Black”.  The best design will be custom printed on the reusable grocery bags.  Every teacher in RUSD will receive a bag to promote the importance of going green.  Additional bags will be available for purchase, with funds earmarked for a Washington DC field trip in March, 2010.

The Big Picture
Caroline McAllister      REV                         $3000
Caroline will purchase a Canon Powershot, memory cards, paper and other materials to help students use technology to communicate information.  The students will use scanners and digital cameras to take photographs to create a collage of milestone events and people in their lives to include in their Senior Portfolio. The students will use
their collages as a basis for writing their personal statement and as one of the “talking points” in the senior interview.

A Mannequin Today…You Tomorrow!
Pam Hinckley            Adult Education              $3000
Pam will purchase a mannequin, Vital Signs Simulator, Wound Assessment Module, Breast Unit, and Adult Simulator Package.  With this lifelike mannequin students will be able to practice their skills prior to going to the clinical setting at VA Hospital, Arrowhead Regional Center, etc.  The student’s actions, interactions, planning and follow up to care will be assessed by the teacher.  Corrections and modifications will be discussed and implemented prior to interaction with live patients…..You Tomorrow!!