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Projects Funded As of July 2008 GNEE has awarded $120,000 for Academic Mini-Grants.ĘThese grants have gone to every building in the district and we believe that these dollars have positively impacted every student and every teacher in some way.ĘPlease use the menu bar to the left to read project descriptions by grade level. Early Elementary Schools Bailey and Fairview "GNEE grants have funded materials for use with K-2 students with special needs, all kindergarten students in the area of mathematics, and materials for take home reading bags for preschoolers. All of the materials have been very valuable and help the teachers better meet the needs of their students. For example, the preschoolers and their families have greatly enjoyed the reading materials they have been able to take home and the early focus on reading is extremely beneficial to the students." Nancy Beck, Principal of Bailey, Fairview, and Davis Elementary Schools Upper Elementary School Davis "At Davis School we have used money from the Grinnell-Newburg Educational Endowment for a variety of projects we would not have been able to do, otherwise. For example, we will able to order a computer program developed by Kurzweil Corporation entitled Kurzweil 3000. Fortunately, the fruits of over 30 years of research on reading, most of it sponsored by the federal government, are now available to us. While much of the research focuses on the mechanics of reading, the picture that has emerged makes a strong case for the use of assistive technology tools such as Kurzweil 3000, or other accommodations, to provide access to content while students are receiving direct instruction in decoding, spelling, and writing. In fact, without this type of accommodation, it becomes almost impossible for struggling readers to catch up academically. To accomplish this Kurzweil 3000 becomes an essential tool. We have also ordered a number of leveled readers and other materials to provide direct intervention to students in reading. If we are going to develop proficient readers, more direct teaching of reading skills must be done using materials that focus on these skills. The Endowment has helped us to purchase these materials." Doug Cameron, Former Principal, Davis Elementary School Grinnell Middle School "The GNEE Mini-Grants in March, 2008, were able to provide the G-N district with 30 new laptops for the purposes of contributing to the modernizing of teaching and learning while using technology. The G-N administration and teachers are extremely excited to begin using the laptops which will allow many opportunities to integrate technology. Teachers will be able to infuse multimedia in their classrooms by using some of the following strategies: compelling video clips, enhanced sound, and vibrant graphics and text to extend the curriculum. Similarly, students will use the laptops during their learning experiences. Some of the planned experiences include: researching on the web, creating their own multimedia presentations, interacting with a wide range of learning software, and creating written products. The Grinnell-Newburg Educational Excellence grants are instrumental in providing much needed support for our curriculum and instruction at G-N Community Schools. The grants provide the link from theory to practice, discussion to application, and idea to reality. We thank the GNEE board!" Dr. Pam Ewell, Former Principal, Grinnell Middle School Grinnell High School "GNEE helps GHS students learn! Mini-grants awarded by GNEE have funded innovative efforts in many curricular areas. In previous years GNEE funded the high school's purchase of the math computer program Cognitive Tutor. Students using this program can progress at their own speed. GNEE also funded purchase of books for Second Chance Reading, a program designed to improve students' reading ability. In science, GNEE grants allowed GHS to purchase instrumentation that students can use to collect data in physical, biological, and chemical sciences. GNEE funds also helped support the establishment of two associations for students that enhance their curricular learning: the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America, and the Technology Student Association. During the summer of 2008, GNEE funded a request to purchase high-quality video equipment for student use; students will use this equipment for classes like English, mythology, TV and radio production, vocal and instrumental music, advanced speech, and humanities. In addition, GNEE funded an initiative called "Dream Home," which involves students creating a home using classes in architectural drawing, construction, agriculture, business, drafting, and computers. This GNEE grant to the Vocational Dept. is a great way to start cross-content conversations between teachers and to help kids connect and apply what they're learning in one class to another. These connections are extremely important to our mission of showing students the relevance of their coursework. GHS is a better place these days because of the efforts of GNEE!" Kevin Seney, Principal, Grinnell High School |