EDUCATION FOUNDATION AWARDS GRANTS TO SCHOOLS

The Prince William County Public Schools Education Foundation has awarded $24,084 in Innovation Grants to eight schools and two school division departments for projects that will be implemented in the 2004-05 year.

Loch Lomond Elementary School was awarded $1,332 for the project “STAIRS – Steps Toward Achievement in Reading Strategies” which provides additional reading time for first and second grade students to reinforce reading skills and strategies as well as write stories about what they have read. Marleta London and Diane Sunshine, Reading Specialists, submitted the grant application.

Rockledge Elementary School received $1000 for their program entitled, “Reading Enrichment through Baggie Books,” submitted by third grade teachers Susan Quinlan and Betty Story. This program encourages supplemental reading for 100 third grade students through reading materials and family involvement.

Springwoods Elementary School received $3,456 for “Citizens of the Future.” Three program components, (parent workshops, the 4-H Challenge Course, and a character education  Program), will combine to provide special education students and their parents with valuable educational and social tools to increase academic and social performance. The grant application was submitted by Marsha Harrington and Lynn-Marie Parker.

Pennington School received $5,871 to fund the program “Thinking Maps,” which was submitted by Joyce Boyd, Principal, and Marsha Wiess, gifted education teacher. Thinking Maps program will provide students in grades one through eight with a common visual instructional language for organizing and communicating learning. Staff development and parent workshops are an integral part of the program.

Graham Park Middle School was awarded $750 for the “Ancient Civilizations Interactive Museum” project in which the eighth grade World History students will create an interactive traveling exhibit that features the ancient civilizations of Egypt, China, Greece, Rome and Mali. The “museum” will travel to second and third grade classrooms with displays and interactive activities to reinforce the Virginia Standards of Learning tests. The application was submitted by Dorothy Fricke, eighth-grade world history teacher.

Woodbridge Middle School received $1,454 to fund “Got Math” submitted by Sara Greenmun, sixth grade math teacher. The project will integrate manipulatives into daily math instruction to provide a “hands-on” approach and visual understanding of basic math skills, investigation and problem solving.

C.D. Hylton High School received $880 for a program entitled, “High School Reading Enrichment Program Using Virginia Young Readers Selections.” This secondary level reading enrichment program uses ten books that are selected annually by the Virginia State Reading
Association to provide reading enjoyment and incentives for students while offering staff the opportunity for collaboration. The application was submitted by Carolyn Davis, library media specialist.

Osbourn Park High School was awarded $2,290 for “Laughing All the Way.” This project, submitted by Cheryl Mummert, ninth-grade social studies teacher, uses the talents of Tim Jones, comedian, songwriter, artist, and former history teacher, to assist students in reviewing for the World History SOL test. Through humor, cartooning, caricatures and songs, Jones uses humor to boost retention of critical information. Student activities, teacher review and practice quizzes will follow up the presentation.

Curriculum and Staff Development received $3,300 for their application to fund “Its Never Too Late,” submitted by Reba Greer, Supervisor of Language Arts. The Janet Allen “Its Never Too Late” Literacy Institute will be offered to teams of teachers, administrators, and supervisors from across content and specialty areas in Prince William County Schools. As a result of the institute, participants will develop a common understanding of reading strategies and how to use those strategies to assist students in developing increased skill in comprehending texts in science, social studies, math, and language arts.

Media Production Services received $3,750 to fund “Lyceum: Kennedy Center Performing Arts Series.” This grant, submitted by Ben Swecker, Supervisor of Media Production Services, provides bus transportation for approximately 2,000 students in grades 4-12 to attend teaching performances sponsored by the Kennedy Center.

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