2014 Grant Winners

“Bridging the Divide”  $485  – Clifton T. Barkalow School

Jennifer Sahlin: Through the integration/purchase of a one year membership for the programs “Smore” and“Animoto,” teachers and students will be able to enhance 21st century skills as well as communication techniques. Each program will enhance instruction, presentations, and communication within the classroom and at home. Through the incorporation of Smore and Animoto, work can be displayed in a unique way that bridges the divide between home and school, as well as the meet the demands of our 21st century learners.

“This Day in History” $2,119.19  – Clifton T. Barkalow School

Matthew Finacane: This grant supports recording equipment for a studio where students and teachers can enhance their technological ability while also integrating lessons into their daily classrooms.  Students will be asked to research a particular day in US history and create a news broadcast about the events of this day.  This project will extend across Social Studies, Language Arts and Technology.

Michael Falgares and Katie Harms: This grant allows a commercial-grade, state-of-the-art weather station to be placed on the school’s roof.  The Weather Station will consist of an anemometer (measures wind speed and wind direction), a self-emptying rain gauge, temperature, humidity and barometric pressure sensors. The integrated sensor suite combines a rain collector, temperature sensor, humidity sensor, wind direction and anemometer–all into one package. Beyond the STEM classroom benefits, a weather station will provide students and staff at Applegate School with live weather data and advanced warning capabilities for severe weather. It will also serve as a valuable weather information resource that will be available to the community via the Internet using the school’s website and mobile app.

Karen Coronado and Carla Segarra: World Book Student and Kids, along with eBooks provides an enriched environment that not only engages students but supports the Common Core. World Book provides unlimited simultaneous access to a their entire eBook collection, which means students have around-the-clock access to these resources at home and in their classrooms.  Implementing an age-appropriate digital database in grades K-5 will better prepare students for 21st century learning and 21st century assessments.