GRANTS - FALL 1999

We are pleased to present to the Irvington School Board the following gifts for the 1999-2000 school term:

(Steven Turk, Chuck Johnson and Frank Viggiani) Science/Technology - This grant will fund a schoolnet weather system in all three buildings. The teachers identified above have all enthusiastically offered to lead their schools in participating in this project. The program offers a meaningful connection to meteorology, weather, the environment, mathematics, social studies, computer skills and English. Award: $6,680.00

Grades 9-12: (Marilyn Gizzi) This grant will fund an anti-bias educational program that helps students confront prejudice, bigotry and discrimation in their school environment while simultaneously teaches students to recognize and celebrate diversity. Includes peer training, consulting staff, materials, program for parents, teachers and students. Award: $7,335.00

Grades 9-12: (Carleen Julian) This grant proposal will fund a pilot program for one semester, that if successful, we would hope would be included in the school budget next year. At risk (social, emotional, academic) students will be identified by a team of staff members and referred to the "Students Tackling All Risks" program which will strive to improve: self-esteem, academic skills and performance, study strategies, tolerance, conflict resolution; help them to manage stress and learn to take responsibility for the choices they make. We feel very strongly about the need for this program. Award: $3,375.00

Grade 12: (Ben Kwiatkowski) Science - This grant will support a new course, Environmental Science which will provide hands-on experience as students will travel to local environmental science related sites to collect data. When they return to the classroom they will use a dissolved oxygen meter to analyze the collected water samples. Award: $1,267.00

Grades 9-12: Drama - The Foundation will support for the fourth consecutive year, the high school production. Award: $7,290.00

Grades 9-12: (Holly Sewalk) In the fall of 1999 we funded an Assistive Technology Consultant to evaluate the communication needs of special education students in the middle and high schools. The recommendation of this consultant in consultation with our faculty was to utilize a specific type of word processor to help students effectively complete written assignments and be better prepared to meet the goals and objectives of the new state standards. Award: $11,104.18

Grade 8: (Chuck Johnson) Science and Related Disciplines - This grant will fund for the third year, the highly successful Jason Project. The theme, "Living in Hostile Environments", will explore space and the deep sea including the effect of temperature variations, pressure and energy and motion. Award: $2,285.00

Grades 6-8: (Carole Seiden-Pruzan) Art and Related Disciplines -This grant will support the current art theme combining the disciplines of science, math, foreign language, English and home economics. Award: $3,450.00

Grades 6-8: (Marilyn Gizzi)This grant would fund an anti-bias educational program similar to the one awarded to the high school, but designed for middle school students. Award: $5,000.00

DOWS LANE ELEMENTARY

Grade 4: (Donna Quinn) Social Studies - The fourth grade culminates its study of immigration with a trip to Ellis Island in June. This grant will fund an author’s ( Journey to Ellis Island) assembly which will provide the students with a personal introduction to the process of immigration. Award: $500.00 (previously gifted at the last board meeting)

Grade 5: (Scott Andrasko) Science - This grant will support the purchase of advanced microscopes enabling the students to see and analyze samples more clearly. Award: $2,694.16

Grade 5: (Dr. Marie Z. Amoruso) Writing Skills - This grant funds a pilot program, a writer’s workshop two times a week after school, providing remedial instruction to identified "at risk" writers. Award: $5,070.00

Grades 3 and 5: (Christopher Cullen and Dr. Marie Amoruso) Project Sail-Safe - Multidisciplinary - An innovative project that will include some 2^nd and 4^th graders as well. Cooperative groups will be created with specific tasks encompassing geography, writing, technology, reading, mathematics, art and music with the ultimate goal of building a "skiff" to be launched at the end of the year. Award: $5,650.00

Total awards: $61,427.34