2002-03 Grants

What’s It Really Like to Be a Parent?
Many teens glamorize parenthood, either overlooking the hard work that caring for an infant entails or assuming that a baby will make their like "complete". Ms. Sharon Buckley, Health/Wellness Teacher, and Ms. Joanne Benesh, Early Childhood Education Teacher at Marlborough High School requested $814 for "Think it Over". MEF grant funds were used to purchase two computerized "dolls" that are programmed to simulate the mannerisms and schedule of a newborn infant. The dolls are now used in conjunction with existing high school health curriculum to give students a true taste of what caring for an infant is like.

Great Books For Juniors
Ms. Rosalie DiNapoli, Reading Specialist, Kane School, received $795 to begin a "Junior Great Books Program". This program, recommended by the Gifted and Talented Study group last year, is being used by all students identified as reading at an advanced level. The books are used as a basis for discussion and for advancing listening and writing skills.

Reinforcing Reading
Speech and inclusion specialists at the Jaworek School had been using the Braidy/Story Grammar program to successfully reinforce reading comprehension and oral communication. Assistant Principal, Mr. Mark Aucoin, received $1,100 toward the purchase of Manipulatives that are designed to be used with the program to enhance the curriculum already being taught. The hands-on items are used by teachers in first, second and third grade classrooms.

Native American Study Materials
Native American studies are a core unit in all second grade classrooms. The Grade 2 Teachers of the Kane School were given $768 for supplemental Social Studies curriculum material. These materials will provide additional resources and readings concerning Native American for all second grade students.

Poetry For All
Ms. Joan Fournier, Grade K-3 Literacy Coordinator, for the City of Marlborough requested $1,086 for "Primary Poets with Pizzazz". Funds are being used to purchase resource materials and provide training that will be used by all K-3 teachers to teach a poetry unit in the classroom. The goal is for each student to publish one poem in a school or citywide poetry magazine.

New Robotics Software
Mr. William White, Grade 7 Tech Ed Teacher, at the Marlborough Middle School felt that the antiquated robotics software that 7th grade students used to design and program their robots was more bother than it was worth. It took forever to use and frustrated the students at every turn. MEF agreed and awarded Mr. White $1,695 for a new "Cye Robot" program that now allows students to easily design and program their own "robots".

After School Environment
Ms. Laura Kirshenbaum and Mr. Larry Keating, Science Teachers, at the Marlborough Middle School knew that many of their students were interested and committed to the environmental issues Their $1,200 grant was used to purchase equipment for "Earth Wise", an after school program that deals with environmental issues.

For Whom The Bell Tolls
Mr. Jonathan Rosenthal, a Music Teacher at Marlborough High School, believes that music is better understood when it is a "hands-on" experience. He received $2,000 for "Learning through Performing Music". Grant monies were used to purchase bells that all beginning music students will be able to use when they perform in the bell choir.

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