Lessons on everything from elections, classic literature and new technology will be enhanced this school year thanks to grants awarded to Caldwell-West Caldwell Schools by the Caldwell-West Caldwell Education Foundation (CWCEF).

The Foundation announced this week that 10 grants totalling $32,000 will help create new and enhanced learning opportunities for students in grades K through 12.

“With the awards granted this year, the Foundation has awarded more than $100,000 in grants to the Caldwell-West Caldwell School District,” stated Marie Lanfrank, CWCEF president, this week in a press release. “The grants finance programs and projects that would not have been funded or realized through the normal budget.”

The foundation raises money through various events and efforts, including its signature event, Taste of the Caldwells, Dancing With Our Community Stars, Teacher Tribute Cards, and Adopt-a-Chair program.

This year, grants were awarded to nine instructors, and will benefit students in all six district schools:

• Doreen Golembeski, Library Media Specialist at Lincoln School for “Election 2012: A Link to the Past”. Golembeski will provide students with a unique perspective on the presidential election, using information about former presidents. The project will enable students to reflect upon leadership characteristics while learning about former presidents, the election process and voter qualifications.
• Patrick Higgins, Supervisor of Instructional Service for “Project Chrome book”. The purchase of additional web-based Chrome book computers, which rely solely on the Internet for applications powered by Google, will continue to ensure equitable access to classroom technology throughout the district, foster creation and collaboration within the Writer’s Workshop, prepare students for the upcoming changes to the State testing and create a systemic digital literacy among the students. 
• Robin Keil, James Caldwell High School Resource Room and Inclusion Teacher for “iPads for iLearners” and for “Student Mentoring”. Using the iPad with Dragon Naturally Speaking software, students will have access to speech-to-text technology, aiding students who struggle to get their thoughts down on paper. The Student Mentoring program provides role models to enhance literacy of students with disabilities, focusing on self-advocacy, self-esteem and character building.
• Nate Lienhard, James Caldwell High School Theatre Management Teacher and manager of the Performing Arts Center for “Equipment for the CPA”. A Mac Book Pro and Video Camera will supplement and enhance the technology resident in the high school’s Center for Performing Arts and enhance the curriculum of the Theater Management class. Students will learn how to use the equipment to video record school performances.
• Carol Macken, First Grade Teacher at Lincoln Elementary School for “I Can Read. I Can Read: Performing Echo Reading with Tablets”. Macken will use tablets for echo reading exercises with the students, helping the children to read independently, while ensuring fluency and comprehension.
• Paul Marrone, James Caldwell High School Science Teacher for “Protein Expression and Purification”. Students in Marrone’s Research in Molecular Genetics class, affiliated with the Rutgers University Waksman Student Scholars Program, will learn how to produce biopharmaceuticals that treat human disease.
• Jensyn Modero, James Caldwell High School Theatre Arts Director for “Scenic and Sound Design Workshop”. Teaching artists will work with students in the Theater Management Class and the cast and crew of the Spring Musical. A Scenic Design instructor will guide students on how to use appropriate methods when creating, drafting and dressing a set; and a Sound Engineer teaching artist will train students on how to design sound that includes more than raising or lowering the volume.
• Dominque Palladino, Fourth Grade Teacher at Wilson Elementary School for “Author Studies”. The project is designed to inspire students to read and develop a love of literature, understand an author’s style and craft, and deepen students’ ability to use literal through inferential comprehension strategy tools. 
• Robin Stevens, Fourth and Fifth Grade Resource Room and Basic Skills Teacher at Lincoln Elementary School for “Membership to the IXL.com Website”. IXL.com reinforces and reviews math concepts related to an individual student’s math needs and the Core Curriculum Standards. It is a resource that more clearly segments each skill, and where each skill can be targeted and assessed.