CWC Education Foundation Awards Teacher Grants

The Caldwell-West Caldwell Education Foundation (CWCEF) has awarded nearly $10,000 in teacher mini and extraordinary grants for the 2011-2012 school year.

Eighteen grants were awarded to teachers and staff at each of the six schools in the Caldwell-West Caldwell School District.

Grants will be used to purchase new technology, such as Kindles, iClickers and interactive white boards, as well as pay for author visits, music equipment to aid with lessons for younger students, tools that enable the Environmental Club to maintain the high school courtyard, a student-mentoring program and more.

“The increase in the number and scope of the grants this year was both exciting and an indication of the times,” stated Marie Lanfrank, CWCEF chairperson, in a press release. “The teachers really have some innovative ideas on how to teach the children the required skills, but in a fun or less tedious way.”

According to the district, the foundation received 28 applications, several which were multi-teacher grants. The number of applications tripled since last year and the CWCEF was able to award twice as many grants for 2011-2012.

“We like the idea that the teachers are working together to determine the best tools and approaches for their classrooms,” added Lanfrank. “The joint applications show us that the children throughout a particular grade will all benefit from the same grant, and in many cases children in these classes will benefit from the grant for the next several years.”

One of the things the Foundation considers when reviewing a grant is how long of an impact will what’s being requested have on the students or school.

“If the process suggested or tools asked for in a grant application will not be used again and again, then the grant has to be for something that will have a lasting effect on a large number of students,” stated Maryann Campion, chairperson of the Foundation’s grant committee.

“One such event was a to Lincoln Elementary School last year,” stated Lanfrank. “We partially funded the visit from Bridges, knowing it was a one-time event, but the impact on the students will last a lifetime.

Below is list of grant recipients broken down by school. 

2011-2012 CWCEF GRANT RECIPIENTS

1.       JAMES CALDWELL HIGH SCHOOL

Ms. Wenger – iClickers

Mr. Marone – Molecular Protein Analysis Supplies

Ms. Browne- Tools and Supplies for upkeep of high school courtyard (partially funded)

Ms. Keil – Student Mentoring Program 

2.       GROVER CLEVELAND MIDDLE SCHOOL

Mr. Rush (media specialist) – 3 Kindles and 17 e-Books

3.       JEFFERSON SCHOOL

Ms. Stigliano – Author Visit (partially funded)

Ms. Credico – Franklin Any Book Reader

Ms. Berkman – Mobi-View Interactive White Board

Ms. Bardes – Mobi-View Interactive White Board

Ms. Donlin –  Mobi-View Interactive White Board

Ms. Monk/Ms. Jiuliano – Environmental Center Outreach Amazing Waters Program

4.       LINCOLN SCHOOL

Ms. Vecchione/Ms. Zevin – 12 MP3/4 Players with accessories

Ms. Stevens/Ms. Greier/Ms. Burns – 3 Computer Tablets and accessories

5.       WASHINGTON SCHOOL

Ms. Dean/Ms. Zeman – Medals for Fitness Marathon (partially funded)

Ms. Anderson/Ms. Maisano – 25 Magnetic Alphabet Boards and Tiles

6.       WILSON SCHOOL

Ms. O’Brian – World Book Web Subscription

Ms. Minardi – Cultural Arts Enhancement - Art Supplies & Books

7.       MULTIPLE SCHOOLS

Mr. Downey – Foam-a lin (foam) Violins and Mock Bows (Wilson and Jefferson Schools)

For more information on the Caldwell-West Caldwell Education Foundation, or a complete listing of programs, services and grant information, visit the new website at www.cwcef.org.