The William E. and Mary S. Smith Middle School Innovative Educational Program Grant is a $500 mini-grant for middle school teachers to use for an innovative educational program, which is not available through the normal instructional process.
An innovative educational program is an advanced academic or similar program that is not part of the regular academic program of a public school, but one that enhances the curriculum or academic program of the public school.
The instruction, programs or other activities offered by or through an innovative educational program may include, but are not limited to, any of the following characteristics:
- integration with the instructional program of the public school.
- supplements, reconstructs or involves a major revision to the curriculum or academic program of the public school.
- provides a different focus, delivery, including internet-based and distance learning technologies.
- offered separately from the public school curriculum or academic program.
- offered before or after public school hours, on weekends, as a year-round program and/or an extension of the public school year.
- offered as a standards-based program of instruction that operates outside of the length and time requirements of the public school, but which meets the minimum hours or day of instruction required by state law.
- use of specialized materials, instructors or instruction not provided by a public school.
- use of internships and other work-based learning opportunities for a student that supplements the curriculum or academic program of a student and provides a student with the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills learned in the academic program.
- reconfiguring, renovating or equipping a facility that is owned by a public school in order to create a specialized environment that is integral and necessary to the operation of an innovative educational program.
Cost/Amount Given: $500 grants will be awarded
To apply for this grant, please fill out the attached application and send to Mr. Jason Buto, James W. Parker Middle School Principal.
Projects funded:
2018: Mobile tool cart that can be used for the entire building for multiple uses. It will be used within his classroom, for Inventionland, Robotics and JWPMS’ new makerspace. (Bill Moats)
2018: Equipment for enhanced digital artistry in Art class as well as a the building’s new Makerspace. (Christina Martin)
2017: Modern Mathematics- transforming the physical structure of the classroom from being teacher-centered to student-centered through environmental enhancements (Chris Triola)
2017: Graphic Design Instruction through Professional T-shirt Screen Printing (Christina Martin)
2016: A permanent documentation station in the middle school art room where students will be able to photograph their two-dimensional and three-dimensional artwork in a professional manner (Christina Martin)
2015: Incorporating fitness, dance, and movement into Phys. Ed, especially for students on medical restrictions or with special needs (Bob Santos and Heather Karns)
2015: Digital library of high interest books highlighting social issues (Lisa Brown)
2015: Opportunities for advanced clothing fabrication in Family Living (Pam Glasl)
2015: Creation of a student store, giving special needs students an opportunity to run the store (Tanis Plouse)
2014: An extensive Autobiography project (Stephanie Fritts and Nancy Wilkinson)
2014: Reading A-Z and Raz-Kids, two online reading programs (Tiffany Brooks)
2014: 6th grade Lego NXT Robotics curriculum (Mark Niezelski)
2014: Math hands-on learning activities (Melanie Rickou)
2014: An Apple TV and appropriate wires. (Matt Laser & Kate Bakka)
2013: Literacy project that uses the Synonym Finder, a set of Scrabble games and a large supply of Post-It Notes. These tools will be used by students to seek out new and unusual words to use in everyday conversations. (Bob Weber)
2013: A genetics project that uses DNA K’Nex kits. (Stephen Macfarlane & Wendy Berchtold)