Recipients get more than $30K

Published in the December 18, 2015 edition

MELROSE – The Melrose Education Foundation – in partnership with the City of Melrose – announces that it has awarded more than $30,000 in grants to educators across the Melrose Public Schools district during its Fall 2015 grants cycle. This brings the total number of grants awarded to Melrose educators to 108 since the Foundation launched in 2013.

The newly awarded grants will directly impact students at every school in the district and fund a range of teacher-inspired innovative projects, professional development opportunities and inquiry- and project-based learning designed to engage students. Some of the grants build on successful pilot programs, such as supporting Advanced Placement (AP) instruction in Global Languages and an author-in-residence at the Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School (MVMMS).

Recipients were notified on Nov. 30, 2015, and the complete list of grants is now available on the Foundation’s website at www.MelroseEdFoundation.org/grant-recipients.

“That we have provided more than 100 grants to educators in less than three years is exciting,” said Marty Cassavoy, co-chair of the grants committee. “Yet, grant requests continue to outweigh available funds. The Foundation received more than 30 grant applications from educators totaling over $44,000 during the fall grants cycle. Some grants were funded in full, some were partially funded and some grant requests were not able to be funded.”

Of the 28 grants awarded, 13 directly benefit Melrose High School and MVMMS students, while 15 support elementary and early childhood education.

“Generous donations from Melrose residents, businesses and Amazing Grace Golf continue to make these grants possible,” said Lisa Lewis, president of the Foundation. The Foundation awarded the Fall 2015 Grants in partnership with the City of Melrose’s Innovation Grants program, which the Foundation administers on behalf of the City so that educators may apply to one consolidated grants process.

“The City is proud once again to be partnering with the Melrose Education Foundation in awarding $30,000 in grants to Melrose educators across the City,” said Mayor Rob Dolan. “The quality of each grant application put forward by our educators was exceptional and all 28 grants awarded will undoubtedly have a direct impact on student learning. The positive impact of these grants will be felt at every school and at every grade level, which is exciting.”

Fall 2015 grants include:

• A project-based chemistry unit at MHS, where students will learn how to resolve and prevent fire sprinkler corrosion and share recommendations with school administration aimed at improving safety and saving costs.

• A hands-on LED lighting design project for 200 students of physics at MHS.

• A pilot inquiry-based project that brings the American Revolution to life for all fifth grade students across the district.

• A six-week residency by the Underground Railway Theater at Lincoln Elementary that will teach third graders the art of public speaking through a language arts poetry unit.

• Teacher training in the Advanced Placement Capstone Diploma Program, as well as continued funding for study sessions and teacher training in AP U.S. History.

• Tools and techniques to help elementary students of all abilities sharpen focus and reduce anxiety, including standing desk conversion kits, KoreStool active sitting chairs and professional development on the role of mindfulness in learning.

• A second year with author-in-residence Jen Malone for sixth graders at MVMMS.

• Hands-on materials for the district’s youngest learners at the Franklin Early Childhood Center.

In addition to these grants, the Foundation will once again fund a “Summer Institute,” a two-day professional development opportunity for MVMMS and Melrose High School educators in the summer of 2016.

The Melrose Education Foundation launched in June 2013 with the mission of supporting innovation and excellence in Melrose Public Schools by raising funds to provide grants to educators. Since then, the Foundation has awarded over $85,000 in grants, including the awards announced today. Learn more at: www.MelroseEdFoundation.org.