Education foundation names
Marlboro grant recipients
By jeanette Eng
Staff Writer
MARLBORO — The Educational Foundation has announced its latest grant award recommendations for the 2002-03 winter season. The total of $10,350 in grants will be used throughout the K-8 school district to aid in various programs.
According to information provided by the private foundation, a grant of $1,500 will be awarded to the Marlboro Memorial Middle School for a "Palms On" program.
This award will provide for 15 Palm Zire PDA’s (personal digital assistants) that will be used as part of the student’s computer education. The teachers envision that the equipment will not only introduce students to wireless technology but will "entwine multiple intelligences, collaborative learning and technology in a cohesive manner that will foster student learning."
The applicants were Marie Geroni and Adrienne Solomon.
The Marlboro Early Learning Center will receive $1,400 for its "Intergenerational Arts" program. This award represents seed money to begin a program that will join grandparents and their grandchild in monthly activities that integrate the participants through music, drama and art. These funds will specifically pay for a multicultural concert by Enigmatic Imagery, a performance group, as well as a collection of multicultural CDs, refreshments for the event and recognition gifts.
The applicant was principal Kathryn Arabia on behalf of the early learning center.
Asher Holmes School will receive $1,500 for the "Creating Poets" program.
The goal of this project is to introduce fifth grade Reading Level 1 and 3 students to different types of poetry. The majority of the funds will allow Therese Halscheid, from the New Jersey Writers in School Program, to come to the school and present a poetry workshop. Students will then create a poetry anthology and present it to members of the community.
Applicants were Carol Colao, Paula Weiner and Dawn Tyliczka.
Asher Holmes School will receive $1,500 to implement "Wee Deliver: The In-School Post Office."
This award will provide all the materials necessary to build and sustain an in-school post office. The students will operate the system; dividing the building into towns, roads and addresses. They will create stamps, labels and posters as well as expand their letter writing ability. Students will learn about the postal system and have opportunities to work as a team and take on "job" responsibilities. This project forges a collaboration between the art department and classroom teachers.
The applicants were Philip Silva, Ganna Maymind, Terry Gross, Samara Mark, Chris Gerken and Philip Lozada.
The Marlboro Early Learning Center will receive $1,200 for its "Story Trays" program.
The goal of this project is to help children with limited language skills tell stories in their own words. By providing trays (boundaries) and a variety of story-telling materials (e.g. people, objects, animals, food, furniture, etc.) children will create a scene that becomes their story. They can then share their story, verbally or by acting out, with others. Digital pictures will be taken of the trays and storytelling and story books will be created to share the memories.
The applicants were Pamela Hoberman, Sue Petch, Karen Halpern, Maddy Kalb, Joanne Formisano and Nancy Lewenthal.
Asher Holmes School will receive $750 for its "Problem Based Learning" program.
This award provides the materials to allow all fourth, fifth and sixth grade teachers to become familiar with problem-based learning strategies as taught by a core group of teacher trainers. The goal of such a program is to "facilitate a professional learning dialogue, improve quality of instruction and provide increased opportunities for critical thinking in the classroom."
Applicants were Tami Crader and core trainers, Ciara Farrell, Loree Giordano, Kristi Quinn, Barbara Nalitt, Maryann LaPiana, Denise Coleman, Joan McCue and Kim Thorpe.
The Frank J. Dugan Elementary School will receive $300 for a "Metamorphosis Comes Alive" program.
This award provides materials to expose the students to the life cycle of a frog. This will help the science in the textbook come alive. Students will also gain opportunities to work in small cooperative groups. The applicant was Gloria Diamante.
Dugan School will receive $700 for its "Literacy Bags" program.
This project creates bags filled with different mediums to expand second graders’ reading and learning experiences. The bags can be taken home and shared with the family. Some work can be done independently; other work requires sharing with adults, thereby fostering parental involvement.
The applicant was Anita Nixon.
Frank Defino Central School will receive $650 for its "Home/School Connection" program.
The goal of this program is to encourage home follow-up as a critical component of academic success. The Frog Family Fun Pack Set provides the materials for parents to help reinforce skills in the Reading/Language Arts and Math curriculums in a fun way.
The applicant was Robin Gartenberg.
Asher Holmes School will receive $850 for its "Integration of Music" program.
The goal of this program is to integrate music in an interdisciplinary way for second graders. The award will purchase music books and sets of CDs have to be shared throughout the grade. The addition of music will enhance the learning experience, according to information provided by the foundation.
The applicants were Mary Caronna and Connie Masi.