South gets $2,500 in grants

The Lambertville Area Education Foundation awarded the money for three middle school program.

By: Linda Seida
   WEST AMWELL — The Lambertville Area Education Foundation has awarded more than $2,500 in grants to the South Hunterdon Regional School District High School for the implementation of three programs for middle school students who attend the high school.
   The largest grant is for $1,500 and will be used to institute an incentive program to motivate students to improve their grades. A $650 grant will be used to begin a student-of-the-month program. A $400 grant will help launch an orientation program for new students.
   All three programs will begin at the start of the second quarter, Nov. 9, Superintendent Lisa Brady said Monday.
   The incentive program is designed to "motivate students to a higher level of participation and performance," according to the grant proposal written by teachers Kathe Losch and Dan Vorgity.
   Students in grades seven and eight will be given "eagle dollars" for achieving perfect attendance or honor roll status, returning required forms and paperwork, "getting caught doing something good" in random acts of kindness and for their participation in middle school events such as clubs and sports.
   Each dollar will earn a ticket in a raffle for student prizes. All students who redeem at least one eagle dollar will be eligible for a prize. Students with 10 or more eagle dollars may cash them in for a chance to win a grand prize. The proposal suggested the grand prize could be an Ipod or something of similar value.
   The more dollars earned, the more chances to win prizes.
   The student-of-the-month program will select one boy and one girl from grades seven and eight in recognition of academic achievements, overall involvement and character. The students will receive certificates and T-shirts. The grant proposal was authored by teacher Linda Walker.
   The orientation program is designed to improve the transitioning process from elementary to middle school.
   "Students will be selected to serve as ambassadors to new students and rising elementary students," according to the grant proposal authored by teachers Barbara Faherty and Brendon Engle.
   In early March, an informational night will be held for incoming sixth-grade students. Also in March, seventh-graders will write letters to sixth-graders. Teams of seventh-graders will visit sixth-graders at their elementary schools in April.
   Before the sixth-graders move up to South Hunterdon, an orientation will be held at the end of summer.