From Shakespeare to saws, worms to African drums this year’s winners of the Chippewa Valley Educational Foundation (CVEF) classroom mini-grants displayed creativity, care, and a dedication to providing unique and multicultural learning experiences for their students.   Ten winners were selected from 30 outstanding entries representing all grade levels.   The selection committee was comprised of central office administrators, a former teacher, grant writers, and a liaison from the district’s Foundation.

And the winners are….

Cynthia Macoit-Zielinski, Dakota High School, for the purchase of Classroom Response System “Clickers” for use in the media center and classrooms of Dakota.  These clickers will help facilitate student achievement and the Universal Design for Learning program inspired by the MISD.

Stacy LaPlante, Brian Jankowski, CVHS, received a grant for a United Nations simulation for the Global History classes at the new 9^th grade center. Students will research and investigate global issues, write country reports, and participate in a United Nations simulation as country representatives.   Flags representing the 191 UN member nations and world atlases will be among the purchases.

Kimberly Lightbody, Mohegan High School, won a grant to purchase equipment and supplies to help students create art work to tell their personal stories and cultural identities.  The project is designed to help students, staff, and the community gain a better understanding of the cultural differences and similarities within our school community.  A new digital camera along with art supplies and photo paper will be purchased.  The art project coincides with student essays and a field trip to the DIA.   Finished projects will be on display in the Community Ed. Building and the Administration Building.

Esther Ludwig, Seneca Middle School, will purchase vermiposting (composting with worms) equipment to teach students the value of transforming everyday trash into valuable soil conditioners.   Students will see chemical reactions at work in nature.  They will see that their work has practical applications on their environment.  Worm tray towers, red worms, soil moisture and pH meters are among the items that will bring this cool experiment to life.  Did you know that these worms can consume and expel an amount equal to own their body weight every day?  

Paul Morici, Seneca Middle School, will receive funding to purchase a Biesemeyer T-square fence for a table saw.  This tool will provide students with a safe and secure way to square wood on the table saws.  The students will use this tool for projects in MITES competitions and it will be evaluated for use in other schools.

Michelle Marek, Iroquois Middle School, will schedule a live professional production of Julius Caesar, hosted by Meadow Brook Theater, to come to her school.  The play compliments the new Literacy Enhancement classes and the Language Arts GLCEs.  Not only do students have the benefit of seeing a live performance but it will help them learn drama, myth/legends, poetry, and a little history of the region for their Social Studies class.

Jessica Franey, Dana Hautau, Rosanne Liner- Miami Elementary School, received a grant to purchase reusable equipment to work with students needing additional help in math.   Miami has been running a successful R.T.I. (Response to Intervention) reading program.   Now the focus will be on helping students reach the Michigan Grade Level Content Expectations in math.

Erica Latowski, Erie Elementary School, will purchase African drums for her music classroom.   All fourth and fifth grade students will use traditional Ghanaian drums and learn from Erica’s extensive knowledge of African drumming.  Drumming lessons will be performed during music programs.   Students will learn musical concepts of rhythm and form while being exposed to music of different cultures.   A truly unique learning experience that our students will remember for many years to come!

Jessica Maynard, Clinton Valley Elementary, needs clay equipment!  The funding will purchase a slab roller and benefit every student at Clinton Valley as they create beautiful bowls, boxes, and artistic tiles.   You gotta have art!

Valerie Pettovello and Karen Milczynski, Dakota and Chippewa Valley High Schools, will purchase software for nutrition classes that will allow students to analyze their eating habits and make changes to their diets.  This highly sophisticated software will offer detailed diet analysis including graphs and charts.  The ultimate goal of the nutrition classes are to help combat childhood obesity by engaging students and encouraging them to make lifelong dietary and fitness changes that will improve their quality of life.

Thank you to everyone that participated.   All of the ideas were wonderful and it was very difficult for the committee to chose just 10.  Please don’t forget to contribute to the Chippewa Valley Educational Foundation so we can award even more mini-grants next year.