Our Board of Directors has budgeted $101,927.00 to be given to FSD1 schools in grants for the '10 - '11 school year.  Our Grant Application Package is now available for your review.  For excellent grant writing tips, please refer to Dr. Duane Rupert's powerpoint presentation. 

An additional source of funding for grants is DonorsChoose.org, an online charity where you can list your classroom needs.  Donors from across the country visit this site when they have education funds available.    

MAJOR GRANT AWARDED FOR 2009 - 2010

MATH MASTERS OF THE PEE DEE

Executive Summary

          The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) affirm that high-quality, challenging, and accessible mathematics education for elementary children is a vital foundation for future mathematics learning. In every early childhood setting, children should experience effective, innovative, research-based curriculum and teaching practices to ensure that they can meet and maintain mandated state requirements.  This falls right in line with the legislation passed with No Child Left Behind.   Florence District One’s most recent end of year testing data (PACT 2008), however, reveals that of the 2,218 third grade students tested, 21.4% of our students fell below the minimum state requirement for meeting mastery in math.  That means that of our student population in third grade, 475 students were “left behind”.  The data has held true for many years prior.  Based on this information, it is imperative that we meet the needs of these and all students in the most engaging, empowering, and data driven ways.   This has to be done now. 

Math Masters of the Pee Dee is a program that will impact all of Florence District One’s elementary schools through the use of Classroom Performance Systems (CPS) that engage students while providing timely feedback to teachers.  Specifically, in each math class, students are given a student specific handset, or clicker, that resembles a remote.  These handsets have buttons that correspond with answer choices (A, B, C, D) minimizing costly paper/pencil testing.  As the teacher provides electronic standards-based problems similar to those on state testing or in texts, students are in turn able to simultaneously use their handsets to record answers.  The answers are tabulated through the system and reported back in seconds in ways that not only display student data but analyze it to give teachers information on each and every student’s strengths and weaknesses.  What follows are powerful data based conversations in the classroom.  Meaningful data such as,  “How many boys answered a problem correctly?”, “Is there a particular question that has given the entire class a hard time, indicating that re-teaching is necessary?” or “Is student understanding such that I can move on to the next topic?” is collected.  The technology becomes important for a teacher because it will allow her to target specific small groups for remediation, re-teaching, or challenge.  It will do such things as create and assign individualized test banks for students as well as assist in preparation of study guides and standards based quizzes.  More importantly, a teacher does not have to wait a day or so while grading papers to retrieve information on such assessments.  It happens instantly and is displayed in a friendly format.  Once students and teachers have had ample opportunity to utilize the systems within their own schools, we have proposed to include a first round Math Masters of the Pee Dee competition which would be held to assess student learning through friendly competition first within home schools and then within cluster schools.   A final round would be held between representatives from all district elementary schools.  These competitions will be held throughout the year to allow for continued challenge and work with the CPS systems but will also operate as one assessment piece of the project once student data is analyzed.   Ultimately, however, they serve as the vehicle through which schools will collaborate.  Through this experience and the regular use of the systems in math classrooms, teachers from the cluster’s of elementary schools will be able to come together to collaborate on issues regarding student learning, best practices, and strategies and interventions.  They will be armed with timely data and can use it to plan.  This in turn, bridges the divide that we see in test scores between the various schools in our district and stimulates dialog among employees that can support improved content knowledge and best practices across the district.

As we think about a global impact with regards to teaching children math, we expect that the outcome of Math Masters of the Pee Dee will be to increase critical thinking and problem solving skills early on, providing a foundation for ongoing achievement that will cement learning in the middle and high school years.  How often do we come across situations with students in middle or high school who cannot multiply or solve simple step problems because they were never able to master those skills in elementary school or because they were not engaged or didn’t have their needs met?  In addition to reaching our students, Math Masters of the Pee Dee will change classrooms into data driven zones of learning where student achievement is the ultimate goal. Submitted by Ginger Baggette, Danielle Scandrol, Lisa Young - Delmae Elementary.

Mini-Grants Awarded for 2009-2010

Under Pressure - $458.20
Math teachers are consistently under pressure to teach all standards, promote higher level thinking, and produce positive students test scores.  Under Pressure is a project that enhances the Algebra I and Math for the Technologies 2 curriculum by promoting better reasoning skills.  Many activities will be conducted using gas pressure probes.  Students will work in groups to gather information.  This information will be interpreted.  Students will communicate their results.  Submitted by Carolyn Arnemann - West Florence High School
 

It is Rocket Science After All – Stage II – $500
The Wilson High School Rocket Club is a member of the national recognized “Team America Rocketry Challenge (TARC),” an organization of high school rocket clubs in America.  Thousand of high school students compete for a share of $60,000 in cash and scholarships annually; it is the world’s largest model rocket contest in the World.  To qualify at nationals, each rocket club team must design, build, and fly a model rocket that meets the established parameters.  The 2009 parameters include: 750 feet, takeoff and landing in 45 seconds with a payload of one raw egg.  The top 100 rocket teams which are the closest and bring the egg back intact closest to the stated parameters qualify for TARC nationals.  Our school rocket club qualified for the 2009 TARC nationals.  The federal government is sponsoring TARC in order to spark interest among secondary students nationwide in pursuing a career in the aerospace industry.  Additionally, our purpose is to promote excellence in academic achievement, build community involvement, foster scientific problem solving and critical thinking skills in our students as well as to bring innovative learning opportunities in our science and AFJROTC classrooms. Submitted by Cliff and Mary Kay Moriarty – Wilson High School

Flipping Out in English Class – $500
During the 2009-2010 school year, Flipping Out in English Class will enable students to respond to literature using twenty-first century technology, the flip video camera.  Students will work in small groups to produce a number of video productions.  After reading Lord of the Flies, English II students will create political ads promoting one of the characters in the book as leader of the island. After reading The Odyssey, students in English I class will create a travel ad for one of the locations on Odysseus’ journey.  These two activities require students to understand the characters, setting, plot, and events of the literary works read.  They also require an understanding of persuasive and propaganda devices.  In addition, students will be creating, an act which requires higher order thinking skills.  Students will have the option of posting their completed projects on the class web page. Submitted by Gail Hayes – West Florence High School

Battle of the Books – $500
The Battle of the Books program will develop reading comprehension, promote reading, and develop good sportsmanship in a competitive format.  Students will form teams of six in each homeroom.  After reading the twenty South Carolina Book Award Nominees, the students will compete in a quiz bowl type format by answering questions about the books read.  Students who are not part of the team may participate by reading the books and submitting practice questions for the teams. Submitted by Susan Lane – Moore Intermediate

Let’s Move, Let’s Sing, Let’s LEARN! - $500
Through this grant we would like to purchase materials that will allow students to participate in musical and movement activities.  The musical activities planned will promote reading skills and teach new reading strategies and new vocabulary.  The movement activities will allow students to have fun and learn through kinesthetic activities.  These activities will also allow students to become more focused and allow them to concentrate for longer periods of time.  Submitted by Jessica Crowson - Lester Elementary

Probing for Success - $500
Project Probing For Success is intended to increase the technology use in the high school math class.  Temperature probes and Easy Link cables will be used with graphing calculators to collect data.  Data can be analyzed, synthesized, interpreted, and summarized to enhance the learning process.  Six temperature probes and four Easy Link cables will be used to perform mathematical experiments to enhance the curriculum.  Students will keep and maintain a lab portfolio to organize important data and concepts encountered throughout the math course.  I intend to use the probes to create a lab based learning experience in the math classroom.  However, all math teachers at West Florence High School will have access to these materials. Submitted by Alisa Hobgood – West Florence High School

Dollars and Sense - $500
Earning and managing money is a crucial life skill.  Dollars and Sense is a project designed to teach money management skills to 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th and 6^th grade resource support students.  Surveys reveal that many adults rank handling money and banking as the most difficult problems they encounter.  We want our students to become adults who earn and handle money successfully so that they will be responsible consumers and productive citizens of South Carolina.  Participating students will become members of a classroom mini-economy.  The First Lester Bank  will be the central bank, holding all of the students’ accounts.  Students will earn money by working successfully and responsibly in academic and social settings.  They will spend their earnings on goods, offered by the Classroom General Store, and on services provided by teachers and other students.  Students will learn about financial services provided by banks and credit unions.  They will also learn about local and statewide trade and commerce.  In April 2010, students who have successfully managed their money will buy a pizza party to celebrate their new financial literacy.  Submitted by Carolyn Stroup – Lester Elementary

Expanding Horizons in the WWHS News Program - $500
WHS News is a live, student-produced program that has been broadcast over the school’s closed circuit TV system daily since the early 1990’s.  It is one of Wilson’s largest student organizations with over 70 students participating as anchors and technical crew.  WHS News operates with basic production equipment and uses the PowerPoint program to create graphic slides to introduce the sports segment, daily motivational moment, etc.  We request this grant to take the news program to the next level by purchasing video editing software and a portable green screen.  These tools would allow the WHS news to show timely, relevant backgrounds such as maps, animations and graphics that appeal to our audience and to develop and edit feature videos on special topics.  Our news team will learn valuable technical skills and teamwork in addition to producing a newscast that is more professional and real-world for our audience.  Submitted by Sarah Quin – Wilson High School

Writing to Read - $240
Authentic writing is a way that we communicate with others and can be the first step in teaching children to read.  The child’s first attempt at writing is often initiated through drawing pictures.  Students create meaning in their lives by responding to what they read, what is read to them and the experiences that they have.  Writing to Read will provide primary journals for first grade students to generate these personal responses and to begin accumulating knowledge about how the writing process works.  The primary journal is a composition book that includes primary lines for writing and blank space for drawing all on the same page.  This tool is developmentally appropriate in that it meets the needs of all first graders at their individual levels whether they are writing with letters and words or writing with pictures.  All of the students’ work is maintained within one convenient format and is an authentic example of their writing growth across an entire school year.  Specific writing and reading goals based on State and District standards are addressed within this initiative.  Student work will be shared with parents and the value and application of this reading and writing tool will be shared with other teachers.  Submitted by Sandy Leum– McLaurin Elementary

BRIDGING THE DIVIDE
(Major Grant)
Southside Middle School
Submitted by Liz Collins

The School Foundation grant at Southside is in full swing.  Students in 7th and 8th grade pilot classes have transitioned well to the online delivery of content material.  Students are using "Blackboard" - an online system that allows them to access notes, listen to lessons through mp3 podcasts, take tests and submit unlimited digital documents and projects online.  A podcasting class was started to specifically teach students how to use Mac programs to create quality presentations for peers and teachers on a variety of subjects.   The latest projects include the creation of public service announcements using video cameras for filming and i-movie as an editing program.  In the past months, students have used the GarageBand program to create educational podcasts for teachers on a variety of subjects including geologic time for 8th grade science, propaganda for Language Arts and the Enlightenment for 7th grade Social Studies.   They have also created Radio theatre programs for Language Arts.  In January, classes will be creating "math moment" films and will begin video projects for 8th grade Social Studies.  There is currently a waiting list of students eager to join in this exciting new learning experience.

Student working on sound in GarageBand
to export music to a public service announcement.
 

ROUND TABLE READERS
(Mini Grant)
West Florence High School
Submitted by Sissy Smith

Thanks to the Round Table Readers grant, West Florence students are enjoying reading and discussing some of the South Carolina Young Adult Book Award Nominees.  The grant funded two sessions of an after-school book club devoted to discussing these high-quality young adult novels.  About 25 students, teachers, and community members have attended each of the two sessions with an additional 25-30 students reading each of the books.  Gina Lee, a  teacher who is a participant in the program, indicated that she was "amazed at the depth and perception" of the students who participated in the first session.  Lee was "awed by how well the students could analyze a book."  She indicated that the students who participated in the process had "become critics and readers" and that they were learning to write as well as to read.  Lee indicated that being part of this process made her "proud to be a teacher at West Florence High School."  Learn more about the Round Table Readers on their website.

Round Table Readers discussing latest novel.

COOKING AND EATING OUR WAY THROUGH THE STANDARDS
(Mini-Grant)
Lester Elementary
Submitted by Maggie Rodgers

We have really enjoyed using the grant we received from The School Foundation to help fund the cooking activities we do in class.  We typically do one to two cooking activities per month.  The students are learning many skills including reading comprehension, language usage and math.  The students love "Cooking Fridays" and work very hard during the week to ensure they will be able to participate in the cooking.  Some of the students wrote what they like about cooking and here are some of their statements:

“Cooking activities are fun. I also like helping the teacher cook. The food is great!” 

“I like cooking activities because we get to help cook and we get to eat the food.” 

“I think cooking is educational and we are learning so when we grow up we can cook our own food. I love cooking and we have fun.”

“What I like about cooking is that you get messy and you can make all kinds of stuff.”

Cooking can be fun and educational.

FAMILY FOLK STORIES
(Mini Grant)
Lester Elementary
Submitted by Carolyn Stroup

My students are very enthusiastic about our project, Family Folk Stories. We are immersed in reading multicultural literature and are on target with our projected timeline for Family Folk stories. We have discussed multicultural practices and have compared many personal cultural stories within our class. 

We have bought cameras for students to use as they compile photo essays of people and places important to their lives and cultures. Several students have already written and published their first photo essays. Most of the students are presently developing the questions and topics that they would like to explore in their communities and families.      

A fifth grade student with her essay.

 

Math Munchers
(Mini-Grant)
Lester Elementary
Submitted by Linda Bartlett

Lester's second grade students have been learning a lot about math this fall.  Monthly hands-on cooking activities have provided for four classes of children to experience a variety of math skills such as measuring ingredients, measuring temperature, weighing food items, and determining elapsed time.  Suggestions for at-home math activities are being provided in newsletters sent to parents.  Students and teachers are excited about these activities, and they are looking forward to our visit this spring to observe how math skills are used in a restaurant.

The School Foundation awards more than $90,000 in funding to Florence School District 1.

By Shireese Bell

Morning News Reporter
Published: May 28, 2008

The School Foundation has awarded more than $90,000 in grant funding for projects for students in Florence School District 1.

“The applications this year left no doubt that there are many innovative and committed teachers in Florence School District 1,” said Debbie Hyler, executive director of The School Foundation. “The School Foundation is dedicated to nurturing and encouraging these qualities.”

Grant recipients were recognized during a reception Wednesday at the Drs. Bruce & Lee Foundation Library in Florence.

Grants of $200 to $500 each were awarded in the Mini grants category, while grants of $10,000 or more were awarded in the Major grants category.

The foundation received 29 applications for the Mini grant category and 10 applications in the Major grant category.

“There were multiple projects that were worth funding,” Hyler said. “It’s a shame we can’t fund more.

“Obviously, the more money we raise, the more we can fund,” she said. “It just truly shows, to me, that there are lots and lots of great teachers with wonderful ideas.”

Grants were chosen based on innovation, creativity, educational value, student involvement and level of positive benefits for students.

“We were tremendously excited by the number and breadth of applications,” Trisha Caulder, chairwoman of The School Foundation’s grants committee, said in a press release. “It was an extremely difficult decision this year.

“The grants committee really had a difficult time,” she said. “There were so many more we wanted to fund.”

In the major grant category, Dewey L. Carter Elementary School, Southside Middle School and South Florence High School received $90,000 for a joint project called “Bridging the Divide.”

The project will target at-risk students in sixth through ninth grades. Teachers will be able to enhance instruction and engage students through the use of such technology as laptops, iPods and digital programs.

A total of $4,820 was awarded in the Mini grants category. The amount and projects are:

·      $500, “Around the Town”— A project for three kindergarten classes at Henry Timrod Elementary School to develop oral language and writing skills, as well as develop an understanding of how families and communities lived in the past through a social studies unit about their community.

·      $498, “Video Broadcasting” — Additional equipment to support an increase in students enrolling in South Florence High School’s Video Broadcasting class. The class produces a live morning show (Bruin News Network).

·      $500, “Writing Through the Ages” — For resource books, materials and equipment for seventh-grade students in English language arts and social studies at Williams Middle School to research periods of history.

·      $500, “The Round Table” — For the creation of an afterschool book club at West Florence High School.

·      $500, “It is Rocket Science After All” — A project to help develop interest in science and technology. The Wilson High School Rocket Club will be able to design, build and fly a model rocket.

Five grants were awarded to Theodore Lester Elementary School:

·      $500 for “Cooking and Eating Our Way Through the Standards” — A project designed to enhance the teaching of the curriculum standards for third-grade students through cooking activities and reading.

·      $460, “Math Munchers” — A project designed for students to improve their math skills through cooking activities at school and at home.

·      $362, “Puppets in the Classroom” — For the purchase of puppets for a five-year-old kindergarten class. The puppets will be used as a motivational tool and for academic instruction.

·      $500, “Family Folk Stories” — A writing project for third- through sixth-grade students in English language arts.

·      $500, “Literacy Through Listening” — A literacy project for fourth-grade students. Audio media will be used to help students improve reading skills.

Hyler said the foundation will offer a grant writing workshop Feb. 6 for schools interested in learning about writing Mini and Major grant applications.

On the Web
The School Foundation: http://www.theschoolfoundation.org

A look at What's Happening week of June 2, 2008 in Florence School District One