Doyle Elementary, First Grade Safety, Janet Engebretsen
Sometimes the most elementary idea has just never been implemented. Mrs. Engebretsen is a first grade teacher at Doyle who is regularly tasked with, “…the responsibility of keeping 168 first graders safe at recess.” A megaphone was what she and her other grade level counterparts needed! So, through our Teacher Grant Program, we were able to buy her that megaphone and batteries to support it. She and the other first grade teachers plan to take it with them on field trips and any outdoor instructional lessons.
Curie All Grade Science, Mary Ricci
“Science education sometimes takes a back seat with the push of reading and math being so strong,” states Mrs. Ricci in her elementary science Teacher Grant application. Mrs. Ricci had a long list of hands-on science equipment and materials that Curie had not had the funds to purchase over the last few years. She is passionate about science education and recently conducted Curie’s Science Night for grades 3-5th. According to Ricci, “science night sparks imagination and discovery, exposing children to science concepts as they experiment at various science tables set up in the cafeteria. My favorite expression is to hear a child say ‘wow’ when doing a science activity. Thanks to EdUCate and its commitment to help our Curie Scientist we were able to feature the Chinese Spouting Bowl where students were able to make water dance.”
We were so happy to be able to help Mrs. Ricci with $950 worth of materials like: Viscosity Oil Tubes, Mysterious Magnet Tubes, Waterless Crystals, a Dinosaur Museum in a Box, a Tabletop Light Panel and other educational materials to enhance the science education of Curie students.
Spreckels Second Grade Teacher, Erin Nordlow
Second grade teachers have so far not been included in the district roll out of Promethean technology. In order to tap into the enhanced instruction capabilities of today’s technology, Ms. Nordlow requested an iPad through our Teacher Grant Program. Ms. Nordlow’s request listed very specific ways she planned on using the iPad to enhance instruction in reading with an application that provides “tracking and phonetic awareness and fluency;” in math using “Mad Math,” “Math Bingo” and “Math Board;” in writing using “My Story Kit;” in science using interactive apps and with English learner applications that “increase participation, understanding and motivation through visual support for language learners.” She had so many incredible ideas for an iPad’s enhancement of the classroom!
“THANK YOU! I am so grateful to EdUCate to have the opportunity to begin using the ipad technology in my classroom! The kids will benefit greatly. I appreciate all of your time and efforts to support our students! I’m buying apps and doing additional research in preparation!” – Erin Nordlow, Spreckels 2nd Grade Teacher
UCHS Science Department
Because of recent budget cuts, the UCHS science faculty had not been able to replace some older and broken equipment, keep experiments properly refrigerated, nor do common blood typing with students which had been done in past classes. Through a number of our Teacher Grant applications, the department received almost $2,800 to fulfill many of their immediate needs!
“Thank you so much to EdUCate! The Science Department truly appreciates the opportunity to make large requests that benefit the UCHS students. We have been so fortunate to have UC community members dedicated to education and especially to Science needs, understanding how much is required to run effective science classrooms. I know the Wash Bottles and Density Flow Table that were granted through this process are of great value to our labs.” – Tara Howell, AP Environmental Science/Earth Science Teacher and Science Department Chair
UCHS Band and Orchestra
Cameron Brown joined UCHS in 2011 with lots of enthusiasm for growth. An orchestra was added, enrollment was up and they needed new equipment. “We are aggressively fundraising to support a budget of $28,000 for recurring expenses such as competitions, buses, uniforms, supplies and coaches…these grants will benefit the program for many years to come and allow more students to participate in music who might otherwise not have such opportunity,” stated Mr. Brown in his grant application for drum stands. We were able to fully fund his application through our teacher grant program.
“Thank you so much for this wonderful news! I will pass this information along to the UCHS Music Boosters who will decide which purchase option will work best. I will also pass along the good news to the hard-working students in our drumline who are about to get some very useful equipment that will help them at athletic events and similar gigs for years to come! Teachers in the UC cluster are so lucky to have groups like EdUCate and the Centurion Foundation supporting our efforts and providing opportunities for us to enhance our teaching.” – Cameron Brown, UCHS
New Math Materials
Supplementary math materials were needed for several of Judy Walker’s classes at Doyle elementary school, so she applied for an EdUCate grant to purchase the FIRSTINMATH program. Ms. Walker planned to use this online program for enrichment math as well as test prep and reinforcement. Students could use the program at home and in the classroom.
“Students who are finished with their assigned math tasks are able to get enrichment using the FIRSTINMATH website. The program takes little effort on the teacher’s part, and the students are motivated to earn points for activities completed using the program. Students who need reinforcement can get it in a ‘fun’ way which is motivating for them. This program is also easy to use for our second language students.” – Judy Walker, Doyle Elementary.