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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.

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Curie All Grade Science, Mary Ricci

Curie Scientist with Chinese Spouting Bowl“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.

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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

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UCHS Science Department

APES Student Using PASCO Probeware
APES Student Using PASCO Probeware

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

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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.

UCHS Band Color Guard

“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

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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.

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Technology Support, Ms. Pope

Alison Pope’s class at Doyle is in the process of receiving a new Promethean board and tablet computer from the district and needed an additional computer in order to support her capabilities as a job share teacher. ”Since there are two teachers, it is critical that we each have our own computer so that we can use it both in the classroom and create lessons at home to use with our students,” stated Ms. Pope. EdUCate funded this grant request so that technology could be integrated efficiently and effectively to enhance instruction.

“I want to thank EdUCate so much for funding a computer.  I do a lot of work from home to prepare and plan lessons and would not have been able to do it without this computer.  Thanks to you, I can be a more effective teacher and make learning more interactive and fun!” – Alison Pope, Doyle Elementary

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Independent Reading Books, Ms. McKenna

After having taught kindergarten for fourteen years then “double promoted” to a second grade teacher, Dana McKenna was thrilled for a new opportunity but was challenged with a lack of grade level appropriate books. Additionally, she needed a more efficient way to utilize co-created charts for in class discussions with students.

“The bulk of my independent reading books were leveled for kindergarten, even some for first grade, but I knew I was lacking in appropriate books for my second grade readers. Receiving the EdUCate grant allowed me to purchase two overflowing bags of chapter series books for my classroom and a double-sided white board easel! My students were THRILLED to have new and more books to read!” said Ms. McKenna.  “Having a double-sided easel allows me to utilize multiple charts at the same time during classroom discussions, as well as leaving them accessible to my students…thank you once again to EdUcate for supporting the needs of our students and teachers in the UC area!” – Dana McKenna, Doyle Elementary

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Area Rug Improving Personal Space, Ms. Siegler

The mission for first graders in Ms. Siegler’s class is to learn and have fun while learning. As a way to achieve this goal, she applied for an EdUCate grant to purchase a uniquely-designed area rug to allow students to work independently.

“The area rug we received through EdUCate helps me better manage the classroom because each child has his/her personal space while sitting on the floor. It also creates a cheerful environment for learning. Thank you for your support!” – Suwanna Siegler, Doyle Elementary

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English Department Software Tool

The UCHS English department  was in danger of having their site license expire for turnitin.com, a web-based tool that allows students to submit papers and get feedback from teachers online. Besides providing a valuable communication avenue for teachers and students, it’s also one of the most effective deterrents English teachers have to combat plagiarism, since all submissions are checked against other submitted papers and web resources.

“EdUCate’s generous donation allowed us to maintain the program and increase the quality of writing instruction available to students. On behalf of the entire department, we want to thank you for your ongoing support.”
– Sue Bristol and Brian Compagnone of UCHS

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