The Marshwood Education Foundation (“MEF”) announced the recipients of its fall 2009 grant cycle tonight at the MSAD 35 Board meeting. The MEF, which was formed a year ago, awarded $9,400 to seven recipients.
“Tonight’s awards represent the initial fulfillment of the MEF’s mission to fund creative and innovative education projects within the five Eliot and South Berwick schools,” said Jeff Leathe, MEF president.
“These initial grants focus on energy, life sciences, music, and fitness. This funding will enable our educators and students to enhance ongoing projects and reach beyond their daily curriculum to implement new projects,” Mr. Leathe said.
“Barely a year ago a committed group of people came together to establish the Marshwood Education Foundation. The MEF quickly gained momentum with tremendous business and artisan support. In this initial grant cycle, the MEF received 18 applications. The seven grants announced tonight were selected based upon clarity in goals and objectives, along with uniqueness, number of students and faculty impacted, and alignment with MSAD 35’s curriculum and plans. While not all applicants earned grants, the range and quality we have seen in this – our first grant cycle – is a satisfying compliment to the hard work of our members and the support of our community,” Mr. Leathe said.
“While tonight’s grants culminate a great first year, we are only beginning and we encourage those who were not selected to resubmit their applications or to create new applications in the next round,” Mr. Leathe said.
MEF grants awarded:
Jeff Gardiner, science teacher at Marshwood High School ($1,500) for his Solar Panel Demonstration Project. The funds will allow Mr. Gardiner and the school’s Recycling Club to purchase three 80W photo voltaic panels for the school’s greenhouse, enhancing the energy curriculum as well as feeding electricity to three science classrooms;
Kate Smith, music teacher at Central Elementary School ($1,500) for her “Junk 2 Funk” Residency Project for Fine Arts Week in April 2010. The funds will bring local artist and educator Jeff Erwin to the school for a six-day residency in which all students will create and play original music using instruments made from recycled materials. Students will learn about the creative and technological aspects of performance art, environmental science, and the science of sound;
Shelley Smith, health and physical education teacher at Marshwood High School ($1,000), for her Personal Fitness Expansion Project. The funds will be used to purchase two Wii Fit systems in order to provide alternative, individualized exercise activities;
Emily Stauffer, science teacher at Marshwood Middle School ($1,000) for her School Garden Project. The funds will be used for tools and a greenhouse, enhancing the life science curriculum, and cultivating awareness, skills and values relating to personal health, community and the environment;
David Graichen, instrumental director at Marshwood High School ($2,600) for his Smart Music Computer Project. The grant will fund the purchase of two iMac computers that provide on-screen feedback to students, and audio recordings to teachers, to improve student performance and assessment in the music program;
Nina D’Aran, guidance counselor at Central School ($870) for her Geocaching Club Project. The funds will support the purchase of four GPS devices, assisting the Club’s mission to enhance third grade mapping skills and promote outdoor education;
Katie Gilpatrick, language arts teacher at Marshwood Middle School ($930), for her Document Reader Project. The funds will be used to purchase a document camera and projector allowing teachers to share instructional materials and students to work more effectively and efficiently.
The MEF is a 501 (c)(3) tax exempt corporation and functions as an independent, non-profit organization of dedicated community members. Two successful fundraising events were held in 2009 – a May kickoff dinner/auction and its first annual Oktoberfest. The MEF intends to launch a corporate donor campaign this year and is pleased to announce its next Oktoberfest celebration and fundraiser on October 15, 2010.
