NORWIN SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
NORWIN SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
NORWIN SCHOOL DISTRICT COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AWARDS OVER $ 7,000 IN EDUCATOR GRANTS TO SUPPORT STUDENT LEARNING
More than 1,500 students will benefit from innovative learning projects that are made possible through funding from the Norwin School District Community Foundation .
Earlier this spring the Foundation announced over $ 7,000 in Educator Innovation Grant awards for the 2024-2025 school year . The Educator Innovation Grant program challenges Norwin teachers to envision an innovative classroom activity that is not currently funded by the school budget and apply for funds to make it a reality .
“ We are thrilled to be able to offer another record-high amount of funding for this year ’ s educator grant program ,” said Dr . John C . Boylan , president of the Foundation ’ s Board of Directors . “ We thank our donors , who see value in supporting students through these kinds of enriching activities that can be maintained into the future .” The Foundation is a 501 ( c )( 3 ) charitable , nonprofit group working with the Norwin School District to provide scholarships and financial support for educational programs . For more information , please visit : www . nsdcf . org . orwin
NORWIN SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
Fun with Phonics : Using a Science of Reading-Based Approach to Impact the Reading Achievement of At-Risk Readers Recipients : Amy Gongaware , Patti Hart , Kim Tarris
Across the nation , the Science of Reading movement is bringing to light the essential need for schools to ensure their reading instruction is highly effective by ensuring teachers have a thorough understanding of best practices and are using materials and instructional techniques rooted in the latest research for teaching children to read . Research-based phonics instruction provides a critical advantage to the academic success of students , especially those students at-risk in reading . The grapheme tiles purchased with this grant will support the growth of students in both decoding / reading words as well as writing / spelling words accurately .
Communicating with Confidence Recipients : Traci Braid , Laura Swick
Communicating with Confidence will provide students with an opportunity to work on their speaking skills in a safe , soundproof environment through the use of soundproof booths and recording equipment . Students will be able to rehearse their speeches prior to delivering them in front of an audience without fear and without distractions . In addition , students will have the ability to record podcasts , film tutorials , etc . in the booths as well .
Building The Future Recipient : Sarah Costa
Building The Future will serve as an introduction to the Engineering Design Process , where students would have the opportunity to problem solve and perform tasks . In addition , the Building The Future concepts will be incorporated into the student ’ s computer science lessons through different 21st century skills , including Stop Motion , which will help in introducing new technology with co-existing tools .
Lifeskills Math Curriculum Recipient : Amanda Staso
The Lifeskills Math Curriculum , Early Numeracy , is a research and standards-based curriculum for students to learn the necessary skills to progress through their math education . This curriculum is particularly geared toward students with special needs , including communication , fine motor , gross motor , and intellectual disability . Skills taught in this curriculum include : Counting with one-toone correspondence , Counting movable and non-movable objects , Identifying and naming numerals 1 – 10 , Recognizing and extending ABAB patterns , Creating ABAB patterns , Measuring using a calendar , Measuring with nonstandard units , Measuring with standard units . The goal of this curriculum is to prepare Elementary Life Skills students for their academic math career , as well as the ability to problem solve and think critically . By strengthening these foundational skills , students ’ mathematical , problem-solving , and critical thinking progress will be more linear , leading to future success not only in school but in life .
Happy Atoms Recipient : Marc Boban
Happy Atoms is a hands-on kit of magnetic pieces that represent the elements of the Periodic Table . This kit is powered by an app that is loaded onto student iPads . Following instructions given by the Happy Atoms app , students will build specific molecules of substances using the kit . These models must match exactly the chemical formula of the substance being created as well as correctly arranging the specific bonds that create that particular substance . Once correctly built , students scan the model of the substance with their iPads and , if built correctly , an interactive world will open up in the app that has the students explore that substance . This includes all the physical and chemical properties of the substance as well as what people might use the substance for . As students build certain molecules , the interactive world grows . Building one molecule triggers new parts of the “ world ” they are exploring to open and add to what the student can experience .
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