Grant Projects Funded by the Binghamton City Schools Foundation 1. "Everyone Matters at Our School" ($1,400) - This program fosters school and civic pride by encouraging students to submit ideas for making their school and/or community a better place. Students who submit ideas earn prizes, and a committee selects the best idea, which is then implemented. The top prize is awarded to the student with the winning suggestion. Already a successful program in its fourth year at East Middle School, the grant will fund expansion to three elementary schools in 2009-2010. 2. "Assertive Communication: Avoiding Exploitation" ($350) - Through a performance written specially for the Life Skills students at Binghamton High School, the Broome County Mental Health Players delivered effective instruction in the recognition and avoidance of exploitative situations and relationships. Approximately 25 students from the special education program learned lessons in safety, self-esteem and self-advocacy. 3. "News Bowl League" ($99) - By encouraging students to follow current events, the News Bowl League helps to create lifelong learners. This grant will enable a fourth-grade class at Woodrow Wilson Elementary School to participate in an online contest among students from across the U.S. Students independently follow television, radio and print news reports, then take daily current events quizzes online. The quizzes stimulate further discussion of current events and help students learn about their nation and their world. 4. "Backpacks for Success" ($500) - This projects funds backpacks and school supplies for students beginning their school experience in a kindergarten class at Woodrow Wilson Elementary School. The supplies will also include educational materials the child and parent can use at home, such as flashcards, educational games and books. By giving these students a positive start, this will increase their self-esteem and help create a solid beginning to their education. 5. "Mentoring Program" ($700) - This is a continuation of a West Middle School project funded by the Foundation in 2008-2009. Recognizing that middle school students are at a very vulnerable and impressionable time in their lives, this project pairs an adult staff volunteer with a student who has been identified as at-risk. By participating in the program activities as well as one-on-one time, the adult becomes a friend and positive role model to the student. Last year, the program paired 41 adults with 68 students. This year, organizers hope to be able to pair even more adults and students to enjoy such events as luncheons, bowling and other field trips. 6. "Reading Coach" ($700) - District teacher and reading specialist Tammy Orzelek conducted a professional development workshop for teachers in the district who were interested in developing advanced strategies to increase student learning. The workshop and followup classroom visits focused on using unique materials and methods that address students' individual learning abilities, styles and levels of engagement. 7. "Wilson Garden Growers" ($950) - This project engaged Woodrow Wilson Elementary students in the creation and maintenance of an edible and floral garden at the school. As members of the school's Garden Growers Club, the students are learning gardening as a lifelong skill, and are also learning about the benefits of healthy eating, instilling pride in their community, nurturing their environment and fostering sustainability as it relates to our world. 8. "Model U.N. Conference" ($1,300) - The grants helps offset the overall costs for Binghamton High School representatives to participate in the Model United Nations Simulation, a three-day event at Cornell University in April 2010. Throughout the school year, th eModel U.N. Club at the high school helps to raise student awareness of global issues. By participating in the U.N. simulation , the students will learn to see issues from diverse perspectives and will have the opportunity to interact with students from across the country. The project will help them to become more internationally-minded, while developing their skills in public speaking, writing, critical thinking and argumentation. As a result, they will be better prepared for higher education and global citizenship.
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