The Bedford Education Foundation funded seven grants in our 2018 Fall grant cycle, totaling just under $10,000. Congratulations to all of our grant recipients! To date, the BEF has funded close to $235,000 towards creative and innovation projects in the Bedford Public Schools.

GRANTS FUNDED AT DAVIS SCHOOL

Davis school first grade teacher Kristie Kimball-Dorey was awarded a $550 grant for materials to create permanent sidewalk games on the Davis School playground using a night-sky and space theme. This grant aims to unite the community, social/emotional goals, and the Grade 1 science curriculum.

On behalf of the first grade teaching team, Deb Davies was awarded a $375 grant for thermometers to enrich the science curriculum in relation to weather observations, implications, and patterns. Each first grade classroom will receive a 30-inch tall thermometer that measures temperature in both Fahrenheit and Celsius. In addition, two large thermometers will be placed in easily accessible spaces for all who visit Davis School.

Second grade teachers Kim Marino and Pat Flaherty-Dawson were awarded a $550 grant for manipulatives to enhance their math curriculum. The materials, Cuisenaire rods, Rekenrak 100 beads, and visual cluster number cards, will help students develop number sense, visualize numbers, and apply their knowledge to higher level math problems.

The BEF and BEST PTO partnered to co-fund a grant initiated by Assistant Principal Jessica Colby. Davis School was awarded a $6,100 grant for a set of oversized blocks and building materials for use at recess. This fun and engaging portable construction set encourages creativity, imagination, and cooperative problem-solving skills.

GRANT FUNDED AT LANE SCHOOL

Lane School Speech and Language therapist Nadia Trant was awarded a $1,500 grant for a Sensory Path to be installed in the west wing of Lane School. The path creates a space for students to have a structured movement break if needed during the course of the school day. This creative addition to Lane will provide all students the opportunity to access tools that will help them be more focused and more available for learning.

GRANTS FUNDED AT BEDFORD HIGH SCHOOL

Jillian Butler, advisor of the student-run TV show BHS Live!, was awarded a $900 grant for equipment to update the studio’s audio system. The BEF is excited to play a role in the revitalization of this valued program at BHS.

BHS librarian Christine Magoon was awarded a $2,800 grant to bring Val Emmich to Bedford High School. Emmich is an actor, singer-songwriter, and an author, most well known for his best-selling novel adaptation of the musical Dear Evan Hansen. This full-day visit will center around the theme of being “All of You,” and include discussion of the writing process and a songwriting session. This grant brings many interdisciplinary elements to BHS and supports the discussion of the social issues that affect all students.

In addition to the author visit, as part of this grant, the BEF also funded two classroom sets of Dear Evan Hansen: The Novel.