Marshwood Announces Recipients of Fall 2010 Grant Cycle

The Marshwood Education Foundation (MEF) announced the recipients of its fall 2010 grant cycle tonight at the Maine School Administrative District (MSAD) # 35 Board meeting. The MEF awarded four grants totaling $8,593.00.

“These days, financial resources for educators are limited, and teachers sometimes have to rely on outside funds to fuel their creativity,” said Rachel Martin, MEF President. “We are pleased to offer support for programs and projects that might otherwise go unfunded in our schools.”

The MEF, founded in 2009, raises money primarily through community fundraising events and private donations. The organization has awarded over $26,000 to date and offers two grant cycles annually, in the fall and spring of each school year.

MEF grants awarded December 1, 2010:

Kate Smith, music teacher at Central School ($4,000) for her Outdoor Classroom and Hoop House Project.  The landscape restoration at Central School will give the students an opportunity to learn about the joy of interacting with nature.  This project also gives the students a chance to work with the high school Garden Club in planting, caring for, and harvesting vegetables in a hoop house.  The grant will fund a portion of what is over a $25,000 project.

Kristina Schultz, art teacher at Central School ($593) for her project Wild Things! for Fine Arts Week 2011.  Designed to compliment the Outdoor Classroom project, this week-long program will give all students at Central School an opportunity to work with artist-in-residence Cynthia Robinson.  Ms. Robinson will work with students on art projects centered around the school landscape and wildlife. Along with a $1,500 donation from the PTO, the grant covers the costs of the week.

Tami Schoff, literacy coach at Marshwood Middle School ($2,000) for her project One School, One Book. The project seeks to improve reading achievements by providing a carefully selected book to each middle school student’s family and the entire MMS staff.  Each participant will follow a calendar of reading, answer trivia questions, and be encouraged to participate in open discussions about the book.  The goal of this shared reading experience is to increase literacy awareness and promote the benefits of reading at home.

Keith Barron and Lynn Walker, teachers at Marshwood Middle School ($2,000) for their project entitled Six Purple Empowerment.  Promoting team building, self-confidence, and positive relationships with peers are among the goals of a trip to Camp Merrowvista in New Hampshire’s Ossipee Mountains. All members of the sixth grade Purple team at MMS will have the opportunity to take part in this trip, as well as attend follow-up events in school that will reinforce skills learned at the camp.

The MEF will be accepting grant applications for its spring cycle early next year with a deadline of April 15, 2011.