AEF Awards over $55,000 to Arlington Schools

This spring, the Arlington Education Foundation (AEF) has awarded $55,225 in grants to the Arlington Public Schools in four categories:  Continuing Scholars Awards, Development & Expansion Grants, Innovations in Education Grants and Technology Initiative Grants.  Rebecca Steinitz, AEF’s President remarked, “In addition to our excitement about the Technology Initiative, we are particularly proud of the grants that support the Special Education department, a critical resource in our schools.” 

Continuing Scholar Awards - $7,500

Awards are given directly to educators to fund courses, workshops, trips, or expeditions sponsored by universities, schools, institutes, or professional development organizations.

• Lauren Geiger, Arlington High School English:   Travel Study Trip – Munich, Berlin, Dresden, Prague

• Sherry Gooen, Occupational Therapist, Grades 6-12 and David Schaye, Special Education, Grade 7; Learning and the Brain Summer Institute: Neuroscience and Executive Skills:  Strategies for Executive Functions, Memory and Classroom Learning

 Development & Expansion Grants - $25,000

Development & Expansion grants support system-wide development of new educational strategies.

• Concentration Tools: Expansion and Acceptance
  Every elementary classroom will have a concentration station with a ‘Cool Tool Box’ that contains simple and effective sensory-based self-regulation resources, which all students can use to maintain focus in the classroom.  In addition, all elementary teachers will receive training to maximize the ‘Cool Tool Box’ and better identify and support student needs.

• Arlington High School Technology User’s Group
  In advance of a significant technology investment to replace teacher computers, the User's Group will  gather information and knowledge in support of the technology vision, create a long-term strategy for technology implementation at Arlington High School, and  build professional capacity for teaching and learning in a technology infused BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) environment

Innovations grants support innovative teaching and learning projects.

• Studies in Shadow Puppetry, Stratton School
  First graders will connect science, social studies and art through an exploration of shadow puppet theater

• 21st Century Reading for a 1:1 iPad School, Thompson School
  A school subscription to Subtext Premium, a cutting edge iPad reading app, will meet the needs of student readers at all levels

• Digital Imaging Program Monitor, Arlington High School
  A professional computer monitor will expand the digital imaging program and help pilot the High School’s BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) model

Technology Initiative - $17,000

The second phase of the three-year fundraising effort to bring significant new technology capacities to Arlington Public Schools continues with a grant to the Ottoson Middle School.

• A 3D printer and a set of iPads enhances Tech classes with computer simulation, app development and 3D prototyping

For the past 4 years, community donations have enabled AEF to award over $100,000 annually in grants to the Arlington Public Schools.  In fiscal year 2014, AEF awarded an additional $70,000 as part of a three-year Technology Initiative to accelerate technology in the Arlington Public Schools.  AEF works to support and advance public education in Arlington and funds system-wide initiatives and creative new projects to enhance the educational experiences of Arlington’s teachers and students.  For more information on AEF’s current and past grants, or to donate, visit www.arlingtoneducationfoundationma.org.