2019-2020 Grant Projects awarded:
Project Title: Urban Agriculture: Sustainable Farming in the City
Funds made possible in part through the “CoServ Teacher Assistance Endowment”
Grant Amount Received: $5000.00
Grant Director: Charlie Lokey, Assistant Principal of Curriculum & Instruction, Lake Dallas Middle School
Abstract: Lake Dallas Middle School is a suburban school with a desire to allow students to learn about plants, ecosystems, and urban farming by providing real-world experiences in growing techniques and business ventures. By creatively repurposing a science lab and building an aquaponics system, students will have the opportunity to observe and discover the flow of energy through a carbon system, observe and discover how an organism reacts to the external stimuli of their environment, and develop interpersonal skills through the harvesting and donating of the produce to the local area food bank.
Project Title: Leveling Out Literacy: A Literacy Intervention System
Funds made possible in part through the “Carol Heidemann Memorial Teacher Grant”
Grant Amount Received: $5000.00
Grant Directors: Ashley Fay, Instructional Coach, Shady Shores Elementary School
Abstract: The purpose of this grant is to provide a Fountas and Pinnell Leveled Literacy Intervention System to use with upper elementary grades. This system is a small-group, supplementary intervention system created for students who find reading difficult. It will allow teachers, as well as specialists, to implement intervention tools to better help support students who are struggling to read and comprehend in the upper grades.
Project Title: Argument-Driven Inquiry
Grant Amount Received: $5000.00
Funds made possible in part through the “LCEF Directors Teachers Grant Endowment”
Grant Director: Angel Buchanan, Instructional Coach, Lake Dallas Elementary School
Abstract: Argument-Driven Inquiry is a teaching model that uses inquiry-based lessons to give students an opportunity to analyze, interpret and develop explanations. The science investigations within this model will strengthen students’ knowledge in Science, Math, English Language Arts and Reading, Future-Ready Skills, and the development of language. This program will be especially beneficial to English Language Learners.
Project Title: Animation and Graphic Design Poster Printer
Grant Amount Received: $3000.00
Funds made possible in part through the “Boeing Teacher Grant”
Grant Director: Kyle Butler, Instructor, Lake Dallas High School
Abstract: The LDHS Animation and Graphic Design students create multiple projects throughout the year. During each project, students are exposed to prompts or real world scenarios in order to advance their understanding in both graphic design and illustration. Students are expected to interpret, evaluate, and justify their designs. They accomplish this by participating in oral and written critiques of the design. With the purchase of a modern, industry based printer, students will be able to not only showcase their projects but also develop firsthand knowledge and skills with regards to equipment used in print and trade shops.
Project Title: CE Reads One Book
Grant Amount Received: $1650.00
Funds made possible in part through the “Robin Hasserd Memorial Teacher Grant”
Grant Director: Tina Yant, Instructional Coach, Corinth Elementary School
Abstract: Providing families with an opportunity to share the pleasure of reading is the ultimate goal of “CE Reads One Book”. Reading aloud exposes our students to effective models of reading and provides our students, families, and teachers with a springboard for authentic discussions. By providing all of the students a copy of the same book, we are ensuring that each child has an equitable reading experience without regards to economic status or literacy level, and allowing our families to strengthen their connections while enhancing their child’s academic growth.
Project Title: Fun and Games in Fifth
Funds made possible in part through the “Walmart Teacher Grant”
Grant Amount Received: $250.00
Grant Director: Ann Lenard, Instructor, Shady Shores Elementary School
Abstract: Logic and strategy, focus, attention, collaboration, patience, and creative thinking…all of these are critical in life. Research shows that “children who play games develop a stronger sense of creativity and inquisitiveness.” This grant will provide board games which will allow students to encounter learning and social development opportunities that they might not otherwise experience.
Project Title: LDHS Weld Test Bender for New Welding Program
Funds made possible in part through the “Robin Goodale Memorial Teacher Grant”
Grant Amount Received: $2000.00
Grant Director: Jerry Crow, Welding Instructor, Lake Dallas High School
Abstract: One of the goals of the LDHS CTE department is to revamp and modernize the welding program. Though many upgrades have been provided, one vital piece of equipment was still needed to certify students with an industry certification in metal fabrication. The welded test plates must be bent to a standing that only a weld test bender can do. The purchase of this equipment will allow students’ welding to be tested for industry standard welds and give them the opportunity to become certified welders with the possibility of beginning a welding career immediately upon graduation.
Project Title: Lettuce Grow
Grant Amount Received: $5000.00
Funds made possible in part through the “Lora McCarty Henderson Memorial Teacher Grant”
Grant Director: Amy Koch, Instructor, Shady Shores Elementary School
Abstract: By the Spring of 2020, Shady Shores Elementary School will create a school-wide grade to engage students in hands-on learning across all subject areas. This garden will create opportunities for the students to improve social skills and behavior, environmental attitudes, help develop a sense of ownership and responsibility, and increase parental and community involvement.
Project Title: Social and Emotional Learning for Pre-K and Kindergarten
Funds made possible in part through the “Drozd Family Endowment”
Grant Amount Received: $5000.00
Grant Director: Kathy Schaeffer, Ph.D., LSSP
Abstract: Social emotional health---the ability to understand and manage one’s emotions, reactions, and relationships, is a critical determinant of personal and school outcomes. The achievement of social emotional health requires a repertoire of skills such as self-awareness, self-regulation, problem-solving, perspective-taking, conflict resolution, communication, persistence and coping. Increasingly, young students are entering the education system without these skills. The purpose of this grant is to provide a research-based social emotional learning method to equip teachers with proven strategies for the successful development of social emotional health in young children.