New playground equipment, Shakespearean costumes for English classes, and a mobile recording studio are just some of the educational enhancements that will be funded next school year, thanks to $32,806 in classroom grants approved by the BEF Board of Governors earlier this month. BEF grants, awarded in two rounds each year, are made possible through the generosity of donors to the Foundation’s Annual Fund for Excellence campaign, the BRAVO! event, and other BEF fundraising initiatives.
The newly-funded projects include:
Cassingham Playground ”“ Grant funding of $12,000 was awarded to support the installation of a new playground at Cassingham Elementary. New play structures, swings, moving parts and quiet areas will support the social, emotional and physical benefits of outdoor play for students.
Mobile Recording Studios ”“ This grant of $5,949 to Music Specialist Bill Manchester will be used to purchase high quality computer recording equipment allowing middle and high students to record music together. The equipment would be available for use by music educators district-wide.
Technology for World Language Classrooms ”“ Grant funding of $5,760 was awarded to Bexley Middle School World Language teachers will be used to purchase 12 iPads or tablets to support differentiated instruction in their classrooms.
Flexible Seating Options ”“ Grant funding of $4,000 was awarded to teachers Lindsay Shankle and Alison Nakasako to enhance their Bexley Middle School foreign language classrooms with flexible seating options to encourage greater collaboration, communication and creativity among students.
The First Tee ”“ The grant of $3,250 made to Montrose Elementary Physical Education Teacher Adam Straight will support the implementation of an educational program for elementary students to build character, reinforce values and promotes healthy choices through the game of golf.
Sensory Break Space ”“ This grant of $1,020 to Montrose Intervention Specialist Katie Roslovic will support development of a dedicated quiet space at Montrose Elementary. The space will include materials that help students with sensory integration needs to calm themselves and return to their classrooms ready to learn.
Costumes for Shakespeare ”“ This grant of $827 to BHS English Teacher Rachel Lilly will be used to purchase costumes for students in ninth grade English classes to act out Romeo and Juliet as a way to increase engagement with Shakespeare’s play.