- June 2018, Myra and Stan Frost Grant for Classroom Sensory Tool Boxes to Promote Engagement, Attention and Positive Behaviors: Lori Manaitis, Grade 2 Teacher & Alescia Ford-Lanza, parent. Grant funding for second grade classes to purchase tools such as weighted lap pads, stress ball fidgets and sensory cushions for better engagement, greater time on task, and channeling energies more appropriately and efficiently.
From Lori Manaitis, grant recipient:All materials have been purchased and are in use in the classrooms. The students LOVE the tools. We have introduced them one at a time and made sure that all students have had the opportunity to "experiment" with each tool. Now the tools are available and students nonchalantly grab them when they need them. We have been working hard to utilize the tools in ways that help students to focus and sit in comfortable positions while learning. They love trying things out and are working through which tools work best for them. We have also discussed how these tools can help us achieve the goals we have created for ourselves through our class Social Contracts. We are looking forward to watching the students grow in their use of the sensory tools throughout the year.
Read the article at the Hartford Courant here
- December 2017, David and Mardelle Pena Mini-Grant for Moon in My Classroom: Mary Labowsky, PGS 4th grade teacher, Funding provided an interactive moon in each Grade 1 and Grade 5 classroom district-wide, so students can see patterns and phases of the moon every day, supplementing the the curriculum. Here is a quote from a first grade teacher as to how the AEF Grant has advanced learning: "In our first grade classroom we have incorporated the Moon into our morning meeting routine. We use it weekly to observe the changes in the moon. We have synced it up to the moon cycle and it has been great to reinforce the students observations at home with their moon journal and make it consistent with observations followed up the next day in class. It has helped enhance learning in our classroom and made this lesson much easier to teach and also made it more effective!"
- 2010 Duffy Family Grant, Playing for Keeps: A Playground for ALL Students, Jon Moss and Christopher Grgach, PGS, Grade Pre-K thru 4 – The grant will fund the proposed academic components: a sign language panel, a Braille panel and an alphabet panel that will allow primary students to practice their language skills. In addition, it will fund a mock storefront that kids can use to practice basic skills offering an authentic application of math lessons that are taught even into fourth grade.
- 2009 Mini Grant, Graphic Novels: A Novel Approach to Reading Instruction, Christopher Grgach and Jonathan Moss, PGS, Grade 3, Reading – “Graphic novels” use drawings to enhance the story. They have been found to be very effective in encouraging boys to read. Funds will purchase texts leveled on the Fountas and Pinnell Guided Reading rating system to benefit different types of learners.
- 2008 Avon Junior Women’s Club Mini Grant, Leaping into Learning, Lisa Fenn, RBS with Erin Dorsey, PGS and Laura McDonnell, RBS, Grade 1, Science – Scientific inquiry that investigates the life cycle of the frog culminating in a “Swap and Hop Day” when all 1st graders will gather to share results and release their former tadpoles. Collaboration between the schools will be enhanced by a web blog of frog progress.
- 2007 Program, Chidsey Brook Nature Trail, Leigh Ann Bacevich, Community Project Leader & Gail Dahling-Hench, Principal, PGS, All Ages, Natural Science - The mission is “to provide a fun and educational classroom where the whole community can explore, learn, and develop a relationship with one another and nature.” Located on 2 acres adjacent to PGS. Broad community support and collaboration.
- 2005 Routt Family Mini Grant, SMART Board for Smart Teaching, Jonathan Moss, PGS, Grade 3, Multi-disciplinary – Acquire a SMART board, an interactive white board, to allow teachers and students to interact with computers in exciting new ways.
- 2004 Lublin Family Mini Grant, Reading Success through Early Intervention, Barbara Daly-Byrnes & Jodi Kryzanski, PGS, Grade K, Reading – Materials to extend existing program to enhance the development of sight vocabulary.