GRANTS AWARDED BY YEAR:

2022-2023 Grant Awards – $21,998

• $350   StoryWalk® – West Vincent Elementary, Laura Vanemon,
  A StoryWalk® is an innovative way for children (and adults) to enjoy reading and the outdoors at the same time! It is a movement and literacy boosting project that places an illustrated children’s book, taken apart and displayed page by page, along a walking route.  Mrs. Vanemon chose nature books to display to enhance ongoing reading initiatives as well as curricular ties of science.  She plans to change the story three times a year and believes it will make a positive impact on the school.   

• $250   Flexible Seating – Wobble Seats – North Coventry Elementary, Robin Allen
  This type of flexible seating allows the students the opportunity to move while working and meet their individual needs.  Ms. Allen believes this will help her students to focus and better access their education.  The Wobble Seats provide an outlet to move around in a contained space without distracting other students.   
• $800 Hybrid PE iPads – High School, Marisa Soltzfus
  This grant was used to purchase iPads for Hybrid PE courses in the High School so that the students can record their goals and data.  Using a program called FitnessGram, the students create SMART goals at the beginning of the year for their overall health and wellness. The plan is for them to check-in on their goals three times within the school year.  Students will use the iPpads to record their data from the program in both semesters. They will then compare the data once completed in the spring and see if the SMART goals were achieved. If they are not achieved, then they problem-solve to see how they can make them more manageable and achievable goals.
• $620   Classroom Aquarium Kits – East Coventry Elementary, Adria Creswell and Mallory Grove
  During the month of March the entire school participates in the One Book One School program.  They come together and read a book bringing community and literacy into each room and across grade levels.  The OJREF grant provided aquarium kits for each classroom, so the students had an equitable experience to watch and learn about the life cycle of a frog while reading the school wide-book, Life According to Og the Frog.   Supplies provided align to science standards and were adapted to meet each individual grade level. Mrs. Creswell worked alongside local herpetologists, a local park ranger, and the science curriculum supervisor to source tadpoles that will enhance the local environment after they are fully matured. Social emotional learning is at the forefront of East Coventry. Each year students come together and work on one project. Historically, One Book One School at East Coventry has included a dog show, hamster parade, and this year the growth of tadpoles to frogs with a school wide release celebration at the end.
• $420  MazeRun Ball Maze – Middle School, Stacia Bickell
  A MazeRun Ball Maze is an interactive, hands-on manipulative that has been shared by all 8th grade science classes as a motivational and educational tool offered to students who need a scaffolded challenge above classroom activities.  Students assemble the Ball Maze to explore gravity, friction, energy, and acceleration and have classmates work collaboratively to try to solve it. This resource will be used during the motion unit each year and support and enhance the learning that 8^th graders have about simple machines, rube Goldberg, inertia, and more.
• $2800   EVO Ozobot Kits – Middle School, Jennifer Armstrong
  The primary goal of implementing the Ozobot program in Jennifer Armstrong’s Exploring Technology class is to expose 8^th grade students to coding literacy. She will use both coding methods (color coding and online coding with OzoBlockly) to supplement various lessons.  The Ozobot curriculum is aligned to the eight NGSS core science and engineering practices.   It also integrates many academic standards from core subject areas and fits perfectly into the new Computer Science for All framework.  In addition to coding, students are exposed to 21st-century skills including collaboration, communication, problem-solving, creativity, and critical thinking.  The use of the robots is to keep the students engaged and to promote coding for everyone.  They are ideal for a wide range of learning styles and diverse abilities.
• $218    Portable Lap Desks – Middle School, Maureen Otis
  The portable lap desks can be adjusted so students can use them while sitting or standing at a desk, sitting on the floor, or using the many flexible seating options available.  They help to provide students with choices to move to an area in the room that will meet their individual needs for various assignments.
• $300    Creative Writing Author Visit – Middle School, ELA Teachers
  Jessica Lawson, local author, was invited to the Middle School for a presentation to 7^th and 8^th grade students who have a high interest in writing.  Ms. Lawson’s books are geared toward young people and she shared how she finds topics to write on and gave tips for how writers develop their thoughts, taking works to completion.  The ELA teachers are always looking for opportunities to foster excitement around writing and hope that Ms. Lawson’s wisdom and success in the writing field will serve to inspire and encourage the budding authors in a fresh way.
• $300   Wiggle Wobble Chair Feet – West Vincent, Jennifer Snow
  The purpose of this grant is to provide alternative seating options for the kindergarten students in Jennifer Snow’s West Vincent classroom.  The classroom chairs are appropriate in size, and the Wiggle Wobble Feet will transform them into wobble chairs.  This will allow students the opportunity to move while learning and participating in classroom activities.  Current initiatives show that flexible seating, learning through movement and alternative methods for learning benefit all types of learners. 
• $2000   Young Adult Literature for English Language Learners – High School, Amy Christman
  With the increased number of OJR High School students whose primary language is Spanish or Portuguese, Amy Christman was awarded a grant in order to provide a wide array of reading materials for them so they may enjoy young adult literature.   While the library has some of the required English books available in Spanish, they had no popular titles and series available for the ELL students to read independently.  Now students will be able to read books of their choice in their native languages.
• $11,500   Lego Spike Kits – Elementary STEAM Classes
  The Elementary STEAM teachers were awarded a grant to purchase 40 Lego Spike Kits.  The district provided one kit per building, but the teachers found that this did not provide the students with the hands-on experiences they desired.  Now each building has nine kits to use in their STEAM classrooms.  The Lego Spike Kits allow students to use the Engineering Design Process as they build structures that contain motors, sensors, and lights.   Students build upon familiar concepts and engineer more complex prototypes. They use computational thinking skills as they write code to make their prototypes function correctly.  They use these kits to enhance their problem solving capabilities and at the same time develop their social and emotional skills as they work collaboratively to plan, design, redesign and communicate their solutions.
  
• $500 for BouncyBand for Desks – West Vincent Elementary, Nan Matz
  Ms. Matz was awarded a grant to purchase BouncyBands for every student in her 4^th grade classroom.  Bouncy Bands increase time on task; help high-energy workers fidget without distracting others; and discreetly soothes student anxiety, frustration, and hyperactivity.  The bands can be attached to school chairs or desk legs and students bounce their feet on the Bouncy Band to transform excess or nervous energy into mental achievement and to inspire a tired mind with stimulating movement. 
•  $240 for Chair Bands – West Vincent Elementary, 4^th Grade Teachers
  The 4^th grade teachers received a grant to purchase Chair Bands for each of their students.  While using the chair bands quietly to move while working, students are often able to stay on task for longer periods of time without distracting others.  They have been found to relieve tension, anxiety, frustration and hyperactivity.  Using these bands is a wonderful way to provide flexible seating in the classroom.
• $700 for Introduction to Beekeeping Supplies – High School, Zeke Reichley
  Mr. Reichley will be teaching a new course during the 2023-24 school year which will give students the knowledge and skills to maintain their own beehives at home.  The goal of the course is to increase awareness about the importance of pollinators, like honeybees.  Mr. Reichley will use the grant funds to purchase reference books and equipment for students to practice using.  For example, they will assemble a beehive and light a smoker.  Some funds will be used for consumables like wax, wicks and honey to teach students how to make candles, soap and lip balm and bake using honey.
• $1000 for Materials for Vertical Non-Permanent Surfaces for Building Thinking Classrooms – Middle School, Matt Charleston, Samantha Hobson, Michael Uhas
  The Middle School Math teachers received a grant in order to implement the Building Thinking Classrooms (BTC) framework within two math classrooms.  Building Thinking Classrooms is an innovative approach to teaching mathematics that promotes engagement, deep understanding, and a positive attitude toward math.  It is based on the principles of problem-based learning, collaboration, and student-centered instruction.  BTC involves creating a classroom environment that fosters mathematical thinking and encourages students to take ownership of their learning through the use of vertical non-permanent surfaces (whiteboards). The grant funds will be used to purchase the necessary materials and supplies to create vertical non-permanent surfaces for over twenty groups within two classrooms.

 

2021-2022 Grants Awards – $16,524

• $1000 – Soundtrap Digital Audio Workstation Subscription – OJR Middle School
• $500 – Fairy Tale STEM Kits – West Vincent Elementary
• $300 – Social-Emotional Learning Read Aloud Books – East Coventry Elementary
• $500 – Collaborative Whiteboard Table – East Vincent Elementary
• $250 – Wiggle Wobble Chair Feet – East Vincent Elementary
• $500 – Social-Emotional Learning Read Aloud Books – West Vincent Elementary
• $2000 – Flexible Seating Options – East Vincent Elementary
• $500 – Makerspace Materials – French Creek Elementary
• $554 – Story Path Materials – East Vincent Elementary
• $465 – Collaborative Whiteboard Table – East Vincent Elementary
• $730 – Equipment for Animal Studies – OJR High School
• $700 – Flexible Seating Options – East Vincent Elementary
• $5800 – Warm-up with STEAM Materials – Elementary STEAM Classes
• $1160 – Peace Place Classroom Kits – East Vincent Elementary
• $270 – Veterinarian Practice Suture Kits – OJR High School
• $1295 – Frax Math Subscription – French Creek Elementary

2020-2021 Grants Awards – $4,922

• $650 – Nearpod Subscription for Virtual Learning – OJR Middle School
• $272 – Literature about Diversity – West Vincent Elementary
• $2000 – Books for One Book One School Program – West Vincent Elementary
• $2000 – Breakout EDU Escape Room Subscription & Kits – OJR Middle School

2019-2020 Grants Awards – $9,075

• $6500 – Nearpod Subscription for Virtual Learning – OJR High School
• $1210 – Ozobot Classroom Kits – French Creek Elementary
• $1200 – Ozobot Classroom Kits – East Coventry Elementary
• $165 – iPad Microphones – East Coventry Elementary

2018-2019 Grants Awards – $13,597

• $1290 – iPad Keyboards for the Classroom – East Coventry Elementary
• $2200 – Jazz for Kids Assembly – East Coventry Elementary
• $140 – Belkin Table Stage Stand – East Vincent Elementary
• $1375 – Music Class Set of Ukuleles – French Creek Elementary
• $500 – Storyteller/Banjo Player Assembly – North Coventry Elementary
• $250 – Jack Gantos Author Study Books & Materials – North Coventry Elementary
• $140 – Alternative Seating for Guided Reading – West Vincent Elementary
• $200 – Portable Lap Top Desks – OJR Middle School
• 210 – Restoration of David Jarvie Memorial Courtyard – OJR Middle School
• $1000 – Materials for Engineering Club/Tiny House Project – OJR High School
• $698 – Equipment for Engineering Club/Tiny House Project – OJR High School
• $500 – Supplies for Social Emotional Learning Program – West Vincent Elementary
• $5000 – Environment Education – District 4^th Grades
• $94 – Performance License for “Africa” – North Coventry

2017-2018 Grants Awards – $9,238

• $1800 – Sphero SPRK Edition Kits – East Coventry Elementary
• $280 – Wobble Chairs – West Vincent Elementary
• $1000 – iPad Enhancing Instruction in Learning Support – French Creek Elementary
• $2000 – iPads in the Classroom – French Creek Elementary
• $500 – First Grade Science Literacy – French Creek Elementary
• $1000 – Ozobot Kits for Coding – North Coventry Elementary
• $1685 – Equipment for Bringing Young Learners into 21^st Century – North Coventry Elementary
• $562 – Wobble Chairs – French Creek Elementary
• $411 – VegTrugs and Covers – OJR Middle School

2016-2017 Grants Awards – $14,135

• $200 – iPad App for One Minute Reader – East Coventry Elementary
• $1200 – Science Technology Enhancement – East Coventry Elementary
• $200 – Balance Ball Chairs – East Coventry Elementary
• $200 – iPad App – East Coventry Elementary
• $500 – Guided Reading for Extended Day – East Coventry Elementary
• $1075 – Desk Pedals – East Coventry Elementary
• $1000 – Document Cameras – East Vincent Elementary
• $1000 – First Grade STEM Initiative – French Creek Elementary
• $700 – STEM Library Resources – French Creek Elementary
• $1500 – iPads – French Creek Elementary
• $898 – iPad Air with Wifi – North Coventry Elementary
• $1500 – Library Makerspace Materials – West Vincent Elementary
• $823 – VegTrug Gardening Materials – OJR Middle School
• $2000 – iPad Integration for Corrective Reading – OJR Middle School
• $55 – iPad Keyboard – OJR High School
• $1284 – iPad Air with Wifi Applications – OJR High School

2015-2016 Grants Awards – $1,399

• $201 – Ban Bao USA – OJR High School
• $1198 – iPads – West Vincent Elementary

2014-2015 Grants Awards – $4,062

• $365 – Watch Minders – OJR Middle School
• $750 – DNA Replication Kit – OJR Middle School
• $749 – Reading Eggs Software – French Creek Elementary
• $1198 – iPads – French Creek Elementary
• $1000 – DJI Phantom for Video Production and CADD Program – OJR High School

2012-2013 Grants Awards – $17,000

• Cross-curriculum Technology Initiative & Integration – North Coventry Elementary
• Healthy App-itude:  Working with Students – OJR Middle School
• Extending Robotics Program – OJR Middle School
• Reading Eggspress – French Creek Elementary
• Morning Mentoring/Cooperative Learning – West Vincent Elementary
• Teambuilding Equipment for Leadership Effectiveness – OJR Middle School
• Fantastic First Grade Book Club – North Coventry Elementary
• Handy Learning – East Coventry Elementary
• Literature Promoting Kindness and Inclusivity – French Creek Elementary
• Word Masters Challenge – OJR Middle School
• Revolutionary War Wax Museum – North Coventry Elementary

2011-2012 Grants Awards – $10,377

• iPads – French Creek Elementary
• Sound System with Wireless Microphone – French Creek Elementary
• Chapter Books – French Creek Elementary
• Elmo Projectors – French Creek Elementary
• Tom Stecher & Associates On-site Program – East Coventry Elementary
• Science Materials for Experiments and Demonstrations – OJR Middle School
• iPads – OJR Middle School
• Adventure Network – OJR Middle School
• ActivArena Boards – OJR High School
• Stroud Water Research – OJR High School
• Materials for Teen Read Week – OJR High School

2010-2011 Grants Awards – $17,959

• Positive Learning Practices for the 21^st Century Student and Teacher – Districtwide
• Demonstration Replay – OJR High School
• Literary Circle Library – OJR High School
• Books with a Beat – OJR High School
• Choral Celebration with Rollo Dilworth – OJR Middle School and High School
• Greenhouse Project – East Coventry Elementary
• Drama Club – East Coventry Elementary
• Educating with Elmo Projector – North Coventry Elementary
• Ceramics Camp – North Coventry and East Vincent Elementary
• Playground Improvement Project – French Creek Elementary
• Upbeat!  Strings Camp – North Coventry Elementary
• Educating the Whole Child:  Improvement of Paraprofessionals – East Vincent Elementary
• Recorder Karate – North Coventry and East Vincent Elementary
• Garden Literacy – North Coventry Elementary
• Incorporating Math Skills – West Vincent Elementary
• Lighting a Fuse Under a Student’s Creativity – OJR Middle School

2009-2010 Grants Awards – $16,946

• Reading Olympics – North Coventry Elementary
• Upbeat!  Strings Camp – North Coventry Elementary
• Individual Music Dry-Erase Boards – French Creek Elementary
• Board Games in World Languages Class – OJR Middle School
• Literature Magazine – OJR Middle School
• OJR Painting Camp – North Coventry and East Vincent Elementary
• Garden Program – North Coventry
• Global Info System (GIS) & Global Positioning Syste (GPS) – East Vincent and West Vincent Elementary
• Flip Video – North Coventry Elementary
• Educating with Elmo Projector – North Coventry Elementary
• Drama Club – East Coventry Elementary
• Recorder Karate – North Coventry Elementary
• Orff Ensemble Instruments – East Coventry Elementary

2008-2009 Grants Awards – $17,110

• Recorder Karate – French Creek, West Vincent and North Coventry Elementary
• Courtyard Ecosystem Pond – French Creek Elementary
• Artist in Residence – All Elementary Schools
• Tile Mosaic – East Coventry Elementary
• Math – Can You Count on It? – North Coventry and East Coventry Elementary
• All School Earth Day – North Coventry Elementary
• High Interest – Low Readability Texts for Independent Reading – East Vincent Elementary
• Developing 21^st Century Literacies in Learners – East Vincent Elementary
• Helping Reluctant and Struggling Readers – East Vincent Elementary
• Summer Mosaic Classes – North Coventry and East Vincent Elementary
• Listen. Connect. Create – West Vincent Elementary
• History Day Club – OJR Middle School
• Science Library – OJR Middle School
• Language Arts Classroom Library – OJR Middle School
• The Hot Zone – OJR High School
• Accounting Monopoly – OJR High School

2007-2008 Grants Awards – $11,527

• Physics with Legos – OJR High School
• I-C-ME Virtual Reality System – OJR High School
• Mosaic Madness – OJR High School
• Good to Great:  Technological Financial Updates to Gavel – OJR High School
• Middle School Newspaper – OJR Middle School
• The Character Café – OJR Middle School
• Positive Social Skills for All – French Creek Elementary
• Ebooks and SmartBoard Tools – French Creek Elementary

2006-2007 Grants Awards – $46,364

• Wildcat TV Studio – OJR High School ($35,000)
• Content Reading Study Group – OJR High School
• Flamenco Dance Assembly – OJR High School
• Independent Literature Circles – OJR High School
• Cooperative Ed Employer Appreciation Dinner – OJR High School
• Outdoor Weather Station – French Creek Elementary
• Reading Olympics – East Coventry Elementary
• Fluency “Karoake Style” – East Coventry Elementary
• Readers’ Theater – East Coventry Elementary
• Fabulous Fluency – East Coventry Elementary