RVC schools get $33k from Ed Foundation

With money from a record breaking fundraising effort this year, the Rockville Centre Education Foundation will again enrich the learning experience of district students.

In a brief presentation at the June 13 school board meeting, foundation President Delia Garrity was joined by past-President Patricia Sullivan-Kriss in presenting the Board of Education with a check for $33,224 that will fund nine projects. Garrity said that the generosity of local businesses and residents enabled the organization to net more than $50,000 during its main fundraiser, a gala in late March.

The projects being funded by the foundation fall into three categories: RISE (Residencies Inspiring Students in Education), technology-based and mentoring. Diane McGaughey chaired the committee that reviewed and selected the 2011-12 projects, which include:

“Ethos Percussion Group,” $5,000, for Grade 4 district-wide. A RISE program, it will provide a unique residency program that will enable students to experience professional artists who perform percussion music representative of the five continents. Until now, this stylistic range of music has not been available to district students who will perform the percussive rhythms they learn in a spring concert.

“Tubano drums,” $3,200, to be shared district-wide, to purchase 15 tubano drums for incorporation into the RISE opportunity with the Ethos Percussion Group.

“Math Wonderland/On My Mind,” $2,400, a RISE program for Watson and Riverside elementary schools that will provide multi-sensory math experiences for students. A consultant will collaborate with teachers to design activity-based lessons that develop algebraic thinking and utilize a math learning wall and learning boards.

“Beyond the Classroom: Enriching Grade 1 Curriculum,” $896, a RISE program for Covert Elementary School to fund two science/social studies in-house “field trips” that align with the core curriculum. “Primary Properties of Matter” and “Apple Cider Pressing” programs will be conducted by Nassau BOCES Outdoor Education consultants.

“History Alive!,” $2,250, a RISE program in support of Watson elementary’s school-wide 2012 theme, will fund an artist-in-residence, James Michaud, who will present the Brigade of the American Revolution. Necessary materials and supplies for this school-wide event will be supported by the grant.

“Smart Table Interactive Learning Center,” $7,358, for grades K-2 in Hewitt Elementary School. A Smart Table will be utilized to provide a multi-touch, multi-sensory table in the primary classrooms.

“Covert Gardens,” $4,000, will provide for the purchase of a greenhouse that will enable all students to participate in hands-on learning activities that support the science curriculum.

“Dragon Naturally Speaking,” $750, for South Side Middle School to purchase software that will provide students with moderate to severe written expression disabilities an opportunity to completely express their full understanding of a given concept or topic in written form.

“Lights, Camera, Action,” $6,170 for South Side Middle School to purchase a Tek TriCaster Video Production System to upgrade the present equipment in the school’s television studio. The TriCaster portable live production system provides all of the tools that are found in a broadcast station: switching, tiling, video effects, audio mixing, editing and more. Students will be able to videotape live events that can immediately be viewed on classroom monitors throughout the school.

“At Home Summer Reading,” $1,200, for a Wilson Elementary School mentor program designed to support struggling readers during the summer months. Staff members will correspond with students to encourage and support reading activities using leveled reading materials.

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