News Release, Calvert County Public Schools
Prince Frederick, MD- Calvert County Public Schools is proud to announce the 2019 recipients of the Calvert School Foundation grants to foster creative approaches to education. Members of the Board of Directors reviewed 29 proposals and selected eight to be funded for a total cost of $12,899.83.
Dr. Daniel D. Curry, Superintendent, said, “This is the kind of benefit we hoped to see when we created this foundation. Thanks to the Board for their strong support.”
The eight proposals that will be funded this year are:
Peace Room: Cristin Williams, Calvert Elementary School
The Peace Room will be available to all students and will be a positive model of the implementation of restorative practice strategies and an outward example of the value that Calvert Elementary has on building relationships.
Yoga for Kids: Leigh Cox, Barstow Elementary School
Yoga will be introduced to enrich the standard physical education curriculum to be more inclusive and relevant to students of all ages and diverse capabilities.
Creating Citizens: The Production and Implementation of Targeted Interventions to Increase the Achievement Rates of Struggling Populations in the Maryland Government HSA: Jayme Pieretti and Cheslie Williams, Huntingtown High School
Through collaborative planning, teachers will develop common practices utilizing the Learning-Focused Model and one-to-one technology to address the needs of diverse learners taking the American Government course.
Embracing Cultural Diversity through the Arts: Megan Ells Perry, Huntingtown Elementary School
In an effort to promote a culturally sensitive school, all students in grades K-5 will attend a theater performance of Cirque Zuma Zuma, presented by Arts on State, Ltd.
Family Math Night: Megan Zebron, Dowell Elementary School
Family Math Night will be hosted after school and will include a free meal, snacks, educational sessions, and a take-home bag full of math manipulatives.
Whiteboard Tables: Rachel Hull, Calvert Elementary School
Whiteboard tables will allow students to freely share what they know through discussion and in writing while they learn collaboratively with the teacher as facilitator.
Student Voice initiative: Shana Brickner and Bonnie Brown, Patuxent High School
All grade-levels will be impacted by this new initiative, as the intent is to create a more welcoming environment for all students by fostering an environment of safety where students are heard, and diversity is accepted (and welcome!).
Chesapeake Beach Community Mural: Tracy Bensing, Beach Elementary School
This project will provide a public arts festival for the Chesapeake Beach community that celebrates the lifestyle and ecosystem living in and near the Chesapeake Bay and Oceans.
The Calvert School Foundation provides a source of supplemental funding for Calvert County Public Schools through donations and community involvement. The resources will be allocated for innovative educational programs that foster creative approaches to teaching and learning.
Members of the Board of Directors of the Foundation include Bonnie Barrett, Vice President and Branch Market Manager of Community Bank of the Chesapeake; Barbara McKimmie, President of the Calvert Retired School Personnel Association; Dona Ostenso, President of the Calvert Education Association; Guffrie Smith, President of the Calvert Collaborative for Children & Youth; Mark Wanamaker, General Manager of Bayside Toyota; and Victoria Samuels of the Educational Systems Federal Credit Union.
The Foundation operates under the umbrella of the Calvert Community Foundation, which is in partnership with Chesapeake Charities. The Calvert Community Foundation (CCF) is a non-profit resource that provides community groups a simple, accountable method to fulfill their philanthropic missions. Chesapeake Charities is a 501(c)(3) community foundation based in Queen Anne’s County that serves the Chesapeake Bay region.