Bridgman Foundation for Educational Excellence
enhancing and enriching learning opportunities
GRANTS
The Bridgman Foundation for Educational Excellence has $15,000 to award in new grants during the 2022-2023 school year. Grants are awarded to teachers for the purpose of supporting curriculum enrichment and enhancing the learning experience.
Grants may submitted at any time and will be reviewed and responded in accordance with the current year's process schedule.
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GRANTS
2021-2022 Grants
Room Dividers for Title One Classroom
(D. Knezic/Elem School)
Portable room dividers provide spaces for small groups of students for small group instruction especially in in reading, math and writing. Small group sessions allow students a quiet place where they can focus on learning without distractions.
First Chapter Fridays Classroom Library (S. Conklin/HS)
Purchase of age-appropriate books began an initiative for 11th and 12th grade students to reintroduce them to the joy of independent reading. Twice a month, a portion of the first chapter of a novel is read to students, hopefully spiking interest in the book. Several copies of each novel are available for students to take out and read.
Science of Reading Materials (A.Ales/Elem School)
New reading instructional materials of best practices that coincide with evidence-based research and support a systematic approach to reading instruction.
SEL Library (J. Klunder, Woerdehoff, Singer & Denney/Elem School) An addition to the school’s library of SEL (social, emotional learning) books and resources that all teachers may check out to supplement their lessons and assist them in developing their students’ emotional learning.
DECA International Career Development Conference (L. McGee/HS)
Funds to defray costs for registration, travel, lodging and meals to 30 Bridgman High School Students who advanced to the DECA International Career Development Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. Competitions included marketing, accounting, and business management disciplines and provided experience in leadership, project-based teamwork, networking, writing, public speaking and problem solving.
First Chapter Fridays Classroom Library (A. Knowlton & M. Foxworthy/RMS)
Four copies of 40 different age-appropriate books and shelving to store them. First chapter of each book will be read on Fridays in the hope that students will want to finish reading the book and enhance reading skills. Discussion of the book and other books will develop public speaking skills.
2020-2021 Grants
Digital Cameras/RMS (R. Marfia)
RMS has a No Cell Phone Policy that supports students’ concentration in learning and social interaction. The digital cameras provide students “legal” photographic equipment for various art projects. They learn how to take high quality photographs of their finished artwork, create digital art portfolios, and learn about a variety of art professions that use photography. The cameras will also be used in the production of the school’s yearbook.
Learn more at glowforge.com
STEM LAB Equipment/RMS (K. deBest)
A Glowforge design and laser engraving system and a new 3D printer, capable of printing multiple colors at a time, are new technology equipment used in a variety of businesses. The equipment provides students with learning opportunities well beyond those in a normal classroom to design, measure, edit, and produce multiple projects.
Artwork Display Rails/RMS (R. Marfia)
The display rails professionally and securely show artwork in approved areas around the school. They replace securing artwork to walls using painter’s tape that often wrinkled student work and did not hold artwork securely to the walls. Students love seeing their work displayed and enjoy discussing it with their peers. It helps them envision other work displayed in the public realm. Curating artwork also fulfills part of the visual art curriculum.
2019-2020 Grants
String Art for Advanced Geometry (A. Veldman)
This project enhances student understanding of geometry, first by using paper and colored pencils and then by applying that knowledge to create string art on wood planks. Students apply learned content in a creative way that is motivating, challenging, and memorable. Finally, it fulfills common core state standards for Advanced Geometry.
Kagan Activities/Book and Higher Level Thinking Cards/RMS (K. Wells)
The Kagan methodology book and cards for 8th grade science and social studies classes help to create a secure learning environment and increase student engagement and co-operation, as well as add more variety to current class activities. The Higher Level Thinking cards help students to think critically and creatively about content being studied.
Handmade Sketchbooks/High School Art (R. Marfia)
Various art materials for grades 9 – 12 to create, maintain and use individual sketchbooks, including final binding and followed by creation of a digital version. Sketchbooks provide a place, where over time, students can practice, experiment with tools and techniques and see progress in their technical skills and processes.
Garden/Middle School (M. Payne)
Phase 2 of “spade in the ground project” to create a 20’ by 20’ garden at RMS and continue work towards its goal of making gardening and healthy eating a permanent part of Bridgman Public Schools. The school’s Garden Club will also create educational signage for all plantings.
Specialized Keyboard/RMS and BHS Band (C. Reppart)
The Harmony Director is a specialized keyboard to teach specifics about tuning, intonation and harmony through comparative learning. It helps teach intonation in a way that is impossible with a conventional keyboard and will take the band to the next performance level.
Adjustable Desks/Elem. School Special Ed
(M. Duehlmeyer)
Three standing adjustable desks to assist students with ADHD or other attention issues to focus by allowing them to stand during instructional time or when completing tasks, resulting in better learning and fewer discipline issues.
History Book Library/RMS Social Studies/ELA Integration (M. Foxworthy)
Fiction and nonfiction history books for 6th grade help deepen students’ knowledge of social studies concepts as well as increasing reading levels, thus supporting the school improvement reading goal for the 2019/2020 school year. Books are assigned reading and then discussed in book club format.
Qball Microphone/Elem.School (N. Foxworthy)
Thirteen Qball microphones for 13 teachers. The Qball (ball with interior microphone) is a progressive, action-oriented learning tool that engages and encourages participation of all students. This learning tool promotes personal interaction and strengthens inclusion. Students use the device to answer open-ended questions during a guided discussion. It helps teachers assess students’ knowledge of the common core and enhances social and emotional growth.