This year the GBMS PTO introduced an Innovator Grant Program to fund teacher and staff initiatives that help improve the school. The PTO's original budget was $5,200, though a generous donation early in the year of $1,500 increased the total to $6,700 available this year. Want to see more of these kinds of initiatives? Donate now to fund even more teacher and student innovation!
Innovation Grant Description
Innovation grants are available to full-time or part-time staff for curriculum enrichment materials. Grants of up to $500 are available. Two or more teachers may complete an application jointly to request materials costing more than $500. We accept applications throughout the year, and grants are awarded after approval at the monthly PTO meetings.
Selection Criteria
1. extent to which the materials will support the curriculum
2. extent to which the materials will contribute to innovation
3. number of students who will benefit from the materials
Projects Funded
- Book Publishing - Ms. Kristi Murray and Ms. Katie Dean will receive a grant/loan for $1,000 to assist with publication costs of an illustrated children’s book that their 6th grade students will create this year. Humanities students wrote the text, and Arts and Culture students have created the illustrations. The theme of the book is “Celebrations around the World,” and both the authors and the illustrators will research history, art, and cultures of people around the world. This project will involve 200 students. Look for the order forms for this book to support this worthy endeavor. Some of the proceeds from sales of the book will be donated to The Peace Corner, a community center located in the Austin neighborhood, and some of the proceeds will be returned to the PTO to repay the publication loan.
- Postivie Action--SEL Curriculum - Mr. Matthew Maciak and Mr. Treavon Burton received a $500 grant to purchase a social-emotional learning curriculum and attendance/participation incentives. Positive Action is a research-based social and emotional learning curriculum designed to help students develop positive self-image, develop positive behavior, and develop a plan to sustain those positive behaviors. The curriculum materials consist of scripted lessons, activity booklets, games, and journals. Approximately 30 students will use this curriculum.
- Science Fiction Books - Ms. Jill Dombek and Ms. Pam Gaffney used their $1,000 grant (including $750 of Scholastic vouchers) to purchase almost 200 new books for their science fiction unit. Ms. Dombek and Ms. Gaffney found that many students had already read the books the school owned, so they wanted to expand the options for students and add a classic as an option for students with higher reading ability. Approximately 200 students benefitted from this purchase, and will for years to come.
- CPR Dummies - Ms. Jenny Harrington received a $475 grant to purchase five CPR dummies. Ms. Harrington teaches CPR to all the 7th and 8th graders. Each student will have two days of CPR training—one day of instruction and one day of practice. This grant will benefit just over 600 students.
- Library Bookshelves - Ms. Jennifer Nelson, the school’s teacher-librarian, received a $500 grant to use toward the purchase of new bookshelves for paperback books.
- Art Supplies for Stairwell Mural - Ms. Kristi Murray, an art teacher, received a $250 grant to purchase art supplies. The students in the Art Club, in collaboration with artist Alecks Cruz, used the supplies to create a stairwell mural.
- 3D Printer and Filament - Ms. Beth Barton, Mr. Brian Shinners, and Mr. Chris Pros received a $1,500 grant to purchase a 3D printer and filament. The printer will allow students to print objects they design as a part of the Project Lead the Way curriculum. We've collaborated with Julian and the D97 tech leadership to pilot several different printer options, and are still finalizing the printer that will best meet our needs.
- Ancient Egypt and Greek Mythology Performances - Ms. Brock and Mr. Madel (6th grade Humanities teachers), together with Ms. Capuder (6th grade Assistant Principal), received a $1,300 grant to fund two hour-long performances for 6th grade students. The performances took place at Brooks. One performance focused on ancient Egypt, and the other performance focused on Greek mythology. The performances brought to life information about Egypt and Greece in a fun, entertaining, and engaging way, drawing in both reluctant learners and high achievers alike. The shows helped the students make connections between the content, themselves, and the greater world around them. The grant benefited all 6th graders (343 students).
- Lincoln Impersonator - Ms. Cassin and Mr. Hausfeld, 7th-grade Humanities teachers, received a $200 grant to fund a visit from a Lincoln impersonator to enhance their students’ understanding of President Lincoln and the power position he held in this country; supports the team's Civil War unit. Will reach all 7th-grade students.
- Peace Quilts - Ms. Hendrix (8th-grade Language Arts) and Ms. Slheim (8th-grade Special Education) received a $120 grant to purchase supplies to create peace quilts. The peace quilts are a summative project in response to reading Elie Wiesel's Night. Students will incorporate the prompt from this year's Ethnic Fest ("Respect for diversity is the key to peace.”) as well as one of the Integrated Studies question ("What are the essential elements to promote growth and change?"). Students will have the opportunity to work individually as well as in groups for a team building experience. Last, we hope to donate one of the quilts to the school so all students may benefit from this unit. The grant will benefit 125 8th graders.
Many thanks to everyone who help make these grants happen, including the creative, innovative teachers, generous parents, and parent volunteer Lynn Erven Raducha who has managed the program!
Want to see more of these kinds of initiatives? Donate now to fund even more teacher and student innovation or write a check to the Brooks PTO and send in to the office with a memo noting it's for the "Innovation Grant"!