Destination Math-Destination Success!
Coronado Heights Elementary School
$6,000
Math skills are crucial for success in life. Research shows a strong correlation between student success in math and students making the connection of how it applies to real life. Destination Math focuses on the importance of understanding concepts and mastering skills, then applying those to solve meaningful problems. Full year instruction gives students the opportunity to learn something new every day. There is engaging animation which includes colorful graphics, full audio support, making learning fun and keeping students on task longer. The program begins with assessments based on state standards, and then delivers sequenced, prescriptive instruction targeting each student’s individual needs. This computer-assisted instruction closely monitors each student’s skill development with immediate feedback for students and progress reports for teachers. By incorporating Destination Math, we can insure that all students achieve math success, not just for today, but for life. The total cost for the program is $16,000 and includes two days of professional development for staff. The school PTA and school activity funds will pay the other $10,000.

Improving Literacy Skills In Social Studies: A Revolutionary Idea!
Social Studies Curriculum Coordinator Brenda Chapman
$5999.65
This project will use engaging nonfiction books that inspire reluctant readers to learn and study independently and to read. All books are leveled for guided reading. They contain quotations, timelines, maps, and authentic documents that engage readers as they learn about the birth of the United States. The books focus on significant battles and prominent figures of the Revolutionary War This project addresses several components of the district CLEP: Student-centered teaching, linking assessment to instruction, reading and writing across the curriculum and implementing a variety of approaches to support academic success for all students. The students will improve their literacy skills while reading content important to their social studies class. Students will do better on classroom assignments and assessments, as well as score higher on the CRT Social Studies Test.

Nuts about Nonfiction
James L Dennis Elementary School
$1,000
This project involves purchasing National Geographic nonfiction books. Students will improve their reading levels while learning about history, science, math and the world in which they live. After diagnoses of specific reading strengths and weaknesses, teachers will be able to apply the use of the book sets in small group settings as they instruct struggling readers in a systematic manner. Teachers who allocate more time to reading and language arts instruction are the teachers whose children show the greatest gains in literacy development. Reading is the single most important academic and psychological skill that we teach our students. The beauty of this program is that it encourages the reading of nonfiction titles numerous times to build fluency and teach a myriad of reading skills every time they read.

Parent Education Center
Apollo Elementary School
$3,000
This grant will purchase educational supplies for a Parent Resource Room (PRR) at Apollo Elementary School. The PRR will increase the capacity of families to nurture the support of a healthy development of their children by providing the following services:

• English as a Second Language for adults
• GED classes in English and Spanish
• Parenting and Family support classes and information
• Basic computer training for adults
• Materials in English and Spanish to be checked out for continued home education
• Parent/Student tutoring for school homework
• An environment that is welcoming and homelike

The PRR will provide an avenue for increased parental support, parental education and involvement of the parents, the academic achievement of students will increase.

Summer School Community Service Scholarship
$800
The Secondary Summer School Scholarship program will provide funds for needy students on a "case-by-case" basis. The instructional strategies will include daily tutoring before or during class in addition to the classroom teacher’s strategies based upon the course in which the student is enrolled. The students, parent and Summer School Principal will endorse an agreement that confirms student’s involvement in tutorial time, class time and 18 hours of community service to their home school during the semester following summer school. The Secondary Summer School Scholarship program will give needy students who have failed due to absenteeism or low scores a chance to improve academically, earn needed credits and obtain a high school diploma.

Teaching to the MAX: MAX Reading Skills with Dr. Mark Forget
Putnam City High School
$2,000
This grant will provide funds to bring Dr. Mark Forget to Putnam City High School train the faculty in his various reading comprehension instructional strategies. MAX Motivation is encouraging students to become engaged in the learning of content. Acquisition involves gathering and interpreting information through reading. Extension is the final phase which includes debate, discussion, writing, or manipulation of the ideas that were presented in the reading. Dr. Forget’s services included staff development in classroom strategies, follow-up consultation, and creation of materials to facilitate teacher use of reading and writing strategies in the classroom. When the Putnam City High School teachers implement Dr. Forget’s MAX strategies they will be meeting their goal of improving reading skills for ALL students.

The World at our Fingertips; Interactive Smart Boards for the Classroom
Overholser Elementary School
$3,000
Overholser Elementary School will purchase a Smart Board and a projector on a mobile stand. The Smart Board is a large, white board with the computer desk top screen projected onto it. All of the various things that one can do on a computer can be done on the Smart Board, plus much more! Images projected on the Smart Board can be manipulated with one’s fingers. There are also styluses on the Board that are used to draw, write or color anything one desires. Lessons can be saved, duplicated or erased at the touch of a finger. Templates for maps, clocks, calendars, plants or anything, can be brought up on the screen and then written on. They bring the internet into the classroom on a full screen that is child friendly for manipulation. Research has proven that active involvement of learners increases learning. Incorporating technology into the classroom is now a vital part of education. The Smart Board will engage students in exciting lessons and it utilizes all ways of learning: kinesthetic learners will manipulate objects; visual learners will see bright, exciting colors and movement; auditory learners will listen to instruction, the sounds of other people, animals and things. The Smart Board at Overholser Elementary School will let students learn more by doing. Students become better at what they practice.

WOW (Wildcats’ Opportunity to Work)
Central Middle School
$2,479.37
This grant will fund transportation for the WOW, Central Middle School’s after-school program that allows students an opportunity to complete their make-up work and or provide additional help for students who need to master a concept. The program will be held three days a week for one hour per day. WOW will encompass Dr. Mark Forget strategies and reading across the curriculum while reinforcing PASS objectives. Students are provided one on one help if needed. The objective is to decrease the number of failing grades while promoting student confidence so that the students can achieve success and have another opportunity to perform up to their full potential. With this transportation grant every student will have a chance to participate in this after-school program. The failing list and ineligible list will both decrease. Student work and knowledge of the subject matter will increase due to guided and independent practice acquired through the WOW program at Central Middle School.