By Stacie N. Galang
PEABODY — The Peabody Council on Education awarded 49 projects totaling $22,433 for its Best Bet Grants this year.
The organization of business and civic leaders received 74 applications this fall to purchase classroom supplies, bring in theater groups and send students on field trips. Grants were handed out at all 10 schools this year.
Best Bet grants are open to all of the district's nearly 500 teachers.
The smallest grant went to Brown School special education teacher Sandra Zimmerman, who will receive $51.90 to purchase vocabulary cards.
Burke School fifth-grade teacher Laurie Lundergan received the largest amount, $1,490, to bring Theatre Espresso's "Uprising on King Street: The Boston Massacre."
The theater troupe re-creates the trial of British Capt. Thomas Preston, who was tried for his role in the 1770 Boston Massacre, according to Theatre Espresso's Web site.
"In their role as jurors, students explore the events of the Boston Massacre through the eyes of ordinary men and women who were both shaped by and instrumental in shaping history," the Web site said.
Last year, the council funded 57 applications for a total of $25,645.
