BEVERLY — The Beverly Education Foundation has announced that it will disperse $3,272 in grant money to fund seven new programs for Beverly schools.
The money was raised from the 2009 Momball Tournament, an annual softball tournament pitting moms from each school against each other, and from the Honor a Teacher Campaign, where parents and students can buy certificates to present to favorite teachers.
The foundation, which was established in 1997, tries to use the money it raises to stimulate innovation and support educational programs that are outside the normal curriculum and public funding, says Anna Green, the foundation's treasurer.
"For very little money, we think it was a big impact," Green said. "We fund things that maybe just need a little bit extra to get going. If we succeed at one school, we try to implement it in another."
An example of that is the family math and science night at Cove Elementary, where students and parents team up for a night of fun math and science activities. It was such a hit, the foundation handed out a grant to start the program at Centerville Elementary, and other schools will likely follow, Green said.
Teachers, parents and others submit proposals to the foundation's board, which is made up of parents, teachers, administrators and community members. The board meets in the spring to decide which program proposals to fund for the year.
"We look for innovation, collaboration and replicability," Green said.
Grant awards
The Beverly Education Foundation gave money to these programs for the 2010/2011 school year:
$600 — "Beverly High School Multiple Visit Partnership at the Peabody Essex Museum." The project allows art students at Beverly High to visit the museum in Salem.
$650 — "Extracurricular Enrichment of Science & Mathematics in Elementary School." The money will be used to help plan and develop a Math and Science Night at Centerville Elementary School. The theme is "Wonders of the Waters: Insight into Marine Biology."
$495 — "Therapeutic Learning Center." The project will start a therapeutic learning center at North Beverly Elementary to help struggling students develop strategies and skills to function as independent learners and develop a positive sense of self.
$400 — "Providing Classic Novels in Graphic Novel Form to Resistant and Developing Readers." The program aims to benefit remedial, resistant and developing readers in grades six through eight at Briscoe Middle School. It provides an opportunity for those students to be involved in a form of reading that will motivate them to read and to comprehend.
$350 — "Launch Physical Education." The program will educate post-high school students on the importance of living a healthy lifestyle. It will give students the opportunity to collaborate with community organizations such as the Beverly Athletic Club.
$427 — "Interwrite MOBI." The program will use INTERWRITE MOBI technology, a multiuser, multi-tablet wireless system, to motivate, engage and challenge academically talented students.
$350 — "Learning Cards Lead to Reading." The money will be used to expand an existing program at North Beverly Elementary School that provides struggling readers in grades two through four with decodable books and practice learning cards.
More information: Go to www. beverlyedfoundation.org or e-mail info@beverlyedfoundation.org.
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