By Tom Dalton
Staff writer
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SALEM — The Salem Education Foundation awarded more than $30,000 in grants last week to 37 public school teachers.
In a ceremony at Salem High, the nonprofit organization announced that it is funding programs in marine biology, physical fitness, art, science, history, archaeology and literature.
Grants were awarded to teachers at 10 schools, including Salem Academy Charter School, an independent public school. Nearly three-quarters of the 59 grant requests were funded, according to the foundation.
In one grant, teachers from Salem High and Carlton School will work together. Elementary students will grow vegetables and flowers in a community garden and sell them in a school-based farmers market. The vegetables will be cooked by culinary arts students at Salem High and served as the final activity of the program. The entire project will be documented by high school students in graphic arts and photography.
The foundation also funded Salem High students who will monitor marine invasive species in Salem and a sculpture project at Collins Middle School.
Since 1986, the foundation has provided more than $480,000 to support public school programs not funded by the school budget. The Salem Education Foundation raises funds through an annual raffle and auction.
