2008 Grant Announcement 
 

      Norton Embracing Educational Development, Inc (NEED) is proud to announce its second round of grant funding intended to enhance standard curriculum in order to benefit Norton Public School students.  A check was presented to Dr. Ansay at the June 9^th School Committee meeting to fund nearly $7300 of innovative educational programs and/or technology for the Norton Public Schools. 

      Programming will include start-up costs for a High School Advisory Program as recommended in the MEASE report of 2005.  This will expand a successful pilot program aimed to help students feel connected to their school and to a particular teacher in the attempt to reduce discipline problems and to achieve academically.

      Funding will contribute to expand instruction to above seventh grade level students through an interdisciplinary study of Animal Farm by George Orwell.  Working within history and social science state frameworks, multimedia resources will enhance exploration of the ideology, philosophy and actions of the Russian revolutionaries who inspired this novel.

      Norton third graders will benefit from the creation of a printed and bound book titled “Town of Norton History” highlighting Norton’s history, myths, legends, important figures, and historical locations presented at the 3^rd grade level.    While the grant is issued to JCS, the LGN will seek funding from their PTA to also have these books in the 3^rd grade classrooms. 

      An art and technology integration project will introduce middle school students to a new artistic medium. This project aims to enrich learning opportunities in the visual arts and to develop technology skills.  The art teacher and technology integration specialist will co-teach, reinforcing artistic concepts with formal technical instruction.

      Partial funding was awarded to bring Traveling Science Workshops to 5^th graders.  Partial funding was also awarded to bring a traveling museum with ancient artifact replicas to 7^th graders.

      A final grant will benefit the system’s youngest students.  Project Early will have a new Sensorimotor Kit to reinforce multisensory skills taught to special needs students as well as to typically developing peer model students in the integrated classrooms. 

      NEED funds were generated through generous individual and corporate donations, and through the fundraising efforts of a small group of volunteers.  The group is planning to hold an Artwork for Education fundraiser beginning in the fall.  Students will create artwork which will be printed on greeting cards. The cards will be distributed in time for Mother’s Day.   There are many steps in between creation of the artwork and delivery of the cards.  NEED is looking for volunteers to help with this and other projects to raise even more money for next year’s grant cycle. Any help would be appreciated!  

      Norton Embracing Educational Development, Inc., (NEED) is a 501C 3 organization which promotes and supports the development of educational programming in the Norton Public Schools, and encourages standards which are competitive with other school systems in the Commonwealth.  Tax deductible donations are always welcome and can be sent to NEED, 64 West Main St, Norton, MA 02766. Contact NEED at NortonNEED@gmail.com.   For more information, please visit  www.NortonNEED.com.