funding innovative learning experiences
Classroom Grants
EEF Classroom Enhancement Grants provide opportunities for teachers to fund innovative experiences that enhance the learning environment. Since 2000, the EEF has funded over $559,740 in grants to all 24 schools throughout Plymouth-Canton Community Schools (P-CCS).
Given the unique teaching and learning environments this year due to COVID-19 the EEF will consider grant requests that fall outside of this scope that might meet teachers' specific needs. Applications will be considered for teachers teaching in the Return to Learn plan and the Virtual Academy.
Please note that we will not provide funding for materials that are typically provided by the district/buildings such as PPE equipment, alternative seating or anything included as part of the district's operating budget.
We would like to thank our friends at Community Financial Credit Union who donated $10,000 to help fund this program. The EEF will be matching their donation with $10,000. If you would like to financially support this program, please make a donation HERE.
The deadline for 2020-21 applications is Wednesday, November 25, 2020.
Applicants will be notified on December 1, 2020 of the grant committee's decision.
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Application Review
Each grant application will be reviewed by the EEF Grant committee consisting of EEF Board members and volunteers. Grants are evaluated on the following criteria:
- Innovative classroom enhancement to the existing curriculum
- Grant request is understandable, thorough & complete
- Permanent materials vs. disposable materials
- Materials and ideas that can be shared among other classes
- Meets Teaching and Learning Standards
- Number of students served vs. cost
- Evaluation process is in place
- Budget is thorough and complete
Grant applications are to be submitted in the google form bleow. Please call Gretchen Ward if you have any questions: 734-416-2718 or email at Gretchen.ward@pccsk12.com
Grants Summer 2019
Mathematical Technology Integration
Plymouth HS: Charis Aiello
This grant will fund a handheld tablet, a Surface-Pro Microsoft Office software and wireless display accessory to connect to the classroom projector. The Surface Pro allows the teacher to walk around the classroom and throughout the lesson write notes. The software allows the teacher to snap pictures of student work and display it. This device allows students to have daily opportunities to have a voice throughout the lesson and promotes collaboration.
Amount granted: $1,515
Choice Reading Library for Classrooms
Starkweather Academy: Collin Bertram
This project is a choice reading curriculum for English 9 at Starkweather Academy. The Starkweather student population has a higher per capita rate of struggling readers, and this will provide an incredible book library, which will contain the greatest diversity of reading materials from interest levels to reading levels.
Amount granted: $1,000
Write All About It!
Farrand Elementary: Staci Kokalis and Shaun Finney
This project includes the purchase of 7 apps to utilize on classroom devices for the teachers of 125 students in the ASD center- based program. These apps will assist students in the autism program to learn to communicate and share through writing. This project will help students who struggle with writing due to a lack of fine and gross motor skills. It will also speak for students who are nonverbal, which will enable them to share their writing in the class author’s chair.
Amount granted: $2,062
New Equipment and Labs for testing Batteries and Electronics
Canton HS: Jerry Lickey
The funds for this project will be used to purchase the MDX-650P Battery and Electrical System Analyzer with Built in Printer, which will improve areas that students are weak in and get students out into the shop doing more hands-on real-world work. Battery technology has changed to the point that old testing ways are no longer accurate or safe. The new system meets all of the necessary safety and testing standards.
Amount granted: $790
Lights, Camera, Action
Miller Elementary, Dannon McGuire
This project will fund materials so the students of Miller Elementary can produce high quality, high tech, daily video announcements that will include day to day happenings as well as present topics that tie to the curriculum and also showcase the students. The equipment will be set up in the production room where students can plan, produce, edit, and stream their announcements.
Amount granted: $1,400
Yoga and Mindfulness Practices for Kids
Miller Elemntary: Carla Morrin
This project involves students participating in a yoga club, teachers learning yoga and mindfulness techniques that can be incorporated into an emotionally responsive classroom. This project also involves reaching out to families so that they can learn yoga and self-regulation techniques along with their children. A yoga program will support positive behavior and school culture.
Amount granted: $705
Tuners for Wind Ensembles
Plymouth HS: Michael Wells
Funds from this grant will be used to purchase 50Korg TM60BK Combination Tuner and Metronomes to be used during band classes throughout the year. Each student will be able to use the tuner function during band class to ensure they are playing in tune more efficiently and effectively. Because of the ability to clip the KORG microphone onto the bell of their instrument, the students will be able to receive immediate feedback while holding their instrument in a natural position.
Amount granted: $1,900
Thermal Imaging Project
Canton HS: Derek Kindall
This grant will be utilized for four AP Chemistry classes to assist student understanding of thermodynamics. The cameras can also be used with up to eight AP Environmental Science classes to help students understand and experiment with: the greenhouse effect, energy efficiency, and will demonstrate why some energy production methods are more efficient than others.
Amount granted: $3,060
Rocketbook Into the Future
Gallimore Elementary: Jessica Zeleji
A Rocketbook is a reusable notebook with pages that wipe clean with water. Before the page is cleaned the image of writing is uploaded with a scan to the present location of the student’s choice. The Rocketbook Fusion can easily be incorporated with Google classroom, any subject area, any task and even replace a planner. Writing can also be transcribed. This grant funded Rocketbooks for 90 students and 3 teachers.
Amount granted: $2,279
Past Grants Winter 2019
High-Interest, Low-Level Readers for High School Cognitively Impared Program
Salem HS: Kristi Schwartz
Amount granted: $800.00
Mathematical Technology Integration
Megan Fielder: Pioneer MS
Amount granted: $1,340.00
'dem Bones
Valerie Leveille: Salem HS
Amount granted: $1441.00
Headphones for ESL Student Use
Beth Goldberg: Starkweather Academy
Amount granted: $388.00
Sensory and Motor Hallway
Kristi Robertson & Shelley Rebecca: Workman
Amount granted: $684.00
Eleven - by Tom Rogers
Michelle Mimikos, Samantha Maple: Canton HS
Amount granted: $382.50
Force, Motion and Magnetism Exploration Stations
Melissa Overfield: Farrand
Amount granted: $908.00
Sensory Friendly Socialization and Play
Olivia Rhoades: Elementary ASD
Amount granted: $683.00
Past Grants Fall 2018
Sensory Hallway
Dodson Elementary: Amy Ahern and Lori Asher
With the expectations every day for elementary students, research indicates that students must have breaks to allow the body to calm and reenergize to achieve focus on tasks. The sensory hallway will be full of fine motor and gross motor activities. This hallway would include sensory equipment designed to provide proprioceptive, tactile, and vestibular sensory input. The materials will be mounted on the hallway walls and placed on the floor in a specific manner.
Amount granted: $750.00
Trauma/Anxiety Recover Room
Liberty Middle School, Counseling: Leslie Enderson and Sheila Weber
A significant increase in the number of students grappling with issues and concerns with their social and emotional well-being, many of which are connected to anxiety and depression, has been noted. Therapeutic supports will benefit all students. Support of this grant will help develop a space for students to process, grieve, or seek comfort. Some of these supports include a white noise sound machine, puzzles, stress relief balls, cards, books, etc.
Amount granted: $750
The Mindful Reflection Room
Bird Elementary School: Audrey Bauza and Catherine Williams
The reflection room will provide students the opportunity to review and reflect on their behavior and how to repair any damage that was incurred. Activities in this room will concentrate on developing a range of mindful practices which will enable children to repair any harm done, interact positively, improve self- control, build empathy and self- awareness, and reduce stress. Some of the activities include: lights and sound buzzers, Twister, sequins sewing fabric, yoga activities, cards, books, etc.
Amount granted: $750
Upstander
East Middle School Counseling: Samantha Ellis
Upstander is a program that works to end bullying by putting power in the hands of students. There are 8 lessons total that facilitate the development of leadership qualities, critical thinking skills, and bullying intervention. Facilitators will work with four groups of 30 students each year for a total of 120 students per year. The program is consistent with the district goals of creating a safe, inclusive learning environment for all students.
Amount Granted: $2,500
Cars that Can't Crash
Plymouth High School: Nicole Rutkowski
The project is built around 1/10 scale electric radio- controlled cars, programmable microcontrollers, ultrasonic range sensors, and infrared light sensors as a platform for students to apply the concepts they are learning in the physics classroom. They will be using their physics skills to solve real world problems associated with making autonomous and connected vehicles that won’t collide with objects in their path.
Amount granted: $4,820.20
Science from a Microscopic Perspective
Canton High School: Justina Kaye
This grant will allow biology students to study biology from a different and smaller perspective which will allow them a more thorough understanding of how their bodies, as well as the bodies of other organisms, function. Students have not been able to see or experience processes or structures at the microscopic level. This grant will support the purchase of microscopes, smartphone camera mounts, prepared microscope slides, and batteries.
Amount granted: $1,095
Heart Rate Monitors
Liberty Middle School Physical Education: Molly Meeks and Mark Blomshield
This grant will provide funding for a heart rate monitor system. The system will assist with physical education assessments and educate students on maximum and minimum heart rates, recovery heart rates, and resting heart rate zones. The monitor system physically attaches to each student’s forearm. Students are visually able to see how their heart responds to a variety of exercises. This system will also allow teachers to load multiple classes and because there is a storage unit, they can also monitor outside fitness opportunities.
Amount granted: $4,603.84
World History Free Voluntary Reading Library
Salem High School Social Studies: Ricky Styes
This grant will support a Free Voluntary Reading Library for World History classes. It will be composed of young adult historical fiction books that students will be able to access during a ten- minute daily FVR time at the beginning of every day. There will be a range of reading levels, and the books will allow the students to learn culture, history, and a context for different places and eras of history in an engaging and interesting way.
Amount granted: $2,000
Total Fall 2018 EEF Classroom Enhancement Grant Funding: $17,268.59