Mini and Major Grants of 2006

We are thrilled to present the grants that have just been awarded for 2006. More than 30 grants were awarded, totaling $64,346. Your donations make it possible for us to fund these amazing programs. Thank you for your generosity.

Specific grants awarded are as follows:

For All the Schools

Dr. Brendan Walsh, reading consultant, will conduct in-school motivational programs for elementary students and informational seminars for parents and teachers.

Hingham High School

Lewis Stewart and five professional musicians will rehearse and perform Gershwin’s “Rhapsody In Blue” with members of the HHS Band.
-Equipment will be purchased to set up a simulated Hingham Harbor ecosystem to allow for long-term studies of local plants and animals.
4 boys and 4 girls will be sent to the Massachusetts Boys’ and Girls’ State to represent Hingham and to gain basic working knowledge of municipal government.
“Harborlight”, HHS’s student-run newspaper, will purchase a new computer.
Video editing equipment will be purchased to enhance and expand editing capabilities and video production. This technology will benefit students in TV production class as well as those making class video projects and working on the “Friday Show.”
Teachers will have access to “Turnitin.com” to detect plagiarism in students’ writing. The service will aid in raising awareness of how to avoid plagiarism through careful research and proper methods of citation.
One teacher will be sent to China to study Chinese Art and Poetry in order to integrate her learning into the HHS English Departments’ curriculum.
Initial funding will be provided for a vocal jazz ensemble including professional coaches, recordings, sheet music and a sound system.
Support for the debate team will be provided including transportation, league dues and research materials.
A program will be funded that will integrate the visual arts into the social studies and literature classes.
Classroom materials will be created based on a teacher’s summer work in Bosnia with Builders for Peace rebuilding the war-ravaged country.

Hingham Middle School

“Quizdom” technology will be purchased to help 7th and 8th grade science students.
An LCD projector will be purchased for the Art Department to enhance student learning and exploration.
“Ernest Shackleton” books will be purchased so 6th grade students, regardless of reading levels, will read on the same topic and be able to relate what they read to Social Studies, Science and Math concepts.
DVD’s and exercises will be purchased that are used to improve middle school study skills.
An interactive whiteboard will be purchased to be used in 6th grade Math, Science, Social Studies and ELA/Reading classes.
3 LCD projects will be purchased to be used in Social Studies classes.
The “World of Difference” program, which was initially funded by the HEF in 2004, will be completed this year.

All Elementary Schools

One teacher will create a web quest based on her travels of China’s Silk Road. The quest will be used in school and at home by students, teachers and parents to enhance the study of ancient China.

Foster School

-Funding will be provided for the Technology in Reading project to provide software and other materials. The goal of this program is to meet district-wide individual reading needs.
A library of audio books will be created to engage reluctant readers. “Mystery readers” will be high-profile people in our community who will share their favorite stories.
Two sets of tone bells will be purchased for the music department to introduce note reading and harmony to all grades.
Smartboard interactive whiteboard will be purchased so classroom notes can be highlighted, converted to text and printed for later use.
An elaborate “time line” will be created in 1st grade to investigate people and events in American history.

Plymouth River School

A digital camera will be purchased to be used by the entire school for school events, teaching photography and integrating digital photos into presentations.
A multi-media A/V presentation system will be purchased to be used in classrooms and the cafeteria.
“Clean Hands” project will be funded to educate students grades 3-5 on the importance of hand washing and its effect on disease prevention.
Problems will be created by the 5th grade math specialist for MCAS preparation.
Funds will be provided to help with the “1000 Books” program to provide quality literature to preschoolers and kindergarteners while fostering a connection between home and school.

South School

“Readers’ Theatre” will be purchased to use drama to improve students’ fluency and comprehension in all grades.
A footbridge and new permanent signage will be created for nature trails as well as information about activities on the trails.