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The foundation awarded the grants to applicants who requested funding for projects that are not funded in the regular education budget. Foundation Chair Phyllis Boughton presented the grants Wednesday evening at the Danbury Board of Education meeting.
"The number and variety of applications we received shows us that our teachers are enthusiastic about diversifying the programs their students participate in," Mayor Mark Boughton said. "The Danbury Education Foundation is proud to assist our outstanding teachers through the funding of these innovative education projects."
At the beginning of the 2013-14 school year, teachers were provided with the opportunity to apply for Danbury Education Foundation Classroom Excellence Grants. The foundation asked applicants to submit detailed project ideas in order to be considered for one of five mini grants of up to $1,500 for innovative classroom programs in all subject areas and grades. In addition, the foundation's board accepted applications for grants up to $5,000. Applications came in from various schools and for various projects.
The DEF Board funded five applicants this year. The winners of the grants are:
- Instrumental Music. Teacher: Brian Ho. Morris Street, Pembroke, Ellsworth Avenue, Park Avenue, Hayestown and Academy of International Studies Schools - $1,500
- Aerodynamic Science Solutions. Teacher: Jameson Parker. Danbury High School - $1,300.79
- Using Technology to Increase Socialization. Teachers: Bill Herzog, Christine Miller and Roseanne Britton. Broadview Middle School - $1,440.40
- Drum To Learn. Teachers: Barbara Baker, Nonna Neal and Linda Siciliano. Danbury Public School Early Childhood Center - $1,500
- Danbury Lego Robotics Team. Leader: Ellen Bell. A Danbury After-School Program - $1,215
The board awarded one grant winner in the up to $5,000 category and offered a supplemental grant of almost $2,000.
Winner of the up to $5,000 grant is the MakerSpace Project with teacher Mike McNiff at Danbury High School: $3,996 grant.
The supplemental grant went to Nature's Classroom for teacher Leigh Viviano at Pembroke School: $1,937 grant.
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