Ridgefield Education Foundation Kicks off Grant Cycle

The Ridgefield Education Foundation is pleased to announce its Spring 2015 grant cycle.  The foundation awards grants to educators or education professionals in the Ridgefield community for creative, innovative or collaborative classroom projects, professional development or technology. 
 
"Our intention is to support the Ridgefield community and leverage the untapped potential that helps move education forward.  Blended learning, STEM or STEAM, 21st century skills and the Common Core State Standards are all becoming mainstream phrases", states Ridgefield Education Foundation President Avery Costigan.  The foundation will not supplant programs or items that are traditionally funded by operating budgets. Instead, they want to focus on the creative, innovative and collaborative aspects.  "We ask educators to experiment and to try something new", adds Grants Director Maria Markus.  The foundation sees themselves as research and development for the district.  This way, the district can learn what works and what doesn't before they invest in a project.  
 
2014 grant recipient, Barbara Jennes, Scotts Ridge Middle School 8th Grade English teacher, explains the vision and learning behind her project; a S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) based initiative with The Aldrich Museum, "Common Ground was an outstanding example of adding the “A” – Art – to the STEM approach to collaborative learning. Students worked together to think symbolically, create, respond to feedback, problem-solve, revise and present their product to a real-world audience: the media, their parents, local dignitaries and their entire school.”
 
The grants are voted on by the community member Board of Directors.  The board also includes a Board of Education representative and Ridgefield Public School representatives, including Superintendent Deborah Low, who acts in an ex-oficio role.  The process is "blind", meaning, Board of Directors will not know any identifying information such as school, organization or teacher so that grants are awarded based on the merits of the application.  
 
Any educator or education professional may apply, either alone or partnered with a community member.  REF encourages collaboration between a school professional and/or community organizations, parents and students.  Deadline for applications is Friday, March 27.  For more information, email:  info@ridgefieldeducationfoundation.org or visit the website for the grant application.  The Ridgefield Education Foundation is a 501c3 not for profit organization.  Any donations are considered tax deductible.  The foundation always welcomes new team members!  Visit www.ridgefieldeducationfoundation.org to learn more. 

 

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Submitted by Ridgefield, CT

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