NEF Awards Nearly $36,000 in Spring Grants
Students in Needham schools will benefit from 12 grants worth nearly $36,000 in the spring cycle of grants awarded by the Needham Education Foundation. Many of this season’s grants are notable for teaching academic concepts through hands-on activities and performances.
The Needham Education Foundation funds programs that fall outside normal school funding and promote innovation and excellence for students. Spring grants, announced at the Needham School Committee meeting on April 23, include funding for:
- The “Amazing Nano Brothers,” who will use juggling to teach complex science concepts, including atomic structures, in performances at all elementary schools.
- The Hillside Family Engineering Extravaganza, with engineering activities for students and families, helped by Olin College students and the NHS girls’ robotics team.
- A 3-D printer, to enable robotics students to design a part, “print it,” and then use the physical item. The printer will be used initially by the Needham High School robotics club and then integrated into the school’s new robotics class.
- A one-woman performance by an actor playing Helen Keller, followed by an in-character Q&A with students, to kick off Disability Awareness programs at each elementary school.
2013 Spelling Bee
The Needham Board of Selectmen was the winning team of the 22nd annual NEF Spelling Bee. The team was made up of John Bulian, Dan Matthews, and Lindsey Kiser. The winning word this year was “neossology,” which means the study of young birds.
The 2013 NEF Spelling Bee was a success! Our thanks to the many donors and participants of our annual fundraising event.
NEF Announces Recipients of 2012-2013 Large Grant Awards
The Needham Education Foundation (NEF) announced the recipients of its 2012-2013 large grants cycle at a recent meeting of the Needham School Committee. Two grants totaling over $20,000 were awarded to Needham High School initiatives. One supports the Needham Public School district goal to expand STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) offerings at Needham High School. The other addresses a commitment at the high school to nurture social/emotional wellness among Needham teens.
NHS Robotics Course
This grant of $13,250 funds the materials required to launch a new robotics class at Needham High School. An elective course proposed by Needham High School math teacher and robotics coach Hans Batra, the semester-long class will be offered twice a year. It enjoys strong support from Needham High School administration and faculty including Principal, Dr. Jonathan Pizzi, Science Department Chair, Bob Lockhart and Director of Technology, Deb Gammerman.
Own Your Peace Sculpture
The “Own Your Peace” sculpture proposed for display on the Needham High School campus will be a bold and permanent reminder of the community’s commitment to support each other’s well being. The $8,250 NEF grant is one component of the $180,000 project to design, create and install this compelling work by local artist, Ted Clausen. It funds Clausen’s time instructing students as they interview community members for text to be incorporated into the art—which will highlight inspiring thoughts on wellness, resilience and challenge. During the process, Clausen will teach students valuable skills in interviewing and historical research, as well as editing.
Historic Ties to NEF Inspire Gift of $10,000
On October 4, Leslie Tillotson, NEF co-president, was personally handed a gift of $10,000 from the estate of a woman with special ties to the NEF. The late Margaret Forrant was a 1939 Needham High School graduate who with her classmates, Ralph and Barbara Leader, helped found the NEF with a 50th class reunion gift of $3,000. Mrs. Forrant willed the gift to the NEF in honor of her 6th grade teacher at Emily Grover School, Gladys Howarth Mayo.
Mrs. Forrant’s cousins, Douglas and Shirley Byers of Nova Scotia, traveled to Needham from Nova Scotia to hand-deliver the $10,000 gift. While visiting with Leslie and Kathy DeMayo, NEF administrative director, the Byers told how Mrs. Forrant was deeply inspired by Mrs. Mayo. Mrs. Forrant followed in her teacher’s footsteps, teaching art in New York after graduating college from Boston University. Later, Mrs. Forrant earned a masters degree in social work and was a counselor for many years at Boston Family Services.
During the Byers’ visit, the couple toured High Rock School with principal, Jessica Downey and two 6th grade students. Leslie and Kathy joined the Byers, talking with them about Margaret, our grant programs and the NEF’s impact on Needham education over the years.
Douglas and Shirley Byers traveled from Nova Scotia, Canada on October 4 to give the NEF a $10,000 gift bequeathed by their cousin, Margaret Forrant. They are shown at High Rock School with NEF co-president, Leslie Tillotson.
NEF Announces Autumn Grant Awards of Nearly $45,000
The Needham Education Foundation has awarded 20 grants totaling nearly $45,000 in its autumn small grants cycle. Needham students will learn from visiting authors and dancers in residence, historical reenactments, a program pairing high school students with senior citizens, and even a course in cryogenics. These are among the programs that will receive support, reaching across all Needham public schools and all grade levels.
The Needham Education Foundation funds programs that fall outside normal school funding and promote innovation and excellence for students. Autumn grants, announced at the Needham School Committee meeting on Nov. 20, include funding for:
- A Jazz quartet to introduce students at all five elementary schools to various styles of jazz and complement the music curriculum.
- The Boston Museum of Science’s “Cryogenics: Heat and Temperature” live demonstration for 8th graders at Pollard Middle School, including experiments that cannot easily be conducted in a typical classroom.
- Seed money for a new “Farm to School” at Needham High School that was organized in response to student interest in local and organic farming, composting, and sustainable food practices.
- Android tablets for a high school computer programming class to enable students to design and test apps.
Flipped Classrooms and Broken Silos: Education Trends in Needham and Beyond
How are educators making learning more meaningful, inspiring, and accessible in a changing academic and business environment? The Needham Education Foundation invited the community to explore these questions and others in an enlightening dialogue with Dr. Daniel Gutekanst and local experts from Olin College, MIT, and businesses to find out about:
- Needham Public Schools initiatives in interdisciplinary learning
- How online instruction and other creative teaching models engage students in learning beyond just the classroom
- How educators are breaking down silos between academic disciplines to better prepare students for higher learning and real-world problem solving
This event took place on November 28, 2012, where participants engaged in an audience Q & A and joined speakers for dessert after the panel discussion.
Keynote Speaker and Moderator
Daniel E. Gutekanst, Ed.D, Superintendent, Needham Public Schools
Panelists included:
- Robert Martello, Professor, Olin College
- Mark Somerville, Professor, Olin College
- Kirby Salerno, Co-Founder of ClassroomWindow, a web-based education resource provider
- Mark Chang, Director of Product, edX
- Leah Alpert, MIT student, Needham High School graduate, and intern, Khan Academy
NEF Launches Interdisciplinary Learning at NHS with Largest Grant to Date
Innovative Pilot Program Connects Traditional Disciplines – A Key for 21st Century Learning and Problem-Solving
The Needham Education Foundation is awarding a start-up grant of $111,500 to fund a pilot program in interdisciplinary learning at Needham High School, including an innovative course planned for fall 2013. The grant was announced at this evening’s meeting of the Needham School Committee.
“This is a very exciting advance that will have a profound impact not only on our students, but also on Needham’s standing as one of the state’s premier school districts,” said Needham Public School Superintendent Daniel Gutekanst.
The grant is the largest in the 22-year history of the NEF. It provides resources for the pilot year of a new interdisciplinary course, which has been developed by Needham High educators in collaboration with the NEF. The course will help students learn to make crucial connections between academic disciplines and develop problem-solving skills that are essential for success in higher education and beyond.
“Students who take the course will gain valuable skills in the cross-disciplinary thinking that is expected in top colleges — and that is crucial for success in so many academic and professional endeavors,” said Needham High School Principal Jonathan Pizzi, who was joined by teachers and NEF leaders to describe the course to School Committee members on Wednesday.
Addressing the Need for Cross-Discipline Learning
Interdisciplinary studies are a departure from traditional teaching models that present academic subjects (English, math, science, etc) in isolated silos. Educators nationwide are embracing interdisciplinary learning. In Needham, teachers have been exploring cross discipline instruction informally for many years. But creating these complex courses requires staff time for program and curriculum development. A 2009 accreditation report of Needham High School by The New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) identified the need for formalized opportunities for interdisciplinary learning. The district set a goal to implement an interdisciplinary course at Needham High in its 2013-2016 school improvement plan.
The NEF grant enables Needham Public Schools (NPS) to take a vital first step in breaking down academic silos at the secondary school level. This program emerged from the NEF’s Collaborative Initiative, created in 2006, in which the NEF works closely with the NPS administration to fund large, multi-year initiatives that will have major, strategic impact on education — yet would not be possible within the current school operating budget.
“Community support of the NEF over the years is making it possible for us to seed innovation on a large scale in Needham schools,” said NEF co-president Brooke Baker. “Funding and helping to develop this course has been a real partnership with district educators to provide maximum impact in Needham public schools.”
The Greater Boston Project
In early 2012, five teams of teachers responded to NEF’s request for proposal to develop a high school course that combined local resources, community service, project-based learning, and an interdisciplinary focus. “The Greater Boston Project” was chosen for full course development and received a $31,000 NEF grant for research and development, which proceeded over the summer with consulting help from Olin College professors.
The resulting course, called Integrated Senior Studies: The Greater Boston Project, will launch in fall 2013 and focus on specific periods in Boston’s history. Students will investigate how individuals and groups perceived themselves and the world around them and how they worked to effect change. Students will read primary historical sources, analyze demographic trends, build mathematical models, and hone presentation skills. The course will culminate with community action projects created by the students. The program, for up to 75 seniors, will meet for two consecutive class periods daily and will be taught collaboratively by three experienced teachers. Students will earn 8 academic credits (four English, two math, and two social studies).
The grant for the course’s pilot year was approved by the NEF last month. If the program is deemed successful, school officials will request operational funding in the district-funded budget for future years. The NEF will continue to work with the district to expand interdisciplinary learning in other courses and other grades.
“Already the creativity and energy around developing this course has spread throughout the district and has become a springboard for more interdisciplinary learning throughout the Needham school culture,” Gutekanst said.
See coverage of the initiative on the Needham Channel.
Travis Roy Brings Motivational Message to Needham Kids
Travis Roy, former BU hockey player, will speak at three Needham elementary schools next week, with his powerful message of believing in yourself and setting positive goals, regardless of the challenges you face.
Roy achieved his own goal of winning a hockey scholarship to Boston University. But 11 seconds into his first collegiate game in 1995, a crash into the boards broke two vertebrae and severed his spinal cord, leaving him paralyzed him from the neck down. With intensive physical rehabilitation, Roy completed his college degree; became an author, motivational speaker and activist; and launched a foundation to fund research on spinal cord injury and to help survivors.
His appearance at Mitchell, Broadmeadow, and Newman schools will kick off those schools’ Disability Awareness Programs for 2012-13. Roy’s powerful presentation at Eliot and Hillside schools last year made such a strong impression that parents and school leaders sought to bring his message to the other elementary schools. Roy’s visit next week is funded by a grant from the Needham Education Foundation (NEF).
“Travis Roy’s message is simple yet powerful: No one is immune from the adversity life hands us, and we all have a choice in how we face these challenges,” said Suzanne Lissy, a Broadmeadow parent who lead the effort to bring Roy to Needham again and chairs the Disability Awareness program at Broadmeadow. “His motivational message mirrors many of the themes threaded throughout our Disability Awareness programs.”
Roy will speak at Mitchell School on Monday, October 22, at Broadmeadow on Thursday, October 25 and at Newman on Friday, October 26.
Revolutionary War Reenactment at Hillside
On a beautiful day in October 2012, a few hundred lucky students at Hillside Elementary School were transported back in time to the 1770s with the help of the Rehoboth Minute Company: 13th Continental Division.
The company’s costumed revolutionary reenactors transformed a corner of Hillside’s campus into a revolutionary war encampment, allowing the students to see, hear, touch, and smell a piece of history.
Throughout the day, small groups of third-, fourth-, and fifth-graders visited each of the six tents that were set up to demonstrate different aspects of life in a Revolutionary War camp.
At the officer’s tent, students considered how the lives of officers and regular soldiers differed. The children were able to examine the officer’s uniform and eagerly peppered the officer with questions. The children then watched a uniformed soldier prime his weapon at the weapons tent, where several examples of pistols and muskets were displayed. From there, the students went to the doctor’s tent, where they talked to a revolutionary doctor and nurse, saw and smelled some of the herbs that were used to treat common ailments in the 1770s, and even examined some of the surgical tools that were used at the time.
The importance of drum and fife music was addressed in the next tent, where students passed around a replica of a Revolutionary War drum. The smell of the open campfire led the students to the next station, where two costumed soldiers were making wax candles and lead balls. The final stop was at the tiny privates’ tent, where the kids heard more about the daily life of regular soldiers.
Elizabeth Lee, a parent at Hillside, discovered this group in a different town, where she witnessed how well they engaged the children. Knowing that third-graders at Hillside study Needham history from 1711 to the present and the fifth-graders have a big unit about the Revolutionary War, Liz recognized that the Rehoboth Company’s demonstration would dovetail nicely with existing curriculum. “Our goal is to reinforce, supplement, and bridge the social studies curriculum in grades 3 through 5 by igniting the minds, hearts, and imaginations of Hillside students to the commitment, struggles, and sacrifices of those who fought to create the United States of America,” she wrote in her grant application. Now an NEF board member, Liz was on hand at the demonstration, watching her goals being met.
“The Rehoboth Militia covered a tremendous amount of Revolutionary War history in little over an hour, all in a way that demonstrated, fascinated, and created lifelong memories. Kids, teachers, and parents had a great time!” she summed up. The excitement of the day concluded with a line of soldiers firing their muskets (with blanks, of course!). As the smoke cleared, the children cheered, and then they marched back into the 2010s by the beat of the Revolutionary War drum.
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Student Directed Play at Needham High School
Needham High School senior Lynne Richman smiled with pride when the play that she directed, ”You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” received well-deserved standing ovations after both performances. The initial funds necessary to direct and produce the play were made possible by an NEF grant.
Lynne’s response to her show choice: “I knew I wanted a show with a small cast, simple costumes, and few set changes. I browsed through many lists of shows with this lens, and Charlie Brown was the perfect choice. It had everything I wanted, and it was family-friendly and the music was fun!”
According to David Neves, director of fine and performing arts for Needham Public Schools, the production was successful in many ways. “Our senior did a commendable job of pulling all the pieces together in directing and producing the show. She showed great poise and flexibility throughout the process of juggling rehearsal schedules, assembling her “team” of student assistants, working with administration and staff in use of the space for rehearsals, and, in the end, culminating in a very positive production. Lynne was also very wise in selecting a show that would work well with the talented cast and be small scale enough to be manageable. She demonstrated the ability to make artistic choices to maximize the effectiveness of the production while still remaining within the constraints of her budget. She definitely grew immensely as a result of this experience. We are so very thankful that NEF provided us with the seed money to make this a reality both this year and into the future. We look forward to seeing which senior students next year might consider this opportunity.”
