November 13, 2019 – Salisbury, Md. – Schools in Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties received $98,449 in grant funding through the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore’s 2019 Education Award Grants Program which will be distributed across thirty-one school-based programs. Educators and school districts were honored at an evening reception on November 7th at Dove Pointe.
“By investing in local education programs, we are investing in the future leaders of our community – our children” says Erica Joseph, CFES President. “Teachers are in the classroom every day and see critical needs firsthand. These grants are a unique opportunity to empower local educators to create solutions and opportunities where they think they can make the greatest impact.”
Education Awards are made annually in conjunction with National Education Week through a competitive process to public and private grade schools on the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland. Grants are made to those schools that have developed innovative programs to enhance education and improve the social, emotional and physical wellbeing of their students and communities.
Educators from 31 area programs celebrate receiving $98,449 in education grants from the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore at an evening reception held Dove Pointe on November 7th.
Calcott Award of Excellence Celebrated
The Community Foundation honored Greenwood Elementary School’s after-school cooking and food pantry program with the Mary Gay Calcott Award of Excellence and a bonus grant from the Foundation’s Mary Gay Calcott Memorial Fund. The award is named for the late Mary Gay Calcott, a professor of English at Salisbury University whose life embodied her ideals of teaching students to think, to express themselves with clarity and to care about the world they live in.
The following programs received Education Award Grants for the 2019/2020 school year during ceremonies held at a special reception at Dove Pointe in Salisbury:
Somerset County:
Deal Island Elementary School’s Kari Pusey will get creative with Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head kits which students will use to practice reading comprehension skills.
Greenwood Elementary School’s Linda Kinhart will teach kids how to cook simple recipes they can prepare at home and lead them in character-building service work in the school’s Food Pantry.
Somerset County Technical High School will host a college and career fair for all Somerset County high school juniors and seniors (transportation provided), giving them an opportunity to meet tons of local employers and college reps.
Students at Greenwood Elementary School learn how to prepare easy snacks and meals they can make at home.
Wicomico County:
Bennett Middle School’s Sarah Harmon will pilot the “Queens Club”—an after-school club for middle school girls focusing on improving self-esteem, developing a sense of identify and making healthy choices.
Bennett Middle School will implement Ron Clark’s “Legendary Houses”, a researched based program that provides students an opportunity to learn about other cultures, foster relationships, promote school spirit, and build character.
Choices Academy’s Brandi Stein and Chris Hatton will help students build a hoop house on school property so students can start their very own community garden.
Glen Avenue Elementary School’s Andrea Greiner will create “calm-down kits” to reduce office referrals and behavioral problems in the classrooms.
Glen Avenue Elementary School will also implement Ron Clark’s House System.
James M. Bennett High School’s Tana Ellis will pair students with mentees from Prince Street Elementary School as part of the Clippers and Cubs Club.
Mardela Middle and High School’s Courtney Leigh Coco will work with music teachers to bring together string students from all Wicomico County middle and high schools to perform together in an orchestral event.
Northwestern Elementary School’s Charles Echard is going to use drones in math, science, phys ed and social studies classes for a creative and modern approach to learning.
Parkside High School’s horticulture students will take a three-day canoe trip with CTE teacher Jerry Kelley and experienced nature guides to learn about nature and history, and to inspire future care for our natural communities.
Pemberton Elementary School will host an All-County Elementary School Choir for Wicomico County students.
Pinehurst Elementary School’s Jeanie Cheung will take students on curriculum enhancing trips to the Baltimore Science Center, Wright’s Market, and local theatre performances.
Pinehurst Elementary School will host a visual arts residency that will allow students to invent kinetic electromechanical creatures using STEM skills, organized by Victoria Oberdick.
Pittsville Elementary and Middle School will implement an “attendance initiative” to engage families in solutions to student attendance challenges.
Prince Street Elementary School’s Dustin Thomas will create a music recording studio where students can write, record and display their own music and poetry.
Salisbury Christian School’s Jancy Glisson will purchase iPads for PreK students to create opportunities for students to respond to learning through technology.
The Salisbury School’s Deb Maupin will purchase Boston Museum of Science designed “Engineering is Elementary” kits as part of the Elevate Science curriculum.
Salisbury Middle School’s Tara Elliott will host the Poet in Residence for Salisbury Poetry Week 2020.
Salisbury Middle School’s Genise Fleming will pilot an after-school program for at-risk students that focuses on social engagement and self-expression.
Wicomico Middle School will also implement Ron Clark’s House System.
Worcester County:
Buckingham Elementary School will host a bike safety event to raise awareness and educate students on safe biking. Bikes and helmets will be given as prizes during the event.
Cedar Chapel Special School’s Elizabeth Atwood will purchase “switch-accessible devices” to enable students with gross and fine motor difficulties and/or blindness to access curricula.
Cedar Chapel Special School will install a sensory walkway to provide students with engaging opportunities for structured movement throughout the day, organized by Mary Beth Lampman.
Ocean City Elementary School’s Eliza Mason-Burt will purchase virtual reality headsets for use in Science classes.
Pocomoke High School’s “Speak Up” club will host events and discussions that celebrate diversity, raise awareness about social justice, and strive for a more inclusive community.
Pocomoke High School’s Stephen Whitaker will invite visiting writers to the school to teach advanced creative writing workshops throughout the school year.
Pocomoke Middle School’s Edna Wright will lead a Summer Program where at-risk students from Pocomoke City schools will be paired with mentors, take swimming lessons, eat lunch, and take field trips to places like the Zoo and museums.
Snow Hill High School’s Tarah Threadgill will stock the school library with a diverse, high quality set of audio books for students studying for the AP exam.
Snow Hill High School’s Brittany Tignor will help facilitate the student-led Project LIT Book Club.
