Friends of CRLS Announces Faculty Innovation Grants Awardees for the 2016/17 School Year

Photo: Cambridge Rindge and Latin School Modern Dance Company participants of “The
Etude Project” hosted Brown University’s American Dance Legacy Initiative to learn and perform ‘Battleworks Etude’ with Brenda Divelbliss, CRLS dance teacher and CRLS Modern Dance Company director,
through a 2015/16 Faculty Innovation Grant from Friends of CRLS

Friends of CRLS Announces Faculty Innovation Grants Awardees for the 2016/17 School Year

Friends of Cambridge Rindge and Latin School (FoCRLS), a nonprofit association now in their tenth year of making opportunities possible at Cambridge’s only public high school, is pleased to announce this year’s Faculty Innovation Grant awardees. Since 2007, FoCRLS has awarded these grants to a total of 172 teachers, club advisors, administrators, guidance counselors, and librarians to energize students’ learning experiences. Faculty Innovation Grants are up to $1,000 each to enhance curriculum creatively while serving as many students with as much diversity as possible.

In late November, a six-member volunteer review committee considered all proposals, from which the submitters’ names were omitted, and selected the following to receive funding:

Monica Murray, Drama Teacher – “CRLS Improv Club Guest Artist/Teacher” to have teaching artist Danny Balel from ImprovBoston train students by building skills and confidence and preparing them for upcoming performances.

Ariane Buchholz, SEI History and ELL Teacher – “Increasing Literacy Through Reading Among ELL Students” to purchase multicultural books addressing various interests to motivate English language learners, with focus on reading strategies, vocabulary, and writing abilities.

Michelle Li, English Teacher – “Genius Hour: Creating a Makerspace in the English Language Arts Classroom” to empower students as self-directed learners in their areas of interest using a design-thinking process and communicating their learning with digital multimedia storytelling.

Jacqueline Cesario and Laurraine LeCorps, Class of 2017 Co-Advisors – “Discounted Prom Pricing for Families in Need of Financial Assistance” to enable seniors from diverse backgrounds to celebrate and commemorate the four years they have spent together.

Caitlin (Curry) Lausier and Lynette Belle, OSS Teacher and Paraprofessional – “Falcon Friends Initiative” to provide opportunities for students to expand their social development by promoting friendships with students who have various disabilities.

Andrew Miller, AVID and Physics Teacher – “Connecting US History Curriculum to the Greater Boston Landscape” to give students a sense of how history is still alive and pertinent today with a visit to Road to Revolution sites in Lexington and Concord.

Conrad Hauck, Engineering Instructor – “CRLS Robotics Team 2016-17 Funding” to promote students’ success in technology and engineering as they use teamwork, problem-solving, and professional skills to design, build, test, and program a robot to compete in tournaments.

Amy Dolan, Math Teacher – “Graphing Calculators in Algebra 1” to aid students with their skills in mathematics, technology, graphing, dexterity, and attention and better prepare them for Algebra 2.

Mawakana Onifade, HSEP Principal – “HSEP Engagement & Leadership Development” to improve student engagement through opportunities to share leadership responsibilities in planning field trips for 60-100 students and events that build community relationships.

FoCRLS supports the success of students, faculty, and graduates of Cambridge Rindge and Latin School. To learn more about FoCRLS programs, volunteering, donating, getting your business involved, or establishing a college or technical school scholarship, please visit focrls.org, email info@focrls.org, or call 857-235-9290. If you would like to participate in FoCRLS’s upcoming tenth year birthday celebration, which will take place at Google headquarters in Kendall Square, as an attendee or sponsor, please email info@focrls.org. FoCRLS is a 501(c)3 nonprofit association; donations are tax-deductible.