Needham Education Foundation Awards $66,813 in Fall Grants

The Needham Education Foundation has awarded 16 grants totaling $66,813 in the Fall small grants cycle. These include three multi-school grants – two for programs that will reach all elementary schools and one for the middle and high schools. Needham students will learn from musical groups, historical reenactments, interactive anti-bullying assemblies, and even opera singers! These grants were announced at the Needham School Committee meeting on November 18.

Fall grants include funding for:

• Cultural proficiency training for athletic coaches and student athletes at Needham High School (NHS), Pollard Middle School and High Rock School;
• A musical presentation designed to bring energy, excitement and context to students beginning to learn Spanish;
• Interactive assemblies that offer students the opportunity to explore their own solutions to real-life situations dealing with bullying, prejudice, and peer pressure;
• Two “express” grants that repeat programs that have been successful at other schools: one that introduces drumming circles into classroom activities at Broadmeadow School and another that increases cultural proficiency at Eliot School;
• A student newspaper at Pollard;
• Hokki stools, which will allow Eliot students to move while participating in class lessons; and
• The purchase of a pug mill to give NHS a fully- functioning, high-production ceramic studio.

The NEF is an independent, community-based, not-for-profit organization that raises funds for the enrichment of public school children in Needham. Since 1990, the NEF has funded more than 500 grants, totaling more than $2.2 million, to promote innovation and excellence in education. To learn more about the Needham Education Foundation and how you can support it, please visit www.nefneedham.org.

For more information contact:
Sandy Jacobs, Publicity Chairperson
Needham Education Foundation
sandyjacobs@verizon.net