$94k Check Given To Great Valley School District

The Foundation at Great Valley presented a $94,000 check to the Great Valley School District on Monday night at the school board meeting.

The check will support multiple grants that support projects at the school.

About $30,000 of the grant will be designated for Venture Grants, which are given to teachers who have out of the ordinary, exceptional ideas that are not covered by the school budget.

The remaining $50,000 will go toward the school district’s comprehensive plan, and that have been identified by the school as not being covered in this year’s budget.

“Our Great Valley community has always been committed to providing the highest quality education to our children,” said Foundation President Beth McGarrigle. “Through tax-deductible donations to the Foundation, our community helps our schools to innovate and adapt in today’s world. The breadth and depth of initiatives we support each year really illuminate the diverse and evolving needs of today’s students.”

Since it was established in 2006, the Foundation said that it has donated nearly $500,000 in private donations to support innovation in GVSD.

The following information on grants has been provided by the Great Valley Foundation:

Venture Grants:

The Foundation supports the innovative ideas of GVSD teachers and staff through Venture Grants. Venture Grants range in size from hundreds of dollars to tens of thousands of dollars, with the goal of helping staff introduce new ways to connect with and inspire Great Valley students. This year’s Venture Grants:

• Programmable Finch Robots for 6th-8th grade computer applications classes - Great Valley Middle School students will each program their own robot in computer applications class.
• Mobi Interactive Teaching Tool for GVHS Chemistry Classes - The Mobi system allows all students to simultaneously interact with the teacher in class. This engages each student throughout each lesson, and provides teachers with instant information about student retention of information.
• Milling Machine for GVHS Engineering and Design Classes - This grant provides a BenchMill Milling Center to GVHS. This machine gives GVHS students a complete engineering experience as they will be able to design a product, develop a computer program to model the product, and then fabricate the product.
• Anchors Aweigh! Drama Partnership with People’s Light & Theatre – General Wayne Elementary School - This year-long partnership brings People’s Light & Theatre actors to General Wayne Elementary School to facilitate drama workshops. The program helps students in learning support classes to develop interpersonal skills in a social environment with their elementary school peers. Students are also treated to a trip to People’s Light to attend a professional performance.
• Notebook Computers to Support English Language Learner (ELL) Students – grades 9-12 - These laptops support GVSD’s growing population of high school students learning English as a second language. The laptops allow ELL students to complete class assignments and integrate themselves into the classroom using online translation support tools.
• Robotics Equipment for GVMS Robotics Club - This grant enables the middle school robotics club to introduce new equipment that enhances the products students can dream up for robotics competitions they enter around the state.
• Microscope SmartPhone Adapters for GVHS Science Classes - This technology allows students to use their own cell phones to take photos and video of the organisms they look at under a microscope.

Comprehensive Plan Key Initiatives:

The Foundation set aside $50,000 to support GVSD initiatives identified as top priorities under GVSD’s Comprehensive Plan. This funding allows programs to be introduced now, rather than waiting for tax-funding to become available. For the 2015-2016 school year the Foundation will support the following Comprehensive Plan Key Initiatives:

• STEAM (science, technology, engineering, the arts and math) Mini Projects - Funding from the Foundation will support pilot programs related to GVSD’s K-12 STEAM initiative including materials, equipment and technology related to STEAM curriculum.
• Online Videos That Support K-7 Math Curriculum - GVSD is developing videos that support the material being taught in school in GVSD’s new (since the 2013-2014 school year) Singapore Math curriculum. The videos will be available on GVSD’s website, and will feature GVSD teachers explaining the key concepts taught through Singapore Math. Parents and students can use the videos as an at-home resource for homework help.
• Dreambox Online Learning Program - This funding supports a 2-year license for all GVSD K-5 students to access the Dreambox online learning program that reinforces math concepts and computation skills. The software features interactive games and activities that engage young students and make learning fun.

Angel Fund Grants:

For the 2015-2016 school year only, the Foundation is funding five special grants with donations received from the community in memory of Great Valley parent, Jennifer Stagnaro. Angel Fund grants focus on the athletic development of students, are leadership-focused, or help to create nurturing and safe school environments.

• Technology Safety Presentation By Expert Richard Guerry - GVHS will host Richard Guerry for a special presentation during school hours for all GVHS students, and an evening presentation for community members, regarding online safety, cyber bullying, sexting and an array of issues teens face online.
• Fitness Club at General Wayne Elementary School - Students who are working to improve their personal fitness level will meet 3 mornings per week for support sessions that involve vigorous activity, personal reflection and nutritional education.
• Challenge to Change and Achieve K-5th grade Project at Sugartown Elementary School - This program promotes emotional health through activities centered around teambuilding, problem solving, and cooperation.
• Anti-Bullying Literature at Sugartown Elementary School - Library carts with age-appropriate literature on anti-bullying related topics are made available to staff in support of GVSD’s OLWEUS anti-bullying initiative.
• Challenge Day at GVHS - Through this professionally-facilitated program, GVHS students and staff engage in group activities and discussions that help illuminate stereotypes, labels and other hurtful situations to promote improved understanding of each other and strong relationships with peers.