2012-13 Development and Enrichment Grants
Choral Camp--Laynie Alba Mitchell
The FFE approved a grant of $650 to support a one-week camp focusing on vocal skills for MHS and MMS students during the summer of 2013.
Murray Elementary School Spanish Program--Kehla Vance
A $500 Donor Designated Grant by Dr. Tara Houston will purchase books and equipment to support early development of Spanish language skills in Murray Elementary School students.
Tiger Tales--Holly Bloodworth
Contributions totaling $1000 funded a Commitment Grant to help support continued publication of Tiger Tales, a compilation of art and writing by students at Murray Elementary School.
Tablet Computers for MMS--Mike Epperson
An anonymous contribution of more than $10,000 purchased 12 iPads, protective cases, an iMac, and a storage/charging station for the 7th grade science lab at Murray Middle School.
Attitude of Gratitude--Hope Foster
The FFE approved a grant of $432 in support of a student enrichment ongoing project which encourages Murray Middle School students to write thank you notes to someone who has helped them.
Tracking the Sun--Courtney Vanover
The FFE approved support for travel to a national conference so that a teacher can present the results of a two year long project during which MES students each week recorded the progress of the sun?s shadow.
Laying the Foundation Training--Amanda Tipton and Scott Turner
Professional Development Grants of $695 each will support participation by teachers from Murray Middle School and Murray High School in training to increase instructional rigor and better prepare more students for Advanced Placement courses.
Building a Library of Scripts--Michael Robinson
Plays, books, and subscriptions to literary journals will be purchased to provide sources of scripts to be used by the Murray High Speech Team in preparing for competition.
Tablet Computers for Forensic Events--Michael Robinson
Two iPad mini-computers for speech students to use in conducting research were purchased with help from an anonymous donation of $1000.00.
Tablet Computers for MMS Classroom--Nicole Barnette
A $1700 donation from local business Creative Canvas has allowed the purchase of three iPad computers and related equipment for a Murray Middle School classroom.
2012-13 Mini Grants
Magic Wand -- Sherri Bazzell, MES teacher
Hand held scanner to scan and store student work, pictures and any type of teacher documentation will be purchased with this grant money
Sound Performances -- Kim Black, MES teacher
Grant money will purchase an IPOD to be use as the source of the accompaniment music for our Music Program Presentations.
Just Buzzing In -- Laura Brown, MMS teacher
The grant money will be used to update and repair/replace buzzers and other equipment for the academic team; and help with yearly purchases of resources used to practice for our academic competitions.
Ion Copy Cat /magic wand -- Amy Coulson, MMS teacher
This Scanner will be used to save student's hand written work and any other printed material that can then be displayed on the classroom Smart Board.
Using Relevant Sources in the classroom -- Amy Coulson, MMS teacher
Reading material (Junior Scholastic magazine) will be purchased. Junior Scholastic will be used in current events,geography,American history and world studies and can be used as a textual evidence for student
writings in any subject.
Drama Alive-- Tina Dunn, MMS
This project will bring hands on drama workshops and activities, to our Middle school students. These will be presented by Market House Theater staff of Paducah KY. and the Shakespeare Co. of Louisville, KY.
Drama Buddies -- Tina Dunn, MES
The program will bring drama workshops and activities presented by Market House theater of Paducah and Murray's Playhouse in the Park, as well as Story Tour Theater for Murray elementary school students.
Using Classroom Performance systems (clickers) for Formative Assessment-- Wayne Jackson and Sarah Hultman Math Department MHS
The these systems allow students to actively engage in classroom learning and receive immediate feedback on practice math problems.
Ceramic Creations- Stoya Hastings, MES Art Teacher
This project will allow second and third grade students to be introduces to ceramic art. They will create there own clay sculpture. Local artist Wayne Bates will be teaching the process of Sgraffito on ceramic tiles.
Murray High Energy Conservation team- Sarah Hultman -Math teacher MHS
We will form and Energy Team as part of the National Energy Education Development Project (N.E.E.D.) We will purchase their equipment and materials "Learning and Conserving" kit for grades 9-12.
Kindergarten Tiger Fitness -- Kindergarten Team: Kara Brown, Robin Brown,Rebecca Cunningham, Barbara Kough, Stacy Lawson and Nancy Newsome
Provide equipment for the students to use while on the playground.
Numicon to the Rescue -- Kindergarten Teachers: Nancy Newsome, Robin Brown,Stacy Larson
The Numicon number Shapes will allow our students to use developmentally appropriate materials to reinforce basic concepts related to number sense, place value, pattering and number relationships.
Literary Magazine -- Lisa Polivik, MHS English teacher
This project will allow the students to create, develop a MHS literary magazine of student work using art work and creative writing.
Ion Copycat Document Scanner -- 6th grade teachers Sherri Rust, Amanda Tipton, Vicky Dunlap, Martin Son, Stephanie Youngblood
This Scanner can be used to scan and store book-pages, photos, students papers and drawings----endless possibilities in all subjects.
Live performance field trip -- Amanda Tipton MMS teacher
This grant money will be used to take our 6th grader students to a live performance at The Carson Center.
Appalachian Arts Festival -- MES Arts and Humanities teachers; Kim Black, Tina Dunn, Stoya Hastings, Michael Conley
The interpretive staff of the Land between the Lakes,will let the children actively participate in groups to learn about spinning wool. They will also learn to play Appalachian musical instruments, learn a folk dance and hear folktales of the 1850's
History in Our Backyard --
MMS 5th grade teachers
After reading a true story about a 14 year old Calloway County boy, entitled Captured! A Boy Trapped in the Civil War and hearing local Civil War historians speak to our classes, we take a field trip to Fort Donelson. This trip to a Civil War battlefield and park allows the children to make the real connection to what they have read, and heard in the classroom.
Lovin' literacy --Tina Dunn MES Media Specialist
This grant will be used in the school wide literacy project -Accelerated Reader Program. It will allow those who meet their individual reading goals to attend a field trip to the Curris Center for a movie or drama event at the end of the 2nd nine weeks and our Sneech Beach party for students at the end of the 3rd nine week grading period.
Why Try Journals -- Leisa Faughn Guidance counselor MMS
The grant will provide the Why Try Journals for all six grade students to practice and learning about reflecting skills based on Decision Making and problems solving models.
Me, Myself and I -- MMS fifth grade teachers: Laura Brown, Lindsay Weaks, Lauren Martin, Carolyn
Shown
This grant will help provide the books, guess speakers for our Learning about Self programs,with topics of Hygiene and puberty addressed ,as well as learning about self esteem , etiquette and social interactions skills.The grant will also allow us to take the students out to lunch a Sirloin Stockade as the culminating event to practice etiquette and social skills.
Kindle a love for reading--Doreen Johnson MHS library media specialist
This grant will be used to buy more Kindles for the Library. We have found the electronic readers to be increasingly used by our students.
Character Cash Store -- MMS 6th grade teachers -Suzanne Hinton,Sheri Rust, Stephanie Youngblood, Martin Son, Amanda Tipton
This grant money will be used to purchase items for our store. The students can buy these items, using only their earned character cash , that they have collected throughout the year for exhibiting good character.
A better way to learn Math -- MMS Krissy Zirbel 8th grade Mathematics teacher
IXL is a web-based-computer program, aligned to the new mathematics common core standards. It allows the teacher to monitor students progress and generate reports to identify math skills that are both strengths and areas of improvement for each student.
Tech Savvy -- MMS Lauren Martin, 5th grade teacher
Purchase of a document camera and a mobile interactive whiteboard to use in our classrooms would help me to be able to circulate in the classroom and to write on the board from any where in the room. The document camera will allow me to be able to display resources found in books and other printed resources and project the material or article on to the classroom smartboard.
Ladibug Document Camera -- MMS 4th grade teachers- Stacy Wortham, Joan Hayman, Chelsee Thompson
This document camera will be used by every teacher in every subject in our 4th grade. It will provide up close look at insects and fossils, help with learning to make measurements, building 3D shapes, studying maps, charts, and graphs. In language arts it will help look at and improve open response by looking at organization and, structure of the writing as an entire class.
Kindling the reading spirit- MHS -Language Arts and Literature teacher John Karanza
This grant will be used to provide my Junior year Special Needs students with Kindles. Kindles allow change of font size and instant dictionary while reading. Each student will be trained to use the Kindle for reading and vocabulary development. They provide smaller page size with larger print, which is less daunting to my students.
2012-13 Mark Schmidt Technology Award
The Mark Schmidt Technology Award went to Charles Williams for the project Tiger Eyes to the Skies.
2011-12 Development and Enrichment Grants
Murray Elementary School
Spanish Program--Lauren Hines
A $500 donation by Dr. Tara Houston will purchase books
and equipment to
support early development of Spanish language skills in
Murray Elementary School
students.
Television Production
Equipment--Sherry Purdom
An anonymous $500 donation purchased a new teleprompter
for use in every
show produced by the WMHS TV 13 television production
class at Murray High School.
Tiger Tales--Holly
Bloodworth
Contributions in the amount of $800 from donors to the
Triennial Fund Raiser
were used to supplement a mini-grant for publication of
Tiger Tales, a compilation of art
and writing by students at Murray Elementary School.
Neo-Typers--Kandi Dawson,
substituting for Beth Wood
Contributions to the Triennial Fund Raiser purchased a
NEO 2 SmartOption
Mobile Lab for use in developing keyboard skills among
students at Murray Elementary
School.
2011 Mini-grants
French
Reading Textbooks Erin Plunkett
Reading skills texts will
be purchased for French classes, to offer a wider variety
of materials for class activities and improve student
achievement in French
Understanding Biology Through
Gardening Kat Drennon
This grant will be used to create a
garden space at Murray High School for use in Biology
class. Students will apply the concepts of Biology
(photosynthesis, biogeochemical cycling, symbiosis, etc.)
to growing plants from seeds to maturity
Kindles in the
Classroom: Motivating Readers Adrienne Custer
This
project will make new electronic reader technology
available to our students by placing Amazon's Kindles in
the English classroom
A Better Way to Learn Math Krissy
Zirbel
IXL is a web-based computer program, which is
aligned to the new mathematics common core standards,
that allows the students to answer both multiple choice
and short answer questions. Students have the ability to
access these questions both at home and/or at school. The
program easily allows the teacher to monitor student's
progress and generate various reports to identify
mathematical skills that are both strengths and areas of
improvement for each student.
Ladibug Document Camera
Stacy Wortham
Ladibug Document cameras will be purchased
and used to enhance student learning in every subject
area. For example, in Science, the cameras will be used
to provide an up-close look at insects, plants, fossils,
and will be used in experiments involving energy and
forces.
Character Cash Reward Program
Amanda Tipton,
Martin Son, Sheri Muehleman, Sheri Rust
Sixth grade has a
program which uses "character cash" as a reward system.
Students save their "character cash" throughout the year
and are able to make purchases with it such as gift
cards, books, games, cameras, bicycles, MP3 players, etc.
This grant money will help with the purchase of these
items.
History in Our Backyard Sherri Bazzell, Carolyn
Shown, Laura Brown, Stacy Wortham, and Amanda Ashlock
The
study of the Civil War is a major study in the fifth
grade and we are living among the history. There are
living historians to come and share, a book to read that
is written from the viewpoint of a boy from Calloway
County who was captured during the war and yes, there is
a trip to Fort Donelson. Let's bring the learning to life
and explore what happened right in our backyard!
Me,
Myself, and I -- Sherri Bazzell, Carolyn Shown, Laura Brown,
Stacy Wortham, and Amanda Ashlock
Fifth grade has
traditionally been the year of self-learning. Topics of
hygiene and puberty are addressed and in turn, we would
like to take this concept of self-learning and continue
to encourage the path of our maturing young men and women
in the world of etiquette. A self-anthology book will be
created by each child and will be hard-bound for them to
keep forever. Let's make a year of memories for me,
myself, and I!
Why Try? Leisa Faughn
Why Try is an
evidence-based motivational program which is implemented
through the 6th grade at MMS with Pre and Post
Assessments given by use of surveys to measure growth of
learned concepts. Why Try is linked to core content for
positive behavior supports, interaction for Safe & Drug
Free Schools and is research based while being used in 36
states, Canada and Australia. This hands-on approach to
learning styles is connected to Solution Focused Brief
Therapy with social skills for group, attitudes and
emotional intelligence.
Just Flip IT!!! Sherri Bazzell
A picture is worth a thousand words!!! How exciting!
Several flip cameras will be purchased and kids will be
creating their own video and pictures to create real-life
stories and support for real world writing all by using a
Flip camera! I say "Flip It!" Appalachian Arts Festival
Tina Dunn, Kim Black, Stoya Hastings, Michael Conley In
collaboration with the interpretive staff of LBL, the
entire 3rd grade class will visit LBL to experience the
dance and drama of the 1850's, music and the environment
during this time period, and spinning wool.
Down
Storybook Lane Tina Dunn
An improved literacy project at
Murray Elementary School will feature a Book Character
Club to promote reading for kindergarten through 3rd
grade students. The focus will be high quality , high
interest reading utilizing the Renaissance Learning
Enterprise/Accelerated Reader/literacy quizzes to read
for comprehension. This project will implement enticing
incentives throughout the year and semester to celebrate
reading success utilizing storybook characters and
themes. In addition, Murray Middle School (4th-6th grade
students) will be included for movie pass and limo
literacy luncheon for more age appropriate rewards.
Movie Magic Kandi Dawson
Flip cameras will be purchased
and shared by all P4 teachers at Murray Elementary
School. These cameras will spark instant enthusiasm and
increase student motivation. The cameras will be used for
a wide range of projects and purposes in all curricular
areas.
Science through Literature Kandi Dawson
Teachers
will use sets of books in reading groups to teach or to
connect to science concepts. These book sets will be
shared by all P4 teachers to address all students'
learning needs, remediation or enrichment.
Tiger Tales
Holly Bloodworth
Grant funds will be utilized to
partially pay for the printing of Tiger Tales. Tiger
Tales is an anthology of children's work designed to
celebrate our students as authors. The publication has
been a part of our rich tradition for many years. Each
contributing author receives a free copy of the book and
is recognized at a special assembly. This book becomes a
keepsake that students treasure throughout a lifetime and
provides them the opportunity to reflect on their growth
as a writer.
Mark Schmidt Technology Grant 2011 Doreen
Johnston
The 2011 Mark Schmidt
Technology Grant went to Doreen Johnston, the
librarian at Murray High School to purchase
Kindle e-readers
2010 Minigrants
French Video
Creation by Erin Kelly $300
Two flip-cameras will be purchased for use in the French
classes. Students will write, direct, produce and
star in numerous video projects that allow them to apply
cultural knowledge and express themselves creatively in
French.
Preventing Plagiarism by Lisa Polivick $600
This grant will enable the purchase of "Turn-It-In"
software. This software detects plagiarism in
students' writing, helping them develop good writing
practices and maintain academic integrity.
Why Try? by Leisa Faughn $141
This program has been implemented at MMS successfully for
the past 4 years. Journals for this motivational
program will be purchased for individual student use for
6th graders.
Me, Myself, and I by S Bazzell, A Ashlock, S Wortham, and
C Shown $280
Fifth grade has traditionally been the year of
self-learning. With this grant, students will
create a self-anthology book marking this year of history
in their own life and the world around them. This
is an excellent way to finalize the elementary years for
the children as they make their own personal connection
to their self and world around them!
PBIS-Promoting Positive Behavior by Amy Bell and
Lou Carter $300
MMS is implementing a school-wide program of Positive
Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). One
component of a PBIS school is a well-defined system for
recognizing and rewarding desirable, positive student
behaviors. Funds from this mini-grant will be used
to obtain items for Tiger Card rewards and to provide for
school-wide celebrations of the program.
History in our Backyard by S Bazzell, A Ashlock, S
Wortham, and C Shown $434
The study of the Civil War is a major study in the fifth
grade and we are living among the history. There
are living historians to come and share, a book to read
that is written from the viewpoint of a boy from Calloway
County who was captured during the war and a trip to Fort
Donelson.
Springing into Action by Hope Foster, Mike Epperson,
Tommy Shown, Elaine Kight $455
Students will learn about topics like extinction,
habitats, conservation, and even symbolism
(epitaphs/gravestones). A visit to Brandon Springs will
present opportunities for building relationships between
different peer groups, and teachers and students;
instilling an appreciation and respect for nature, and a
review of core content in both Science and Writing.
Attitude of Gratitude by Hope Foster $440
Students will learn the value of showing gratitude while
gaining valuable real-world writing experience.
Thank you notes and postage will be purchased and used as
both assignments and extra credit opportunities.
Kentucky Kids Book Club by Tina Dunn $450
A new literacy project at MES will feature a Book Club to
promote reading for K-3rd grade students. The focus
will be high quality, high interest reading utilizing the
Kentucky Bluegrass Award book set 2011 geared toward the
students' independent reading level. To kick-off the Book
Club, a variety of enticing themes will be utilized such
as Book Safari, Captain Book's Treasure of Good Books,
Gingerbread Man goes to the library, and a Book Scavenger
Hunt to culminate.
Published Authors by Janet Caldwell and Holly Bloodworth
$300
Grant funds will be utilized to partially pay for
the printing of Tiger Tales. Tiger Tales is an
anthology of children's work designed to celebrate the
students as authors. This publication has been a
part of our rich tradition for many years. Each
contributing author receives a free copy of the book and
is recognized at a special assembly. The book
becomes a keepsake that students treasure throughout a
lifetime and provides them an opportunity to reflect on
their growth as a writer.
Differentiation through
Meaningful Reading by Lorrie Booth $300
DiDifferentiated reading groups have been formed across the
entire P3 grade level in order to enrich/remediate
reading skills in a more interesting and meaningful way.
These groups will be exposed to a variety of reading and
writing genres by using trade books to cover topics on
author studies, genre studies, character studies, and
various writing skills. Funds will be used to
purchase more books and build upon this program.
Mark Schmidt Technology Grant 2010 Amy
Cox
The 2010 Mark Schmidt Technology
Grant went to Amy Cox who teaches Forensic Science at Murray High School to purchase forensic software to assist her students in forensic analysis in the classroom.
2009 Minigrants
Tina Dunn, MES: Book
Cafe'
Funded
in the amount of $600
This literacy project at Murray Elementary School will
feature a "Book Cafe'" to promote reading for
kindergarten through 3rd grade students. The focus will be
high quality, high interest reading geared toward the
students' independent reading level. To kick-off the Book
Cafe', a variety of enticing themes will be utilized
including a Hawaiian luau, a Teddy Bear Tea Party, a
"Going Bananas over Books" party with Curious George, and
to culminate, a Book Carnival. The highlight of this
project for all classroom winners will be a limousine
ride to University Book and Bean bookstore for a literacy
lunch.
Kandi Dawson,
MES: Science Explorations
Funded in the amount of $300
Science is an important part of everyday living. Science
textbooks, however, are not very kid-friendly. In efforts
to promote more interest and success in science, some
"hands-on" materials and/or trade books will be purchased
to supplement the core curriculum.
Kandi Dawson,
MES: Social Studies through Meaningful Reading
Funded in the amount of $300
Differentiated reading groups can be formed across the
entire P4 level to enrich or remediate homeroom reading
and Social Studies skills in an interesting and
meaningful way. These groups will be exposed to "real
reading" by using trade books that would be purchased to
cover topics such as places, people, cultures, etc.
Groups will read, create projects and/or writings, assess
comprehension, and possibly make Book Talks via the
school news program. From time to time, teachers will
meet to re-evaluate groups and move students around as
needed to achieve success and to cover core content.
Janet Caldwell,
MES: Tiger Tales
Funded in the amount of $500
Grant funds will be utilized to partially pay for the
printing of Tiger Tales. Tiger Tales is an anthology of
children's work designed to celebrate the student's as
authors. This publication has been a part of our rich
tradition for many years. Each contributing author
receives a free copy of the book and is recognized at a
special assembly. The book becomes a keepsake that
students treasure throughout a lifetime and provides them
the opportunity to reflect on their growth as a writer.
Leisa Faughn,
MMS: "Why Try?"
Funded in the amount of $600
"Why Try?" is a motivational and strength-based program.
The objective is to teach social and emotional skills
needed for success in school and life. Decisions and
their consequences, peer pressures, responsibility, and
interpreting human behavior are some of the areas that
are dealt with in this handbook. All 6th graders will
participate.
Hope Foster,
MMS: Black Out!
Funded in the amount of $410
This innovative fund-raising program will benefit the
little league football program now, and in years to come;
as well as promote "Tiger pride". An "eye black" booth
will be set up at all home football games and stickers
worn under the eyes (like those worn by players during a
game) will be sold. Funds collected will then be
channeled into the little league program as "seed money"
to begin building upon the funds necessary to replace and
maintain equipment.
Hope Foster,
MMS: Attitude of Gratitude
Funded in the amount of
$440
Students learn the value of showing gratitude while
gaining valuable real-world writing experience. Postage
for "Thank You" notes purchased with this grant will
allow 7th graders an opportunity to thank teachers and
other individuals for "making students the people they
are today."
Sherri Bazzell, Amanda
Ashlock, Laura Brown, Stacy Wortham, and Carolyn Shown,
MMS: History in Our Backyard
Funded in the amount
of $600
The study of the Civil War is a major study in the fifth
grade and we are living among the history. There are
living historians to come and share, a book to read that
is written from the viewpoint of a boy from Calloway
county who was captured during the war and yes, there is
a visit to Fort Donelson. Let's bring the learning to
life and explore what happened right in our backyard!
Sherri Bazzell,
Amanda Ashlock, Laura Brown, Stacy Wortham, and Carolyn
Shown, MMS: Me, Myself and I
Funded in the amount
of $200
Fifth grade has traditionally been the year of
self-learning. Topics of hygiene and puberty are
addressed and in turn, we would like to take this concept
of self-learning and continue to encourage the path of
our maturing young men and women in the world of
etiquette. Let's make a year of memories for me, myself,
and I!
Krista Shelby, MMS:
Bridging with Books
Funded in the amount of $600
Current 8th grade students will begin preparing
themselves for the transition to high school English
practices by beginning to read for class outside of the
classroom. This grant will provide 45-50 copies of the
book, "I am the Cheese" to students. These books will be
sent home with students overnight in order to foster
reading in this setting.
Amanda Killebrew, Dan
Runnels, MHS: Spanish videos
Funded in the amount
of $300
With the purchase of flip cameras, this grant will
provide students an opportunity to write, perform in,
edit, and direct their own short films in order to
enhance listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills
in the Spanish language.
Erin Kelly, MHS:
French Video Creation
Funded in the amount of $300
Students will have numerous opportunities throughout the
year to apply their language skills in short videos that
they will write, direct, and perform in. Students will
also have the opportunity to apply cultural knowledge and
express themselves creatively. There opportunities
include a "dating video," commercials, and numerous
skits. This grant will provide the cameras necessary to
the project.
Doreen Johnston, MHS:
Picturing America
Funded in the amount of $600
MHMHS received a grant, "Picturing America" and attained 20
beautiful, laminated reproductions printed on both sides
with artwork. The requirement of the grant is to keep the
pictures in continual exhibit in classrooms or public
locations in the school or library, and to retain the
reproductions for future display and educational use.
This grant would provide part of the expense of
purchasing frames for these prints.
Mark Schmidt Technology Grant 2009 Debbie
Burgess
The 2009 Mark Schmidt Technology
Grant went to Debbie
Burgess who teaches Spanish at Murray High School to
purchase the computer software Rosetta Stone (Spanish)
which will enhance the opportunity for our students to
learn Spanish.
2008 Minigrants
Lisa Polivick, MHS:
"Reminiscences of WWII"
Funded in the amount of $400
This mini-grant allowed students to interview World War
II veterans and capture their memories and historical
roles in this war. Pictures, biographical information,
and WWII reminiscences would be posted online.
Laurie Edminster
The software programs provide students with engaging
opportunities to work cooperatively to make goal-oriented
decisions regarding serious, relevant issues, such as
prejudice, substance abuse, violence in the media and
government and politics. Each of the software programs
will serve as a companion to a major literary work or
historical period studied in class. Not only will the
programs enhance students' learning and transfer of
knowledge in English/Literature, but they will also help
students make cross-curricular connections within their
social studies courses. Students will also work together
to debate controversial issues and to resolve conflicts
in a controlled environment.
Amy McDowell, MHS:
Digital Video Productions
Funded in the amount of $400
This mini-grant would allow for the purchase of a digital
video camera and digital cameras to incorporate with
existing software to create movies and presentations.
Some of the uses would be to promote FBLA and to create
commercials and marketing campaigns for the Tiger Bank.
Janet Caldwell, MES:
Tiger Tales
Funded in the amount of $600
This mini-grant would be used to supplement the funds
used to publish Tiger Tales; a book that highlights the
writings and artwork of the students of Murray Elementary
School. Each child that submits an entry will receive a
book of their own.
Kim Black, MES: Arts
in the Environment
Funded in the amount of $600
This mini-grant will make funds available so all third
grade students at Murray Elementary may visit the Home
Place 1850s Interpretive Center. This visit will be the
culminating experience of a unit involving music, art,
dance, and drama.
Tina Dunn, MES: Be an
AR Star
Funded in the amount of $400 This mini-grant will
provide funds for a variety of incentives for students
who meet their individual reading goal on a weekly and
monthly basis. Some incentives include movie passes,
pencils and bookmarks, pizza party, golf and picnic, and
a school-wide reading carnival.
Kandi Dawson, MES:
Differentiation through Meaningful Reading
Funded in the amount of $400
This mini-grant would allow for the purchase of reading
materials for P4 level students at Murray Elementary.
Books purchased would provide entire sets for a classroom
as well as differentiated reading level materials.
Jill Courtney, MMS:
Wellness Exploratory Class
Funded in the amount of $600
This mini-grant provides funding for instruction and
materials on nutrition, exercise, and life-long leisure
sports. Some items purchased include pedometers, jump
ropes, yoga mats, weight scales, tennis balls, etc.
Activities for health and wellness will be emphasized for
a happy, healthy life.
Leisa Faughn, MMS:
Why Try?
Funded in the amount of $600
This mini-grant would allow for the purchase of journals
used to implement a motivational program for Murray
Middle 6th graders. The journals include a CD and
subjects discussed include, praise, power, projects,
people, and prestige.
Sherri Bazzell, MMS:
Mysteries and Motivators
Funded in the amount of $500
This mini-grant provides funds used to purchase items to
be used in a mystery reading and writing unit. Items
will tie-in to the short stories element of writing and
reading and will assist students in developing different
characters and audience perspective.
Hope Foster, MMS: ERNA4
Funded in the amount of $250
Funds from this mini-grant are used to encourage
proficient/distinguished work on open response
assessments. Students receiving this ranking will be
awarded with prizes and t-shirts. Nearly 65% of 7th
grade Murray Middle students reached this ranking through
this program last year.
Hope Foster, MMS: Attitude
of Gratitude
Funded in the amount of $600
FuFunds from this mini-grant will be used to purchase
postage and notecards to be used in a writing program for
7th grade students. Students will learn the value of
showing gratitude while gaining valuable real-world
writing experience.
Mark Schmidt Technology Grant 2008 Sherry Purdom
The 2008 Mark Schmidt Technology Grant went to Sherry Purdom, the school's Public Information Officer for the
project: "The Tiger Stripes" Monthly Magazine Show. The
grant will be used to upgrade the editing software
equipment at WMHS TV 13. This is expected to enhance the
show which will be aired to over 9,000 homes in the area.
2007 Minigrants
Arts Infused Field Trip
Dunn, Black, Conley, Chuck
MES
The P-4 teachers plan to bring all third grade students
at Murray Elementary School to LBL to visit the Home
place1850's interpretive center. We intend to divide the
third grade classes into two groups one will go the Home
place and the other group will participate in music in
the environment experience with regionally known artist
Chad and Carrie Schott. In collaboration with the
interpretive staff of LBL, the regular classroom
teachers, the arts and humanities teachers and our
visiting artists we intend to make our visit to LBL the
culminating experience of a two week unit involving arts
and humanities, science, and social studies while at Land
between the lakes the students will be assigned digital
still cameras and digital video cameras to document our
experience and then with the help of the teachers the
students will create a movie about the visit.
Tiger Tales
MES
Tiger Tales highlights the writings and art work of our
MES students. It has been a part of our tradition of
excellence for many years. Each contributing author is
presented a copy of the book and recognized during a
special ceremony. Children are delighted to see their
work published. Additional funding for this project comes
from the PTO and school activity funds.
ERN A 4
Hope, Foster
MMS
This project will purchase the t-shirts that are used as
rewards in the ERN A 4 campaign to promote high
achievement on open responses in all academic areas.
Inside your Body
Mike Epperson
MMS
This grant allowed my students to participate in a
session called "Inside Your Body" which is one of the
memorable presentations created by the educator Brad
Reynolds in his Real Science Programs. The students
absolutely loved the presentation because it was
engaging, interesting and they actually had the
opportunity to participate
Mini Economy
Jill Courtney
MMS
The Mini-Economy is a hands on approach to economics. The
students earn money by performing various jobs in the
classroom. They learn how their parents work hard to make
ends meet as they become responsible for renting their
desks, selecting insurance, saving, giving to charity,
putting money into retirement (for an end-of-the-year
auction), buying snacks and school supplies, and just
having fun in our store. It is a wonderful experience for
the students.
Why Try?
Leisa Faughn
MMS
The Why Try Program is a strength based approach to
helping youth overcome their challenges and improve
outcomes in areas of behavior, academics, and truancy.
His project will use the WhyTry Classroom Value Pack of
materials.
Fluency and the Analytical
Reader
Chris Merfeld
MMS
This project involves the purchase of software so that we
can expand the use of the read naturally program.
Celebrating Ceramics
Gena Maley
MMS
Middle School students will explore pottery traditions
from various cultures, i.e. Native American, China,
Greek. Students will create their own ceramics pieces
using a variety of techniques that will be kiln fired and
glazed.
Saxon Math Pilot
Joan Hayman
MMS
This is a pilot program to compare the traditional math
curriculum with the Saxon math curriculum.
Teen Pregnancy
Cindi Alderdice
Murray High
My Child Development classes will be working with The
Life House of Murray to combat teen pregnancy.
Moon Buggy Race
Teresa Speed
Murray High
Students in Tech Ed, Physics, Math and business construct
a moon buggy fitting specifications set by NASA. The
completed buggy will race at MSU and Huntsville. |
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