WCEF is proud to award Grants to Woburn Educators to support innovative instruction, enriched curricula and the use of new technology and approaches in the classroom. Since 2014 we have invested more than $200,000 in educator-inspired projects that cannot be funded by the regular school budget.
2023 Educator Grants
In 2023, WCEF awarded 25 grants to Woburn Educators that support a diverse portfolio of exciting new programs, educational initiatives and proven learning enhancements across multiple disciplines at every grade level. This year’s program gifted a total of $21,676 to the Woburn Public Schools.
Projects supported by these Educator Grants include:
Patricia Valente, Altavesta Elementary School: $175
Diane Brogna, Hurld Wyman Elementary School: $1,000
Karen Dionne, Malcolm White Elementary School: $175
Brain Pop Jr.
BrainPOP Jr. is an age-appropriate resource for K-3 students that offers animated movies, interactive quizzes, learning games, and a breadth of other educational activities. Designed to cultivate critical thinking skills and encourage children to ask questions, it covers topics within Science, Social Studies, Reading & Writing, Health, Math, and Arts & Technology. BrainPOP Jr. supports each cross-curricular topic employs simple navigation so early learners can explore on their own.
Altavesta Elementary School
Kelly Wilhelm, $780 for an Early Literacy Center
This project will fund the purchase of manipulatives and various activities to be used in small groups to provide students with direct, targeted instruction. The reading manipulatives and activities provide students with an engaging and exploratory way to practice skills and concepts that enhance their learning. Due to their versatility and curriculum alignment, these manipulatives and activities will be used to serve students in grades K-2, no matter their educational performance in reading.
Hurld-Wyman Elementary School
Sharon Connolly: $936 for the Raz Plus Reading Program
Raz Plus provides access to Kids A-Z, the website and mobile app where kids go to read eBooks and take eQuizzes online or on their mobile devices. Raz-Plus is a blended reading product that delivers a large and varied collection of leveled books, lesson plans, and collaborative activities that help teachers deliver instruction and improve students’ reading skills. Books are differentiated so that each student reads at their own reading level and experiences success. The goal of this project is to improve student decoding, vocabulary, reading fluency, and comprehension – all skills which are critical to each student’s academic success.
Hurld-Wyman and Linscott-Rumford Elementary Schools
Michele DeMartinis: $990 for African Drums
Grant funds were used to purchase 9 African Djembes (drums), to make these instruments accessible to all K-5 students. The drums will be used to support music instruction, including Music History, Music Theory, Movement, and Multicultural Music Singing.
Linscott-Rumford and Malcolm White Elementary Schools
Darlene Abramovich: $912
Madeleine Clark: $842
Raz Plus ELL Edition Pilot
Learning A-Z’s Raz-Plus ELL Edition is a comprehensive blended learning platform that includes the curricular support teachers need and the personalized resources necessary to improve the English proficiency of English language learner students. This program will provide teachers and students access to hundreds of ELL-specific resources with integrated grammar and vocabulary support in order to achieve success with social and academic English proficiency. The goal of using Raz Plus ELL Edition is to give all multilingual learners a variety of ways to improve their English proficiency while building confidence in their abilities both in the social and academic settings.
Linscott-Rumford Elementary School
Cheryl Dabrieo & Susan Plamondon: $1,295 for Generation Genius
Generation Genius is a standards based teaching resource that engages students in modern, captivating learning activities in all areas of the science curriculum. It provides teachers with lessons, hands-on activities, and interactive games that can seamlessly be implemented to more thoroughly address science standards at each and every grade level. The Generation Genius philosophy of “Always Question, Always Wonder” summarizes plainly the desire educators have to teach their students to always be curious about the world in which they live. Generation Genius will serve all students in grades K-5, providing engaging material that encourages them to question, explore, and investigate science material in new and exciting ways.
Reeves and Malcolm White Elementary Schools
Meredith Goodemote, Patrice Higgins & Sarah Sheehan: $1,238
Mary Bonsignore, Denise Delaney & Nancy Williams: $565
IKnowIt Math Program
IKnowIt is a comprehensive interactive math practice site for students. This online resource can be used during class or at home for independent practice, remediation, assessment or homework. The site enables teachers to differentiate assignments for students allowing them to work at their own level and pace towards mastery of concepts and skills aligned to the common core. Use of this resource will enable these educators to more closely monitor each student’s progress, and to provide additional support when needed.
Reeves Elementary School
Gretchen Lindstrom: $700 for WIN Blocks – Lakeshore File Folder Games
The goal of this project is to supplement the existing curriculum in order to address a significant decline in reading and math comprehension at these schools. The WIN (What I Need) Block is time set aside to provide students with additional learning opportunities that are at their instructional level in math and reading. Students are given a goal to work toward during each six-week WIN cycle throughout the school year. The educational games and activities provide students with an engaging and exploratory way to practice skills and concepts that enhance their learning. These WIN Blocks will provide students with a different approach to practicing skills and concepts in a fun, engaging way.
Shamrock Elementary School
Michelle Allardi: $390 for STEM Toys
Stem based toys help teach children concepts about mathematics, engineering and science. While learning core stem concepts these stem toys will encourage hands-on learning and cooperation in the classroom. These materials will supplement the math and science curriculum and will help prepare students for the 21st-century.
Mollie Murphy: $80 for Reading Bins
Funding was used to purchase bins so that each student would have their own bin filled with reading supplies.
Laura Rebelo: $730 for We Love STEM
This grant provides the tools necessary to have weekly STEM activities in the classroom. The materials will provide opportunities for students to create their very own chain reaction courses, introduce kids to the design process and encourage problem solving through fairy tales. This project meets a real need for students to have opportunities for hands-on, engaging, and open ended exploration. STEM materials encourage young children to engage their natural drive to play, explore, and engineer. We Love STEM will provide students the time and the tools to learn and explore in new ways!
Malcolm White Elementary School
Rae Allen, Jessica Bedoya & Christina Makinen: $2,625 for Reflex Math Program
Reflex is an online program that focuses on fact fluency; this program has proven to be successful in increasing students’ speed and knowledge of their math facts which sets a strong base for more complex math concepts. The project addresses a prevalent student need for fact fluency in second grade. When students have mastered their addition and subtraction facts students are more successful with other second grade skills such as adding and subtracting three digit numbers. They are also more successful with multiplication and division in third grade.
Christina Makinen: $1,000 for Amazing Hero Art
Rob Surette is an inspirational speaker and artist who captivates and engages the audience by his larger than life speed paintings. The children watch in amazement as he creates paintings of, but not limited to: Albert Einstein, Abraham Lincoln, Mother Teresa and Martin Luther King Jr. Students are captivated and enjoy the program thoroughly. Art Enrichment programs give students the opportunity to be exposed to and explore new art inspired activities. This program cultivates the whole child while developing unique forms of expression and communication. The goal of Hero Art is to bring our community together by honoring a historical figure in a unique and fun experience, through this exciting art form.
Christina Russo, Wendy Renna & Kim Ciasullo: $375 for Ed Puzzle for Students
Through this project students will have access to the EDPuzzle website in order to facilitate learning about science, social studies and ELA topics. Being able to watch educational videos and answer questions as they go helps students gain greater understanding of complicated topics. Through EdPuzzle, students will have a greater understanding of the world they live in and those who came before them.
Joyce Middle School
Bray McNamara, Jean Jo: $920 for a Reading Program for Multilingual Learners
Read Naturally is a research-based online program that increases the fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension skills of struggling students. The program has been proven as an effective supplemental intervention program for Multilingual students who are well below the benchmark in reading and speaking fluency. Grant funds were used to purchase 40 student subscriptions for Multilingual 6th to 8th grade students at the Joyce Middle Schools, who have been identified as reading well below grade level.
Mary Pettoruto: $1,000 for the Everybody has a Story Civics Project
Through this project, 8th grade students were connected with local seniors through interviews and service projects designed to help them learn and appreciate the STORIES of seniors in our community. Then, the students learned about the history and importance of Woburn’s burial grounds, were assigned a person to research and presented a report on their hiSTORY. The students then went on a guided tour of the 1st and 2nd burial grounds with the Woburn Historical Society, and had the opportunity to find the gravestone of the person they researched and experience gravestone rubbing. The students’ reports and rubbings were prominently displayed at the school. Moving forward, students will also be identifying a local issue they care about and work on a plan to take action to make it better. This project succeeded in helping students understand the importance contributions of others in their community.
Kennedy Middle School
Terri Baskett: $1,000 for the Kennedy Multicultural Fair
This grant supports the Kennedy Middle School school-wide Multicultural Fair. At this event, the entire school community comes together to showcase and celebrate their rich cultural diversity. Students in grades 6-8 host tables displaying and sharing their cultural heritage through food, traditions, art, and geographical, scientific and historical fun facts. Students also join professionals to offer interactive demonstrations, learning activities, and performances including dance, cooking, art and sports. The Multicultural Fair promotes and nurtures a sense of belonging for all families in our Woburn community and allows students to educate each other about our many diverse cultures and countries of origin. Woburn values its rich cultural diversity, and this event engages all students and staff in learning about, nurturing and respecting our community.
Michael Dreesen: $975 for Micro:bits
This project gives students in Technology Education valuable skills that translate to the 21st century with the limitless possibilities associated with the use of Micro:bits. The BBC micro:bit is a pocket-sized computer that introduces you to how software and hardware work together. It has an LED light display, buttons, sensors and many input/output features that, when programmed, let it interact with you and your world. The integration of Micro:bits into the technology program will provide students with ample opportunities to explore careers within engineering and computer science. Students can use micro:bit to build a wide range of tools like gaming consoles, fitness trackers, wearables, and autonomous vehicles. In the process of programming a micro:bit and building tools with it, students develop skills like design thinking, prototyping, coding, and gain experience working with materials and electronics, using hardware and collaboration.
Kelsey Parrillo: $973 for the JFK Musical Production “Moana Jr.”
WCEF is proud to support the tradition of musical theater at the Kennedy Middle School. This year’s production of Moana Jr. was a wonderful success, incorporating Polynesian language, dance and culture. This grant covered some of the production costs associated with the show, including costumes, props, and building materials for the sets. School productions at the Kennedy have allowed students to showcase their talents, with the goal to increase student participation, build confidence, discipline and collegiality with each other and the school.
Woburn Memorial High School
Michelle Charles: $1,000 for a Multi-Lingual Library
Grant funds were used to create a library for English language learner (ELL) students, to include fiction and nonfiction books for young adults that are chart toppers around the world, self-help, how-to, and cross-curricular books written in their native languages or translated into their native languages. This library will instill a sense of belonging by providing multilingual students with access to resources not found anywhere else in the school. This will help build the confidence they need to challenge themselves and be resilient when faced with academic barriers. This Multi-Lingual Library will increase students’ English proficiency in the areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing by continuing to strengthen literacy in their native language.
Abigail Morton: $1,000 for a Groundwater Simulation Tank
This project built on the success of this project, initially funded by WCEF in 2018. Grant funds were used to purchase a tabletop groundwater simulation tank, which demonstrates the flow and contamination of groundwater. This tank will allow students to actively “pollute” various wells and waterways with food coloring to see the extent of the pollution plume. The tank is an important addition to the Earth and Environmental Science curricula, and will increase students understanding of the environmental impact of pollution on public waterways and drinking supply.
2023 Educator Grants for Professional Development
WCEF was proud to award a second round of grants to Woburn Educators through our new program to support professional development. The goal of this program is to encourage and support the pursuit of ongoing training and professional development during out of school time by helping to defray some of the out-of-pocket costs associated with such pursuits. Grants were awarded for trainings, conferences, and graduate level courses relevant to each educator’s focus and role, that would not be reimbursed by the Woburn Public Schools. In total, $2,974.65 in grants were awarded:
Maria Busa, Hurld Wyman and Malcolm White: $405
Training: ADD/ADHD Strategies and Interventions for the Classroom
Kerry Jannergren, Hurld Wyman Elementary School: $349
Training: American School Counselor Association (ASCA) Annual Conference
Colleen O’Melia, Hurld Wyman Elementary School: $500
Training: Google Level 2 Certified Educator & Social Emotional Learning Strategies for the Modern Classroom
Kerri Hermann, Kennedy Middle School: $500
Graduate Course: CAGS: Educational Leadership/Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies
Michelle Allardi, Shamrock Elementary School: $284
Training: Conquering the Behavioral Challenges of Special Needs Children
Kelly Madden, Shamrock Elementary School: $382
Training: Strategies for Addressing Student Anxiety
Shirley F. Morgan, Shamrock Elementary School: $405
Training: English Language Learners’ Struggles: Signs of Difficulty or Disability
Stephanie Metivier, White Elementary School: $150
Trainings: Recording of Elicitation Strategies for Speech Sound Disorders
Cycles: A Phonological Intervention
Lateral Lisp Remediation
2022 Educator Grants
WCEF was excited to return to our traditional Educator Grants Program this year. Through the generosity of our community, WCEF provided funds to support 27 innovative classroom-based, whole-school and district-wide programs designed to introduce students to new concepts and technology, increase their understanding of our shared history and the world, and to support their social-emotional well-being and development. Funds were used to purchase hands-on learning tools, deliver interactive classroom technology, support the arts and expand the use of diversified texts, all to create excitement in learning and support the academic success of today’s students.
In FY2022, $19,441 was granted to support:
Kelly Wilhelm; Altavesta Elementary School $720
Gretchen Lindstrom; Reeves Elementary School $367
Patty Raucci; Altavesta & Reeves Elementary Schools $732
What I Need (WIN) Blocks
The goal of this project is to supplement the existing curriculum in order to address a significant decline in reading and math comprehension at these schools. The WIN (What I Need) Block is time set aside to provide students with additional learning opportunities that are at their instructional level in math and reading. Students are given a goal to work toward during each six-week WIN cycle throughout the school year. The educational games and activities provide students with an engaging and exploratory way to practice skills and concepts that enhance their learning. These WIN Blocks will provide students with a different approach to practicing skills and concepts in a fun, engaging way.
Meredith Goodemote, Sarah Sheehan, Patrice Higgins; Reeves Elementary School $1,170
Mary Bonsignore, Kim Ciasullo, Amanda Donato; Malcolm White Elementary School $1,200
IKnowIt
IKnowIt is a comprehensive interactive math practice site for students. This online resource can be used during class or at home for independent practice, remediation, assessment or homework. The site enables teachers to differentiate assignments for students allowing them to work at their own level and pace towards mastery of concepts and skills aligned to the common core. Use of this resource will enable these educators to more closely monitor each student’s progress, and to provide support when needed.
Elizabeth Connolly; Joyce & Kennedy Middle Schools, Woburn Memorial High School
The Choices Program & The Genocide Education Bill $1,000
The Choices Program is an engaging resource that empowers students to understand the relationship between history and current events while improving their analytical and historical thinking skills. The program is a supplement of lesson plans, activities, and high quality resources that teachers can use to help students to take on the perspectives of various stakeholders in history and engage in the work that historians and policy makers often do when making choices both in the past and today. This resource will help ensure that the district’s Middle School and High School history classrooms have access to resources that are safe, accurate, and equitable for all students.
Altavesta Elementary School
Christine Chute, Patricia Valente: STEM Bins $560
This hands-on STEM solution is a creative and developmentally appropriate form of engineering for elementary students. The kits provide opportunities for hands-on learning and experimentation that encourages students to think divergently and imaginatively, problem solve and build fine motor skills.
Hurld Wyman Elementary School
Diane Brogna: BrainPOP Jr. $1,000
BrainPOP Jr. is an age-appropriate resource for Grade 3 students that offers animated movies, interactive quizzes, learning games, and a breadth of other educational activities. Designed to cultivate critical thinking skills and encourage children to ask questions, it covers topics within Science, Social Studies, Reading & Writing, Health, Math, and Arts & Technology. BrainPOP Jr. supports each cross-curricular topic employs simple navigation so early learners can explore on their own.
Sharon Connolly: Raz Plus $864
Raz Plus provides access to Kids A-Z, the website and mobile app where kids go to read eBooks and take eQuizzes online or on their mobile devices. Raz-Plus is a blended reading product that delivers a large and varied collection of leveled books, lesson plans, and collaborative activities that help teachers deliver instruction and improve students’ reading skills. Books are differentiated so that each student reads at their own reading level and experiences success. The goal of this project is to improve student decoding, vocabulary, reading fluency, and comprehension – skills which are critical to students’ academic success.
Marybeth Connors: OSMO for Ipad $884
OSMO provides hands-on learning games in which students use objects in the real world to interact with the digital world shown on their iPad. OSMO’s games are geared toward embodied learning, meaning their games teach abstract concepts by connecting them to objects and actions in the physical world. Kindergarten is when children learn to collaborate, show teamwork and share and use hands-on tools. OSMO not only teaches young children subject matter; it also fosters social-emotional skills like problem solving, creativity and perseverance.
Michele DeMartinis: Rolling Xylophone Project $888
Through this project, funding was provided to purchase rolling carts for the school’s 6 soprano and alto xylophones and metallophones. With the use of carts, Xylophones may be easily and safely rolled out by the children to the classroom for use, and then rolled back to line a wall when done. Carts not only allow students more time in learning, by reducing time needed to set up and breakdown these instruments; they also help ensure that students play the xylophones correctly and safely. Once the instruments are fitted onto the carts, students will no longer have to sit on the floor or balance a xylophone on a chair in order to play it as they do currently.
Marlene Faulkingham: Vocabulary A-Z $108
Vocabulary A-Z is a digital solution for helping K-5 students build vocabulary, spelling, and phonics skills and increase reading comprehension. With Vocabulary A-Z, teachers can differentiate instruction and practice with premade and customizable word lists, digital and printable lessons, and online game-based activities and quizzes that students love, with vocabulary words for all subjects. The project will allow teachers to differentiate instruction and provide the support needed to all students to improve reading fluency and comprehension, skills critical to their academic success.
Linscott-Rumford Elementary School
Cheryl Dabrieo: Generation Genius $1,000
Generation Genius is a standards based teaching resource that engages students in modern, captivating learning activities in all areas of the science curriculum. It provides teachers with lessons, hands-on activities, and interactive games that can seamlessly be implemented to more thoroughly address science standards at each and every grade level. The Generation Genius philosophy of “Always Question, Always Wonder” summarizes plainly the desire educators have to teach their students to always be curious about the world in which they live. Generation Genius will serve all students in grades K-5, providing engaging material that encourages them to question and explore science material in new and exciting ways.
Reeves Elementary School
Susan Nee: Story Boxes $300
Story Boxes contain items that are mentioned in a book, and are an interactive way for students to engage with books. They provide students with hands-on, tactile experiences which are important for vocabulary and concept building. Story Boxes are essential when teaching students with visual impairments and are also extremely beneficial for students with developmental and cognitive disabilities. These materials will primarily be used with special education students, using real life objects help make story details more concrete, meaningful and interesting.
Kristen Slagmolen: Math Manipulatives $570
This project will help enhance the learning experience of the students enrolled in the integrated preschool hosted at the Reeves. Preschool students both with and without disabilities enrich their hands-on learning and fine motor skills through the use of manipulatives. Learning through play is a vital component of preschool and having age appropriate materials can help all students connect to the curriculum and build foundational skills that support future learning. Manipulatives help build 1:1 correspondence, counting skills, number identification and sorting, which are some of the major math skills that all preschoolers should be developing. Manipulatives are a fun way to engage preschool students in immersive learning.
Shamrock Elementary School
Karen Lisacki: Math Games $250
This project provides a variety of fun, exciting games for students that reinforce multiple math skills while having fun and engaging with their peers. These games will allow students to not only practice important math skills, but also work on important social skills, such as, being a team player and following directions, learning to take turns and be willing to compromise. Selected games will be both supplemental and necessary to reinforce and reteach skills that students are required to learn, not just in 5th grade, but also previous grade levels.
Michelle Russell: Social Studies Literacy in the Classroom $1,000
Students will use multiple, high engagement Social Studies differentiated readers during small group instruction that will stimulate their interests, allow them to think critically, build content knowledge,and improve vocabulary to aide in creating strong content readers and writers. This project both supplements existing curriculum materials and promotes literacy in the classroom.
Malcolm White Elementary School
Rae Allen: Reflex $700
Reflex is an online program that focuses on fact fluency; this program has proven to be successful in increasing students’ speed and knowledge of their math facts which sets a strong base for more complex math concepts. The project addresses a prevalent student need for fact fluency in second grade. When students have mastered their addition and subtraction facts students are more successful with other second grade skills such as adding and subtracting three digit numbers. They are also more successful with multiplication and division in third grade.
Christina Makinen: Diversity/Inclusion Books $250
Children’s Literature plays an important role in the literacy development of students. Diversity lessons and activities teach young children to respect and celebrate the differences in all people as well as offering new experiences for students. This grant will fund the purchase of new texts, picture books and readers that help teach diversity across multiple subject areas.
Christina Russo: Enriching Reading Materials for Students $564
This project supplements the existing social studies curriculum, providing engaging and age-appropriate reading materials for students that sparks their interest in the world around them. Scholastic News magazines engage students in learning about current events in a way that is easily digestible for their age; a digital component further sparks exploration in topics of interest. Graphic novels will help engage students that may be struggling to read; these stories are a great gateway for apprehensive readers. This project builds literacy skills while also supporting a growing understanding the world.
Joyce Middle School
Bray McNamara: Reading Program for Multi-lingual Learners $920
Read Naturally is a research-based online program that increases the fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension skills of struggling students. The program has been proven as an effective supplemental intervention program for Multilingual students who are well below the benchmark in reading and speaking fluency. Grant funds were used to purchase 40 student subscriptions for Multilingual 6th to 8th grade students at the Joyce Middle Schools, who have been identified as reading well below grade level.
Mary Pettoruto: Everybody Has a STORY Civics Project $1,000
Through this project, 8th grade students were connected with local seniors through interviews and service projects designed to help them learn and appreciate the STORIES of seniors in our community. Then, the students learned about the history and importance of Woburn’s burial grounds, were assigned a person to research and presented a report on their hiSTORY. The students then went on a guided tour of the 1st and 2nd burial grounds and had the opportunity to find the gravestone of the person they researched and experience gravestone rubbing. Moving forward, students will also be identifying a local issue they care about and work on a plan to take action to make it better. This project succeeded in helping students understand the importance contributions of others in their community.
Kennedy Middle School
Michael Dreesen: Tello Edu Drone $994
Students in Technology Education obtain valuable skills that translate to the 21st century with the limitless possibilities associated with the use of Tello Edu Drones. Tello EDU allows students to easily program a drone, learn how to fly it, and shoot incredible photos and videos. These innovative drones make it easy for all users to experience hands-on learning in the field of technology and engineering. Students will research and communicate information about how the Tello Edu is designed to demonstrate a task that moves people and goods, while identifying and describing the subsystems of the drone. Introducing drones into the classroom provides students with a most innovative and interactive experience.
Kelsey Parrillo: JFK Musical Production $400
WCEF was proud to support the tradition of theater at the Kennedy with a grant to help defray the expenses of this year’s production. Grant funds were used to replace broken theater lights and to purchase the necessary props and costumes to present Really Rosie, a musical based on the book by Maurice Sendak with music by Carole King. School productions have allowed students to showcase their talents, with the goal to increase student participation, build confidence, discipline and collegiality with each other and the school.
Woburn Memorial High School
Abigail Morton: Giant Map $1,000
Grant funds purchased a map of the Pacific Ocean, large enough to spread out on the gym floor. With this map, students are able to put themselves “in” the lesson, find plate boundaries, lines of latitude and longitude and features of the ocean floor while honing their spatial skills in a way that photocopied paper maps cannot replicate. This map will support the Earth Science curriculum and heighten the learning experience, making the subject come alive and be more memorable for high school students.
Special Initiative funded by the Winning Home Foundation
Supporting Economically Disadvantaged and English Learner Education Students through Supplemental Learning Opportunities: $10,000
Students from low-income households and/or immigrant families often do not have access to educational experiences when not in school. This impacts their academic success; a fact that became more evident due to loss of learning during COVID-19. To address this educational disparity, the Woburn Public Schools, through a Winning Home grant, were able to offer engaging and educational experiences during school vacation and summer breaks for high-risk students in grades 4 through 12.
Winning Home funds provided opportunities for the district’s English Language Learning (ELL) students to visit local museums through 3 field trips offered during the April vacation and at the end of the school year. In total, 130 students were able to immerse themselves in learning at some of the area’s most dynamic and prestigious historical and cultural centers. For many of these students, it was for the first time. This project was successful in meeting its goal to eliminate the barriers low-income students face to visiting Boston museums, and providing opportunity for them to engage in meaningful learning activities while not in school.
2021 Educator Grants
This year, given the challenges our schools faced under COVID-19, the WCEF Board decided to forgo the competitive Educator Grants Program and instead turned to school administrators for guidance on how best to support Woburn educators and their students who may be struggling to learn under a hybrid instructional model. Through these discussions we were able to address a primary challenge to remote learning for Woburn’s Middle and High School students, as well as invest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) programming in the district’s elementary schools. WCEF gifted $27,000 to Woburn Schools to support:
Livestream Education
WCEF awarded a $20,000 grant to the Woburn Public Schools to support livestream education in the district’s Middle Schools and High School. These funds purchased specialized classroom speakers that enabled educators to teach students in their classroom with remote students also in attendance, without the need for teachers to sit at a computer or remain in one place during instruction.
These speakers will improve the learning experience for middle and high school students while the schools remain on a hybrid schedule under COVID-19, and will also have utility when schools return to a more normal, traditional classroom setting.
Elementary Robotics Program
WCEF was proud to support the expansion of STEM Programs in Woburn Elementary Schools, with a $7,000 grant to purchase Robotics Kits designed to provide hands-on interactive learning experiences for students in grades K-5. This funding was requested by elementary educators and builds upon the program originally funded by WCEF in 2019.
This WCEF grant addresses a real need for our schools to adequately prepare students for jobs of the future, by sparking their interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math (STEM) subjects at a young age. To build the existing repertoire and expand the use of robotics at all Woburn Elementary Schools, this investment funded the purchase of a Dash Robotics Kit, a Kibo-18 Robotics Kit and 7 Motion Blocks Sets. These robotics kits offer students the opportunity to learn block-based coding using screen technologies and apps, as well as through hands-on wooden block manipulatives. These learning tools teach young students early coding, and provide a foundational introduction to how robots interact with their environment.
Expanding STEM programming in Woburn’s elementary schools helps put all students on a path to academic success, and expands what they envision for themselves in the future.
In 2020, WCEF funded 26 school-based projects and district initiatives designed to support Woburn students in developing a love of learning, a greater awareness of the world around them, and the resiliency to make positive life choices. These projects were selected trough a competitive review process, and inspired an investment of $19,180 as new programs representing innovative instruction in the Woburn Public Schools.
Altavesta Elementary School
Christine Chute, $1,000 for Chromebooks for Enhanced Instruction
This project brings the technology needed to the classroom to support enhanced instruction for Grade 3 students through the use of the Daily 5 and Math Daily 3 curriculums. These teaching tools have been shown to improve the academic success of at-risk and English language learner students.
Patricia Valente, $994 for Fun Learning with Osmo
Osmo is a technology program with engaging, interactive modules that build math, science, English language arts (ELA) and computer science skills in students, and empowers them to perform confidently and successfully when solving problems. Osmo will be used in the first grade classroom as well as the Resource Room, benefitting special needs and English language learner students.
Christine Wyard, $317 for Inclusive Diversity to Represent Every Child
This project provides resources to purchase reading materials that reflect the diversity of today’s students, and also educate all students on the achievements and contributions of important people of color, from diverse backgrounds and cultures. These materials will help students identify with characters in the stories they read, feel proud of their heritage, and hopeful for their future.
Goodyear Elementary School
Kathleen Doherty, $693 for Stop Motion Animation
This project brings a new technology to the classroom to enhance projects and lessons and engage students that might otherwise be less than enthusiastic about their education. Stop Motion Animation requires that students think of problems visually and chronologically, and allows students to improve their 21st century skills such as teamwork, creativity, flexibility and critical thinking. This project benefits all fourth grade students as well as English language learners and special education students.
Gretchen Lindstrom, $745 for Green Screen Classroom Set
Green screens add a fun and exciting dimension of learning, providing a platform for students to discuss, evaluate and reflect on their learning in math, science, ELA, and social studies as well as in computer science. This piece of technology will not only enhance students’ learning in their core subjects but will also add an opportunity for students to increase their digital literacy. Allowing students to explore core ideas using technology further enhances their ability to interact with the curriculum in a new and exciting way. This technology will be shared with all classrooms in the school.
Jennifer Ross & Amanda Seminara, $2,000 for Books & Brownies
This school-wide event is designed to boost the quality and diversity of classroom book collections. At the event, teachers will “shop” for books from a wide range of materials that meet these criteria: books that represent diverse populations, books that students are excited to read, books that showcase grade level Social Studies and Science topics, and books that promote kindness. The goal is to provide Goodyear students with the opportunity to choose reading material from a selection of high quality books designed to encourage them to read, think, and learn. Students will have these resources to deepen and develop background knowledge. These materials will enable students to learn about other people, other perspectives, and see themselves in literature. Grant funds are for books only; home baked brownies will be baked by volunteers.
Hurld-Wyman Elementary School
Diane Brogna, $1,000 for Brain POP Jr.
BrainPOP Jr. is an interactive program designed to cultivate critical and creative thinking skills in students across all educational subject areas and provides options for children with a range of learning styles and interests. Program components support individual, small group, and whole-class learning; students also have access to the program outside the classroom to promote out-of-school learning.
Sharon Connolly, $1,000 for IXL for Math and Social Studies Learning
IXL is an on-line program that provides unlimited practice at a skill level directed at each individual student. The program has interactive questions, awards and certificates that keep students motivated as they master skills in both Math and Social Studies. IXL supports the current curriculum and provides additional support to struggling students.
Michele DeMartinis, $675 for Ukulele Cart
This project provides students in grades 4 and 5 greater opportunity to perform in school and at other venues by providing a cart for safe storage and transport of ukuleles.
Marlene Faulkingham, $344 for Razz Plus
Razz Plus is a comprehensive blended learning platform that provides differentiated reading materials for students to support individual progress in fluency and comprehension. The program includes curricular support for educators and personalized resources to improve students’ reading skills.
Donna Maguire, $1,000 for IXL for Math and ELA Learning
IXL covers over 368 skills at the Pre-K to second grade level, aligned with Common Core Standards for Massachusetts. The program provides opportunity for first and second grade students to build skills through practice, enrichment and remediation at a pace that supports individual learning and success.
Kristin Potamis, $199 for Raz Kids Plus
Raz-Plus is a comprehensive blended learning platform that includes the curricular support teachers need and the personalized resources necessary to improve students’ reading skills. Raz-Plus gives children a reason to read, and encourages deeper understanding that improves vocabulary, reading fluency and comprehension skills, all critical to student success.
Joyce Middle School
Bray McNamara, $920 for Read Naturally for ELL Students
This project addresses the particular struggles of English Language Learner (ELL) students with learning English by providing explicit phonemic awareness instruction. ELL students face the difficult task of learning to read English, learning to speak it, and learning about a new culture. The Read Naturally Program provides additional support in three key areas: English language skills, vocabulary, and general background knowledge. This program has been proven to increase the fluency, vocabulary and comprehension skills of struggling ELL students.
Kennedy Middle School
Laurie Chartier Gellman, $975 for Tapping into NonFiction through Differentiated Book Clubs
Through the use of mentor texts, mini-lessons, small group work and conferences, students will learn the strategies and skills needed to effectively read and participate in differentiated, interest-based, nonfiction book clubs. Through this project, students will develop autonomy and group accountability which will lead to meaningful student-directed discussions about their chosen text. Engaging in small book groups with peers helps students develop and refine social skills; reading nonfiction helps them develop specialized vocabulary, build their knowledge of the world and think critically, skills that will serve them well in school and in life.
Michael Dreesen, $636 for Makey Makey for Technology Education
Makey Makey allows students to turn objects of any kind into touchpads combined with computer programs. This simple invention kit connects students to engineering in a fun and unique way, and provides a hand-on learning experience that gets them excited about electronics and its applications across all school subjects and disciplines.
Joyce & Kennedy Middle Schools
Stacey Harris, $931 for Gaining Language Proficiency Through Reading
This project will help students starting in the first years of learning a new language to more rapidly acquire a new language, by providing students with specialized, leveled books appropriate for first year language learners. This reading program will supplement a newly revised curriculum, offering novels that first and second year learners can access at a novice level with content that is engaging for their age group.
Reeves Elementary School
Meredith Goodemote, Sarah Sheehan & Patrice Higgins, $897 for IKnowIt
This technology-based math program provides an enhanced educational experience for all students, and will be utilized to close the education gap for students in grades three and four. The website allows educators to address differences in student understanding of math concepts, by tailoring assignments based on student’s individual needs.
Bethany Newman, $987 for Xylophones!
This project funds the addition of 2 more xylophones at the school, to give students more opportunity to play the instruments during music class. Xylophones are used to support several areas of the music curriculum, exploring beat, rhythm, note-reading and melodic patterns. The instruments will be used by students in first through fifth grades.
Shamrock Elementary School
Karen Lisacki, $500 for Classroom Dictionaries
Rather than being obsolete, dictionaries teach children valuable life skills such as alphabetical order and using guide words, as well as understanding multi-meanings, parts of speech and spelling. These skills have decreased in today’s students through the use of technology in recent years. This project will fund classroom dictionaries for a fifth grade class, to assist students in having a stronger vocabulary, spelling and overall understanding of words and dictionary skills.
Kerri Moynihan, $875 for Educational Activities for WIN Program
What I Need (WIN) blocks are activities designed to give students direct instruction in an area of weakness. With WIN, students work in small groups for approximately six weeks towards a specific goal. These activities/games allow students to practice taught concepts and skills in an engaging way. The games are geared towards specific grade levels and align with the curriculum standards. Students are motivated and engaged while playing learning games. WIN will be used at every grade level to build student’s reading skills, reading comprehension, and math skills.
Mollie Murphy, $617 for Read Naturally
This project is an added component to the WIN Program designed to accelerate reading achievement in students reading below grade level. Through the use of Read Naturally, students improve their fluency, phonics skills, comprehension and vocabulary.
Michelle Russell, $400 for Math Manipulatives
This project will help students sharpen their mathematical thinking skills and aid students to better connect ideas and integrate their knowledge so that they gain a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts. These manipulatives help create effective, active and engaging lessons which bring math to life and therefore help students better understand the more complex ideas introduced in 4th grade mathematics. By using hands on materials, students will be able to develop interconnected understandings of mathematical concepts that will carry with them throughout the upper grades.
Woburn Memorial High School
Diane Ivester, $175 for Botvin Life Skills Module – E-Cigarettes, Vaping and Hookahs
This program builds on the Health and Wellness curriculum, providing timely and relevant information on the real dangers of vaping. Materials will be introduced in health classes for all high school students, to give them the tools and resources they need to make the right decisions to live and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Matthew Toomey, $300 for Project Imagine
Project Imagine uses fully immersive activities and compelling primary sources to allow students to literally reach out and be a part of history. Students take ownership of their own learning through platform-based online activities, and through the experience form a stronger appreciation for history. This one-year pilot will be used to supplement ninth and tenth grade American History curriculum; if determined to be a valuable learning tool, the project could be expanded across all grades and History curriculums.
District-Wide Initiative
Linda Riley, $1,000 for Our Lives in Literature
In an effort to increase reading engagement and therefore literacy achievement, Ms. Riley has introduced mentor texts and classroom books featuring characters that reflect the backgrounds of the district’s high-needs students. The backgrounds of these characters are diverse in terms of ethnicity, race, language and socio-economic status. In seeing themselves portrayed in texts that are used as teaching materials, racially and culturally diverse students experience a boost in self-esteem, connection to the classroom, and engagement in reading. This leads to greater academic achievement. This project will impact expand the program to serve all students in grades K-12.
In 2019, WCEF funded a total of 25 new and exciting classroom projects and district initiatives that support a love of learning, positive life choices, and innovation in instruction in the Woburn Public Schools. Selected through a competitive review process, these grants totaled $18,786.
Altavesta Elementary School
Christine Wyard, $572 for Chromebooks for Personalized Learning
This project levels the playing field for special education students by providing diverse learners with the supports they need to access the curriculum independently. Through the use of Chromebooks, students have daily access to technology with built-in supports, scaffolds and challenges, with multiple ways for students to demonstrate their learning and independence.
Goodyear Elementary School
Jennifer Ross, $640 for Bingo for Books
This project brings the school community together for an evening of Bingo, with multiple chances for players to win books for their home libraries. During the event, students will create their own Bingo boards based on themed word banks. This fun family event will put books in the hands of students who may not have them, to encourage a love of reading.
Hurld-Wyman Elementary School
Diane Brogna, $1,000 for Brain POP Jr.
BrainPOP Jr. is an interactive program designed to cultivate critical and creative thinking skills in students across all educational subject areas and provides options for children with a range of learning styles and interests. Program components support individual, small group, and whole-class learning; students also have access to the program outside the classroom to promote out-of-school learning. This program will benefit students across multiple school years; in 2019-2020 150 students will use BrainPop Jr. to increase their knowledge and understanding of common core subjects.
Carol Carney, $1,000 for the Drama Program
WCEF is pleased to support the expanded drama program, as the student bodies of the Hurld and Wyman Schools come together through the performing arts. Through drama, students will have the opportunity to experience all aspects of play and musical production, develop a sense of community, accomplishment and confidence. Funds were used to purchase scripts, props and costumes, as well as new speakers for sound.
Sharon Connolly, $1,000 for IXL for Math and Social Studies Learning
IXL is an on-line program that provides unlimited practice at a skill level directed at each individual student. The program has interactive questions, awards and certificates that keep students motivated as they master skills in both Math and Social Studies. IXL supports the current curriculum and provides additional support to struggling students. 150 first and second grade students enjoyed an enhanced learning experience this year with IXL.
Marlene Faulkingham, $460 for Razz Plus
Razz Plus is a comprehensive blended learning platform that provides differentiated reading materials for students to support individual progress in fluency and comprehension. The program includes curricular support for educators and personalized resources to improve students’ reading skills.
Nancy Hubbard, $1,000 for IXL for Math and ELA Learning
IXL covers over 368 skills at the Pre-K to second grade level, aligned with Common Core Standards for Massachusetts. The program provides opportunity for first and second grade students to build skills through practice, enrichment and remediation at a pace that supports individual learning and success.
Linscott-Rumford Elementary School
Kerry Moynihan, $972 for File Folder Games & Little Readers
This project provides students with challenges to learning in grades K-5 an opportunity to access and review the curriculum with increased independence. Materials are used in the Resource Room in individual learning and small group teaching environments to address student needs in mathematics and reading. This program also allows students to build ownership of their learning, by providing them opportunities to choose which skills they feel they need to practice. In 2019, 17 students benefitted from the program, and it will continue to be utilized to benefit high-risk student populations in future academic years as well.
Bethany Newman, $635 for Moving on the Musical Staff
The project purchases a Wenger Footnotes Musical Rug for use by all students at the school, to help them learn to read notes on the staff. Students benefit from learning activities that are kinesthetic and hands-on, and are able to use their whole body to find different notes and identify melodic patterns.
Reeves Elementary School
Elizabeth Fisichella, $710 for Rhythm, Music and Motion
This project incorporates music and movement into the daily classroom routine for first grade students, to increase fine motor skills, improve listening skills and help students work on impulse control. Through the use of rhythm instruments and movement tools, students will tell and retell stories, explore repeating patterns, and explore music from around the world. This project engages students in movement to express themselves, foster teamwork, build confidence and create a sense of community.
Meredith Goodemote and Sarah Sheehan, $605 for IKnowIt
This technology-based math program provides an enhanced educational experience for all students, and will be utilized to close the education gap for students in grades three and four. The website allows educators to address differences in student understanding of math concepts, by tailoring assignments based on student’s individual needs.
Shamrock Elementary School
Laura Rebelo and Shannon Callahan, $485 for Makerspace for Mini Engineers
A Makerspace is a collaborative workspace that provides hands-on, creative ways to encourage students to design, experiment, build and invent as they actively engage in science, engineering and math. The creation of a Makerspace creates an outlet for creative minds and encourages exploration and learning through play for all students. Each year more than 50 students will utilize this Makerspace to support their love of learning as advocates for their own interests.
Malcolm White Elementary School
Mary Bonsignore, Christine Chute, Denise Delaney, $485 each for Launching Daily 3 Math Professional Development
WCEF is proud to support the professional development of these educators, by funding access to an online graduate level course that teaches educators how to utilize The Daily 5 and The Café Book to teach math. Upon completion, these educators will have the knowledge to successfully implement this research-based and highly effective framework in their classrooms.
Joyce Middle School
Meghan Heydt and Kara Johnson, $1,000 for Java Pre-Vocational Program
This project brings a coffee cart station to the Joyce Middle School, to provide special education students the real-life opportunity to engage in vocational tasks and connect to the school community. The project reinforces classroom learning through the hands-on application of money management, language, communication and reading, as well as other skills integral to running a coffee shop.
Carol Ann Solares, $1,000 for Building Based Special Education Technology Project
This project, based in the Social Communication, Autism and Functional Skills Classrooms, will provide equity of access to technology, to allow students to become more familiar with computers as tools for working and learning.
Kennedy Middle School
Michael Dreesen, $417 for Vinyl Cutter for Technical Education
Through the use of a vinyl cutter, students will obtain valuable skills in the area of technology and engineering as they design and make custom items for the Kennedy community. The vinyl cutter allows students to see their designs come to life and to produce quality items for themselves and their school.
Michelle Harris, $885 for Reading Success Through Guided Independent Practice
This project provides 6th graders with high quality and high interest reading materials to support the school’s Reading Workshop program. The goal is to increase the number and variety of classroom books so all students can read as many books as possible and expand their skills. This project benefits all students but specifically targets low income students who are reading well below grade level and do not have access to books at home. Having these high interest books readily available greatly increases reading engagement, a major factor to higher student achievement. At least 100 students will now have access to these high-quality reading materials. This project will benefit students across several school years.
Altavesta, Goodyear, Linscott-Rumford, Reeves Elementary Schools
Bethany Newman, $895 for Rhythm and Drumming
This project supports the elementary music curriculum with the purchase of two sets of three tubanos. African standing drums. Fourth grade students will explore rhythm pattern, varied sounds and beat through the use of these African standing drums, which produce a deeper tone than traditional hand drums.
All Elementary Schools
Natasha Bock, $995 for STEM into Robotics
This exciting project brings Dot and Dash, two small child friendly robots, into all K-2 classrooms across the district. With Dot and Dash, students work in small groups on challenging and fun activities that teach problem solving, critical thinking and collaboration while introducing students to the wonderful world of coding and robotics.
Amy Maynes, $1,000 for Robotics for Inquisitive Minds
Students in grades 3-5 learn computer coding in a meaningful, collaborative and hands-on way with Sphero Minis, a robotic platform that allows students the ability to design, test, redesign and solve problems with confidence. The project brings various STEM challenges to students while encouraging critical thinking, creativity and teamwork.
Diane Ivester, $750 for Botvin Life Skills for Elementary Students
This program is an extension of the Health and Wellness curriculum, proven to reduce the risks of alcohol, tobacco and drug abuse and to reduce violence by building skills and resiliency in young people. Botvin Life Skills help students resist peer pressure, increase self-esteem, and handle stress and anxiety through enhanced cognitive and behavioral competency to reduce and prevent risky behaviors.
Joyce & Kennedy Middle Schools
Danielle Jo White-Yelito, $310 for Ukulele Consort
This project supports the wonderful increase in students performing, practicing and playing the ukulele, through the purchase of four instruments to add to the Middle School Instrumental Music Department.
District Initiative
Linda Riley, $1,000 for Our Lives in Literature
In an effort to increase reading engagement and therefore literacy achievement, Ms. Riley has introduced mentor texts and classroom books featuring characters that reflect the backgrounds of the district’s high-needs students. The backgrounds of these characters are diverse in terms of ethnicity, race, language and socio-economic status. In seeing themselves portrayed in texts that are used as teaching materials, racially and culturally diverse students experience a boost in self-esteem, connection to the classroom, and engagement in reading. This leads to greater academic achievement. This project will impact 200+ students in grades 3-12 in year one and grow exponentially each year.
In 2018, WCEF funded a total of 27 new innovative projects in the Woburn Public Schools to support student achievement, positive life choices, innovation in instruction and educator ongoing professional development. Selected through a competitive review process, these grants totaled $23,212.
Woburn Memorial High School:
David Kalpin, $1,000 for Chemistry Modeling Professional Development Workshop
This project provided the opportunity for Mr. Kalpin to attend a 70 hour intensive professional development workshop to build his skills in incorporating Modeling into the existing Chemistry curriculum. Modeling is an approach to instruction that has been shown effective in engaging students in active learning. He is now using these skills to increase his students’ understanding and interest in Chemistry concepts. Through peer to peer collaborations, Mr. Kalpin is also sharing these skills with his fellow educators.
Barbara Locke, $1,000 for Speaker Kristina Hiller Dowling
Kristina Hiller Dowling was born with Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) which is a genetic disorder characterized by bones that break easily. This project allowed her to travel to visit with the students in Mrs. Locke’s Personal Fitness and Early Childhood classes to speak with them about her challenges and outlook on life. Although Kristina is not a professional motivational speaker, her sense of humor and positive approach to her many physical and life challenges deepened student’s understanding and inspired them to look differently at themselves and others.
Abigail Morton, $1,000 for Groundwater Simulation Tank
This project purchased a tabletop groundwater simulation tank, which demonstrates the flow and contamination of groundwater. This tank will allow students to actively “pollute” various wells and waterways with food coloring to see the extent of the pollution plume. The tank is an important addition to the Earth and Environmental Science curricula, and will increase students understanding of the environmental impact of pollution on public waterways and drinking supply.
Joyce Middle School:
Michaela Rice, $700 for ASCD Empower18
This project allowed Ms. Rice to attend the 2018 Conference for Every Educator, a professional development conference which offered more than 200 learning sessions directly applicable to the specific needs of Woburn students. The sessions focused on teaching and learning, the whole child, redefining student success, poverty and equity, global engagement and transformational leadership. After attending the conference, Ms. Rice developed presentations to foster and create professional learning communities within the district that engaged educators in effective conversations to gain new knowledge from each other. This project has resulted in the development of new educator skills, strategies and information that will improve students’ experience, engagement and success within the classroom.
Cory Satow, Rita Robertson, Joanna Dardonis, Cindy Farrell, Rosemary Donovan
$4500 to bring Naviance to Woburn’s Middle Schools
This project provided startup funding to bring the Naviance Program to the Middle School Guidance Offices, in order to make career exploration and personal awareness tools available to students at these schools. While currently only available to high school students, this program will now help all middle school students, and especially 8th grade students, realize their options and opportunities for their future based on their strengths and interests. Funds awarded through this grant will cover program and set up at each middle school; the program will be sustained into the future by the Woburn Public Schools.
Kennedy Middle School:
Danielle Jo White-Yelito, $280 for Mallet Instrument for Winter Percussion Group
This grant purchased a new marching xylophone for students to use in order to qualify to perform as part of the Woburn Memorial High School Winter Percussion Team and for a future school-wide junior team. Mallet instruments are the most important in showcasing the melody with which dancers and drummers perform.
Altavesta Elementary School:
Judi O’Neil, $1,000 for IPads for Specialized Instruction
This project purchased 3 Ipads to benefit Special Education instruction for students in grades K-5. With teacher guidance and instruction, Resource Room students will use these Ipads to participate in dynamic learning experiences using leading edge technology and supportive, multimedia applications. Ipads provide real-time, hands-on, multi-sensory academic experiences which most greatly benefit students who face challenges to learning. This technology is used to actively engage all students in the learning process across all curriculum subjects.
Victoria Russo, Patricia Valente, $1,927 for Math In Movement
This project purchased “Math and Movement” Mats for the kindergarten and 3rd Grade classrooms. Math and Movement is a program that uses a kinesthetic approach to strengthen and reinforce basic and foundational skills in the areas of Math and English Language Arts. The Program supports differentiated instruction and engages all students in multi-sensory activities of exercise, stretching, yoga and cross-body movements. Math and Movement provides hands-on, interactive activities appropriate for students with various learning needs. Students in kindergarten through grade 3 will use these mats daily to learn core Math concepts and to build foundational learning.
Christine Wyard, $925 for Chromebooks for Diverse Learners
This project provides 6 Chromebooks for use in the Language-Based Special Education Classroom. Chromebooks provide daily access to technology that has built in supports, scaffolds, and challenges that provide multiple ways for students to engage in content, and to build and demonstrate learning independence. Access to this technology seeks to “level the playing field” for special education student by overcoming barriers to learning.
Goodyear Elementary School:
Susan Krevat, $400 for Write Now – Right Now
WCEF is proud to bring this sought after writing program to Woburn Schools. This engaging curriculum equips elementary teachers with proven methods and effective strategies to bring out the best in individual and classroom writing. Through daily writing prompts, students become better writers and develop a love of writing while Woburn educators become better writing teachers.
Hurld Elementary School:
Marlene Faulkingham, $600 for Reading A-Z and Spelling City
This project brings programs to the classroom which build English Language Arts skills in students. Spelling City and Reading A-Z are technology-based programs which build vocabulary through interactive literacy activities. The purchase of an Ipad to support access to these programs will help students with their spelling, vocabulary, fluency and comprehension skills.
Sharon Connolly, $900 for IXL Math Program
This project will continue to allow Hurld students to build their math skills with the IXL Program. IXL Math is an online interactive program that provides unlimited practice at skill level directed at each individual student. It can be used for enrichment, remediation and practice, and will particularly motivate struggling students to build on learning success.
Linscott-Rumford Elementary School:
Linda Riley, $500 for Our Lives in Literature
This project seeks to address the achievement gap in the area of literacy in students of diverse ethnicities through the introduction of mentor texts and classroom books featuring characters that reflect the backgrounds of high-needs students. The backgrounds of these characters are diverse in terms of ethnicity, race, language and socio-economic status. With a focus on 3rd grade English language learner (ELL) students, the goal is to increase reading engagement and achievement as a direct result of making connections with the characters featured in these texts.
Ernie Well, $1,000 for Linscott Literacy Night
WCEF was pleased to provide funding for the first-ever Literacy Night, which gave families an opportunity to learn how to support student reading and writing at home. In developing this event, the goal of the Linscott-Rumford educators was to empower parents and guardians to build reading achievement for all students. The evening featured a local author as guest reader, crafts, literacy activities and dinner, all designed to help parents and guardians develop tools to help them play an active role in student literacy development, with the skills, attitudes and behaviors that support early reading and tips to support student success at home.
Reeves Elementary School:
Kathleen Fumicello, $195 for Camtasia/Snagit Educational Bundle
Through video recording software that educators can utilize to record and edit lessons for multiple purposes. By sharing videos of daily classroom lessons, this project provides an alternative method to train, and model best practices to parents, while improving home to classroom communication. Camtasia/Snagit will enhance learning and address the academic needs of diverse populations of learners.
Kimberlee Johnson, $240 for Splash Math
Through this project, students will utilize this technology-based program to practice advanced math skills such as addition, subtraction, graphing and money that align with the 1st grade curriculum. Splash Math will expose students to multi-modal approaches to learning that enhance the goal of developing critical thinkers.
Kristen Merullo, $240 for Listening Center
Pre-school and Pre-K students will now be able to read independently, with the addition of a listening center to the classroom. This project will introduce students to literature and allow students to hear stories aligned with different curriculum areas. Providing access to reading on an independent level guides each student through the beginning stages of becoming a reader and develops a love of stories and learning.
Bethany Newman, $625 for Moving on the Musical Staff
WCEF is pleased to purchase a Wenger Footnotes Music Rug for use at the Reeves School. The rug will allow students to participate in more kinesthetic learning activities as they learn how to read music on the staff. This project promotes teamwork, enhances musical understanding and gets students literally moving to the music!
Shamrock Elementary School:
Laura Rebelo, $200 for Time to Boogie
“Time to Boogie” is a technology program that offers an interactive, engaged learning experience. Boogie Boards are portable boards that come with a stylus for writing, that are fun and easy to use. First graders use them to solve math problems, sound out and write words, practice letters, and show their thinking in various ways. They allow for small group collaboration and promotes social skills instilled in the lower grades. Kids are easily drawn to the wonders of technology and the Boogie Boards are a fun way to incorporate important concepts they need while having fun.
White Elementary School:
Mary Bonsignore, Christine Chute, Denise Delaney, Melissa Doherty
$3950 for Technology, Professional Development and Tools for Word Work/Daily Five and Café
WCEF is proud to support this project to facilitate student learning in grades 4 and 5, utilizing the Daily 5 and CAFÉ programs. These programs offer instructional frameworks which create routines with students through focused teaching, student modeling and practice. The Daily 5 helps students build stamina, develop independence and make successful choices through activities that include read to self, write to self, read to someone, listen to reading and word work. Listening is especially beneficial for struggling readers as well as English language learners, by providing pronunciation and use of expressions to model.
Wyman Elementary School:
Nancy Hubbard, $900 for Math Technology
This project will support enhanced educational experiences for students who struggle learning math concepts.
In 2017, WCEF funded a total of 20 new innovative projects in the Woburn Public Schools to support student advancement in learning, positive life choices and creative approaches to teaching. Selected through a competitive review process, these grants totaled $17,885.
Woburn Memorial High School:
Jessica Callanan, $5,000 for Night School Credit Recovery Program
This project provided funding for subsidies for low-income high school juniors and seniors who needed to attend night school in order to graduate on time. The availability of these funds allowed 15 students, in grades 11 and 12, to recover 23 credits in the core subject areas. Through this program, WCEF made it possible for 13 students to graduate this school year with their class.
Sarah Dugan, $1,000 for The Everyday Astronaut
This project invited astronaut Tim Dodd to the school, to give a presentation to the study body to “bring space down to earth for everyday people.” Tim’s talk incorporated tenets of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) to inspire today’s students to reach for the stars. As a successful photographer, Tim also met with a group of advanced art students to share his advice and experience.
Diane Ivester, $1,000 for Botvin Life Skills Program
This program is an extension of the Health and Wellness curriculum, proven to reduce the risks of alcohol, tobacco and drug abuse and to reduce violence by building skills and resiliency in young people. Botvin Life Skills help students resist peer pressure, increase self-esteem, and handle stress and anxiety through enhanced cognitive and behavioral competency to reduce and prevent risky behaviors.
All middle and high school students will benefit from this program.
Joyce Middle School:
Dave Guffey, $880 for Botvin Life Skills Program
This program is an extension of the Health and Wellness curriculum, proven to reduce the risks of alcohol, tobacco and drug abuse and to reduce violence by building skills and resiliency in young people. Botvin Life Skills help students resist peer pressure, increase self-esteem, and handle stress and anxiety through enhanced cognitive and behavioral competency to reduce and prevent risky behaviors.
All middle and high school students will benefit from this program.
Danielle Jo White-Yelito, $115 for Handbells and Percussion
WCEF is proud to fund the purchase instruments for the new Hand-bell Choir and Percussion Ensemble at the school. We look forward to their debut at the Holiday Concert in December 2017, with a performance of “Carol of the Bells”!
Kennedy Middle School:
Anne Riccadelli, $880 for Botvin Life Skills Program
This program is an extension of the Health and Wellness curriculum, proven to reduce the risks of alcohol, tobacco and drug abuse and to reduce violence by building skills and resiliency in young people. Botvin Life Skills help students resist peer pressure, increase self-esteem, and handle stress and anxiety through enhanced cognitive and behavioral competency to reduce and prevent risky behaviors.
All middle and high school students will benefit from this program.
Altavesta Elementary School:
Kristy Russell, $1,000.00 for IPads for Specialized Instruction
This project uses Ipads to create customized learning experiences using supportive media technology for diverse learners of varying academic needs.
Goodyear Elementary School:
Robert Doherty, $923 for Ipad Film Project
Through the use of Ipads and professional production staging, students in grade 5 will film and produce high quality video presentations for a variety of uses, including monthly video news features that showcase school activities. This project will increase the creative confidence of these students and expand their knowledge and use of technology.
Hurld Elementary School:
Linda Burns & Sharon Connolly, $876 for Document Cameras
Document cameras project a page of a book or a 3-dimensional object onto a screen for the whole class to see. This technology is used to actively engage all students in the learning process across all curriculum subjects.
Marlene Faulkingham, $996 for IXL Technology Based Math Program
WCEF has funded this program for the 2nd year at the Hurld School, as it has shown great potential to advance student’s mastery of math concepts and standards. This program can be utilized at home as well as in the classroom, and engages students in supportive learning which guides and celebrates individual achievement.
Linscott-Rumford Elementary School:
Kerri Moynihan, Linscott, $856.00 for Tablets for the Resource Room
Students with disabilities that affect how they learn benefit from multisensory approaches and multimodal learning strategies. These tablets allow access to differentiated learning programs that provide individualized support, and increase student learning and engagement.
Reeves Elementary School:
Elizabeth Fisichella, $433.00 for a Reader’s Theater
Reader’s theater allows students to use scripts adapted from stories in order to improve word recognition and reading fluency. This program addresses a need in the school to improve reading fluency among 1st grade students.
Amanda Sheehan, $500.00 for ESL Technology
This project provides access to visual information, a key component in ESL instruction. Students are now able to make connections between English language words and objects and express what they know in a variety of different formats.
Shamrock Elementary School:
Shirley Morgan, $500.00 for Stages Learning Vocabulary Materials
This project offers students opportunities to use authentic visuals across a variety of curriculum areas. These materials assist students in developing basic communication skills and cognitive academic proficiency by expanding their vocabulary through language-based activities geared towards their individual learning needs.
Laura Rebelo, $756.00 for Hands On Learning Project
This project has provided funds to purchase 4 Osmo Gaming systems to facilitate a hands-on, movement driven learning environment. Students now have the benefit of learning how to manipulate numbers, words, art and coding while fostering small group collaboration.
White Elementary School:
Jaclyn Desmond, $330 for Reading A-Z Subscription
This project provides educators with a virtual library of level appropriate books that can be printed and shared with students and their families. These books can be tailored to each child’s fluency, comprehension and language skills to encourage learning and a love of reading.
Christina Makinen, $400 for Hatching Baby Chicks
Through this project, students in the 2nd grade will have the opportunity to observe and care for eggs and chickens. They will gain a greater understanding of biology and life science concepts as well as develop respect and responsibility for living things.
Joan White, $525 for Motion: Forces & Work Program
WCEF is pleased to bring the Museum of Science program to the White Elementary School! This interactive presentation teaches students how forces create motion, what simple machines have in common, and why they help us perform a large amount of work.
Altavesta, Linscott-Rumford, Hurld, White & Wyman Elementary Schools:
Travis Liquori, $915.00 for African Drumming
This project addresses the need for musical instruments for elementary students. African drumming promotes expressive communication, stimulates cognitive functioning, and improves coordination, giving it multiple applications across curriculum areas. The purchase of 9 African djembes are being used to facilitate in-class instruction for 2nd and 3rd graders, and also in a new after-school music program at each school.
The Following Educator Grants were awarded on March 16, 2016; in total $16,500 was awarded:
Woburn Memorial High School:
Rosemary Donovan, $800.00 to fund the EmWave Mindfulness System
This project will bring a new tool to the WMHS Guidance Office, to serve those who experience social-emotional stress. The EmWave Mindfulness System is a self-directed intervention for students who experience extreme anxiety; the goal of this program is to reduce time spent out of the classroom.
Abby Gillis, $1,000.00 to co-sponsor Travis Roy Motivational Speaker
WCEF is proud to co-sponsor this school-wide assembly. All WMHS students have read Roy’s memoir Eleven Seconds; they will now get to hear his inspiration story and meet this motivational speaker in person.
Elizabeth Miller, $946.00 to fund in-class Google Viewer Virtual Field Trips
The purchase of Google Viewers will integrate with existing classroom technology to allow students to travel the world in three-dimensional virtual reality.
Susan Thifault, $1,000.00 to fund a GoPro Video Production Program
Students in the WMHS Fine Arts Video Program will have a new learning experience through the use of GoPro Cameras, the latest advance in digital image technology.
Joyce Middle School:
Joanne Young, $850.00 for Connecting All Students with Technology
This project was developed to respond to the needs Joyce students who are currently homeless and do not have access to computers. This learning center will be available during out-of-school time, to provide equal access to technology for all students to facilitate use of Google tools in the classroom.
Altavesta Elementary School:
Judi O’Neil, $1,000.00 to support Customized Learning with IPads
The integration of Ipads in the Resource Room will be used to create customized learning experiences for diverse learners of varying academic needs.
Goodyear Elementary School:
Bethany Newman, $595.00 to fund the Moving on the Musical Staff Program
Funds will be used to purchase a Wenger Footnotes Music Rug, which enables students to use their whole body in kinesthetic learning activities to find notes on the musical staff and explore melody.
Kathleen Sawyer, $1,000.00 for a Wonder Books Anti-Bullying Program
This WCEF Grant will be used to purchase the Wonder book series as part of a strategy to use a multidisciplinary approach to teach an Anti-bullying program to 5th grade students.
Kerri Vasquezi, $500.00 for a Life Cycle of Raptors Enrichment Program
WCEF is pleased to provide funding that brings the interactive enrichment program, Life Cycles of Raptors, to the school’s 2nd grade.
Hurld Elementary School:
Marlene Faulkingham, $996.00 for the IXL Math Program
This project funds the purchase of 4 licenses to bring differentiated, engaging and measureable technology based learning experiences to 100 students.
Linscott – Rumford Elementary School:
Susan Plamondon, Cheryl Dabrieo, $890.00 each for the Lego Build to Express
This Lego Program provides hands-on learning experiences that use manipulatives to engage students in higher level thinking activities, and opportunities for students to get excited about learning, to think creatively, and to work cooperatively in a community of learning and respect.
Linda Riley, $1,000.00 to fund the pilot AIM Project
WCEF is providing funding for the pilot of the Alternative Instruction Model as a supplemental STEM class for students who are accelerating in the general education classroom. The success of this project will determine future goals for STEM content in general classroom curriculum.
Reeves Elementary School:
Marie LaCour, $1,000.00 for the Historical Woburn Art Installation
This art project creates a permanent installation and engages all students in an exciting, hands on art project to learn American history as it unfolded in Woburn. This project fosters collaboration, pride, belonging and a sense of place.
Erin Murphy Dean, $929.00 for a Learning Literacy Center
This technology project will provide students with moderate disabilities an opportunity to access information across the curriculum with increased independence. Students will develop their active learning skills in the areas of Reading, Writing and Listening.
Bethany Newman, $982.00 to have students Making Ukulele Music
WCEF funding will purchase 19 of these highly versatile instruments, to students the opportunity to make music instead of just learning about music.
Shamrock Elementary School:
Pamela Barry, $501.00 for Social Thinking Curriculums
This project will provide a multi-sensory, cognitive behavioral social learning curriculum that will help students with social emotional deficits develop better self-regulation across a range of social situations.
Alicia McAnulty, $800.00 for the Visualizing & Verbalizing Program
WCEF will provide funding for this program, as a highly effective instructional method and intervention to develop language comprehension and expression skills for students of all ages.
Thomas O’Halloran, $800.00 to create a Virtual Multi-Cultural Classroom
Through the purchase of 3 Chromebooks, students will now be part of a virtual multi-cultural classroom through integration of the ePals online platform. This project also introduces students to the use of technology as learning tool.
The Following Educator Grants were awarded on March 16, 2015; these awards totaled more than $11,000:
Sarah Dugan, Art & Photography Teacher
Woburn Memorial High School
$750.00 Grant for Photography Lighting Workshop
Through this grant, students in the Woburn Memorial High School Fine Arts Department will learn how to create beautiful on location portraits from Sid Ceasar, a nationally published portrait photographer and designer, based in Nashua, New Hampshire.
Bethany Newman, Music Teacher
Goodyear, Reeves, Shamrock, White Elementary Schools
$478.89 Grant for a Rhythm & Drumming Project
This grant incorporates World Music into the elementary standards for music education. Students will learn how to keep a steady beat, identify rhythm patterns and study African Music through the purchase of three tubanos, a type of African standing drum.
Jessica Cefali, Special Education Teacher
Goodyear Elementary School
$998.00 Grant for Feeding the Need to Read at Our Level
This project meets the need for rich and relevant literature that encourages Ms. Cefali’s students to become motivated, fluent and skilled readers. These comprehension kits by Benchmark Education include extension activities that support excitement, curiosity as well as enhanced learning.
Shannon McDonough, Kindergarten Teacher
Goodyear Elementary School
$1,000.00 Grant for Top Secret Science
Through this Grant, Top Secret Science will visit the Goodyear Elementary School and work with each grade level. Through programs that include “Properties of Rocks & Minerals”, “Engineering Design” and “The Earth in the Solar System”, students will acquire greater understanding and excitement of scientific topics.
Marlene Faulkingham, Second Grade Teacher
Hurld Elementary School
$1,000.00 for Classroom Ipads
The Grant will provide funds to purchase three Ipads as tools to provide increased, differentiated, individualized and enhanced instruction in the classroom. Ipads provide an enhanced, custom learn experience for each student, and can be utilized within each classroom to research, create and present projects in all subject areas.
Maura Hooper, First Grade Teacher
Maureen Kozachuk, Third Grade Teacher
Hurld Elementary School
$1,000.00 each for the Lexia Reading Program
These Grant funds provide students essential components of the Common Core reading curriculum through the use of the individualized, research based, learning program Lexia. This technology based system custom tailors reading instruction and facilitates in class and school to home resource sharing for expanded time in learning. Access to Lexia extends beyond the normal school day and school calendar year.
Lexia will increase achievement for students at all levels of learning, to include at-risk, English Language Learners and Gifted.
Linda Riley, ELL Teacher
Linscott-Rumford Elementary School
$597.00 for Classroom Kindles
The Grant funds the purchase of three classroom Kindles with expanded storage capabilities and accessories, which will be used to individualize and improve classroom instruction and increase student learning and engagement.
Kimberlee Johnson, First Grade Teacher
Reeves Elementary School
$789.00 for Success with STEM Skills Program
This program encourages students to build confidence as they develop STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) skills. These fields are deeply intertwined in how students learn most effectively. Ms. Johnson’s First Grade students will learn through trial and error as they solve real world problems by designing, building, and testing with structural materials.
Keryn Landry, Special Education Teacher
Reeves Elementary School
$755.96 for Listening to Literature
This Grant funds a Kindle-based program that assists special education students in accessing reading materials, to increase their skills, fluency and confidence. Students will utilize the Kindles to read along with Audio books. In the future, the use of the Kindles will be expanded into other subject areas, such as Math.
Nancy Osgood, Second Grade Teacher
Shamrock Elementary School
$1000.00 for the Wicked Cool for Kids Program
This Grant will provide six customized programs for second grade Science students, to include Legopalooza Engineering & Design, Superhero Science & Design and Build Workshop. This program reinforces State Science Standards related to Physical Sciences (position and motion of objects) and Technology/Engineering through hands-on exploratory learning that is fun for students.
Laura Rebelo, First Grade Teacher
Shamrock Elementary School
$1000.00 for Grade One Complete Leveled Reading Library Collection
Funding will provide multi-level nonfiction and fiction book sets for students, which will be utilized both in school and at home. Students will build their fluency and comprehension skills by reading fiction and nonfiction books at their individual reading levels. This grant addresses a prevalent need in the school community to provide appropriate reading materials to students for at home learning.
