The Foundation's mission is to provide financial support for educational projects, programs, and initiatives that will enhance and enliven the classroom experience and promote excellence in West Hartford Public Schools.
The Foundation raises funds from individuals, businesses, and civic groups in the community as well as alumni nationwide. Gifts of $1,000 or more entitle the donor to honor an individual, business or civic group by having the Foundation name a grant. Once a year, certified teachers throughout the school district are invited to apply for grants ranging from $200 to $3,000 for a project that will enhance student experience, complement the curriculum and demonstrate educational merit. A Foundation committee reviews the applications with the teacher's name and school removed. After approval by the Foundation board, awards are presented in late spring of each year.
For more information or to apply for a grant, visit The Foundation's webpage HERE.
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Grants Awarded to Bristow Middle School this year:
Alexander M. and Catherine Maus Wright Grant: Unified Voices: Using floor microphones to make all voices heard
Mackenzie Fitzgerald, Lead Teacher & Emily Camargo, Giovanna Roche
This grant allows for the purchase of floor microphones for the Bristow Middle School unified theater program for students in grades 6-8. Unified theater is a nation-wide, all-inclusive theater program that started in West Hartford. The floor microphones will allow all students to be heard. This will benefit students with communication deficits, anxiety, lack of confidence and shyness.
Cullina Family Grant: Silkworms and their importance to China
Susan Winslow, Lead Teacher
This grant funds the purchase of silkworms, silkworm food, and silkworm cocooneries that will be used by 140 students at Bristow Middle School. Silkworms and the silk they make are an important part of Chinese culture, and this grant will help students better understand the deep cultural roots of silkworms while they are learning about China. The students will have the opportunity to take home their silkworms after they form cocoons, and may harvest the silk from the cocoons during or after the metamorphosing process. The project is interdisciplinary as it focuses on both science and social studies and provides a tactile learning experience for students.
FLOW (Future Leaders of West Hartford) Grant: MAKE a Difference with Fleece Blankets
Melissa Thom, Lead Teacher & Brittany Leghorn, Tara Ehler, Jennifer Omartian
This fleece blanket project for sixth, seventh and eighth graders at Bristow Middle School will bring students, teachers and the greater community together to make a positive difference and impact the lives of others. The project will fund the purchase of supplies and tools for the blankets, most of which will be donated to Project Linus, a national organization, that collects blankets for children in need. A goal of the project is to develop an awareness of how we can work to make the world a better place through compassionate citizenry and service projects.
Tom and Carol Lorenzo Grant: South Korea ~ Technology Today and the Art of Lantern Making
Kelly Smurthwaite, Lead Teacher
Korean Spirit and Culture Promotion Project (KSCPP) will spend a day with 6th- and 7th-graders at Bristow Middle School. This traveling group from New York City visits schools to provide information to students about South Korean culture and history; the culminating project for this visit will be to create beautiful lanterns as a group project and the students will get to enjoy Korean food and literature while the lanterns are drying. The KSCPP presentation also touches on the technology advancements in South Korea, so students in both technology and art classes will participate in this grant in action. After being a part of this presentation, students will have a greater understanding of South Korea and its history, connect their curriculum points about China and India to South Korea, and be able to expand their appreciation of art and technology in other countries.