It was an extra exciting start to the school year for three District 61 teachers. At the kickoff of the Teachers’ Institute held Aug. 26 at Eisenhower Junior High, the Darien District 61 Educational Foundation announced the recipients of its first educational grants–two $500 awards for the 2010-11 school year.
The first grant was awarded to Cheryl Halla, Reading Specialist at Mark DeLay School, for her Guided Reading Support project — a Leveled Library for Guided Reading in grades K-2. The second grant went to Hollie Hickey and Ashley Burg, ELL (English Language Learner) teachers at Lace Elementary School, for their Enhanced Learning by iTouch project — Enhanced Instruction for English Language Learners in grades 3-5.
Foundation Chairperson Barbara Finnegan and Foundation Board Members Cindie Hagen and Kris Sant presented the grant recipients with certificates. Ex-Officio member Dr. Bob Carlo, superintendent of District 61, was also in attendance.
In May 2010, the Foundation invited District 61 staff to submit grant proposals for creative and innovative initiatives to further the educational goals of the District.
Halla’s proposal explains: “Guided reading involves teaching small groups of students at their individual reading levels in order to best meet their educational needs. Guided reading is a research-based method supported by the Illinois State Board of Education and Darien School District 61’s current reading model. Implementing this method of teaching reading is part of our (Mark DeLay) school improvement program. To maximize guided reading to its fullest potential, students need a wide variety of reading material. The grant would purchase materials to be placed in a leveled library to be utilized by the entire staff.”
Hickey’s and Burg’s proposal details the use of this iPod technology in the English Language Learner classroom: “This project would expand the number of iPod Touch devices that we have in the Lace ELL classroom by two, along with protective covers and an iTunes gift card for the purchase of educational applications through the iTunes Store. ELL teachers are looking to enhance their usage of technology and student materials in their program through the use of the iPod Touch. These devices will be used for hands-on interactive learning for students whom range in ability and knowledge of the English language.”
The Darien District 61 Educational Foundation formed a little over a year ago in August 2009. Its mission is straightforward: To provide supplemental funding for programs and initiatives to enhance the quality of education for students in District 61.
The Foundation has a 12-member board of directors and is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Contributions are tax-deductible as defined by the Internal Revenue Code. Anyone interested in donating to the Foundation or helping with Foundation projects is invited to contact Barbara Finnegan at foundation@darien61.org
