The project aims to obtain additional materials to already successful “Calm Corner” spaces. The current project has been hugely successful and the team recognizes the need for additional materials. "Calm Corners" allow students to remain in their learning environment while they are regulating their bodies and emotions. Seeing other students using the same space and tools allows students to recognize feelings are universal--we all need a calm corner sometimes. This program is innovative in its approach and in the fact that these corners are available in every classroom as well as every special. No matter who you are or where you are, the tools are available to everyone.

Applicant: Emily Josephsohn

Schools: Burr

Date Approved: Fall 2023

Amount: $ 1501.54

The project aims to obtain materials to create “Take a Break” spaces. This structure provides students with a developmentally appropriate space in the classroom where they can learn to recognize and react to emotions in a healthy & productive way. In order for students to be engaged in learning, self-regulation, a sense of belonging and safety is crucial. “Take a Break” spaces are designated areas in classrooms that help facilitate a safe learning environment for all students. This Tier 1 classroom structure is part of the puzzle that promotes belonging and connectedness for all students. Having an organized binder and bin of materials & explicitly teaching how to use this calming, regulating space is key to its effectiveness.

Applicant: Lisa LaCava

Schools: Mason Rice

Date Approved: Fall 2023

Amount: $ 780.92

We want to purchase 17 licenses for Freckle Math & Read Live so that students in our ACHIEVE program (students with dyslexia) have access to rigorous, research-based, scaffolded reading & math intervention that also provides actionable progress data. Read Naturally is used in NPS for reading assessment & fluency intervention. Read Live is the online extension of Read Naturally. Read Live is particularly helpful for students who have reading disabilities because it reads content to students and provides actionable progress data for teachers. Freckle Math provides scaffolded standards-based math intervention to students, with problems read aloud if needed for students with dyslexia, and provides actionable progress data to teachers.

Applicant: Suzanne Griffin & Orla Higgins Averill

Schools: Angier

Date Approved: Fall 2023

Amount: $760.75

This project aims to obtain materials to support “Take a Break” spaces and to provide students with sensory tools to help them self-regulate to better be able to attend to classroom lessons and work. Though many classroom teachers are open to implementing SEL tools, there has never been a budget for these materials. Many teachers have not been trained in tools that may help students exhibiting certain behaviors. Implementing tools to help students self-regulate is both a recent innovation in education, as well as an avenue to promote equity in that all students will have access to what they need to help them do their best learning.

Applicant: Jen Terrazzino

Schools: Lincoln Eliot

Date Approved: Fall 2023

Amount: $693