Elementary Archives - Page 4 of 4 - Newton Schools Foundation

The L

The L is a system of subway lines, markers, and signage. Designed to be developmentally appropriate for students and ADA compliant, this UDL supports the science of wayfinding which increases independence, reduces anxiety, and improves library usage. As part of my professional goal, I’m to visit public and school libraries to learn about the impact of wayfinding. A design for The L has been made and supplies must be ordered. Collaboration with NNHS Ed Tech program and Graphics Department will result in signage that allows students to navigate their space, meeting the required library outcomes for research and reading for leisure in NPS. By March, the system should be in place and lessons K-5 will be taught to introduce their new environment.

Applicant: Liz Donovan

Schools: Angier

Date Approved: Fall 2023

Amount: $2,400

Interactive SEL Games for Small Group Intervention

Building stronger relationships & increasing peer engagement during small group targeted SEL skill intervention groups through the use of hands-on, interactive and fun SEL focused games. Working to strengthen small group intervention in ways that make it more accessible, engaging, fun, and focused for students in need will really help students further their peer and teacher connections and gain essential SEL skills needed to be successful in their general education classrooms and throughout the school day with peers. Opportunities to learn and gain these skills in a focused small group setting has potential to really beneficially impacts students across their entire school day.

Applicant: Anna Coly

Schools: Franklin

Date Approved: Fall 2023

Amount: $347.43

Classroom Take a Break Spaces

The project aims to obtain materials to update “Take a Break” spaces. The spaces help to promote emotional regulation in a developmentally appropriate way. In order for students to be highly engaged in academic content and instruction in their classrooms, self-regulation and a sense of belonging and safety is crucial. “Take a Break” spaces are a small, designated area in classrooms that help to facilitate a safe learning environment for all students. This tier one classroom structure is part of the puzzle that promotes strong belonging and connectedness for all students in our elementary classrooms.

Applicant: Melissa Vigliotti

Schools: Williams

Date Approved: Fall 2023

Amount: $1,000

Supporting the Development of Executive Functioning Skills

We’d like to partner with Cognitive Connections to have a school-wide PD for all educators to learn about strategies to support executive functioning skill development, including Get Ready, Do, Done (GRDD). By receiving professional development around executive functioning strategies like Get Ready Do Done (GRDD), Angier educators will be able to expand their practice and better support ALL students, in particular those with executive functioning challenges and/or language-based learning disabilities

Applicant: Orla Higgins Averill

Schools: Angier

Date Approved: Fall 2023

Amount: $1,500

Williams School and Newton South Student Affinity Space

Newton South students will work with Cierra Brown, a former Williams Student and Harvard student to run an affinity space / cultural activities for Black/African-American and Latinx students at Williams School. Led by Cierra Brown, and supervised by Monica Matrisciano and Katani Sumner, Legacy Scholars at South will go to Williams once a month and engage in cultural activities with Black/African-American and LatinX students at Williams Elementary School.

Applicant: Monica Matrisciano and Katani Sumner

Schools: Williams and South

Date Approved: Fall 2023

Amount: $2,900

Choose Your Own Adventure: Districtwide K-8 Literacy Professional Development Opportunities

Applicant: Deana Lew and Joelle Pedersen

Schools: K-8

Date Approved: Fall 2023

Amount: $17,726.98