2018–19 NSF Grant
Distribution of $155,000
Racial / Income Inequities
New Approaches in the Classroom
Professional Development
2018–19 NSF Grant
by the Numbers
- Received gifts from 1037 donors and endowment funds
- Made 22 grants totaling $155,000
- Affected 12,000+ students and faculty
- Reached all 24 schools in the NPS system
Programs We Fund
Over the past five years, Newton Schools Foundation has granted the Newton Public Schools more than $600,000 to support initiatives across the school system.
Newton Schools Foundation Grants Funded These Programs in the Newton Public Schools
Select a category:
New Approaches in the Classroom
AuthorFest
AuthorFest
This one-day event presented by the Creative Arts and Sciences Committee brings authors and illustrators to all elementary and middle schools to engage students in the writing and illustrating process.
Applicant: Stacey Moriarty, NPS Director of Creative Arts & Sciences
Schools: Angier, Bowen, Burr, Cabot, Countryside, Franklin, Horace-Mann, Mason-Rice, Memorial-Spaulding, Peirce, Ward, Williams, Underwood, Zervas, Bigelow, Brown, Day, Oak Hill
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $11,000
Classroom Diverse Book Library
Classroom Diverse Book Library
This initiative provides classroom-based collections of fiction and non-fiction books that depict positive images of people of color and raise issues of social justice.
Applicant: Joanne Cudkowicz
Schools: Bowen
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $1,200
Generation Citizen
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Generation Citizen
Eighth graders learn how to affect meaningful change through civic action by choosing and researching an issue, developing a plan, and taking concrete action. On Civics Day, Generation Citizen students from around Massachusetts share their presentations at the Massachusetts State House.
Applicant: Alan Ripp, K-8 history curriculum coordinator
Schools: Brown, Bigelow, Day, Oak Hill
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $10,000
Integrated Arts Curriculum
Integrated Arts Curriculum
Science and social studies curriculum coordinators collaborate with art teachers to enrich and deepen children’s understanding of all three areas of study.
Applicant: Alexandra Etscovitz, art teacher, Memorial Spaulding
Schools: Memorial Spaulding
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $5,600
Middle School Peer Leadership
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Middle School Peer Leadership
Newton middle schools offer the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Peer Mentorship program, “A World of Difference.” Teachers participate in advisory meetings, and students attend the ADL Congress in Boston and later present to younger students on bullying, cyber bullying and anti-bias behaviors to build social responsibility and a more inclusive and respectful school community.
Applicant: Middle School Principals
Schools: Bigelow, Brown, Day, Oak Hill
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $2,000
The Portal: Gateway to Globalization
READ MORE
The Portal: Gateway to Globalization
The Portal event provides an immersive educational experience using video technology to “teleport” students to another portal around the country or across the globe, offering an interactive learning experience, to gain an understanding of one another that can only come through shared spaces.
Applicant: Tom Finnegan, history teacher, Newton North
Schools: Newton North
Amount: $5,000
Urban Garden
Urban Garden
In coordination with City Green Growers, students learn local food systems in the context of ecology and sustainability, and the community learns about sustainable urban agriculture.
Applicant: Kathryn Teissier du Cros, World Language and Anndy Dannenberg, Science
Schools: Newton North
Date Approved: FY 2020
AuthorFest
AuthorFest
This one-day event presented by the Creative Arts and Sciences Committee brings authors and illustrators to all elementary and middle schools to engage students in the writing and illustrating process.
Applicant: Stacey Moriarty, NPS Director of Creative Arts & Sciences
Schools: Angier, Bowen, Burr, Cabot, Countryside, Franklin, Horace-Mann, Mason-Rice, Memorial-Spaulding, Peirce, Ward, Williams, Underwood, Zervas, Bigelow, Brown, Day, Oak Hill
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $11,000
Classroom Diverse Book Library
Classroom Diverse Book Library
This initiative provides classroom-based collections of fiction and non-fiction books that depict positive images of people of color and raise issues of social justice.
Applicant: Joanne Cudkowicz
Schools: Bowen
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $1,200
Integrated Arts Curriculum
Integrated Arts Curriculum
Science and social studies curriculum coordinators collaborate with art teachers to enrich and deepen children’s understanding of all three areas of study.
Applicant: Alexandra Etscovitz, art teacher, Memorial Spaulding
Schools: Memorial Spaulding
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $5,600
AuthorFest
AuthorFest
This one-day event presented by the Creative Arts and Sciences Committee brings authors and illustrators to all elementary and middle schools to engage students in the writing and illustrating process.
Applicant: Stacey Moriarty, NPS Director of Creative Arts & Sciences
Schools: Angier, Bowen, Burr, Cabot, Countryside, Franklin, Horace-Mann, Mason-Rice, Memorial-Spaulding, Peirce, Ward, Williams, Underwood, Zervas, Bigelow, Brown, Day, Oak Hill
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $11,000
Generation Citizen
READ MORE
Generation Citizen
Eighth graders learn how to affect meaningful change through civic action by choosing and researching an issue, developing a plan, and taking concrete action. On Civics Day, Generation Citizen students from around Massachusetts share their presentations at the Massachusetts State House.
Applicant: Alan Ripp, K-8 history curriculum coordinator
Schools: Brown, Bigelow, Day, Oak Hill
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $10,000
Middle School Peer Leadership
READ MORE
Middle School Peer Leadership
Newton middle schools offer the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Peer Mentorship program, “A World of Difference.” Teachers participate in advisory meetings, and students attend the ADL Congress in Boston and later present to younger students on bullying, cyber bullying and anti-bias behaviors to build social responsibility and a more inclusive and respectful school community.
Applicant: Middle School Principals
Schools: Bigelow, Brown, Day, Oak Hill
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $2,000
The Portal: Gateway to Globalization
READ MORE
The Portal: Gateway to Globalization
The Portal event provides an immersive educational experience using video technology to “teleport” students to another portal around the country or across the globe, offering an interactive learning experience, to gain an understanding of one another that can only come through shared spaces.
Applicant: Tom Finnegan, history teacher, Newton North
Schools: Newton North
Amount: $5,000
Urban Garden
Urban Garden
In coordination with City Green Growers, students learn local food systems in the context of ecology and sustainability, and the community learns about sustainable urban agriculture.
Applicant: Kathryn Teissier du Cros, World Language and Anndy Dannenberg, Science
Schools: Newton North
Date Approved: FY 2020
Professional Development
Beyond The Classroom
Beyond The Classroom
This professional development conference helps international trip leaders craft meaningful and engaging international learning experiences for students.
Applicant: Samantha Mandel, Global Programs Manager
Schools: Newton North and Newton South
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $3,750
Book Study on Race and Culture for Teachers
Book Study on Race and Culture for Teachers
Teachers select to read one of four books about racial and cultural experiences prior to a spring professional development event, and continue discussions into the summer.
Date Approved: FY 2020
Culturally Proficient Teaching
Culturally Proficient Teaching
This course trains and supports teachers on the cluster model of grouping students of color in upper-level classes—a model which Newton North High School has adopted in order to boost student success.
Applicant: Michelle Leong, English Teacher
Schools: Newton North
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $2,100
Elementary Teacher Summer Writing Institute
Elementary Teacher Summer Writing Institute
This highly regarded program fosters successful teaching strategies for implementing the Common Core-aligned writing curriculum, which is designed to enable students to become better writers for the information age.
Applicant: Deana Lew, K-5 ELA Curriculum Coordinator
Schools: All Elementary Schools
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $7,500
National Educator Anti-Racist Conference
READ MORE
National Educator Anti-Racist Conference
A group of 10 Newton South teachers spearheaded a Summer 2020 national conference. Over 10,000 teachers and educators across all 50 states participated in this week-long book read and discussion by notable multi-cultural speakers on how to embed Anti-Racist teaching in Teacher Preparation Programs, School and District Leadership, Teaching Social Studies, Educator Unions, English and ELL (dual language speakers) and Foreign Language Teaching. In addition, there were sessions with practical tips for educators teaching English, Math, Science, Special Education, Early Childhood and Upper Elementary.
Applicant: Joana Chacon, Newton South English Teacher
Schools: All Schools
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $5,000
Positivity Training
Positivity Training
Teachers attend a two-day training session and learn the benefits of positive performance, then bring their learning back to their respective schools, compounding the program’s benefits.
Applicant: Paula Black, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services
Schools: K-12
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $10,000
Race and Achievement Working Group – Culturally Appropriate Teaching and the Brain
Race and Achievement Working Group – Culturally Appropriate Teaching and the Brain
This course builds professional understanding and skills around the linkages between race and achievement.
Applicant: Mary Eich, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning
Schools: K-12
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $12,000
Restorative Practices Training
READ MORE
Restorative Practices Training
Statewide disciplinary trends continue to show that African American and Latino students, and students with identified disabilities and supported with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), continue to be suspended at rates significantly greater than their peers. Through this program, leaders within the district receive training that enables them to help improve the culture and climate within each school community, deepen the social-emotional learning opportunities for students, and offer restorative discipline as an adjunct or, in some cases, an alternative to suspensions.
Applicant: Art Ferguson, School Psychologist
Schools: K-12
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $10,500
Smart Music Training
READ MORE
Smart Music Training
Seven middle school music teachers participate in a three-day training to implement Smart Music, a software program that allows them to assess music students individually, which the current large ensemble model does not. This enables the student to work towards specific musical skills and concepts that relate to the class and ensemble.
Applicant: Caleb Cutler, middle school music teacher and Richard King, K-8 Fine Arts Coordinator
Schools: Brown, Bigelow, Day, Oak Hill
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $10,000
Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education (SLIFE)
Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education (SLIFE)
A committee of faculty representing all school levels is designing procedures to identify and better serve SLIFE students throughout the Newton Public Schools.
Supporting Students with Emotional and Behavioral Disabilities (Alternative High Schools)
Supporting Students with Emotional and Behavioral Disabilities (Alternative High Schools)
This project includes intensive mindfulness training for high school staff that support students with emotional and behavioral disabilities.
Applicant: Diane Locheed, Director, Central High School
Schools: Central High School
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $6,000
Teachers as Scholars
Teachers as Scholars
Teachers participate in a multi-day seminar led by a leading professor in humanities, social sciences, teacher collaboration, and curriculum development.
Applicant: Kate Shaughnessy English Teacher, Newton North
Schools: Newton North and Newton South
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $3,600
Therapies for Severe Speech Sound Disorders
Therapies for Severe Speech Sound Disorders
Expands the therapeutic skill set and resources of speech-language pathologists in order to improve student outcomes.
Applicant: Kate Finnerty, Suzanne Bugemann, Zervas
Schools: K-5
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $725
Book Study on Race and Culture for Teachers
Book Study on Race and Culture for Teachers
Teachers select to read one of four books about racial and cultural experiences prior to a spring professional development event, and continue discussions into the summer.
Date Approved: FY 2020
Elementary Teacher Summer Writing Institute
Elementary Teacher Summer Writing Institute
This highly regarded program fosters successful teaching strategies for implementing the Common Core-aligned writing curriculum, which is designed to enable students to become better writers for the information age.
Applicant: Deana Lew, K-5 ELA Curriculum Coordinator
Schools: All Elementary Schools
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $7,500
National Educator Anti-Racist Conference
READ MORE
National Educator Anti-Racist Conference
A group of 10 Newton South teachers spearheaded a Summer 2020 national conference. Over 10,000 teachers and educators across all 50 states participated in this week-long book read and discussion by notable multi-cultural speakers on how to embed Anti-Racist teaching in Teacher Preparation Programs, School and District Leadership, Teaching Social Studies, Educator Unions, English and ELL (dual language speakers) and Foreign Language Teaching. In addition, there were sessions with practical tips for educators teaching English, Math, Science, Special Education, Early Childhood and Upper Elementary.
Applicant: Joana Chacon, Newton South English Teacher
Schools: All Schools
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $5,000
Positivity Training
Positivity Training
Teachers attend a two-day training session and learn the benefits of positive performance, then bring their learning back to their respective schools, compounding the program’s benefits.
Applicant: Paula Black, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services
Schools: K-12
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $10,000
Race and Achievement Working Group – Culturally Appropriate Teaching and the Brain
Race and Achievement Working Group – Culturally Appropriate Teaching and the Brain
This course builds professional understanding and skills around the linkages between race and achievement.
Applicant: Mary Eich, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning
Schools: K-12
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $12,000
Restorative Practices Training
READ MORE
Restorative Practices Training
Statewide disciplinary trends continue to show that African American and Latino students, and students with identified disabilities and supported with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), continue to be suspended at rates significantly greater than their peers. Through this program, leaders within the district receive training that enables them to help improve the culture and climate within each school community, deepen the social-emotional learning opportunities for students, and offer restorative discipline as an adjunct or, in some cases, an alternative to suspensions.
Applicant: Art Ferguson, School Psychologist
Schools: K-12
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $10,500
Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education (SLIFE)
Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education (SLIFE)
A committee of faculty representing all school levels is designing procedures to identify and better serve SLIFE students throughout the Newton Public Schools.
Therapies for Severe Speech Sound Disorders
Therapies for Severe Speech Sound Disorders
Expands the therapeutic skill set and resources of speech-language pathologists in order to improve student outcomes.
Applicant: Kate Finnerty, Suzanne Bugemann, Zervas
Schools: K-5
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $725
Book Study on Race and Culture for Teachers
Book Study on Race and Culture for Teachers
Teachers select to read one of four books about racial and cultural experiences prior to a spring professional development event, and continue discussions into the summer.
Date Approved: FY 2020
National Educator Anti-Racist Conference
READ MORE
National Educator Anti-Racist Conference
A group of 10 Newton South teachers spearheaded a Summer 2020 national conference. Over 10,000 teachers and educators across all 50 states participated in this week-long book read and discussion by notable multi-cultural speakers on how to embed Anti-Racist teaching in Teacher Preparation Programs, School and District Leadership, Teaching Social Studies, Educator Unions, English and ELL (dual language speakers) and Foreign Language Teaching. In addition, there were sessions with practical tips for educators teaching English, Math, Science, Special Education, Early Childhood and Upper Elementary.
Applicant: Joana Chacon, Newton South English Teacher
Schools: All Schools
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $5,000
Positivity Training
Positivity Training
Teachers attend a two-day training session and learn the benefits of positive performance, then bring their learning back to their respective schools, compounding the program’s benefits.
Applicant: Paula Black, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services
Schools: K-12
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $10,000
Race and Achievement Working Group – Culturally Appropriate Teaching and the Brain
Race and Achievement Working Group – Culturally Appropriate Teaching and the Brain
This course builds professional understanding and skills around the linkages between race and achievement.
Applicant: Mary Eich, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning
Schools: K-12
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $12,000
Restorative Practices Training
READ MORE
Restorative Practices Training
Statewide disciplinary trends continue to show that African American and Latino students, and students with identified disabilities and supported with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), continue to be suspended at rates significantly greater than their peers. Through this program, leaders within the district receive training that enables them to help improve the culture and climate within each school community, deepen the social-emotional learning opportunities for students, and offer restorative discipline as an adjunct or, in some cases, an alternative to suspensions.
Applicant: Art Ferguson, School Psychologist
Schools: K-12
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $10,500
Smart Music Training
READ MORE
Smart Music Training
Seven middle school music teachers participate in a three-day training to implement Smart Music, a software program that allows them to assess music students individually, which the current large ensemble model does not. This enables the student to work towards specific musical skills and concepts that relate to the class and ensemble.
Applicant: Caleb Cutler, middle school music teacher and Richard King, K-8 Fine Arts Coordinator
Schools: Brown, Bigelow, Day, Oak Hill
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $10,000
Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education (SLIFE)
Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education (SLIFE)
A committee of faculty representing all school levels is designing procedures to identify and better serve SLIFE students throughout the Newton Public Schools.
Beyond The Classroom
Beyond The Classroom
This professional development conference helps international trip leaders craft meaningful and engaging international learning experiences for students.
Applicant: Samantha Mandel, Global Programs Manager
Schools: Newton North and Newton South
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $3,750
Book Study on Race and Culture for Teachers
Book Study on Race and Culture for Teachers
Teachers select to read one of four books about racial and cultural experiences prior to a spring professional development event, and continue discussions into the summer.
Date Approved: FY 2020
Culturally Proficient Teaching
Culturally Proficient Teaching
This course trains and supports teachers on the cluster model of grouping students of color in upper-level classes—a model which Newton North High School has adopted in order to boost student success.
Applicant: Michelle Leong, English Teacher
Schools: Newton North
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $2,100
National Educator Anti-Racist Conference
READ MORE
National Educator Anti-Racist Conference
A group of 10 Newton South teachers spearheaded a Summer 2020 national conference. Over 10,000 teachers and educators across all 50 states participated in this week-long book read and discussion by notable multi-cultural speakers on how to embed Anti-Racist teaching in Teacher Preparation Programs, School and District Leadership, Teaching Social Studies, Educator Unions, English and ELL (dual language speakers) and Foreign Language Teaching. In addition, there were sessions with practical tips for educators teaching English, Math, Science, Special Education, Early Childhood and Upper Elementary.
Applicant: Joana Chacon, Newton South English Teacher
Schools: All Schools
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $5,000
Positivity Training
Positivity Training
Teachers attend a two-day training session and learn the benefits of positive performance, then bring their learning back to their respective schools, compounding the program’s benefits.
Applicant: Paula Black, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services
Schools: K-12
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $10,000
Race and Achievement Working Group – Culturally Appropriate Teaching and the Brain
Race and Achievement Working Group – Culturally Appropriate Teaching and the Brain
This course builds professional understanding and skills around the linkages between race and achievement.
Applicant: Mary Eich, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning
Schools: K-12
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $12,000
Restorative Practices Training
READ MORE
Restorative Practices Training
Statewide disciplinary trends continue to show that African American and Latino students, and students with identified disabilities and supported with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), continue to be suspended at rates significantly greater than their peers. Through this program, leaders within the district receive training that enables them to help improve the culture and climate within each school community, deepen the social-emotional learning opportunities for students, and offer restorative discipline as an adjunct or, in some cases, an alternative to suspensions.
Applicant: Art Ferguson, School Psychologist
Schools: K-12
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $10,500
Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education (SLIFE)
Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education (SLIFE)
A committee of faculty representing all school levels is designing procedures to identify and better serve SLIFE students throughout the Newton Public Schools.
Supporting Students with Emotional and Behavioral Disabilities (Alternative High Schools)
Supporting Students with Emotional and Behavioral Disabilities (Alternative High Schools)
This project includes intensive mindfulness training for high school staff that support students with emotional and behavioral disabilities.
Applicant: Diane Locheed, Director, Central High School
Schools: Central High School
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $6,000
Teachers as Scholars
Teachers as Scholars
Teachers participate in a multi-day seminar led by a leading professor in humanities, social sciences, teacher collaboration, and curriculum development.
Applicant: Kate Shaughnessy English Teacher, Newton North
Schools: Newton North and Newton South
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $3,600
Programs That Address Racial and Income Inequities
AP United States History Summer Academy
READ MORE
AP United States History Summer Academy
This summer program engages rising juniors of color with structured academic support to help them succeed in AP US History. During the academic year participating students are clustered together in a section taught by the summer lead teacher and meet bi-weekly for ongoing support.
Applicant: Ashley Chapman, History Teacher
Schools: Newton South
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $6,000
Chromebook Purchase for Distance Learning
Chromebook Purchase for Distance Learning
NSF responded to the urgent need to fund Chromebooks for students who needed access to remote learning during the spring of 2020.
Applicant: Superintendent’s office
Schools: K-12
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $85,500
Culturally Sensitive Bilingual Testing Protocols
Culturally Sensitive Bilingual Testing Protocols
Supporting a goal to narrow the achievement gap, funds will be used to purchase the most reliable and updated tests to be used with the bilingual population.
Applicant: Lisa Dubinsky, Speech Therapist, Ward
Schools: K-12
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $1,275
Families Organizing for Racial Justice (FORJ)
READ MORE
Families Organizing for Racial Justice (FORJ)
This group of diverse Newton families helps children learn about issues of power and inequality and how to stand up for racial justice. The organization seeks to generate understanding and curiosity about differences in our society, and to work together towards racial equity.
Applicant: Superintendent’s office
Schools: K-12
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $9,000
Instrumental Music Enrichment
Instrumental Music Enrichment
Professional instrumentalists support ensemble music programs and give individualized instruction to students who wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity for private lessons.
Applicant: Richard King, K-8 Fine Arts Coordinator
Schools: Lincoln-Eliot and Horace Mann
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $6,000
Project Interface
Project Interface
At the district’s request NSF helped to fund the contract with this mental health referral service that provides immediate help to students in need of social and emotional services.
Applicant: Superintendent’s office and Student Services
Schools: K-12
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $20,000
Responsive Classroom Training – ELL Adaptation
Responsive Classroom Training – ELL Adaptation
A group of English Language Learning teachers (ELL) will create visual aids to help newly arrived ELL students access the Responsive Classroom curriculum.
Applicant: Gareth Lindwall Honig, ELL Professional Development Coordinator
Schools: K-5
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $1,500
The Calculus Project
READ MORE
The Calculus Project
Research indicates that success in higher-level high school mathematics is strongly associated with college enrollment and is one of the most reliable predictors of college completion. The Calculus Project aims to narrow the achievement gap in mathematics by increasing the number of African American, Hispanic and low-income students who enroll in and successfully complete calculus in high school.
Applicant: Jennifer Shore, K-8, Math Curriculum Coordinator
Schools: Brown, Bigelow, Day, Oak Hill, Newton North and Newton South
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $290,000
Chromebook Purchase for Distance Learning
Chromebook Purchase for Distance Learning
NSF responded to the urgent need to fund Chromebooks for students who needed access to remote learning during the spring of 2020.
Applicant: Superintendent’s office
Schools: K-12
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $85,500
Culturally Sensitive Bilingual Testing Protocols
Culturally Sensitive Bilingual Testing Protocols
Supporting a goal to narrow the achievement gap, funds will be used to purchase the most reliable and updated tests to be used with the bilingual population.
Applicant: Lisa Dubinsky, Speech Therapist, Ward
Schools: K-12
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $1,275
Families Organizing for Racial Justice (FORJ)
READ MORE
Families Organizing for Racial Justice (FORJ)
This group of diverse Newton families helps children learn about issues of power and inequality and how to stand up for racial justice. The organization seeks to generate understanding and curiosity about differences in our society, and to work together towards racial equity.
Applicant: Superintendent’s office
Schools: K-12
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $9,000
Instrumental Music Enrichment
Instrumental Music Enrichment
Professional instrumentalists support ensemble music programs and give individualized instruction to students who wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity for private lessons.
Applicant: Richard King, K-8 Fine Arts Coordinator
Schools: Lincoln-Eliot and Horace Mann
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $6,000
Project Interface
Project Interface
At the district’s request NSF helped to fund the contract with this mental health referral service that provides immediate help to students in need of social and emotional services.
Applicant: Superintendent’s office and Student Services
Schools: K-12
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $20,000
Responsive Classroom Training – ELL Adaptation
Responsive Classroom Training – ELL Adaptation
A group of English Language Learning teachers (ELL) will create visual aids to help newly arrived ELL students access the Responsive Classroom curriculum.
Applicant: Gareth Lindwall Honig, ELL Professional Development Coordinator
Schools: K-5
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $1,500
Chromebook Purchase for Distance Learning
Chromebook Purchase for Distance Learning
NSF responded to the urgent need to fund Chromebooks for students who needed access to remote learning during the spring of 2020.
Applicant: Superintendent’s office
Schools: K-12
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $85,500
Culturally Sensitive Bilingual Testing Protocols
Culturally Sensitive Bilingual Testing Protocols
Supporting a goal to narrow the achievement gap, funds will be used to purchase the most reliable and updated tests to be used with the bilingual population.
Applicant: Lisa Dubinsky, Speech Therapist, Ward
Schools: K-12
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $1,275
Families Organizing for Racial Justice (FORJ)
READ MORE
Families Organizing for Racial Justice (FORJ)
This group of diverse Newton families helps children learn about issues of power and inequality and how to stand up for racial justice. The organization seeks to generate understanding and curiosity about differences in our society, and to work together towards racial equity.
Applicant: Superintendent’s office
Schools: K-12
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $9,000
Project Interface
Project Interface
At the district’s request NSF helped to fund the contract with this mental health referral service that provides immediate help to students in need of social and emotional services.
Applicant: Superintendent’s office and Student Services
Schools: K-12
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $20,000
The Calculus Project
READ MORE
The Calculus Project
Research indicates that success in higher-level high school mathematics is strongly associated with college enrollment and is one of the most reliable predictors of college completion. The Calculus Project aims to narrow the achievement gap in mathematics by increasing the number of African American, Hispanic and low-income students who enroll in and successfully complete calculus in high school.
Applicant: Jennifer Shore, K-8, Math Curriculum Coordinator
Schools: Brown, Bigelow, Day, Oak Hill, Newton North and Newton South
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $290,000
AP United States History Summer Academy
READ MORE
AP United States History Summer Academy
This summer program engages rising juniors of color with structured academic support to help them succeed in AP US History. During the academic year participating students are clustered together in a section taught by the summer lead teacher and meet bi-weekly for ongoing support.
Applicant: Ashley Chapman, History Teacher
Schools: Newton South
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $6,000
Chromebook Purchase for Distance Learning
Chromebook Purchase for Distance Learning
NSF responded to the urgent need to fund Chromebooks for students who needed access to remote learning during the spring of 2020.
Applicant: Superintendent’s office
Schools: K-12
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $85,500
Culturally Sensitive Bilingual Testing Protocols
Culturally Sensitive Bilingual Testing Protocols
Supporting a goal to narrow the achievement gap, funds will be used to purchase the most reliable and updated tests to be used with the bilingual population.
Applicant: Lisa Dubinsky, Speech Therapist, Ward
Schools: K-12
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $1,275
Families Organizing for Racial Justice (FORJ)
READ MORE
Families Organizing for Racial Justice (FORJ)
This group of diverse Newton families helps children learn about issues of power and inequality and how to stand up for racial justice. The organization seeks to generate understanding and curiosity about differences in our society, and to work together towards racial equity.
Applicant: Superintendent’s office
Schools: K-12
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $9,000
Project Interface
Project Interface
At the district’s request NSF helped to fund the contract with this mental health referral service that provides immediate help to students in need of social and emotional services.
Applicant: Superintendent’s office and Student Services
Schools: K-12
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $20,000
The Calculus Project
READ MORE
The Calculus Project
Research indicates that success in higher-level high school mathematics is strongly associated with college enrollment and is one of the most reliable predictors of college completion. The Calculus Project aims to narrow the achievement gap in mathematics by increasing the number of African American, Hispanic and low-income students who enroll in and successfully complete calculus in high school.
Applicant: Jennifer Shore, K-8, Math Curriculum Coordinator
Schools: Brown, Bigelow, Day, Oak Hill, Newton North and Newton South
Date Approved: FY 2020
Amount: $290,000
Other Programs NSF Supports
Ligerbots
Ligerbots is a robotics club that includes students, teacher coaches and parent mentors from both Newton North and Newton South High Schools. In 2008 NSF provided financial support to help build the program in Newton. The following year, NSF assumed financial oversight of the program, allowing for a more flexible use of funds than the Newton Public Schools can provide.
Beijing Jingshan Exchange Program
Each spring, the Newton-Beijing Jingshan School Exchange Program sends Newton teachers and high school students to the Jingshan School, Newton Public Schools’ sister school in Beijing. Newton hosts a similar group from the Jingshan School every fall. While in Beijing, teachers teach English and continue their own study of Chinese (Mandarin). Students attend classes in Chinese language, history, art, music, math, science, and martial arts — all in Chinese.
