JEANIE RITCHIE GRANTS

Power is Ours: Becoming a Man (repeat), Hillview, 6^th-8^th  grade, 15+ students  This afterschool program is aimed at teaching socially at-risk boys the responsibilities and joys of becoming a mature man in our society, in contrast to the failed models of manhood reinforced in the media.  Carefully selected texts, poetry, anthologies, folktales, movies, documentaries, open dialogue, self-reflections, and guest speakers will help each boy determine his own path of initiation into manhood. Potential elective pilot.  Teacher: Kim Staff.

Power Is Ours: Becoming A Woman (new), Hillview, 6-8^th grade, 25+ students This lunchtime program, designed with input from students, explores social and intellectual models of the responsibilities of becoming a mature woman in today’s society.  Various texts, movies, documentaries, open dialogue, self-reflections, and guest speakers will help each girl determine her own path to womanhood. Potential elective pilot.  Teacher: Kim Staff.

Autobiography: A Star is Born (new), Laurel, Encinal, Oak Knoll,  K-3, 350 students In this program, which represents a collaboration of 17 teachers across three district school, students will apply what they have learned about language arts, communication, technology, and visual arts to digital storytelling.  They will write and film their autobiographies and present them on classroom SMARTboards when they are Star of the Week. Teachers: Steffany Cressey, with Leah Yujuico, Alicia Bush, Megan Dei Rossi, Renee Larezzo, Maribeth Andolina, Andrea Mazzoncini, Emily Mathews, Andi Dehne, Ruth Peterson, Sandra Horwitz, Priscilla Seely, Sue Booth, Brynn Cahill, Jeriann Hirsch, Kay Hatfield, Kristin Foley and Emily Getchel.

Life is But a Stage (repeat), Laurel, 1^st grade, 168 students  Children will connect literature and theater through the comparative study of five children’s classics, which they will read, view on film, experience at live performances, and even have the chance to perform themselves!  They will also learn the importance of theater manners.  Teachers: Joanie Woodard, with Courtney Shackleton, Mia Henry, Masie Chin, Whitney Argyres, Mia Henry, Joan Posilippo, Stacei Santana and Sue Peterson.

Juggling for Confidence (new), Encinal, 4^th grade, 25 students  Students will work on confidence, hand-eye coordination, and persistence as they are taught the art of juggling.   This ten week program will improve focus and concentration, while encouraging team building and peer support.  Teacher: Charlene Mattos.

Gamelan Sakar Jaya: Exploring The Music of Bali (new), all schools, K-8^th grade, 2300 students  This artist-in-residence program will expose student musicians, as well as the rest of our students, to the music and dance of Bali.  Through lessons and performances, students will learn appreciation, theory, and techniques from accomplished Balinese musicians and dancers.   Teachers: Bee Tee, with John Ashfield. Winner: Mary Summers Grant in the Arts or Physical Education.

Cultural Arts Day (new), Encinal, K, 3^rd-5^th grade, 558 students  Students, parent volunteers, and staff will spend a day studying and celebrating Mexican culture.  Crafts, food, workshops, speakers, music, and dance will all be featured as the entire Encinal community immerses itself in Mexican culture and the country’s rich heritage.  This program has been designed to complement the introduction of Spanish immersion and Spanish language classes at Encinal, and it is also meant to reinforce appreciation for large Mexican population in our own community.  Teachers:  Janet Delgado, with Jessy Hamlin, Charlene Mattos, Aleyda Barrera, Evelyn Nadeau, Elizabeth Ouren (parent) and Elena Stallings (parent).

Meet the Author, Encinal, 3^rd grade, 168 students  Students will experience the writing process as a true published author does by brainstorming, pre-writing, drafting, revising, editing, and then publishing a story.  The output of this project will be a bound, hardcover, color book for all student participants that they present to their class and parents at a “Meet the Author” celebration.  Teacher: Heidi Yamada.

Shakespeare for Kids (new), Laurel, 2^nd grade, 25 students  This program will introduce 2^nd graders to the storytelling of Shakespeare.  By learning about the author, reading and viewing age-appropriate adaptations of his works, and performing one of his plays, students will gain an enhanced appreciation of theater, plot, characters, setting, conflict, and more!  Teachers: Jeriann Hirsch, with Andi Dehne.

Celebrating Cultural Diversity (new), Hillview, 6^th-8^th grade, 350 students  Building upon an annual event celebrating cultural diversity at Hillview, this program will promote an ongoing appreciation of diversity by focusing on a different culture every month.  A student committee will interview students and then plan appropriate activities, articles, displays, and other forms of education to raise awareness and promote tolerance and respect for the ten cultures that comprise the Hillview student body.   Teacher: Debbie Devoto and students Lucy Tashman, Lizzie Ocon and Darya Rostami.

Science: Cosmos, Gizmos, and Gadgets (repeat), Oak Knoll, 5^th grade, 120 students  Students will use basic scientific materials, equipment, and supplies to perform hands-on science projects that reinforce and expand upon the National Science Education Standards and California Science Standards.  By “mixing and matching” these materials, students can literally experience hundreds experiments that stimulate creative thinking and scientific discovery.  Teachers:  Caryl Brewbaker, with John Fuller, Ceil Kellogg, Susan Sanchez and Jonathan Coldoff.

Claymation Station in the Classroom (new), Oak Knoll, K, 2^nd and 5^th grade, 60 students Students will strengthen their visual and language arts skills by working in pairs to develop short claymation films.  They will also master technology in the process of writing, producing, filming, editing, and presenting their stories.  Teachers:  Sara Bartlett, with Caryl Brewbaker and Leah Yujico.

Physical Physics (repeat), Laurel, 2nd grade, 185 students Children will create and participate in an obstacle course to demonstrate body control and spatial awareness—building on the second grade science unit that explores objects in balance and motion.  The unit will culminate with a field trip to the Exploratorium to experience the science behind physics more fully.  Teachers: Steffany Cressey, with Sandra Horwitz, Andrea Mazzoncini, Andi Dehne, Jeriann Hirsch, Priscilla Seely, Ruth Peterson, Emily Mathews, Susan Booth and Brynn Cahill.

Please and Thank You (repeat), 2^nd grade, 30 students The goal of this program, which will take place before school and during lunch, is to help students learn and practice good manners.  Important life skills will be reinforced as children focus on table manners, listening, greetings and introductions, giving compliments, making apologies, using eye contact, and other valuable lessons.  Teachers: Priscilla Seeley, with Jeriann Hirsch and Brynn Cahill.

First Grade Fall Harvest (new), 1^st grade, 150 students Children will learn about cultures around the world and customs related to fall harvest time.  Social studies, math, and life sciences standards will be enhanced through hands-on activities that include making corn husk dolls, lavender sachets, scarecrows, and other crafts, interacting with farm animals, apple sampling and graphing, and harvest-time games.  Teachers: Jeanne McCann, with Julie Zarcone, Janice San Filippo, Linda Cotter, Alison Dyer, Susan Hogan and Leah Yujuico.

History Alive! (repeat), Oak Knoll 4^th grade, 115 students  Students connect personally with the 4^th grade social studies unit on Pioneer and Gold Rush History as they participate in a two-day, interactive time warp of activities. They will don pioneer costumes, pan for gold, create crafts, square dance, listen to storytellers, and watch a real blacksmith in action. Teachers: Johnna Becker with Stacy Emmert, Noelle Gonsalves, Michelle Tom, Teri Murphy and Jessica Bouret.

Kinder Creatures (new), Oak Knoll, K, 140 students  Students will learn and practice the scientific process by caring for live animals such as butterflies, fish, and tadpoles.  Key activities will include observing, comparing, grouping, measuring, predicting, experimenting, recording observations, and communicating what has been learned.  Teachers: Trish Stella, with Carole Towle, Juli van Tellingen, Vincent Lopez, Alicia Bush, Joyce Chan and Elizabeth Wood.

Focus Time (new), Oak Knoll, K, 20 students  This program will use creative activities to nurture kindergarteners’ capacity for attention.  Through observing and describing, storytelling, and physical activities (such as yoga), students will have their science, reading, and physical education standards reinforced while they improve their concentration and ability to stay focused in the classroom.  Teacher: Juli van Tellingen.

With a Little Help from My Friends: Training Students to Be Active Members of Their Communities (repeat,) Hillview 8^th grade, 225 students Students learn leadership, communication, collaborative decision making and conflict resolution skills in small groups taught by the California Association of Student Councils. Large group instruction focuses on student teamwork and motivation. The training involves CORE teachers and counselors as coaches and helps prepare students for group curriculum projects. Teachers: Barbara Berkowitz, with Lexy Keller Eaton, Daria Finstad, Willy Haug, Jennifer Hutsell and Carolyn Malquist (Approved Spring 2008).

What’s My Path: An Introduction to Career Exploration  (repeat), Hillview, 8^th grade, 225 students   Students will assess their personal interests and explore different career options through a Career Day featuring presentations from community members who represent a variety of professional fields. Teachers: Robyn Watts, with Debbie Devoto (Approved Spring 2008).

Life Strategies: Beyond the 3-R’s (new), Hillview, 6^th-8^th grade, 670 students  Seventh grade students will listen to locally and nationally renowned speakers on topics related to adolescence including: cliques and social pressures; dealing with anger and resolving conflicts; managing stress; and technology etiquette and cyber-bullying. Related workshops led by on-site counselors will follow. Teacher: Debbie Devoto (Approved Spring 2008).