CURRENT GRANTS

Grants Awarded for the
2021-2022 School Year

Drums Alive--MCCPS

The Drums Alive program combines the psychological benefits of music and rhythm with the physical benefits of aerobic fitness, providing a “whole brain-whole body” learning experience for students. This interdisciplinary curriculum, which aligns to Physical Education and Music Education National Standards, leads students through a series of music and fitness routines using drumsticks, exercise balls, and dance movements. The teacher training course and curriculum kit funded by this grant will enable the Charter School PE and music departments to master and implement the program this year and in years to come, promoting students’ fitness, health and wellbeing through creative expression. 

Integrating Executive Functioning Skills across School and Home Settings for Increased Independence and Enduring Academic Achievement--MCCPS

This grant provides funding for the Charter School to invite Internationally recognized expert on executive function, Sarah Ward, to lead two half-day, intensive, onsite training and strategy sessions for its teachers. Executive function describes the processes associated with goal setting, implementing a series of organized steps, and modifying a plan to successfully complete a task. Teachers will implement their honed executive-function teaching strategies in all classrooms, helping students develop stronger learner independence across disciplines.    

The Frogger Anthem--Brown School

With this grant, renowned songwriter and performer, Alastair Moock, will join the new Brown School community for a two-week residency, working with students and staff to create an original school song. Because the Brown School blends the cultures of former Gerry/Coffin and Bell elementary schools, the creation of this song offers a unique opportunity to bridge school traditions and develop a new shared identity and spirit. Songwriters work with students to explicitly show the importance of employing language arts skills to songwriting.  The song, sang in unison by faculty and students alike, will open each and every school community meeting. 

Saxes, Clarinets, Mouthpieces, Oh My!: Instruments for the MHS Band Program--MHS

This grant helps fund the purchase of new, larger instruments for the MHS Band Program so that the flourishing program has a complete set of instruments normally represented in a full band. Rarely available for rental, cumbersome to travel with, and often prohibitively expensive for students to purchase outright,  these larger instruments, including tenor saxophones, baritone saxophones and bass clarinets, are typically borrowed by music students. The addition of these instruments to the MHS broadens the musical opportunities for students and ensures equitable access to its music program. 

The SMART Board Project--MHS

With funding from this grant, MHS moves towards achieving its schoolwide initiative of installing an interactive SMART board in every highschool classroom. SMART Boards already installed in the math department have proved effective in helping students meet the Expectations for Students Attending MHS--21st Century Learning, including: understanding and utilizing technology as a tool for gathering and synthesizing information, knowing and heeding the ethical and legal issues inherent in the use of of information technologies, and leveraging collaborative work to problem solve, set and accomplish goals. The installation and use of SMART Boards in all classrooms sets MHS at the forefront of schools integrating today’s ever-developing technology with sound and innovative educational practices. 

Teach the Teacher: New Ways to Instruct Vocal Technique--MHS

Funding from this grant facilitates faculty training in new vocal techniques and teaching strategies for choral groups. The course, based on the research and experiences of expert choral conductor, James Jordan, explores how vocal anatomy, alignment, breathing and vowel placement play important roles in developing healthy vocal technique. All MHS choral students will benefit from the diversified and targeted instruction techniques.

Stand for Music Education--Village School

This grant helps fund the purchase of new music stands and storage racks for the Village School to accommodate the growing number of students enrolled in the fine arts and music programs. These programs at the Village School continue to flourish, and functioning music stands for all students enrolled is integral to the overall learning experience of these students.