Westborough – Since its inception 15 years ago, the Corridor Nine Area Chamber of Commerce has awarded nearly $98,000 in funds to local educators. At its Nov. 17 membership breakfast, the 200 members and guests present feted the 22 recipients of the 2011 grants.
According to chamber officials, the mini-grants program is designed to support the development of innovative teaching ideas and increase student motivation and enthusiasm by providing funds for instructional experimentation and enrichment activities. Grants were awarded for special and worthy projects that benefit students from kindergarten to grade 12. Monies for the grants come soley from Chamber member donations. This year just over $8,100 was granted, with the average grant $400.
Donors to this year's mini-grant program include: Gold Sponsors: AstraZeneca, Avidia Bank, Bank of America, Marlborough Savings Bank, Melissa O”Brien, PENTA Communications, Inc., Sovereign Bank, St. Mary's Credit Union; Silver Sponsors: Aalanco Service Corporation, Beaumont Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Centers, Central One Federal Credit Union, CK Educational Services, Datachem Software, Inc., Dunkin Donuts, Glick Nissan, New England Coaching, Shrewsbury Federal Credit Union, Webster Five Cents Savings Bank; Copper Sponsors: Alexander, Aronson, Finning & Co., P.C., Barrett Family Wellness Center, Commerce Bank, Computer Care Associates, Hammer & Ingle, Law Office of Sarah Escolas, National Grid, Polito Development Corporation, and Swiftec IT.
The recipients of the 2011 mini-grants are:
Angela Porcello/Kristen Kilpatrick
5th Grade Teachers
Mill Pond School, Westborough
Project Title: Readers” Troupe Extravaganza
Anne Ross/Joan Beall
4th Grade Teachers
Floral Street School, Shrewsbury
Project Title: The Land of Plenty, Please: American Immigration
Joe Giarusso/Kate Myer
Social Studies Teachers
Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School, Marlborough
Project Title: Understanding Economics and the Impact of Financial Decisions
Camille Viscomi
1st Grade Teacher
Beal School, Shrewsbury
Project Title: Building Listening and Reading Skills
Paul Airoldi
Automotive Technology Teacher
Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School, Marlborough
Project Title: Dr. Fuel Cell Car Fuel Cell Trainer for Automotive Technology Students
Kathy Behrens/Joanne Giancola
Kindergarten Teacher/Librarian
Proctor School, Northborough
Project Title: Think Math In the Morning, Think Math At Night!
Jessica Culhane
6th Grade Science Teacher
Melican Middle School, Northborough
Project Title: 21st Century Science Measurement
Joan Rooney Clancy
3rd Grade Teacher
St. Bernadette School, Northborough
Project Title: Interactive Vocabulary
Diane Porter
6th Grade Computer Technology Teacher
Melican Middle School, Northborough
Project Title: Go Green with Speed
Peg Lien
Art Teacher
St. Bernadette School, Northborough
Project Title: Going-Going-Gone! Interactive Art Auction
Karen Rose
Pre-School Teacher
Hastings Elementary School, Westborough
Project Title: Getting Preschoolers Moving!
Joanne Giancola/Diane Gage
Librarian/School Nurse
Proctor School, Northborough
Project Title: Eat, Move & Be Healthy!
Sheila Labriola
4th Grade Teacher
Mill Pond School, Westborough
Project Title: Monarch Magic Sanctuary
Becky Jones/Laura Frem
English Language Arts Teacher/Mathematics Teacher
Melican Middle School, Northborough
Project Title: Enriching the Advisory Program
Ann Thurber
SPED-K
Mary Finn School, Southborough
Project Title: Learning is Alive…A Smart School Year
Joan O”Brien/Sharon Wester
Speech & Language Pathologist/School Psychologist
Coolidge Elementary School, Shrewsbury
Project Title: Listen and Learn
Mary Anne Jezierski
Social Studies Teacher
St. Bernadette School, Northborough
Project Title: NewzBrain
Mary Weaver
Transitional Class Teacher
St. Bernadette School, Northborough
Project Title: These are the People in Our Community
Jennie Bogaert/Donna Bradley
Behavior Specialist/School Psychologist
Woodward Elementary School, Southborough
Project Title: Sensory Bins: Promoting a Positive Learning Environment and Student Achievement
Martha Wiley
2nd Grade Teacher
Lincoln Street School, Northborough
Project Title: Taking Teaching and Learning Above and Beyond
Lori Miller
English Language Development Teacher
Proctor School, Northborough
Project Title: Listen While You Read!
Leigh King/Joanne Giancola
Lincoln St. Librarian/Proctor School Librarian, Northborough
Project Title: Let's Get Digital…with eBooks!
