R.I. Foundation awards $215K in grants to elementary school teachers

PROVIDENCE – More than 200 teachers in 26 communities will receive $215,000 in grants from the Rhode Island Foundation to encourage innovation in elementary school classrooms.
Full-time third-grade teachers in any public or charter school statewide were eligible to apply for grants of up to $1,000 to fund programs that will engage students through unique experiences and creative learning methods. The goal is to stimulate student interest in academics.
Launched by philanthropists Letitia and John Carter in 2013, the Spark Grants program previously had been limited to urban school districts such as Providence and Central Falls.
“The creativity and impact of the first two rounds of proposals was impressive,” said Letitia Carter. “Third grade is a critical stage in the educational development of children. Expanding the scope of the program will put more youngsters on the road to a lifetime of academic success.”
Eligible, one-time expenses include software licenses, field trips, equipment and other resources that otherwise would not be available in the classroom.
“Once again, the Carters are advancing change by example,” said Neil Steinberg, president and CEO of the foundation. “Thanks to their vision, teachers all over Rhode Island have an extraordinary opportunity to be innovative.”
The announcement for this year’s grants took place at the Orlo Avenue Elementary School in East Providence, where five third-grade teachers received nearly $4,774 in grants. Amanda Betchy will buy floor and table-top drums to teach students how to read music.
“Students will learn how to read traditional musical notation and how to perform and work together. This could lead to a college scholarship by inspiring students to go out for marching band or chorus in high school,” said Betchy.
Pawtucket teachers at Agnes Little, Curvin McCabe, Elizabeth Baldwin, Henry Winters and Nathanial Greene elementary schools received a total of $23,490 to fund innovative work, including creating a read-out-loud center to address literacy delays at Elizabeth Baldwin.
Fifty Providence teachers received more than $82,000 in grants for classroom initiatives. All but five of the 22 eligible elementary schools in Providence were awarded funding.
Schools in Barrington, Burrillville, Central Falls, Charlestown, Coventry, Cranston, Cumberland, Glocester, Hopkinton, Johnston, Lincoln, Middletown, Newport, North Kingstown, North Providence, Portsmouth, Richmond, South Kingstown, Smithfield, Warren, Warwick, Westerly and Woonsocket also will receive grants.
For more information, visit www.rifoundation.org.

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