K-12 preview grants

In preparation for K-12 expansion, the foundation piloted the grant process beyond the high school.

• 3-D document cameras that work with existing classroom SmartBoards to be shared among teachers at each grade level for grades 5-8 in the Junior School, Torey J, Central Ave, and Kings Road School. (2 grants)
• Fitness tracking software to be used K-12, providing useful and actionable information as part of state required assessment testing and replacing decade old methods.

High School grants

• Laptop purchases include an dditional cart outfitted with 24 laptops to be shared among classrooms and 3 laptops for a resource room. (2 grants)
• WebAssign homework software pilot to calculus and AP statistics students offers instant homework feedback and help, and gives teachers helpful diagnostics on student performance.
• Recording studio equipment for students to make audition tapes for college and other competitive applications, and to use in music performance classes.
• SmartBoard for music theory and performance classes that makes better use of software already incorporated into the curriculum.
• Support for Peer Group Connections leadership conference attendance, in partnership with the Madison Elks and other funding sources.
• Noise cancelling headsets for World Language students to practice speaking and listenng skills, piloted in upper level French classes before potential expansion.
• SAT online prep tools incorporated in Family Connections resources provides web-based access to all students and available for teachers to incorporate into relevant assignments.
• Expanded titles for English classes to provide all 9th grade classes and select electives with greater enrichment and choice.
• Large format color laser printer for Computer Aided Design, Architecture, Digital Adverstising and Yearbook classes.
• Poet visit with readings and worships for English classes.

Awarded 2008-2009

Awarded in 2007-2008

• Mobile laptop labs with scientific probes and adapters for all bio, chem and physics classes.
• Peer Group Connections peer leader curriclum.
• Video production technology resources for class offerings.
• Specialized reference books for journalism students.
• E-Research collection for the library/media center.
• Document camera projectors for math classrooms
• Musical theatre workshop with the dance captain from Broadway’s Wicked
• Dictionary collections for French, Spanish, German and Italian classes
• Shakespeare Live! performances and student workshops
• Digital photography cameras and equipment for art classes
• ESL software for individualized learning and practice
• Challenge Day workshops promote self respect and acceptance of others
• Theatre workshop in stage combat with a professional actor and fight choreographer.

Prior Grants

The Arts

• Notes from Around the World introduced specialized African percussion instruments for use in class and in performances by MHS band students. (Music, 2006-07)
• Author Jack Gantos visited MHS and other district schools in fall 2007 to work with students. Funded by K-8 PTO's and MHSEF (Library/English, 2006-2007).
• Four Mac computers and related peripherals give studio art and digital photography students experience with tools used by professional artists and graphic designers. (Art, 2005-06)
• Shakespeare Live! is bringing new performances and workshops to MHS. Past performances of Romeo and Juliet (2005-06) and A Midsummer’s Night Dream or Macbeth (2004-05) were a big hit. (Performing Arts, English)
• The Little Theatre transformed G56, an old lecture hall, into a busy space used for theatre and film classes, student performances, and school presentations and meetings. (English, 2003)

Technology

• Seven DVD/VCR machines provide connections to projectors, allowing teachers more effect use of multi-media resources. (Social Studies, 2006-07)
• Six laptops and a wireless network in the MHS library are available for small group instruction and research. (Library, 2005-06)
• Wireless technology for math graphing calculators and interactive smart boards in two science classrooms help teachers experiment with innovative, interactive teaching tools. (Math, Science, 2004-05)
• Hand-held tape recorders help world language students build speaking and listening skills with low-tech, high-impact units shared across the department. (World Languages/ESL, 2004-05)

“Hands-on” Learning

• Project Adventure will invigorate the physical education curriculum with low ropes equipment and related programs offered to all students. (Physical Education, 2006-07)
• “Build-a-computer” is an extracurricular, teacher-supervised enrichment project for students who want to learn what’s “inside the box.” Students research components and, in small teams, build up to four computers for use by the school. (Computer Science, 2006-07)
• Ellison Die Cut Machine and accessories to create a “Print Shop” where students can create displays on behalf of faculty members, sports teams, and other school groups. (Special Services, 2006-2007)
• Italian 3 and 4 resources to better prepare students for continuation to AP Italian (World Languages, 2006-2007)
• Vietnam Memories exposed students to the war era through an exhibit of items left at the memorial in Washington DC. All 11^th and 12^th graders toured the exhibit and completed a related assignment. The exhibit and a related presentation were open to the community. (Social Studies, 2004-05)

College Planning

• College admissions expert Lloyd Thacker, a nationally renowned speaker, spoke discussed trends in college admissions with all interested students, parents, and community members. (Guidance, 2006-07)
• Family Connections is an online information resource accessible from school or home for college research and applications planning, inclduding MHS-specific acceptance information. (Guidance, 2005-06)
• The College Board’s Online SAT Course, available to all students, provides access to test prep resources from school or home, tracking individual progress and areas for improvement. (Library + Guidance, 2005-06)