2024 NCTA Grants

NCTA Grants Application 2024 - closed

NCTA Grant Application is now closed.

Application deadline was October 9, 2024 @11:59PM.

The NCTA rejoices in the successes of its members!

Below are examples of NCTA's 2024 Grant Recipients and information about their projects.

Laura Doherty, at Clyde Brown Elementary school, in Millis writes:

CFB’s inaugural Multicultural Library will serve as a new tool and vehicle to inform our community about the diverse cultures in our school and around the world. Featuring books and items in various cultures, classes will have the ability to borrow items or the entire cart to explore and learn.

Anna Mercet, at Delaney Elementary School, in Wrentham writes:

The water table is a central part of our classroom, offering hands-on, sensory-rich learning opportunities that promote engagement, curiosity, and collaboration. Students explore early science and physics concepts, such as floating and sinking, water movement, and volume, in a way that is meaningful and developmentally appropriate. Beyond academic learning, the water table supports sensory regulation and provides a calming, therapeutic outlet for our learners. Thank you to the NCTA for your generosity and for investing in meaningful tools that directly impact students. Your support has brought so much joy, wonder, and learning into our classroom!

Andrea Stafford, at H. Olive Day School, in Norfolk writes:

In an effort to build our speech HOD department library for discipline specific materials we used the grant to purchase a digital platform called "Speech is Sweet." This platform allows educators to print out materials for use with students from preschool through second grade. There are links to various literature based lessons that include fun and engaging games.

Emily Holleran, at East Middle School, in Braintree writes:

Student Support Services received a grant from the Norfolk County Teachers Association to purchase social-emotional resources. The school psychologists have used this collection of visual aids, checklists, and infographics to increase student engagement and build emotional regulation skills for students in individual and small-group counseling. Thank you to the NCTA for helping our students gain lifelong skills!

Thomas Rouhana, at Norfolk County Agricultural High School, in Walpole writes:

Have you been looking for a new book to read? The Aggie is proud to present new non-fiction books as additions to our "Little Library." These books were brought to the students by the Norfolk County Teachers' Association. Take a look at some of the TOP rated books from this set of new arrivals!

Kristen Espenhaim, at B.H. Wood Elementary School, in Plainville writes:

Throughout the year, the sixth grade students study Ancient Civilizations. To help bring the knowledge of artifacts and archaeology to life the students participated in an archaeological dig. All students completed an artifact exploration. After the students excavated the items they evaluated the purpose of the item and dated the site. If there are animal or shell fragments it could be evidence of past meals. While if they unearth brick or wood, it may be evidence of structures. The students throughly enjoyed this hands-on activity.

Kathleen Donovan, at Martin E. Young Elementary School, in Randolph writes:

The use of wobble chairs helped my students with sensory issues prepare more effectively for morning meeting. Wobble chairs also allowed me to host small groups more efficiently. They are a wonderful addition to my fifth grade classroom!

Allison Mezzetti, at East Middle School, in Braintree writes:

Each year East Middle School celebrates local veterans with an event hosted by our eighth grade students. The event is held in November and starts with a celebratory breakfast. Our goal is to help students learn about, understand, and show appreciation for the sacrifices our brave veterans have made.

Caroline Estes, at Memorial School, in Medfield writes:

I used the NCTA grant to augment and replace many of our library lending resources. Any teacher in the school can request to borrow one of the sensory resources. We were able to provide increased access to noice canceling headphones and sensory tools such as putty and fidgets to assist with attention and learning.

Gretchen Lopez, at Roderick Elementary School, in Wrentham writes:

Roderick Elementary School Students Use Algorithms, Critical Thinking, and Friendship to Tackle the Rubik’s Cube! The students and staff at Roderick Elementary School extend heartfelt thanks to the NCTA – Norfolk County Teachers Association for their commitment to educational enrichment and their continued sponsorship of the love of learning. Their support plays a vital role in helping young learners grow academically and socially within the Wrentham Public Schools community.

Linda Leger, at Jackson School, in Plainville writes:

Thank you to NCTA for our classroom grant providing ELA hands on tools for our small group reading centers. Our students are so lucky to benefit from the generosity of the NCTA. Thank you to NCTA for continuing to support our students and teachers.

Kristen Blake, at Fisher Elementary School,

in Walpole writes:

In our classroom students like to find a comfortable spot where they are able to do their work. The NCTA grant gave us that opportunity. We were able to get surf desks for students to use their computer at different spots around the room. The comfortable cushions are great for moving around the classroom and having a different seat. We were also able to get a wobble stool to help engage the students and keep their focus. These have already proven to be a valuable investment. Thank you NCTA for supporting our learning!

Amanda Porter, at Oakdale Elementary School, in Dedham writes:

This grant supported over 60 third grade students at Oakdale Elementary School. These materials help support the new ELA curriculum, CKLA. My students loved the hands on approach to learning about the solar system. They throughly enjoyed pairing science and reading everyday.

Jessica Haskell, at Holbrook Middle School, in Holbrook writes:

I used the Grant expand and diversify the books offered to ninth grade students. They used the texts during independent reading. Now the have a wider selection of texts that better serve their educational needs. Student participation and engagement has increased by offering books that relate to my students' interests and needs.

Thank you so much to the Norfolk County Teachers Association for the wonderful materials and books.

Lauren Grealish, at Little Mustangs Preschool Academy, in Norwood writes:

The light tablet and manipulatives were a great addition to my classroom! They helped my students learn about colors, letters, numbers, building, and problem solving. These tools encouraged collaborative play, helped build relationships and practice the skill of taking turns. The light tablet helped engage and regulate students throughout the day.

Michael Graham, at Randolph High School, in Randolph writes:

I teach a class called "Adulting" to 9th, 10th, and 11th graders. The students use wood shop tools for carpentry projects as well as kitchen appliances for culinary lessons. My aim is to expose students to various trades and help them build practical skills, giving them more options after graduation.

This project is supported by the Norfolk County Teachers Association.

Brittany Gamber, at Stoughton High School, in Stoughton writes:

The 11-12th grade students in the Learning Center at Stoughton High School were able to read Shakespeare’s Hamlet (No Fear) in Graphic Novel format with the support of the Norfolk County Teachers Association. Students were able to access the complex language of Shakespeare and experience his storytelling with visuals to support their understanding.

Stephanie Young, at Roderick Elementary School, in Wrentham writes:

My students in grades 4-6 enjoy using thematic bins for pretend play. These toys target life skills in a more realistic way (i.e. kitchen/grocery shopping, doctor/dentist office, camping, community helpers, etc.). These materials are used during speech therapy sessions to address students' functional communication goals and objectives.

Kayla Netto, at H. Olive Day School, in Norfolk writes:

With a rise in difficulties with social-emotional regulation, attention and fine motor skills, I see the increased need for adaptive equipment (e.g. scissors, slant boards, pencil grips) and alternative seating (e.g. bouncy chair cups, wiggle seats, etc.) in the general education classrooms. With this grant, I established a "loaner library" at my school in which teachers could borrow and trial tools to assist students in their classroom. This helps support the students in the preK-2nd grade classrooms.

Kristen Baima, at H. Olive Day School, in Norfolk writes:

The grant money was used to purchase yoga mats for my students in grades PK-6. The students throughly enjoy using the mats to stretch and for brain breaks. Interested staff members also use the mats, either before or after school hours.

Amy DePasquale, at Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School, in Franklin writes:

This grant helped me build my classroom library so that I can continue to promote independent, choice reading in my classes. Students can choose from various texts that are relevant and engaging to them. The students have a wide selection of books that represent a variety of people, including those in the LGBTQIA+ community, stories with characters from different ethnic, racial and socioeconomic backgrounds, and those who have or know people with mental health challenges. In curating books to read and add to our classroom library, I always have an eye on diversity so that students can pick up a book that they can see themselves in.

Olivia Eastwood, at Oakdale Elementary, in Dedham writes:

My class of 19 third grade students have a diverse set of needs. These can make learning difficult. Flexible seating will enable my learners to better pay attention and access the third grade curriculum more effectively.

Martha Graziano, at Elm Street School, in Walpole writes:

Dramatic play supports and improves students social, language, and cognitive development during choice time in the classroom. Students are able to build connections which increase their social/emotional development that is crucial for 5 and 6 year olds. They had a great time exploring the many options for dress up!

Sarah Browning, at Clyde Brown Elementary School, in Millis, writes:

Our students enjoyed the manipulatives purchased for our STEM Library Expansion for preschool students. They loved exploring and learning with a variety of hands-on materials! Students for years to come with benefit by using these educational and fun STEM manipulatives.

Marlene Custodio, at Pine Hill Elementary School, in Dover-Sherborn, writes:

The 75 students in our 3rd-grade cohort created nesting boxes. As part of our bird unit, each kit allowed students to build an original nesting box .This hands-on activity engaged the students and also deepened their understanding of bird adaptations and the impact of habitat changes on their survival and reproduction.

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