2021-22 Grant Program
The Grant Program is designed to support curriculum enrichment as well as school resources. Teachers and staff are encouraged to apply for grants to fund enrichment programs, performances and other opportunities as well as to fund supplies, equipment, and other experiences which will have a direct and beneficial impact on the quality of education for students.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought new challenges requiring teachers, staff and administrators to reconsider and modify their educational strategies. The PTO was pleased to be able to provide the district ongoing support and funding as they continued to reimagine their curriculum enrichment goals and programs and to have funded the following grants in 2021-22.
*August 2021: HES - People of the Dawn Land Program ($670)
This program for 3rd graders features a Plimoth Plantation Native American Museum Teacher who wears modern clothing and speaks from a modern perspective so that they can discuss the story of their people in both past and present times. They will share artifacts of traditional life, such as wooden bowls and spoons, animal furs and tools. Students will learn about the daily life of the Wampanoag in the 17th century, as well as their current lives and communities. They will gain an understanding of the connection the Wampanoag and other Native people have to Mother Earth, their seasonal way of life and their respect for all living beings.
*August 2021: HES - First Families: Their New Worlds and Everyday Lives ($670)
During this program for 3rd graders a Plimoth Plantation Museum Teacher will portray a resident of 1627 Plimoth Colony, using their life story to frame the program. The Museum Teacher will speak with a regional, English dialect of the 17th century and wear accurate reproduction clothing to bring the world of Pilgrims to life. Using reproduction artifacts to enhance the classroom experience, the visitor will share the Pilgrim story from hiring Mayflower in England, through the journey and the first winter, to Thanksgiving in Plymouth.
*October 2021: HES - Principal Grant & Apple Seed Funding ($3500)
The Principal portion of this grant is used by the HES Principal to fund staff events and need-based scholarships for student supplies, field trip fees and in-house activities. The Appleseed portion of this grant is used to fund smaller classroom needs and to provide supplemental materials for classrooms that fall outside of the typically provided budget.
*October 2021: TBS - Basketball Hoop Rim Replacement ($700)
The grant provides funding to replace 4 broken or bent basketball rims in the Bromfield gym for the benefit of students in physical education class, on athletic teams and in community programs.
*October 2021: HES - Weatherbug Earth Network Station Installation ($2250)
This grant funds the installation of the Earth Network Weather Station Package including EN hub and online weather center to replace the weather station on the old building. These units are used in science classes and may be used in innovation lab projects this year.
*November 2021: TBS - Parent Teacher Conference 'Pick a Time' Scheduling Software ($800)
This software assists educators and parents at Bromfield in coordinating the complex schedules of teachers and families participating in parent teacher conferences.
*November 2021: HES - Discovery Museum Traveling Weather Workshop ($800)
The weather program for Kindergarteners, which aligns with the curriculum standards science, will help young meteorologists understand the important role weather plays in daily life as they engage in the practice of science and engineering by developing tools for forecasting and observing day to day changes and seasonal patterns over time.
*November 2021: HES - Discovery Museum Traveling Force & Motion Workshop ($750)
The force and motion program for Kindergarteners, which aligns with the curriculum standards science, will allow students to explore concepts of force and motion while interacting with a variety of toys, balls and vehicles.
*January 2022: TBS Student Wellness Advisory Team "Refresh Day" Animal Craze ($750)
The Student Wellness Advisory Team (SWAT) sponsors an annual "Refresh Day" for Bromfield students which provides relaxing and fun activities to promote mental health and wellness. This grant funds the "Animal Craze" mini petting zoos for middle and high school students, in the past one of the most popular Refresh Day activities.
*February 2022: HES Discovery Museum Traveling States of Matter Workshop ($800)
The States of Matter Workshop for 2nd graders, which aligns with the curriculum standards science, allows students to investigate the physical properties of solids, liquids, and gases. Dry ice and liquid nitrogen to make learning the phase changes very dramatic as students observe a solid change directly to a gas, shatter flowers, and use a banana as a hammer.
*February 2022: TBS STARR Program ($450)
The STUDENT TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE & ACADEMIC REENGAGEMENT PROGRAM provides short-term intensive support for students returning to Bromfield after an extended absence due to illness or hospitalization, or school avoidance. The program supports students in a clinically-informed, trauma-sensitive environment with the goal of creating a seamless and manageable transition back to school while minimizing stress.
*February 2022" TBS Social-Emotional Learning Space Grant ($250)
This grant funds the development of a calming space and calming stimuli for students grades 6 - 12 who are experiencing anxiety during the school day.
*March 2022: TBS Green Team Invasive Plant Removal Project ($1000)
This project is aimed at removing the invasive plant species around the Bromfield school and replacing them with native species. The project will also include an educational program for the TBS community about native and invasive plants and their effect on the local ecosystem through teacher and student surveys, school broadcasts, informational posters and Earth Day celebration
*March 2022: HES Beyond the Screen 'Osmo' Toolkits ($5600)
This grant provides Osmo kits for the Pre-K, K and 1st grade classrooms as well as an additional set for a mobile cart that will be available for the older grades. These kits, which are part of a hand-on learning system, are used in conjunction with iPads as digital tool to enhance learning and allow students to play “beyond the screen.” Kits include curriculum-based manipulatives that interact with what students see on their screens with instructions differentiated within each game to allow students to move at their own pace. These kits will serve current students as well as future students for years to come.
*March 2022: TBS Laminator Grant ($1950)
This grant funds the purchase of a replacement industrial laminator and film for TBS to be used school-wide for student, teacher, staff and administrative needs.
*March 2022: HES NRWA Aquatic Insects and Animal Adaptations Grant ($950)
This 2 day program features a hands-on discovery experience for 1st graders with macroinvertebrates, water quality connections, and stewardship helping students examine and learn how animal structures connect to their environments for survival.
*May 2022: HES 4th Grade Canoe Trip ($1100)
This grant subsidizes the 4th grade canoe trip, making it more affordable for students and families. The Nashua River Watershed and Nashoba Paddler canoe trip is an annual excursion which enriches the science curriculum.
*May 2022: TBS Class of 2022 Graduation Sound System ($2500)
This grant will again provide a high quality sound experience for the TBS Graduation Ceremony which will be held in the field with social distancing protocols in place. Having a professional sound system in place will ensure that all can enjoy the ceremony and celebrate our graduating seniors.
*May 2022: TBS Senior Athlete Breakfast ($1500)
This grant funds an award ceremony, slideshow and breakfast for student-athletes, guests and coaches in celebration of the graduating senior athletes of 2022.
*May 2022: TBS Senior Lunch ($1000)
This grant funds a lunch for seniors held after graduation rehearsal which provides an opportunity for the class to relax and join together as Graduation approaches.
*May 2022: HES Field Day Popsicles ($300)
This grants provides popsicles for all of the participants of the long anticipated 2022 HES Field Day - back in person after a 2 year hiatus during the COVID pandemic.
*May 2022: HES Fruitlands & The Harvard Historical Society Field Trip ($400)
This grant subsidizes a 2nd grade field trip as part of the Town of Harvard/Devens unit providing transportation for students to the Fruitlands Museum and the Town Common. During this adventure they will explore the museums and participate in activities run by the historical society.
*June 2022: TBS 8th Grade End of Year Field Trip & Ice Cream ($800)
This grant supports the 8th graders traditional end of year hike to Mt Wataitic followed by ice cream at Kimball Farms to celebrate their hard work through the year.
*June 2022: TBS Middle School Agenda Books ($800)
This grant provides agenda books to all 2022/23 6th and 7th graders in order to improve organizational and planning skills as well as school/home communication.