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Creative programs thrive with support from Education Foundation grants. It might not be as extensive as Fodor's travel guides, but a soon-to-be-released children's guide to the Blackstone Valley will showcase our region's attractions from the unique perspective of elementary school-age children. The children's guide is currently being prepared by 8-and-9-year-olds in Paige Williar's class at Touchstone Community School, an independent school in Grafton serving children from throughout the Valley.  Touchstone Community School children visit Slater Mill (Pawtucket, RI) as they prepare a children's guide to the Blackstone Valley The class undertook the Blackstone Valley guide as one of its interdisciplinary thematic units, incorporating math, social studies, English, art and science, along with a dose of career exploration in the publishing field. With a grant from the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation, the class was able to visit sites such as Slater Mill Historic Site, the Worcester Art Museum, Whitin Community Center, Woonsocket's renovated Stadium Theatre and Southwick Zoo. The children's review of these and other attractions, along with kid-focused games and tips on area ice cream stands, will be available at local visitor sites this summer. Each year the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation awards approximately $15,000 in curriculum grants to area schools. These grants support innovative projects, such as the children's guide, that connect students with their community and prepare them with skills for the 21st century workforce. Funds are raised through the Education Foundation's annual golf tournament, which draws the support of numerous Valley businesses, including last year's Tournament Sponsors Heritage Design Group and UniBank.  2002-2003 grant recipients at reception April 10 at Grafton Inn. Front row: Diane Pollard, Paige Williar, James Rollins, Sarah Buscone, Mary Margaret Mulroney. Back row: Kathleen Rheaume, Robyn Biondi, Michele LeBlanc, Elaine Ford, Ginny Scherer, Kathleen Shaw, Jan Neuding, Dennis Jacques, Tom Fischer, Maria DaFonte. Grant recipients were feted on April 10 at a reception at the Grafton Inn. After Education Foundation President Scott Rossiter congratulated each recipient, the recipients described their projects to the assembled crowd of business and education leaders. The reception was co-sponsored by Millbury Federal Credit Union. Northbridge Middle School science teachers Kathleen Rheaume and Dennis Jacques shared their innovative approach to teaching chemical processes and applications through a program presented with the National Plastics Museum PlastiVan. Students not only engaged in activities presented by the PlastiVan staff, but they also met with Northbridge-based PolyFoam Corporation and Berkowitz Trucking to learn more about local plastics industries. Hopedale High School students working with Tom Fischer have been filming local business leaders as part of a video documentary on career paths. The documentary is intended to chronicle the often-circuitous paths successful people take through their careers. The film, currently being edited with equipment supported by the grant, will be shown on cable TV and become part of the school's career resources. The Education Foundation grants provide critical funding of enrichment programs that are often the first to be cut when school budgets get tight. Plus, the connection schools make with local businesses through these projects is the foundation for lasting community partnerships. Other grants funded this year include: Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational-Technical High School, "Kids in the Kitchen"; Hopedale Junior/Senior High School, "The Arts of Spinning and Weaving: A Historical and Cultural Perspective"; Millbury - Raymond E. Shaw Elementary School, "Cultural Tributaries of the Blackstone River"; Uxbridge Public Schools, "Explore and Discover"; Douglas Public Schools First Grade Center, "Our Town"; Grafton High School, "On the Job Success!"; Millbury High School, "Future Business Leaders Competition"; Northbridge Middle School, "Production of Annie"; Touchstone Community School, "Animal Facilitated Therapy". Additional golf tournament sponsors were: Major Sponsors - Beaumont Rehabilitation and Nursing Centers, Gaudette Insurance Agency, Koopman Lumber Company, Jon R. LeClaire Builders, Massachusetts Electric, Millbury Federal Credit Union, Millbury Savings Bank, E. Osterman Gas Services, Riverdale Mills Corporation, Sunshine Sign Company, Sunset Mortgage Company, W/S Development Associates; Lunch Sponsor - John E. Graham & Associates; Partnership Sponsors - Blackstone Valley Realty, Bowditch & Dewey, Cutler Associates, Earth Tech, Milford Federal Savings & Loan, Sovereign Bank of New England, Smith-Gaudette Financial Services, Worcester Telegram & Gazette; Hors D'oeuvres Sponsor - Whiting-Turner Contracting; Hole-In-One Sponsor - Linders. "Focus on Education" April 2003 Read previous Focus on Education articles...
Six years of focusing on education. (November 2006) |
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Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce
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