The Needham Education Foundation (NEF) announced the recipients of 16 grants totaling $35,664 in the fall small grants cycle at the Needham School Committee meeting on Tuesday, November 21. Awarded grants include: Playaways and digital magazines for the high school library, a giant floor map for Pollard, ukuleles for the Eliot School, an author panel at the high school, and a visit from two Lost Boys of Sudan at Newman. Other grants awarded:
• Lighting equipment for the performing arts departments at Needham High School, Pollard and High Rock, so that students will learn to operate lights and sound for all NPS performances.
• A collaboration between Pollard and the Needham Community Farm to fund a new STRETCH class and club where students will learn about food justice and gardening.
• Dialectical behavior stress management skill training for teachers at Pollard so that students will learn lasting skills for stress management. A parent information session will also be offered.
• Breakout EDU Kits for the elementary schools and High Rock, which offer a fun, creative way to develop team-building skills, critical thinking skills and can span all subjects and topics. Students work collaboratively to solve a series of problems to open locked boxes.
• A visit to each elementary school from Eine Kleine Konsort, a professional recorder quartet comprised of veteran music educators.
The NEF is a nonprofit organization that raises funds for the enrichment of public school children in Needham. Since 1990, the NEF has funded more than 675 grants, totaling over $2.75 million, to promote innovation and excellence in education. To learn more about the Needham Education Foundation, visit www.nefneedham.org.
