Grants To Encourage Innovation In the Classroom
Are Awarded By The Springfield Schools Foundation
Springfield Schools Foundation recently awarded over $5,500 in grants to encourage innovation in the classroom.
Twice each year, the foundation invites teachers in the Springfield Local Schools to apply for grants to fund creative projects that will enhance education for Springfield students. This spring, seven proposals were funded. They include:
• One Minute Reader – Janie Kuriger and Jan King at Dorr Elementary will use their grant to purchase take-home materials so parents can help young readers become more fluent.
• Readers’ Theatre – Steve Lee at Holland Elementary received a grant to purchase materials for a project that will help fourth-graders develop confidence in their oral reading.
• SMS Publishing – Amy Merrill Wyatt at Springfield Middle School will purchase software and binding services so middle school students can write, publish and distribute their books to other students.
• Recording History at Homecoming Park – The LEAP gifted education program was given funds to purchase a video camera and supplies so students who are doing a restoration in Homecoming Park can also record its natural and social history.
• Ready Reference – Holloway teacher Dana Ritter was awarded funds to purchase electronic dictionaries and thesauruses in a pilot program to see whether it will make students more likely to look up definitions for unfamiliar vocabulary.
• Get Ready for Middle School – Mark Swavel at Holloway Elementary applied for funds to purchase copies of Diary of a Wimpy Kid so the fifth-graders at the school can share the experience of reading and discussing the transition to middle school.
“The foundation makes these mini-grants available so teachers who want to think outside the box have access to the resources they need,” said Carolyn Jabs, foundation secretary. “The district has terrific teachers and we want to encourage their innovation and excellence in the classroom.”
The foundation accepts donations from residents, businesses, staff members and local organizations, and all contributions stay in the Springfield community.
So far the classroom grant program has awarded over $30,000 to fund almost 50 projects. Many of those projects as well as other foundation initiatives are described on the foundation’s Web site at www.springfieldschoolsfoundation.org.
Skateboarding Facility Sought In Springfield Or Holland
BY KELLY J. KACZALA — MIRROR REPORTER
Jonathon Rardin and Darrin Alford are looking for sponsors in their quest to get a skateboard park in Springfield Township.
Rardin and Alford, both 12 years old, made their pitch to Springfield Township trustees at a meeting on April 7.
“We think we should have a skate park in Holland or Springfield,” Alford told trustees.
The park will help keep kids off drugs and alcohol, he said.
“It will keep us off public property,” Rardin said. “It’ll be a positive influence on kids. But the only problem or catch is the liability.”
Alford and Rardin got signatures from several businesses in support of a skate park, including Office Max, PetSmart, Super Cinemas, Party America, Rue 21 and Sam’s Club.
They also obtained more than 150 signatures from people in the Springfield Township area.
There was some opposition from residents who didn’t want a skateboard park across from their homes.
“There were only a couple of people who wouldn’t sign it,” Alford said.
The boys said they now skateboard “anywhere” and have visited skateboard parks in Maumee and in Coldwater, Mich.
“We skateboard every day, whenever we can, trying to stay fit and stay off the couch,” Alford said.
Rardin said if the township could determine a location, the boys would figure out a way to raise money for the park. They suggested Strawberry Acres Park in Holland might be a good location.
They said they believe other kids would contribute money, and proposed a fund-raising concert with a local band.
Trustee Andy Glenn said this was not the first time such a park has been proposed.
“This isn’t the first time I’ve been approached about this,” Glenn said. “But this is the first time that a couple of gentlemen have taken the initiative to do some work on it.”
Trustee Bob Bethel asked administrator Leslie Kohli to call the city of Maumee to find out about its skateboard park.
“Find out about the liability and how they handle this,” he said.
Glenn said he contacted the head of the maintenance department in Maumee not long after the last trustee meeting to ask about the skateboard park.
“It is the city’s skate park, and police officers have a key to it,” Glenn said.
He also said he heard it cost approximately $40,000 to construct the painted metal ramps, though he wasn’t sure.
Bill Tunison, superintendent of the township’s road maintenance department, said the company that recently provided equipment for two parks in the township also offers skateboard park equipment.
“The more money, the bigger and better the park you can get,” he said. “Some time ago, we looked into that for Lincoln Green Park. It’s just like playground equipment. It’s not cheap.”
Because a skateboard park is a recreational facility, it would be covered by the township’s insurance, Glenn said.
“Even if you don’t provide a facility, and someone is going through your park on a skateboard and falls and hurts themselves, they’re covered,” he said.
Bethel asked Kohli to contact Holland village administrator Harry Barlos to discuss the matter.
Trustee Marylin Yoder said the township could also apply for a grant for the skateboard park.
Glenn asked Alford and Rardin to continue to pursue ideas for a fund-raiser with their parents’ help and seek sponsorships from local companies.
He suggested that they meet again to discuss the progress in a month