Irvine Public Schools Foundation
18552 MacArthur Blvd., Suite 200
Irvine, California 92612
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts:Debbie Rugani,
Vice-President – Community Initiatives and Programs
Phone: (949) 265-6403
Fax:(949) 263-8343
Email:
Irvine Public Schools Foundation Awards Grants to Teachers and Counselors
May 12, 2009, Irvine, CA - The Irvine Public Schools Foundation (IPSF) awarded twenty-fivegrants to Irvine teachers and counselors on Tuesday, May 12, 2009, at the annual Innovative Teaching and Counseling Awards Reception. These awards directly support classroom teachingand counseling and will reach over 12,000 students in the 2009-10 school year. According to Rena Stone, IPSF Trustee and Chair of the Innovative Teaching Awards Program (ITAP), “The review process is rigorous, and the volunteers on the team work conscientiously to ensure that the best projects are supported. Thanks to their hard work, I am happy to announce that IPSF is funding25 projects to 39 teachers or counselors in 24 schools, for a total donation of $37,027.” The afternoon reception for grant recipients was hosted byOpah Restaurant in the Irvine Marketplace.
For over 19 years, IPSF has been allocating dollars directly back into the classroom through the Innovative Teaching Award Program (ITAP). Teachers in IUSD set the bar high for excellence in the classroom, but budget constraints can hamper innovation. Too often, teachers do nothave the equipment and or resources they need to implement unique and creative approaches to teaching. The ITAP grants are designed to support teachers, add needed resources to classrooms and serve topromote innovative technology,teaching and counseling.
“Most of the funding for these grants is raised through another IPSF program, Parents Appreciating Teachers and Staff (PATS),” said Lita Robinow, Board Chair of the Irvine Public Schools Foundation. “In addition, the Allergan Foundation, SchoolsFirst Teachers Credit Union, the Exchange Club of Irvine and the Newport-Irvine Rotary Club have all contributed funds to ITAP, representing exemplary community-based collaborations,” according to Robinow.
In addition to funding grants to teachers, IPSF also awards funds to IUSD counselors through the Innovative Counseling Award Program (ICAP). This year, one grant was funded to the counseling staff at CreeksideHigh School to support an innovative school-wide leadership program.
A complete list of the grant awards follows below.
About IPSF
The mission of the Irvine Public Schools Foundation is to provide community and corporate funding in support of public education and to manage child development and educational programs in partnership with the IrvineUnifiedSchool District. To learn more about IPSF or to make a donation online, visit the website at
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Irvine Public Schools Foundation2009 Innovative Teaching Award Grants
SCHOOL / TITLE / DESCRIPTION / GRADES
Alderwood Basics Plus / Guided Reading and Leveled Readers in the Upper Grades / "Connector" books that give guidance to readers of different levels. The books will allow differentiated instruction. / 4th-6th grade
College Park / Third Grade Literature Circles / Materials to enhance and expand an innovative reading program / 3rd-6th grades
Eastshore / Fraction/Decimal Manipulatives for Upper Elementary / These manipulatives allow students to physically manipulate fractions and decimals, making relationships clearer. / 3rd-6th grades
MeadowPark / I Can Read Series / Sight-based reading program for special day students students with speech or hearing disabilities. / K-6
Northwood Elementary / Interactive Technology to Enhance Learning / Two "Airliner" slates to enhance student interaction for the science lab and general classroom use. / 4th-6th grade
Oak Creek / Document Cameras / A document camera for use in all areas, particularly writing and reading. / 5th and 6th grade
Plaza Vista / Instrumental and Choral Music Literature / Music literature to enhance the music library, expand performance opportunities, add new music theory. / 6th-8th
Santiago Hills / The Portable Computer Lab / Mini laptops to create a portable computer lab. / 4th grade
Stone Creek / Library Books Acquisition / Books of various levels and content to supplement and modernize the library. / K-6th grades
Stone Creek / Leveled Reading Books Acquisition / Leveled reading books to improve phonics, fluency, and comprehension. / 1st grade
Turtle Rock / Visual Technology: Enhancing Learning for All Students / A camcorder, and webcam to facilitate school-home communication, oral reports, and performances. / K-6th
Westpark / Audio Visual Enhanced Learning / A camcorder and webcam to use for science experiments, distance learning, and presentation skills. / 2nd grade
Westwood / Mimio Interactive System / A Mimio system to convert a whiteboard into an interactive white board. / 4th-6th grades
Woodbury / Little Readers for Little Readers / Additional leveled readers, to replace lost books and expand selections / 1st grade
Early ChildhoodLearningCenter / Let's Talk / Augmentative devices to help pre-school students learn to speak and communicate. / Pre-School, ages 3-5 years
MIDDLE SCHOOL AWARDS
SouthLakeMiddle School / A Greener Tomorrow / Materials and instruction time to participate in an ecology challenge, to allow students to create community solutions for environmental problems. / 7th and 8th grades
VenadoMiddle School / Quizdom - The Interactive Learning System / An interactive Quizdom response set to enhance student engagement. / 8th grade
Sierra Vista / Instrumental Music Multi-Media Presentation Equipment / A computer projector and screen for class discussions of music theory and history. / 7th-8th grades
HIGH SCHOOL AWARDS
IrvineHigh School / Journalism Computers / Two desktop computers to run the Adobe InDesign program, to assist students in the layout and content of the school newspaper. / 10th-12th grade
EXCHANGE CLUB OF IRVINE
University Park / Artists/Writers Workshop / Teacher training materials, art supplies and picture books, for a program that teaches writing through art. / 4th grade
NorthwoodHigh School / Read the book. See the play. / Instructional materials, video cameras, and books to stage a play based on a curricular book, read district-wide. / 6th – 12th grade
NEWPORTIRVINE ROTARY CLUB
Culverdale / Capturing Visual Images / A document camera to allow students greater access to resources, and improve academic vocabulary / 5th-6th grades
Greentree / Document Camera / A document camera to facilitate lessons in all content areas, especially writing. / 5th grade
Vista Verde / Document Cameras / Two document cameras to improve reading and writing instruction. / 4th grade
INNOVATIVE COUNSELING AWARD
Creekside High / Challenge Day! - CommunityBuilding Workshop / A day long school wide seminar for students to build community and leadership / 10-12th grades