What We Do

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#006699" TEXT="#080000" background="049785a3.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFFF00" FACE="Bradley Hand ITC" ><B>Litchfield Education Foundation</B></FONT><B>    </B><B> |     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Litchfield Education Foundation"><B>home</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Who We Are">Who We Are</A>   |   <B>What We Do</B>   |   <A HREF="id18.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="How to Request Funding">How to Request Funding</A>   |   <A HREF="id28.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Ways You Can Help">Ways You Can Help</A>   |   <A HREF="id4.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="How Were Organized">How We're Organized</A>   |   <A HREF="id6.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="How to Contact Us">How to Contact Us</A>   |   <A HREF="id26.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Friends Alumni">Friends & Alumni</A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#FFCC66" TEXT="#080000" background="04ad2b03.jpg"> <div> <IMG SRC="084ae240.png" border=0 width="174" height="36" ALT="Bitmap Image" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <IMG SRC="080a6600.jpg" border=0 width="166" height="96" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Who We Are"><B>Who We Are</B></A></div> <div> <B>What We Do</B></div> <div> <A HREF="id18.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="How to Request Funding"><B>How to Request Funding</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id28.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Ways You Can Help"><B>Ways You Can Help</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id4.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="How Were Organized"><B>How We're Organized</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id6.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="How to Contact Us"><B>How to Contact Us</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id26.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Friends Alumni"><B>Friends & Alumni</B></A></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 width="100%" BGCOLOR="#CCFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <I>What We Do</I></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="823" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" BGCOLOR=#FFFFCC > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 2906 WIDTH="817"><div> <B><U>The Litchfield Education Foundation provides funding for three types of projects.</U></B></div> <div> <B>- Mini-Grants</B> - requests less than $1,000</div> <div> <B>- Intermediate Level Grants</B> - requests more than $1,000</div> <div> <B>- Capital Grants</B> - requests deemed tangible, with lasting value, </div> <div> have no personnel involved, and are not an event.</div> <bR> <div> <B>New </B><B>Grants Approved: 2007-2008 School Year</B></div> <div> <B><U> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="598" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 232 ><NOBR><div> <B><U><IMG SRC="2819ee30.jpg" border=0 width="158" height="227" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="426"><bR> <div> <B>Adventure Based Indoor Ropes Course: $9,908</B></div> <div> The indoor adventure based rope course and the curriculum model for the program are designed to help educators integrate and implement adventure components into an existing physical education program. One that is aligned with national and state physical education standards.  These standards include: Physical Activity, Human Movement, Fitness, Responsible Behavior, and Respect for Differences and Benefits of Physical Activity.</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></U></B></div> <bR> <div> <B> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="734" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 247 ><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="27f42f20.jpg" border=0 width="322" height="242" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="400"><div> <B>Litchfield High School Robotics Team: $5,500</B></div> <div> This after school and weekend club activity has grown from 6 male students to 25 male and female students interested in applied science and math.  Parent mentors and faculty sponsors guide students through the creation of a robot designed to perform specific operations. The team competes in regional tournaments against other high school robotics teams.  This is a great way to introduce students to mechanical and electrical engineering.  It costs $6,000 just to purchase the materials to enter a robot into the regional competition.</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Litchfield High School Technology Student Association: $3,000</B></div> <div> CT/TSA hosts 15 competitions that incorporate communications, construction, manufacturing, transportation, leadership and related technologies.  The LEF provided funding for three laptop computers to be used by students to prepare and compete at state and national competitions.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Dance, Dance Revolution - Physical Education K-12: $2,274</B></div> <div> Students in all three schools will be able to "Dance with the Stars" as they improve their eye-foot coordination skills.  As they listen to music, watch a big screen and try to match the steps with their feet on practice pads. They will be exercising in a new and energizing way.  This is a fun and creative way to get students moving to the beat!</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Kindergarten Weather Stations: $350</B></div> <div> Kindergarten students in all five classrooms can now monitor the weather with brand new</div> <div> electronic weather stations.  Classroom charts and activities are also included in this new program</div> <div> at Center School.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Bird Feeders - Bird Sleuth Program at LIS: $400</B></div> <div> Students in sixth grade classes can now observe and collect information about local birds right at</div> <div> Litchfield Intermediate School.  This is a continuation and expansion of the Bird Sleuth program</div> <div> which is embedded in the sixth grade science curriculum.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Art in a Bag- Second Grade: $908.99</B></div> <div> The educational purpose of this art project is to increase students' and parents' knowledge of the</div> <div> artist Claude Monet while incorporating language arts through reading and writing.  All second</div> <div> graders and their parents will create an “Art Fun in a Bag” project!</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Art in a Bag- Third Grade: $942.21</B></div> <div> The educational purpose is to increase the students' and parents' knowledge of the artist Pablo</div> <div> Picasso by incorporating language arts through reading, writing, and then creating their own piece</div> <div> of artwork with their parents.  The "Art Fun in a Bag" project will be done by all third graders</div> <div> and their parents.</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Previously Awarded Grants</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Capital Grants</U></B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Solar Photovoltaic System - LHS: $22,000</B></div> <div> Litchfield High School science teacher, Dean Birsdall <I>(Project Coordinator), </I>was awarded a capital grant to purchase a functional solar photovoltaic system on the roof of the LHS Cafeteria.  LHS students will analyze the data collected while saving the school approximately $1,000 in electricity each year.</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="354" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 265 ><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="23d59030.jpg" border=0 width="345" height="259" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Digital Microscopes, Large Network Printers & Smart Boards - K-12: $18,938.78</B></div> <div> <I><B>5 Mega-Pixel Compound Digital Microscopes </B></I></div> <div> Can be used to examine small and microscopic materials and capture those images digitally.  Students can then manipulate the images to enhance their understanding of scientific concepts.</div> <div> <I><B>3 Deskjet Large Format Network Printers</B></I></div> <div> Can be used to replicate student work that does not fit the traditional format that our current printers can accommodate.  24” by 50 feet in dimension.  Network ready for all teachers in every building.  Can print out images captured on digital microscopes or graphed on Smart Board.</div> <div> <I><B>3 Smart Boards</B></I></div> <div> Can be used by teachers to create highly interactive learning environments which can then be duplicated and distributed to all members of the class or learning community.  Can print to large screen printer.</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="379" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 250 ><NOBR><div> <I><B><IMG SRC="11970f60.jpg" border=0 width="368" height="246" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></I></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <div> <B>Plumb Hill Fields - Storage Facility: $5,000</B></div> <div> The Litchfield Education Foundation provided a $5,000 Capital Grant toward the construction of a storage facility on the new Plumb Hill Playing Fields.</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="289" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 247 ><NOBR><div> <I><B><IMG SRC="19518f30.jpg" border=0 width="280" height="243" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></I></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> <I><B>Photos courtesy of John McKenna Photography</B></I></div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Intermediate Level Grants</U></B></div> <bR> <div> <B>LHS Herb Garden Project: $3,450</B></div> <div> Through a matching grant with the Litchfield Hills Food Systems, students in horticulture classes and culinary classes will become involved with growing herbs in a newly created herb garden.  Horticulture classes will teach students about growing herbs while the use of herbs and preservation techniques are introduced to students in Culinary Arts classes.  These activities will help connect students to the community and the newly created Litchfield Hills Farm-Fresh Market which operates throughout the summer months at Center School.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>FIRST Lego League - Grades 4-8: $1,900</B></div> <div> Students in Litchfield Intermediate School and 7th and 8th grade students at Litchfield High School were mentored by the Litchfield High School Robotics Team in their first year of <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.usfirst.org/who/default.aspx?id=34" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.usfirst.org/who/default.aspx?"><B>FIRST</B></A></FONT><B> </B><I>(For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) </I>Lego League Competition.  Student teams had to create mechanized miniature lego robots to accomplish a variety of tasks.  The LHS Robotics Team is looking to encourage younger students to follow their footsteps and become involved with the LHS Robotics Team.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Books on the Move - Grades K-12: $3,187.75</B></div> <div> Reluctant readers and those experiencing difficulty with reading will soon be able to follow written text as they listen through portable audio units.  These mp3 units will be available for use in all three schools in the Library-Media Centers.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Model UN Program: $2,210</B></div> <div> The "Model UN Program" educates middle school students on how the United Nations works to solve world issues.  The program is available to students in grades six through eight and meets after school.  The program culminates in a day long event at Bentley College. </div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></B></div> <bR> <div> <I><B> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="830" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" BGCOLOR=#FFFFCC > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 281 WIDTH="824"><div> <B><U>Mini-Grants Funded - Spring 2007</U></B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Life Skills Garden Project - LHS: $1,000</B></div> <div> Students in the Life Skills class at LHS will get practical experience using garden tools to create outdoor gardens at Litchfield High School.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Scanner - Photography Classes - LHS: $740</B></div> <div> A new scanner was provided for students in photography classes at LHS to allow students to import slides and printed photos.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Physical Pride Tile Project - Center School: $1,000</B></div> <div> A joint project co-sponsored by the Litchfield Education Foundation and Litchfield PTO provided funding for the "Physical Pride Tile Project" at Center School.  Every student, teacher, and staff member created a tile under the direction of Center School Art teacher Rochelle Clementson.  The tiles were glazed and mounted on the walls at Center School.  <I>A special thanks to local tile expert John Quesnel for his expertise in mounting the tiles.</I></div> <bR> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 944 WIDTH="824"><div> <B><U>Mini-Grants Funded - Fall 2006</U></B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Gold Coin Project - First Grade - Center School: $700</B></div> <div> First Grade teachers at Center School received $700 to fund the<I> </I>"Gold Coin Project,"<I> </I>a project that supports Center School's Project Pride theme.  This project motivates students to become outstanding citizens and respectful, caring friends in and out of the classroom.</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="324" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 212 ><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="24074cb0.jpg" border=0 width="116" height="203" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="242c3ce0.jpg" border=0 width="195" height="206" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> <I>Gold Coin recipients at Center School</I></div> <bR> <div> <B>Spanish and French Films - LHS World Language Department: $150</B></div> <div> Spanish and French dvd's and videos allow students to connect with cultures in French and Spanish speaking countries.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>School Newspapers - LIS ($850) and LHS: $1,000</B></div> <div> Mini-grants were awarded to Litchfield High School ($1000) and the Litchfield Intermediate School ($850) to fund school newspapers.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Bird Sleuth Program - Grade 6 - LIS: $985.88</B></div> <div> A mini-grant was awarded to Litchfield Intermediate School teachers Kim Jones and Melissa Brutting for the "<I>Bird Sleuth"</I> Program.  The program is designed to give 6th grade students experience with the entire scientific process from hypothesis through publication.  Students will be engaged in bird observation, identification and data anaysis.  </div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="259" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 221 ><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="245fdc50.jpg" border=0 width="253" height="197" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <I>Bird Sleuth Program at LIS</I></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <div> <B>Laptop Computer - LHS Robotics Team: $1,320</B></div> <div> The Litchfield Education Foundation provided the Litchfield High School Robotics Team with a new laptop computer<I>  </I>for use in programming and controlling the robot at robotics competitions.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Digital Cameras - Business Department - LHS: $579.98</B></div> <div> Two new digital cameras were purchased for use in desktop publishing classes in the LHS Business Education Department.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 648 WIDTH="824"><div> <B><U>Mini-Grants Funded -  Spring 2006</U></B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Plant Propagation - LHS Science: $225</B></div> <div> $225 awarded to John Markelon for Ecosystem Studies.  This mini-grant helped to cover expenses and tuition of a plant propagation course offered at the Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook, NY.  The course emphasized hands-on experience in plant propagation techniques.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Special Education Sourcebooks - Center School and LIS: $503.40</B></div> <div> Betsey Lynn, Speech and Language Pathologist was awarded a mini-grant of $503.40 to create a parent resource center for parents and community members interested in learning more about student learning disabilities.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Health Career Awareness - Field Trip - LIS: $225</B></div> <div> $225<B> </B>awarded to JoAnne McCormick to cover transportation cost for 5th and 6th grade students to visit the University of Connecticut Children's Medical Center.  The purpose of the trip was to stimulate interest in the health care field.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><U>Mini-Grants Funded -  Fall 2005</U></B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Apple iBook Lap Computer: $1,000</B></div> <div> $1,000 to Stephen Brookes, Band Director and Maurice Steinberg, Choral Director, Litchfield Schools.  Apple iBook for use in the Band Room.  Allows for Power Point presentations, use with Smart Boards, and runs Smart Music software.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Close-Up Foundation: $1,000</B></div> <div> A mini-grant was awarded to "Close-up Foundation" advisor, Kate Crowe.  This helped to fund a trip to Washington,  D.C. for Litchfield High School juniors to participate in an in-depth study of our government, the American political system and economic system.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>LHS Robotics Team: $1,000</B></div> <div> $1,000 awarded to LHS Robotics Competition Team.  This mini-grant helped defer costs of entrance fees for national competition and ancillary costs such as tools, safety goggles and supplies.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><U>Mini-Grant Funded -  Spring 2005</U></B></div> <bR> <div> <B>DVD Video Monitor - LHS Reading Program: $230</B></div> <div> This unit allows students to follow story themes in video and audio format.  The purpose is to assist reluctant readers with literary fluency.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 2701 WIDTH="824"><div> <B><U>Mini-Grants Funded - Fall 2004</U></B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Invasive Species Plant Project - LHS Science: $500</B></div> <div> John W. Markelon, LHS science teacher, was awarded 2 mini-grants for programs at Litchfield High School.  </div> <div> The first was for $500 to support and expand a LHS horticulture class project that was actually started by previous classes over two years ago.  In May, 2002, LHS students helped the White Memorial Board of Directors adopt a policy of reducing invasive plant species on its 4000+ acre preserve.  During the last two school years, approximately 40 horticulture students worked to remove invasive plants from White Memorial and to replace them with native species.  This mini-grant was used to expand this community-based program by enabling the class to purchase, grow, propagate and plant native species on the LHS campus and in the adjacent community.  This ongoing project served approximately 15 tenth through twelfth graders, and it helped in the landscaping of the new playing fields and courtyards of the renovated school buildings.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Amphibian Monitoring Project - LHS Science: $250</B></div> <div> The second grant awarded to Mr. Markelon was for $250 to support ecology and zoology students at LHS involved in two amphibian monitoring projects within Litchfield.  A Connecticut Amphibian Monitoring Project (CAMP) survey plot is located within the town of Litchfield and students have assisted in collecting data for this nation-wide effort to inventory amphibians.  The town committee on Conservation and Development has also begun a long-term project with LHS students and Northwest Conservation District to locate and register vernal pools within the town of Litchfield.  Vernal pools are unique breeding areas for amphibians and other creatures.  The grant was used to purchase equipment for collecting specimens.</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="697" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 193 ><NOBR><div> <I><B><IMG SRC="196efb70.jpg" border=0 width="239" height="183" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></I></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="0dd15b90.jpg" border=0 width="277" height="185" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="0deb3bb0.jpg" border=0 width="179" height="187" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> <B>Good Health - Exercise Video - Center School & LIS: $1,000</B></div> <div> An exercise video was provided to every students in grades K-6 featuring the Physical Education teachers at Center School and LIS.  Additional materials were purchased to reinforce healthy eating habits and the importance of exercising.  This multi-disciplinary approach involved Rochelle Clementson, Center School Art teacher; Brian Mongeau, Physical Education teacher at Center School; Dana Ouellette, Physical Education teacher at LIS; and Joanne McCormick, School Nurse at LIS</div> <bR> <div> This group was awarded $1,000 to implement a fun and creative "Good Health" program for students at Center School and Litchfield Intermediate School.  The purpose of the program is to teach students about maintaining good health through good eating habits and regular exercise.  This grant will be used to purchase supplies for the production of exercise video/DVDs and motivational kits, one per family.  The video/DVD will include two exercise routines performed by the physical education teachers, one for grades K-3 and one for grades 4-6.  This will be a year-long program and it will be reinforced by incorporating the Good Health theme in Science, Language Arts, Art and Music classes throughout the year.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>After-School Play Therapy Groups - Guidance - Center School: $800</B></div> <div> Nancy Basti, School Counselor at Center School, and Ruthellen Griffin, a Creative Arts Therapist received a mini-grant for $800 to fund several after-school play therapy groups for Center School students.  The groups were designed to help students who have absentee parents and/or come from families with substance abuse issues.  The groups focused on trust building, learning to play with others, relief from stress and pressures through play.  The goal of this program was to provide emotional support to students and create a safe, healthy environment where they can express their feelings.  It involved collaboration and communication with parents, with confidentiality maintained throughout the duration of the program.  The grant funded outside consultant assistance and the purchase of toys for the groups.</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="407" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 342 ><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="09787500.jpg" border=0 width="391" height="336" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 32 WIDTH="401"><div> <I>Center School Mini-Grant Recipients</I></div> <bR> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> <B>Community Connections - LIS Guidance Program: $500</B></div> <div> Donna Begley, Guidance Counselor at LIS received a mini-grant for $500 to purchase equipment and supplies for a "Community Connections" program.  The "Connections" program involved all of the students.  The students were part of small, multi-grade group that met monthly with the purpose of fostering an increased sense of belonging on the part of everyone involved.  The goal was to take the project into the community and to make connections with elderly residents in Bantam and Litchfield.  Groups visited residents in their homes to assist with yardwork and household chores.  </div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="460" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 310 ><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="099c0300.jpg" border=0 width="448" height="304" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 32 ><NOBR><div> <I>Litchfield Intermediate School Mini-Grant Recipients</I></div> <bR> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> <B>Digital Recording Equipment: $1,000</B></div> <div> Stephen Brookes, Band director and Maurice Steinberg, Choral director, LHS were awarded a mini-grant of $1,000<B> </B> toward the purchase of digital recording equipment for the LHS Music Department.  The equipment purchased enables high quality recordings of live performances, with the ability to quickly edit and transfer these recordings to CD.  Its portability makes it possible to record concerts, plays and other performances at the LIS auditorium, the Litchfield Community Center, other schools, and many other venues.  Students in the Computer Music class and others interested in recording engineering have gained valuable skills learning to operate the new technology.  It will be used to record rehearsals with immediate playback capability, making it a valuable teaching tool.   It can be used by other school groups as well.</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="484" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 280 ><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="09ac0120.jpg" border=0 width="448" height="274" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 18 WIDTH="478"><div> <I>Litchfield High School Mini-Grant Recipients</I></div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Mini-Grants Funded - Spring 2004</U></B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Desktop Publishing Workshop - LHS Business Dept.: $481</B></div> <div> The first mini-grant was awarded to Rita Caruso, Chair of the Business Department at LHS.  Mrs. Caruso was awarded a grant of $481<B> </B>to attend a two-day workshop in June 2003 on the essentials of professional-quality desktop publishing and graphic design.  The information and resource materials from this workshop were shared with colleagues in the Business Education department at LHS, and benefitted students in grades 9-12 taking the following courses: Desktop Publishing, Web Design, Computer Applications and Marketing.  The skills learned were applied to publications created by the Desktop Publishing and Web Design classes for school, organizations and businesses in the community.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Digital Piano - LIS Music Dept.: $700</B></div> <div> The second mini-grant was awarded to Maurice Steinberg, Choral director at LHS and LIS. </div> <div> This mini-grant for $700 was used to help purchase a Kurtzweil digital piano to replace the old upright piano at LIS.  The new piano will be used in all of the LIS music classes.  Most of the funding for the piano came from the LIS budget.</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></B></I></div> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Litchfield Education Foundation"><B><IMG SRC="071822d0.gif" border=0 width="130" height="45" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></A></div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>