More Millstone teachers get technological tools
MTFEE has donated more than $300,000 to schools in seven years
BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP
Staff Writer

MILLSTONE - Township schools have $46,000 more to put into their classrooms, thanks to the continuing efforts of a local foundation.

The Millstone Township Foundation for Education Excellence (MTFEE) completed its 12th grant cycle May 25 when members presented the winning elementary and middle school teachers with their grants.

"We were able to present [the grants] during the field-day festivities at the elementary school as parents and kids applauded the teachers for their insight and vision," said Lori Cuffari, chairwoman of the MTFEE's Grant Committee.

The foundation is a nonprofit that uses annual community fundraisers to collect money to donate to township school programs not provided for in the district's budget. Cuffari said the MTFEE had a total of 15 applications during this grant cycle.

"As Grant Committee chairperson," Cuffari said, "I would like to thank all the teachers for the applications we received."

Cuffari said the teachers work hard to research and develop programs that directly affect students and their learning experience.

"I have witnessed firsthand the impact prior grants have had on my own children - before ever being involved with the committee - and it absolutely allows for an enriched curriculum," she said.

The grants the MTFEE awarded this spring will purchase four high-resolution visual presenters and projectors for the district's kindergarten classes. The projectors enhance the curriculum by creating a more active learning experience. Students participate by highlighting lessons with the visual presenter, which helps increase class participation and engagement, according to the MTFEE.

The grants will also provide funding for "Writing Through Literature" for first- and second-graders. The program includes a varied selection of grade-appropriate books that provide samples of different writing techniques and visual aids. The program helps students learn to write stories and understand what makes them compelling to read, according to the MTFEE.

The grants will assist in providing social-skills training for children with special needs in kindergarten and first grade through the purchase and use of a set of DVDs and CDs and a DVD/VCR/CD player that will enable students to experience a "real world" bus trip. The program helps teach appropriate responses to real-world scenarios and culminates with an actual bus trip to a place where students can demonstrate the skills they learned, according to the MTFEE.

In addition, the funding will provide four teachers and the elementary school principal with a trip to Las Vegas to start "What happens in Vegas will not stay in Vegas." Staff members are scheduled to attend the 2007 National Conference on Differentiated Instruction in July and will then prepare instruction manuals and binders for all elementary school teachers to use as a reference library, according to the MTFEE.

The MTFEE will also supply the elementary school with a SMART Board, a laptop computer and a projector, and will provide a training program as well, in order to further integrate technology into the current curriculum. Students will use the SMART Board to study and learn as it enhances lessons with video and audio. The equipment can be used by all grade levels for various projects year after year, according to the MTFEE.

The MTFEE has also provided funding for a SMART Board, a computer and software for a program called "Háblame" for middle school Spanish students, according to the MTFEE.

In addition, the grant money will be used to purchase a music mobile lab for the middle school's music department to enhance the current visual and performing arts curriculum. The lab helps teach musical theory, note reading, composition, piano, jazz, improvisation and concert band music. The lab will also help foster the start of an after-school piano composition program and will record performances for use as teaching tools, according to the MTFEE.

Cuffari thanked the grant committee for all the time and effort it put forth in reviewing, choosing and awarding the grants.

"The committee is growing and changing and developing our 'charge' as we enter our seventh year of service to the community," she said.

Since its inception, the MTFEE has collected and donated more than $300,000 for programs in the Millstone Township School District, according to Cuffari.

"It provides a great sense of satisfaction and gratification," she said.

Cuffari said the MTFEE is always open to fresh ideas and approaches to make the foundation even more successful.

"Come be part of a great experience that makes your children proud," she said.

For more information about the MTFEE, visit www.mtfee.org or e-mail info@mtfee.org.