Friends of SW Charter is pleased to announce the recipients of this fall’s Teacher Mini-Grants. They are: teacher Lisa (6th grade) and art teachers Melissa and Nate!

In recent years, the Friends of SW Charter has devoted the money it raises from restaurant nights, the plant sale, Chinook Books, etc. to fund student scholarships and teacher mini-grants.

These $500 grants help teachers by funding classroom supplies and materials that allow creative use of the curriculum, classroom enhancements that support learning, or support the overall mission of SW Charter School.

Each applicant filled out a grant proposal indicating the name of the project, a partnering agency (if applicable), a description of the project, how the project will be celebrated or shared with the community, and an itemized materials list.

Melissa and Nate requested funds to purchase supplies for the 2016-2017 art program. Currently, there is very little money for art supplies and projects have been limited to those that use paper and markers. This grant will help purchase high quality watercolors, charcoal drawing pencils, paints and more! They hope to have a student art display and of course display students’ artwork throughout the halls.

Lisa Colombo, our 6th grade teacher, requested funds to purchase materials for Residency Day/University of Colombo School of Medicine. This  is a culmination of phase 1 of the medical school (biology unit) where students dissect an organ related to their area of expertise. This mini grant will help to purchase items for dissection and medical gear to enhance the experience. At the end of the project, students will present to the community via Grand Rounds, an important teaching tool and ritual of medical education consisting of presenting the medical problems and treatment of a particular patient to an audience consisting of doctors, residents and medical students.

Thank you to Melissa, Nate and Lisa for applying for this fall’s mini grants. Friends will be offering 2 additional mini grants in the spring!

Thank you also to the school community for supporting our small fundraisers that help to fund mini grants. They really allow teachers to enhance our children’s experience!