PTO Links to Learning Teacher Grants
Program Description
Purpose
A minimum of $10,000 in Links to Learning Teacher Grants are awarded by the Parent-Teacher Organization of District 103 annually to teachers, administrators and other educators within District 103. The purpose of the grants is to encourage and support creative and innovative learning methods to enhance District 103 curriculum. A grant can be requested for any amount; however, most grants range in size from $500-$1500.
Timing
Grant applications are accepted from mid September - October of each calendar year. Upon completion, the application form is submitted to the appropriate school principal for approval. The principal will then submit all approved application to the Assistant Superintendant of Curriculum who will pass along approved applications to the Links to Learning Committee for evaluation. Funding decisions were be announced by the Links to Learning Committee the week of December 9, 2015.
The Links to Learning Committee has evaluated each application for its:
Links to Learning Committee
The Links to Learning Committee is comprised of the following individuals:
Chair: PTO Treasurer
Members: PTO President, PTO Treasurer, PTO Sprague School Vice President, PTO Half Day Vice President, PTO Daniel Wright Junior High School Vice President, PTO Board Member at Large (1-2 optional), Board of Education Member, Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction
****2017-18 LINKS TO LEARNING APPLICATION FORM****
A minimum of $10,000 in Links to Learning Teacher Grants are awarded by the Parent-Teacher Organization of District 103 annually to teachers, administrators and other educators within District 103. The purpose of the grants is to encourage and support creative and innovative learning methods to enhance District 103 curriculum. A grant can be requested for any amount; however, most grants range in size from $500-$1500.
Timing
Grant applications are accepted from mid September - October of each calendar year. Upon completion, the application form is submitted to the appropriate school principal for approval. The principal will then submit all approved application to the Assistant Superintendant of Curriculum who will pass along approved applications to the Links to Learning Committee for evaluation. Funding decisions were be announced by the Links to Learning Committee the week of December 9, 2015.
The Links to Learning Committee has evaluated each application for its:
- Innovative and educational nature;
- Curriculum enhancement potential;
- Budget reasonableness; and
- Direct impact on students.
Links to Learning Committee
The Links to Learning Committee is comprised of the following individuals:
Chair: PTO Treasurer
Members: PTO President, PTO Treasurer, PTO Sprague School Vice President, PTO Half Day Vice President, PTO Daniel Wright Junior High School Vice President, PTO Board Member at Large (1-2 optional), Board of Education Member, Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction
****2017-18 LINKS TO LEARNING APPLICATION FORM****
2015-16 L2L APPLICATION WINNERS
The 2015-2016 L2L Committee has reviewed all applications and we are happy to announce that we have approved the following:
- Garden/Environmental Club at HD School, where students will be able to create and maintain a garden, while learning to understand the plant growth cycle, recycling and creating a school wide environmental program.
- Robotics for Sprague School - includes robots, apps and accessories to help control the robots using simple commands.
- Snap Circuits for Half Day - tools used to investigate, build and examine electric circuits.
- Energy from the Wind kits for Daniel Wright - students will understand a wind formation wind energy and electricity generation.
Children at Sprague learning to program Dash the Robot
Past Links to Learning Grants:
2014 - 2015
The total amount of awards granted was $10,000.
- Makerspace (A space for all students to tinker, explore, wonder, and create using a student-driven approach. Includes wood ramps, chutes, funnels, creative construction design pieces, blocks, marble runs, Legos and various art supplies)
- Classroom Sound Amplification Systems & Lesson Capture Pilot (A system enhancing voice clarity and distributing the teacher’s voice clearly throughout the learning space)
- Swivl Robotic Platform (A device allowing teachers and students to more effectively capture, manage, and share video)
- The ASE AstroSat Challenge (assisting students in learning how to collect data in space from a satellite)
- Ukeleles
2013 - 2014
The total amount of awards granted was $10,000.
- three iPad Minis, three iPad Mini cases, three iPad styluses, and one $50 iTunes gift card to be used for application purchases
- twenty ACER Chromebooks
- four iPads, Version 2
- one set of classroom rekenreks
- purchase of one MakerBot replicator, one MakerBot filament, two MakerBot books, one Cricut spatula tool, and miscellaneous MakerBot replicator supplies.
2012 - 2013
- Adaptive PE Equipment called Xavix Gaming Systems for the Daniel Wright PE Teaching Team
- 120 books for the RAZ-kids On-Line Leveled Books Library for the Sprague Kindergarten Team
- Quiz Machine Buzzer Systems and books for the Daniel Wright "Battle of the Books" Student Team
2011-2012
- 6th Grade DW Team: 2 iPads equipped with WiFi
- 6th Grade DW Math Teachers, Bacino and Wotal: SMART Math Software
- 3rd Grade Teachers, Vasey and Joseph: iPod Touch Mobile Learning
- HD ELM Coordinator, Ruth Wilcox: LEGO Educational WeDo Robotics
- SP and HD English Language Learning Teachers, Duggan and Harper: 2 iPads equipped with WiFi
- Contribution to a World Book Online Subscription
- 8 Nooks at the DW Library including funds to load each nook with the 8th Grade Contemporary Fiction Unit
2010
16 GB iPad with Wi-Fi; Apple iPad Keyboard Dock, Proloquo2Go.
This technology provides access to District 103's curriculum by providing disabled students with the environmental support and opportunities to effectively and efficiently communicate their wants, needs, and ideas related to instruction and school-related events.
Body Sox.
This equipment is rectangular pieces of colorful material sewn together with an opening enclosed with Velcro. It is used by Kindergarten students to explore the concept of shapes as well as for a creative movement lesson tied to the book, My Many Colored Days. Students in Kindergarten, first and second grade music use the body sox to explore movement in relationship to music.
SMART Notebook Student Edition Bracelet.
This software enables students to transport teacher created SMART Notebook lessons onto any computer at school or at home. It also enables students to utilize the multi-media power of SMART Notebook software to create and showcase their own learning.
GoMotion detector.
This device is a data collection probe that connects directly to a computer's USB port. It works by sending sonic waves from the detector in a cone shape, measuring how long it takes for the waves to return, andthen calculating distance based on that length of time. This device can be used for real time graphing and analysis of motion.
This technology provides access to District 103's curriculum by providing disabled students with the environmental support and opportunities to effectively and efficiently communicate their wants, needs, and ideas related to instruction and school-related events.
Body Sox.
This equipment is rectangular pieces of colorful material sewn together with an opening enclosed with Velcro. It is used by Kindergarten students to explore the concept of shapes as well as for a creative movement lesson tied to the book, My Many Colored Days. Students in Kindergarten, first and second grade music use the body sox to explore movement in relationship to music.
SMART Notebook Student Edition Bracelet.
This software enables students to transport teacher created SMART Notebook lessons onto any computer at school or at home. It also enables students to utilize the multi-media power of SMART Notebook software to create and showcase their own learning.
GoMotion detector.
This device is a data collection probe that connects directly to a computer's USB port. It works by sending sonic waves from the detector in a cone shape, measuring how long it takes for the waves to return, andthen calculating distance based on that length of time. This device can be used for real time graphing and analysis of motion.
2005-2009
- First District SmartBoard
- MindWare: Brainy Toys Games.
- Kodak Easyshare Digital Camera - Document all student performances.
- AlphaSmart Dana w/ Write Out Loud Software - Improve writing by typing & listening.
- Electronic Classroom Jeopardy & Games.
- Yamaha Clavinova Electric Piano (cost shared with OOMMPa).
- Purchase one AlphaSmart Dana w/ WriteOutLoud Software.
- Additional Lighting System for DW Stage.
- Portable Light Screens.
- Video & Workbook Landscapes American History.
- Shakespeare's Twelfth Night Special Textbooks.
- Internet site license for on-line program TCR Connections for Kids.
- Sport Pack Stacking Cups.
