Lakeshore Excellence Foundation Awards Innovation Grants

January 2007 -- The Lakeshore Excellence Foundation has awarded 12 Innovation Grants totaling $10,502.80 for 2006-2007. The grants are awarded annually to teachers and staff of the Lakeshore Public Schools for innovative projects that supplement the curriculum. The Foundation has awarded a total of $60,423 for 85 grants since its inception in 1998.

Innovation Grant Recipients 2006/2007

1. CREATE A SUPPORTIVE WRITING CENTER: The goal is to get students enthused about writing and stimulate their confidence level by using picture clues to make connections between letters and letter sounds whereby relating that to writing. Applied for by: Cami Ashley, Hollywood

Mrs. Ashley’s Kindergarten Enjoys Fancy Cake!!
Kindergarten students in Mrs. Ashley’s class are learning how to write paragraphs using a fancy cake! Each student has the opportunity to write their sentences on our interactive bulletin board. Students then transfer their sentences on to their very own “fancy cake” to take home and read to their family! Thank you to the Lakeshore Excellence Foundation for the grant money to make this GREAT writing opportunity available! WRITE ON KINDERGARTEN!

2. MATH FACT MUSIC CD’S: The Math Fact Music CD’s will enhance and reinforce basic math facts through the multiple intelligences of music, linguistics, and kinesthetics. Applied for by: Cynthia Kleimchen, Roosevelt

3. DECISIONS, DECISIONS 5.0 SOFT WARE: Through role-playing simulations, students learn and apply lessons of history by assessing options, evaluating outcomes and making decisions employing a 5-step decision making model. Goals include students drawing conclusions, making predictions, and understanding multiple perspectives and viewpoints. There are 15 different titles in the set with over 300 possible decision paths in each title. A pplied for by: Amy M. Czech, MS

4. AUTHOR GORDON KORMAN March 16, a nationally known author of books for young people will make presentations to the middle school to encourage students to read for pleasure. He accomplishes this by brainstorming, developing characters, dialogue, rewriting and revision along with humor. Applied for by: Angie Johnson, MS

Gordon Korman’s Visit to LMS a Hit!
On March 16th, Lakeshore Middle School was visited by a nationally known author of books for young people. The visit was generously sponsored by the Lakeshore Excellence Foundation and the LMS PTO. Gordon Korman spoke to 6th, 7th, and 8th graders about his life as an author, his books, and much more. Mr. Korman began writing in middle school, and has published over 50 books in the 25 years since. His books include adventure series and humorous novels, and are some of the most popular books in the middle school library. In preparation for the event, the students read many of Mr. Korman’s books; in fact, the library had over 180 checkouts of his books in the month prior to the event! Many students also purchased books and had them autographed by Mr. Korman. Thanks to the middle school PTO, each of the English and Special Education teachers received a signed classroom copy of a book by Mr. Korman. In addition, 12 students were the winners of a contest sponsored by the media center. The students independently read a book by Korman and completed one of several projects related to the book. The best 12 projects were selected from all entries, and those students were invited to a special luncheon with Mr. Korman and received a free autographed book. Winners of the contest were Emily LaManna, Rachel Piasecki, Ellen Nightingale, Kory Schilling, Max Schmidt, Justin Smith, Erik Donarski, Andrea Klingspon, Ellie Wodarczyk, Alexis Nowacki, Kelsey Zinkil, and Rachel LaManna. In his presentations, Mr. Korman shared many comical stories about his school days and his youth, and most importantly, encouraged kids to read not just for school assignments and research, but also for fun. He also answered several questions from students, always relating to the students in a humorous, relaxed way. Many thanks to the Lakeshore Excellence Foundation and the Middle School PTO for making this awesome event possible!

5. POTTERS WHEEL, POTTERY BOOK AND VIDEO A potter’s wheel will enable students to exercise problem solving skills, improve hand-eye coordination skills, gain pride in accomplishments, obtain a new-found respect for pottery and the art of pottery making, and ultimately relieve stress while having fun learning. A pplied for by: Holly Davis, LHS

6. ARTIST IN RESIDENCE, CHOREOGRAPHER RANDY DUNCAN This program offers students the chance to train with an outside professional, setting choreography in preparation for the Spring Dance Concert. In this program, students will learn repertory and receive technique class. Applied for by: Theresa Graziano, LHS

One of the highlights of the Berrien County Dancers spring concert was
a professionally choreographed dance by Randy Duncan. The Lakeshore
Excellence Foundation provided funding for Mr. Duncan’s week-long
workshop with the dancers.

7. MAXIMUM ADVENTURE XPERIENCE (MAX) Students will attend the program to promote group interaction and individual growth through a series of challenging activities. These students will obtain a team building experience and will complete it in September, 2007. Applied for by: Robert LaManna, LHS

8. TABLE TENNIS CLUB To promote physical activity and enhance the development of life long wellness practices is this program’s goal. The activity will take place during lunch periods as well as after school. Applied for by: Don Plichta, LHS

9. WALL OF FAME PERMANENT PLAQUE To recognize top honors students and provide incentive for seniors to continue their rigorous curriculum for eight semesters. The highest honors students names will be displayed on a plaque and the first group to be recognized will be at Lakeshore High School’s 50th graduating class in the Spring, 2007. Applied for by: Bill Scaletta, LHS

10. BROADCAST NEWS To purchase broadcasting equipment that will enable students to broadcast, produce, direct and edit a Lakeshore news program. Once equipment is purchased and catalogued in the media center, it will be available for future film students every year, creating a Lakeshore tradition. Applied for by: Christine Schroeder, LHS

11. MICHIGAN HISTORY BY MORTON HOUSE MUSEUM This program will be an in-classroom activity impacting about two hundred students. The project supplements the Social Studies chapter on trains and telegraphs and is aimed to provide handson activities to enhance understanding of the impact of trains and telegraphs in Michigan’s history. Applied for by: Noel Bash, Hollywood, Roosevelt & Stewart

12. SPEED STACKING This new and innovative activity will help promote coordination, speed, focus, practice, reaction time and ambidexterity. Current brain research has a direct tie to speed stacking because it promotes using both sides of the body and crossing the midline. This program ties into all areas of learning from reading to math, language to social development. Applied for by: Kris Weber & Shelly Baker-Taylor Hollywood, Roosevelt & Stewart

Stewart Second Graders learn how to Speed Stack!
After learning the 3-3-3 stack, kids enjoyed the game of Stackers and Blasters. Speed Stacks were purchased with a Lakeshore Excellence Foundation Innovation Grant. Speed Stacks promote ambidexterity, agility and brain based active learning. Thank you, LEF!

Innovation Grant Recipients 2005/2006

The Lakeshore Excellence Foundation (LEF) Innovation Grant Committee selected 11of the 19 proposals submitted this year. All of these projects provide educational experiences above and beyond the school supported curriculum.

1. “In Design & Photoshop” software purchase: These software programs allow students to produce and improve documents faster and easier than former software. By utilizing this software, Journalism/Advanced Journalism students, LHS yearbook “Driftwood” and the school paper “The Drifter” will be created more efficiently and accurately.
Grant Applied for by: Suzanna Reifschneider & Mark Ring, High School

2. Maximum Adventure Xperience (MAX): Students attend the MAX program to promote group interaction and individual growth. The program supports the Alternative Education program goals of improving self-esteem and social interaction skills.
Grant Applied for by: Robert LaManna, High School Alternative Education

3. Portable Easels: DECA urgently needed easels/stands for presentations as part of their competitions. They will be used at local, state, and national DECA Competitions.
Grant Applied for by: Tonya Jahnke, High School

4. Artist in Residence: Randy Duncan, nationally known choreographer, will work with advanced dancers and teach beginners. He will be in residence at Lakeshore for one week. This project will benefit 30 Lakeshore student dancers and 10 other dancers from other high schools.
Grant Applied for by: Theresa Graziano, High School

Lakeshore Light May 2006 --Berrien County Dancers Randy Duncan, a three-time recipient of Chicago’s prestigious Ruth Page Award for Outstanding Choreographer of the Year, was here to visit our very own Berrien County Dancers. Mr. Duncan has worked with wellknown companies such as the Joffrey Ballet, River North Dance Company, and Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago. He has traveled to England, France, Amsterdam, Israel, and Mexico teaching guest classes in Jazz with an African influence. Randy’s first major motion picture (by Paramount Pictures), Save the Last Dance, starring Julia Stiles, earned him a nomination for the American Choreography Award for dance on film. Randy worked with our students for an entire week. He set an eight-minute dance on the advanced level class, which will be performed in our Spring Dance Concert on May 13 at 7:00 P.M. During this intense week, Randy will be working with the advanced students in 5th and 6th hour as well as two-hour rehearsals each evening. All classes will experience a two-hour guest class with him at one point during the week. Our sincerest thanks to the Lakeshore Excellence Foundation as this fabulous experience has been sponsored in part by their generous support. We also thank Lakeshore Public Schools for their support in this event as well as all people who have come to our concerts to help raise money to bring in notorious choreographers and teachers like Randy throughout our school year. Come and see the dancers perform A Path, choreographed by Randy Duncan, in our concert on May 13!

5. Science Show: The goal of the Science Show is to spread enthusiasm for science to the 5th and 8th graders and encourage chemistry students to take AP chemistry. The AP chemistry students will research, demonstrate, and explain a chemical concept to all 5th and 8th grade students in the form of a science show.
Grant Applied for by: Mike Whitesell , High School

6. Artist in Residence: Stan Secrest, who has served as an AIR previously, will work with students in actual Djembe Drum building. The drums will then be used in class for rhythm projects and assignments. This project will impact music theory students from Lakeshore, Eau Claire, Coloma, and Bridgman as well as the Lakeshore Choir Program.
Grant Applied for by: Lori VonKoenig and Kelly Ann Westgate, High School

7. Digital Blue: QX5 Computer Microscope: A software package and a microscope with video and editing on CD-Rom allowing for detailed magnification of images as well as serving as a multi-function digital camera for taking digital still images and creating time-lapse movies. This will benefit 6th grade level immediately and eventually impact 6th and 8th grade.
Grant Applied for by: Gina Urban, Wendy Nelson, Judy Thomas, Middle School

8. Pedometers and Certificates of Accomplishment: Project goals: 1) For students to participate in the Presidential Active Lifestyle Program as part of the Presidential Challenge Program; 2) To get students active at least 60 minutes per day/5 days per week for a total of six weeks. This project will impact about 150 students or more.
Grant Applied for by: Gail Gebhard, Middle School

9. Create Landscaping and Care for Garden: This project will involve designing landscaping and motivate students to take care of the Middle School garden for a “hands on” experience with plant life that will support the student’s Earth Science Unit.
Grant Applied for by: Steve Graziano, Middle School

10. Discovery Garden: This project will integrate art and science with horticulture to improve and revive the courtyard garden at Roosevelt Elementary School. Many donations have been made including tadpoles, frogs, and turtles. The final goal will be to create a visually stimulating and inspiring outdoor learning space for students to get hands on experience.
Grant Applied for by: Nancy Anderson, Michelle Ellis (Parent), Roosevelt

Lakeshore Light June 2006 --The Discovery Garden welcomes its first robin family this Spring with a nest of four eggs that we are patiently waiting to see hatch. The fourth graders made stepping stones for the garden to create a pathway for the future. Projects for the garden are starting to get underway and will continue through the summer, in hopes that it will be completed by the beginning of the next school year. Some of the summer projects will be: working with Ms. Siewert on training a few flowering vines, expansion of the pond so all students can have a view, and starting and finishing the perennial garden area with a water feature of its own. We look forward to finishing the garden so staff and students can enjoy it next year.

11. Authors of “A Stranger in the Woods”: The authors of this book will show how writing can be transformed into different media. The book has been produced as a film. The goal is to excite young writers and help them to connect real life uses of the written word. Students will create their own stories using the incorporation of technology via a digital camera. We will have 3 presentations (K-1, 2-3, 4-5). This will impact 400 students, staff and family members.
Grant Applied for by: Sara Masten, Casey King, Hollywood Elementary