Montville Education Foundation, Inc. grants $5,000 to teacher

Montville Education Foundation grants $5,000 to teacher

 Tuesday, February 28th turned out to be a very lucky day for a teacher in the Montville School District.  Armed with balloons and an oversized check, directors from the Montville Education Foundation  (MEF) descended upon the Oakdale Elementary School, surprising Amanda Crocker with the news that her grant proposal had been approved for funding.

 The awarded grant, The Parents as Essential Partners Project, (PEP) recipient of both the Chicago and National Excellence in English Awards, reaches beyond the realm of adult education enhancement, addressing multiculturalism, self-esteem and character development.  Designed to take language minority parents from the role of learners to the role of decision makers and advocates in their children’s education, participants engage in the following program components; ESL/Bilingual Classes for Parents (using the PEP Curriculum), Parent/Child Activities, Parenting Workshops, and In-services of Parent Involvement for District School Teachers. 

 “In our district, we have seen how language and cultural differences, combined with school-home communication problems can distance language minority parents from our schools.  Research consistently supports the essential role the family plays in children’s healthy development and academic success,” said Amanda Crocker, grant recipient.  “The data indicate that students at all grade levels do better academic work and have more positive attitudes, higher aspirations, and other positive behaviors if their parents are knowledgeable, encouraging, and involved in their children’s education,” Crocker continued.  The PEP Project provides the support parents need to feel comfortable participating in school activities and their child’s educational experiences.  For thousands of parents around the country, the PEP Project was successful in bringing about change within their families and community.  

  “There are 23 languages spoken in the Montville Public Schools and 229 students whose dominant language is not English” (October, 2011.), said Mark Johnson, Principal of Oakdale School.  “Our school staff works diligently to meet the needs of students, yet the PEP Project will benefit the entire family.  Currently, staff identifies communication issues in the home as our students become more proficient in English at school.  By teaching English to parents with a content-based curriculum that includes report cards, curricula, school personnel, study skills, homework, school and health procedures, parent-teacher conferences, Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports and more, we will bridge the cultural gap so we can be more responsive as a school community,” explained Johnson.

 “In our implementation year, we will directly serve 20-25 participants and their children”, said Crocker. “Once trained with materials in hand, staff can readily move beyond the home and Montville school community, collaborating with additional partners, including Montville Social, Senior and Youth Services, New London and Norwich Adult Education, the Chinese-American Cultural Association, and school systems with similar demographics.  The potential of the PEP Project is outstanding and Montville Public School can lead the way in offering this unique and vital opportunity for families with a limited proficiency in English”.

 Once confident and proficient in English, participants will be encouraged to “give back” to the community by serving as volunteers in the classroom and school, becoming an important voice in a district bilingual parent advisory council or school parent organizations.  Montville’s diversity is indeed a gift, but with that gift comes a variety of challenges.  The PEP Project will remove these communication barriers and embrace our gifts of diverse families in our community.

 “Our community is only as strong as the people who support it,” said Linda Patton Heller, MEF President.  “Each year, MEF Directors work hard to raise funds to enhance educational opportunities for the Montville community.”

 “As the need in our town grows, so does the amount requested,” explained MEF Grant Chair Donald Dykes.  “Our Grant committee carefully evaluates all of the submitted proposals and takes into consideration which grants have the best strategic, long-term impact and benefit to the most people.  It is a difficult process to determine which grants are ultimately funded.  Obviously, greater income to the Foundation would allow for awarding of more grants."  

 “MEF depends on the generosity of the community to continue its work,” continued Heller.  “Contributions to the Montville Education remain in Montville, making a direct impact in our community.  When you witness firsthand the difference these grants make in the lives of our residents, students and teachers, you understand the true value of contributions to MEF.”

Applications for the next grant cycle are due April 30. Visit www.montvilleeducationfoundation.org for more information.