GRANT TITLE
The Mindfulness Project

GRANT AUTHOR, SCHOOL, IMPACT & FUNDING
Toni Blaszczyk, Nancy Fleming – Miller School – 400 students – $708.35

GRANT PERIOD
Round 30 for Spring 2017; implemented in Fall 2017

GRANT APPLICATION
The Mindfulness Project classroom will teach children how to build self-awareness, effectively handle their emotions, and empathetically manage their relationships. Self-awareness to students lead to social and emotional regulation. When students can effectively manage their emotions, they learn to identify feelings and emotions and how to handle situations or problems in a positive and effective manner. Empathetically managing their relationships will help reduce conflicts between students that result in a decrease in discipline referrals leading to less in-school and out-of-school suspensions. Students that are present and aware, are more productive and perform better academically.

GRANT OUTCOMES
We would like to thank the Merrillville Education Foundation for the grant that funded “The Mindfulness Project. Our Mindfulness room is open to all students and staff to use as needed. This room has been very beneficial for calming students that have anger issues, high anxiety, ADD, and ADHD. In time, we believe that the mindful room will aid in helping our students to learn how to self-regulate their own emotions and focus. It is our hope that our students and staff will use their mindful practice daily. Staff and student resources on yoga lessons, mindful breathing, guided meditation practice, guided mindfulness scripts, relaxation music, and art therapy are provided. We will continue to add to our room as needed. Miller students and staff receive a Mindful Minute lesson and practice every Monday over the intercom to help get their week started on a positive note, which helps guide their practice for the week. We are very grateful to the MEF for giving us the resources to help fund “The Mindful Project” at Edgar L. Miller School.

GRANT TITLE
Introduction to Industrial Engineering through Theme Park Development

GRANT AUTHOR, SCHOOL, IMPACT & FUNDING
Zella Garron, MHS, Ninth Grade, 75 students, $499.99

GRANT PERIOD
Round 28 for Fall, 2015; implemented in Spring, 2016

GRANT APPLICATION
The introduction to Industrial Engineering through Theme Park Development STEM Project initiative will expose students to some of the intricate behind-the-scenes production cost and science-related influences of theme parks so that they can become a different type of consumer and determine for themselves if the value of admission cost and it scientific impact is fair. They will gain exposure in writing a business plan, estimating cost, projecting income based upon multiple variables while experiencing hands-on application of science, technology, engineering, and math in an area which they are the traditional consumers.

GRANT OUTCOMES
The students have had a wonderful experience learning the history and planning of amusements parks.  They are still planning their group amusement parks and were surprised to learn that even a simple thing such as a parking space can cost more than $2,000 per space.

GRANT TITLE
Salk Sensory/Calming Area for Students

GRANT AUTHOR, SCHOOL, IMPACT & FUNDING
Alison Petralia, Jonas E. Salk Elementary, 709 K-4 students, $500

GRANT PERIOD
Round 28 for Fall, 2015; implemented in Spring, 2016

GRANT APPLICATION
This project creates a place where students with a wide range of sensory, self-calming, and stimulation needs can self-advocate and regulate emotions without leaving the instructional environment.  Students will have the opportunity to use items provided in the sensory areas to calm down, self soothe, release anger, and work through frustration in a positive, nonjudgmental climate.  These potentially decrease the amount of special education referrals, decrease referrals leading to out-of-classroom suspensions, decrease classroom disruption while fostering independence, increasing student instruction and learning time, and facilitate an environment that is safe and comfortable for all students.

GRANT OUTCOMES
Jonas E. Salk Elementary School was awarded two grants, one from the Merrillville Education Foundation and another from NIPSCO, to purchase items to meet the sensory needs of students.  With the money granted, we were able to purchase various items such as kinetic sand, foot rollers, chair bands, jelly beads, various fidget toys, in addition to several other sensory items.  All teachers, K-4, have access to the items and are encouraged to utilize them in their classrooms to meet the many needs of their students.  We have noticed a significant drop in the number of students needing time away to regroup and time off task since the items have been introduced.  The teachers and students at Jonas E. Salk sincerely thank the Merrillville Education Foundation and NIPSCO for their generosity!

MORE PHOTOS

GRANT TITLE
Current Events in the Classroom

GRANT AUTHOR, SCHOOL, IMPACT & FUNDING
Heather Barshich, Miller, 90 4th grade students, $500

GRANT PERIOD
Round 28 for Fall, 2015; implemented in Spring, 2016

GRANT APPLICATION
The fourth grade teachers at Miller requested funds to purchase materials to supplement English and Language Arts curriculum through educational, nonfiction magazines.  Scholastic News is a nonfiction magazine designed to enhance language arts skills through current events.  These magazines engage student learning through maps and charts, photographs, and fascinating captions with close reading questions and text marking activities.

GRANT OUTCOMES
As a fourth-grade team, we use the Scholastic News as a part of our reading curriculum.  Students and teachers can discuss current events, as well as practice reading strategies.  Scholastic News provides online activities and additional materials, such as graphic organizers and paired texts with questions for extra reading practice.  The students are excited when the new magazine arrives and enjoy the articles.