2021-2022 Grant Descriptions

​

​

Afterschool Robotics Program; VEX STEM Labs

​

Sartell-St. Stephen Community Education, with the support of building principals, are expanding the Afterschool Robotics Program to Pine Meadow Primary School for Grades 1-2 and to Oak Ridge Early Learning Center PreK-Kindergarten. This grant allows the purchase of kits to accommodate up to 20 students per lab. (VEX 123 curriculum for ORELC and VEX Go for PMPS).  Children learn with their senses and robotics aligns more naturally with the active, hands-on development of a PK-2 grade student. Robotics challenges offer students opportunities in all forms of socialization, including listening, and evaluating alternate perspectives, as well as, providing exciting opportunities to build and express imagination. Also, there is an authenticity of purpose to apply mathematical concepts to real-world experiences. Students work in teams and develop leadership skills through the process of building, programming, and driving robots.

 

Furthering Fine Motor in First Grade

​

With the increase of screen time and distance learning, the need for fine motor development is becoming more alarming. First grade teachers are seeing more students with the inability to hold the pencil correctly, form letters and have the coordination and strength necessary for daily fine motor tasks. Fine motor skills are used not only in school tasks such as writing, drawing and cutting but also in everyday tasks such as zipping, buttoning, eating and shoe tying. Motor skills directly impact student’s academic performance, memory and physical functioning. Underdeveloped fine motor skills can lead to various issues as students do not develop their core muscles. The tools purchased with the grant provide additional sensory and tactile input that can be used in daily lessons, word work, spelling and handwriting time to accommodate various styles and levels of learners. Helping students improve their writing skills will boost their self-confidence which will impact how they perceive themselves and grow into successful leaders. Providing multi-sensory handwriting strategies and using fine motor development tools from this initiative will be critical in helping all students achieve success in academic and everyday life tasks.

​

​

Outdoor Learning Enhancement for Early Childhood

​

We want our students to have more Outdoor Learning experiences. Research has demonstrated that children need more active/cooperative motor time built into their day. It is essential for children have time allocated for outdoor activities as well as the opportunity to explore the natural environment around their school campus.  This grant will allow the purchase of materials for the SHS construction class to build a shed that will store items like balls, tricycles, obstacle course materials, sensory materials, clipboards, writing utensils, magnifying glasses, binoculars, mini wheelbarrows, basketball hoops, sand/water exploration tools-buckets, molds, scoops, funnels, sifters, etc.  These will enhance children's gross motor development--balance & control, eye-hand coordination, cooperative play opportunities/turn taking, creative/critical thinking, scientific/nature observations as the season change, etc.  In addition to these toys and equipment, they will also be installing a sandbox that includes a cover.

 

Projection Mapping Equipment

 

Projection mapping allows artists and designers to layout and design art installations using digital projectors. Students can set up a projector in a space and using digital design software they can draw, paint, animate, add images or movies to surfaces. If you have heard of the moving Van Gogh exhibit at the airport, that is an extreme example of projection mapping. Painting, Drawing and Sculpture students can use projection mapping to add images and animations to their work, and graphic design students can design digital installations for specific sites with dedicated projectors. This type of art is often used at concerts and festivals and it has the potential to grow as an art practice at SHS.  Projection mapping asks young artists to think about how their artwork impacts the audience in their environment. This type of design requires growth in communication, creative thinking, creativity, problem-solving, and innovation.

​

​

Real Life Pregnancy Profile Simulator

 

Students will have the opportunity to wear the Pregnancy Profile Simulators as part of the curriculum that is taught in the Child Development & Psychology course each quarter at the Sartell High School.  These vests help teenagers to understand pregnancy's impact on the body and the included curriculum teaches life goals, finances, relationships and emotions that are related to having a baby in the real world. Users experience 25 to 30-lb. weight gain, elevated body temperature, bladder pressure, fetal movement and difficulty breathing. High school students will be impacted by having a much more real-life experience when learning about pregnancy in the Child Development & Psychology class. It's one thing for students to learn about the physiological changes to a woman's body during pregnancy, and it's another thing to put on a pregnancy vest and actually FEEL it.

​

​

SMS Adaptive Music

​

DCD (Developmental Cognitive Disability) students at the Sartell Middle School have weekly music lessons in their classrooms.  Having an adaptive music program offers an interactive and exploratory music experience for students with unique needs. Students are able to participate in music and movement activities with musical instruments and music manipulatives, adapted to meet their needs. Through music, students will work together kinesthetically, individually and as a group, exploring steady beat and rhythm while strengthening their cognitive and motor skills.  This will also allow the students to participate in a musical program/ performance for families.

​

​

Speaker Jesse LeBeau: Leadership Training

​

Jesse LeBeau is known as the “The Celebrity Teen Coach.” As an author, basketball player, and reality television star, Jesse has become a highly popular motivational speaker. “His unlikely underdog story has inspired millions of teens through his speaking, best-selling books and youth programs. Jesse LeBeau will come to Sartell Middle School to work for a half day with our student council. The day would focus on leadership, school culture, and supporting each other through the hardships we have all experienced over the last year. After the half day of leadership training, Jesse will speak at an assembly for the entire school. Jesse’s message will focus on his tag line “attitude means everything” and he is able to connect with students through his story and his basketball tricks which entertain while providing a great message.

​

​

VersaTiles

​

VersaTiles is a self-checking mathematical tool that has been around for over 40 years. It is a hands-on alternative to practice workbooks. VersaTiles combines the challenge of a puzzle with standards-aligned skills practice. Students will gain a better understanding of number relationships by having a visual that they can interact with and manipulate. VersaTiles help students learn place value, how to find unknown partners, skip count, add and subtract, as well as practice word problems. The self-checking system aids in creating a safe learning environment where students are able to gain confidence in their math abilities.

​

One District One Book
 

The One District, One Book (ODOB) program is designed to promote literacy and create a shared reading experience across the entire school community.   With the generous support of SSEF, each K-4 family within the Sartell-St. Stephen school district will be provided a copy of the same children’s novel to read together during the month of February.  This provides an excellent opportunity to spark a community-wide conversation around a book with the ultimate goal to inspire a rich appreciation of literature and create lifelong readers.
 

 

Past Grant Examples:

​

One District One Book

The One District, One Book (ODOB) program is designed to promote literacy and create a shared reading experience across the entire school community.   With the generous support of SSEF, each K-4 family within the Sartell-St. Stephen school district was provided a copy of the same children’s novel to read together during the month of February.  This provided an excellent opportunity to spark a community-wide conversation around a book with the ultimate goal to inspire a rich appreciation of literature and create lifelong readers.

​

Math SmARTS

During the last two years, the second graders at PME and ORE have been involved in Math SmARTS program, a collaborative project between the Sartell Elementary Schools and the Paramount Visual Arts center to improve students' attitude and proficiency in both math and the arts.

 

Students visit the Paramount where they work with dance and visual artists.  

The artists also make one visit to each of their classrooms continuing the reinforcement of the skills. 

 

At the Paramount with the visual artist, students learn about geometric Islamic tiles. They then have an opportunity to create their own tiles which are glazed and fired.  The dance artists reinforces the geometric skills through dance moves creating two and three dimensional shapes, as well as symmetrical and asymmetrical shapes.  The students also enjoy the experience of dancing on the Paramount stage.

 

During the classroom visits, the visual artists help students create a six pointed star using paper folding and patterning reinforcing geometric shapes.  The dance artist reinforce the skills learned at the Paramount to help the students create a dance. 

 

The students' experiences in the Math SmARTs program  integrate the art and math curriculum enhancing their understanding of patterning and geometrics.

​

Click on the image to see a gallery of photos.