Recent Grants
Spring Grant Session, 2021
Fall Grant Session, 2020
Community Read for Mental Health
Focusing on Pond Cove librarian Cameron Rosenblum’s book “The Stepping Off Place”, CEHS will host a read-along and discussion in conjunction with Thomas Memorial Library. The book addresses many aspects of mental health, and the project will incorporate both classroom and community discussions about the book and how to address and improve mental health.
Cape Snowshoes
Like many educators, 8th Grade Experiential Learning Teacher Morgan Kerr has had to be creative to keep his students engaged and safe during the pandemic. Kerr crafted an innovative solution to expand nature-based education for his middle-schoolers: snowshoes. “Winter is a very unique time to really explore the world around us. The snow and loss of foliage allows us to explore areas where we might not be able to in the summer, spring, or fall. For the experiential program in particular, we will use [snowshoes] to further expand our study of the importance of salt marshes and its importance to Cape Elizabeth’s and Maine’s coastal ecology.”
Thanks to the generous support of CEEF and CELT, Kerr was able to purchase 25 sets of snowshoes for CEMS. With small cohort classes, 2-3 classes of students are able to use them at a time. Long term, Kerr is hoping teachers will take advantage of the new equipment and incorporate snowshoe excursions into their winter curriculum.
New England Aquarium Virtual Programs
Fourth Grade teachers, Julie Merriam and Mary Jane Ham, came together to build a grant that will allowed the entire fourth grade to participate in the New England Aquarium Climate Change Virtual Field Trip. The CEEF grant allowed students to continue the tradition of field trips in a new way, and Merriam and Ham strove to find a way to still experience the thrill of hands on learning. They shared that it was “imperative to teach our young learners about our sacred oceans” and found that the New England Aquarium (NEA) offered programming that brought the oceans and experts to students. Each class studied and participated in activities exploring STEM skills and climate change, and then interacted with an expert from NEA via Zoom. Ham and Merriam noted that this interaction with NEA was key to a student’s understanding and connection, and that “anytime a student interacts with a real scientist or someone deep in the field – they benefit.”
Coder Express
Pond Cove students were able to carry on this beloved tradition remotely thanks to a grant to Mr. Charltray and the 4th grade eTeam. The grant allowed each participant could have an at-home bag with supplies, a cookie and of course, hot chocolate!
Persona Dolls
Pond Cove Kindergarten teacher Amanda Marsden and Counselor Bri Gallagher were awarded a grant to bring Persona Dolls to early childhood learners. These child-size dolls have diverse backgrounds, cultures, experiences, and families and engage students in powerful dialogue. The dolls help introduce conversation around bias and bullying for young learners by becoming part of the classroom community. “We have an opportunity to create a climate and culture that rejects racism and embeds anti-racist teaching and learning into our early childhood classrooms when it is most impactful and will make real change”
Spring Grant Session, 2020
Helping At-Risk Readers
The Pond Cove Literacy Team (Becky Swift, Mary Dulac and Rosemary Ginn) applied for a grant to assist Pond Cove’s most vulnerable readers over the Summer. The change from in-person to remote learning meant these readers weren’t getting as many “new-to-them” books for frequent reading practice, and the team was concerned that reading wouldn’t continue over the Summer. With a CEEF grant, twenty-four book bags, consisting of twelve books each, were assembled and distributed to students for Summer reading. Making sure these students had multiple, “just right” books to practice with over the summer meant better preparation for the Fall. An innovative and adaptive solution to help Pond Cove students!
Fall Grant Session, 2019
Naturalization Ceremony
Ted Jordan received a grant to fund a naturalization ceremony hosted by CEHS Government students for 50 new citizens as they take the oath of US citizenship. The ceremony will be held at the CEHS auditorium. Students will plan a breakfast, interview participants, and make connections between the event and curriculum topics around immigration and policy-making.
Mindfulness Practice for Emotional Regulation in the Classroom
Louise Lynch and Maria Rinaldi received a grant to fund mindfulness training for teachers at CEMS. As part of the CEEF/Thompson Mental Health Initiative, participating teachers will receive practical training from an expert at “Wise Minds, Big Hearts” to integrate mindfulness practices in their classrooms. Teachers and students will learn skills to manage stress, increase empathy and self-awareness, and monitor their own levels of worry and anxiety.
Check out this update for information and mindfulness tips: Mindfulness Update
Peaceful Pond Cove – 4th-grade Helpers
Presented by Tara Bucci, this grant will provide opportunities for 4th-grade students to be responsible leaders for their peers and mentors for younger classmates. Through trainings led by teachers, staff members, and community helpers, students will develop leadership skills with a focus on responsible student behavior. Helpers will be trained around issues of safety, being a buddy for those in need, technology assistance, playground safety, and building a healthy school community.
Artist in Residence
Mike Scarpone and Caitlin Ramsey received a grant to bring musician Trent Austin to CEHS and CEMS. Trent is a celebrated artist, musician, and entrepreneur who is dedicated to music and jazz education. CEHS and CEMS jazz bands and trumpet sections will work with Scarpone in three days of clinics to improve style, technique, and musicianship. Students will apply these skills and perform alongside Scarpone in their annual Jazz Cabaret.
BLACK KID JOY Performance Ensemble
Christine Marshall received a grant to bring the BLACK KID JOY (BKJ) Performance Ensemble to CEHS. Through songs, dance, and acting, BKJ is the work of an ensemble of 40 artists from Philadelphia that expresses the joy, power, and ongoing challenges of the African American community.
Raising Trout in 6th Grade
A grant was awarded to Hannah Rohner, Josh Chase and Allison Caruso at CEMS for students to participate in the Portland Water District’s TroutKids program. This grant will fund the supplies needed to raise brook trout in the classroom and test water quality for their release. This experiential learning opportunity will benefit current and future 6th-grade students through authentic learning experiences around anatomy and physiology, ecology, human impacts, water quality, watershed protection, and Maine’s economy.
A Celebration of Maine Authors and Illustrators – Audio Library
Aligning with Maine’s Bicentennial in March 2020, a grant was awarded to Ingrid Whitaker, Cameron Rosenblum, and Tom Charltray at PCES for a community project to promote literacy for Pond Cove students. Cape Elizabeth community members will be recorded while reading picture books by Maine authors and illustrators. The goal is to create a library of 200 narrated books by members of the community that will be a resource for teachers and students at Pond Cove now and in the future.
World Map for Pond Cove
Kate Zellers received a grant for the purchase and installation of a large world map at PCES. The map will be matte mounted so students can explore as they walk down the hall. The map will be used for interactive lessons in geography and map reading, and promote an understanding of our place in the community, country, and the world.
Sexual Assault Awareness For Everyone Event (SAAFE)
CEHS students Ella Briman, Hannah Johnson, and Genevieve Rodda received a grant to help fund a full-day event promoting sexual assault awareness at CEHS. Through a variety of discussions and speakers, this event will advance the community’s knowledge around sexual assault. Discussions will focus on education, prevention, strategies, and coping, and will contribute to creating a safe environment at CEHS.
Spring Grant Session, 2019
Project-based Learning: Aquaculture
CEMS teacher Morgan Kerr’s grant to explore the topic of aquaculture in Maine. Students will grow oysters and kelp, as well as develop a business plan around marketing and selling.
Read more here! https://www.capeelizabeth.com/news/2019/sch_ms_experiential.html?fbclid=IwAR3ldKsMWd4_07vZfxMkuuEldjY6Bkshgg_oMtFyqgs7tX9_HrapdM2kuAU
Read more here! p.8 https://capecourier.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/CC-October-9th-2019-web.pdf
Boys to Men, Hardy Girls/Healthy Women
As part of the Thompson Mental Health Initiative, a grant to Sarah Hanson for a series of four 1-hour workshops on gender stereotypes and identity, healthy relationships and violence prevention for every 7th and 8th-grade student.
Spirit Series Historical Biography
Steve Price and Aaron Filieo will oversee an immersive 3-week program for 7th graders by Spirit Series to research, write and perform one-act historical biographies.
MakerSpace Expansion
The CEMS MakerSpace will expand thanks to a grant to Jonathan Werner making the space more functional as well as accessible to all.
Inspired Spaces
Inspired by Finding Perfect and “Angst,” Hope Taylor (a student!) designed and was awarded a grant to enhance bathrooms with motivational and inspirational quotes for kids with anxiety or just anyone that needs a positive boost. Hope’s grant is part of the Thompson Mental Health Initiative.
Read More here! https://www.pressherald.com/2019/06/05/6th-grader-among-cape-elizabeth-grant-recipients/
The HUB
John Holdridge will spearhead the redesign of room 206C at CEHS, known now as the HUB (a collaborative workspace for the Volunteer and Extended Learning Opportunities Program).
Updated Communication System
A grant for an updated theater communication system was awarded to Christine Marshall, theater director, for the CEHS Auditorium to bring productions and student skills up-to-date.
Spring 2019 – Large Impact Grant – “Natureland” at Pond Cove Playground
It’s a special day at CEEF when we get to announce a Large Impact Grant, so we are thrilled to tell you about our latest – $50,000 to the Pond Cove Playground Committee for “Natureland”! CEEF’s mission is to fund innovative and creative learning opportunities, and “Natureland” provides a space accessible to all students for important “play as learning” as well as a new outdoor classroom, weather stations, and garden area. This grant will help provide needed updates to the playground that will benefit the entire Pond Cove community.
Past Large Impact Grants have included the Achievement Center, the Middle School Library and Learning Commons, and the Pond Cove Math Lab, all of which continue to enrich the education of Cape students. These grants represent a significant investment in our district and have a reach that will last for generations. We are thrilled to continue the tradition of these grants.
Fall Grant Session, 2018
Beekeeping Club
CEEF awarded Junior Helen Vaughn a grant to fund a beehive for the Beekeeping Club. Following a model at other Maine high schools, the hives will be maintained by the students and integrated into CEHS courses.
Finding Perfect CEMS Community Read-Along
CEMS Nurse Jill Young received a grant for an all-school read aloud project, continuing the school’s focus on mental wellness. Students and staff at CEMS will receive a copy of the book Finding Perfect by Ellie Swartz. Guest readers will be invited to record a chapter, and Swartz will visit for a discussion and book signing.
Read more here!
Sentry: https://sentry.mainelymediallc.com/articles/reading-and-responding/
Cape Courier, Page 8: http://www.capecourier.com/archive/2019/20190326.pdf
Original Wind Symphony Composition
Tom Lizotte, band director at CEHS, received a grant to commission a piece for the Wind Symphony at the high school based on the 1929 Fritz Lang silent film Metropolis. The composer, Jay Kennedy, has worked previously with Lizotte and CEHS.
Teacher’s Lounge Update
Middle School Principal Troy Eastman and Director of Teaching and Learning Cathy Stankard were awarded a grant to upgrade the teacher’s lounge and conference room at the Middle School to facilitate collaboration amongst Middle School faculty.
Spring Grant Session, 2018
CEEF Awards over $27,000 in Grants this Spring!
The Cape Elizabeth Education Fountain (CEEF) announced that seven grants received $27,830 in funding during the bi-annual CEEF Grant Night. The teachers, students and administrators who conceived and presented thoughtful and impactful grant requests, will advance Cape Elizabeth students and will help drive innovation across the three schools.
Spring Grant Night was impressive in the depth of submissions but also in the broad categories they covered. Grants ranged from a Sexual Assault Awareness Event, to Ancient Civilization learning through Grains, up to Robots with Artificial Intelligence integration.
The Grants below would not be possible without the charitable contributions CEEF receives each year, from a generous group of donors who make big dreams possible. Visit www.CEEF.us for more information and to get involved.
VEX Robotics
Equipment Upgrade for CEHS and CEMS presented by Evan Thayer. Continue to advance student access to STEM opportunities.
Maine Inside Out/Portland Outright
A though-provoking original play concept presented by John Holdridge and performed for the entire CEHS community with opportunity for post show reflection activities. In addition, actors will conduct classroom visits several in English and Social Studies classes.
Sexual Assault Awareness
Off-Site Event for Upperclassmen presented by CEHS Students, Abigail Caswell and Chloe Chapin
Larger than Life Theater
Presented by Janna Robinson, CEHS Art Fundamentals classes will design, perform and create larger than life puppet show. PC students to help develop the plot of the show.
Grains – From birth of civilization to Maine Bakers
Presented by Morgan Kerr. Building a wood fired clay oven to bake bread helps connect students to Ancient Civilizations and world cultures today.
Multi-Modal Learning
For Students receiving speech and language services presented by Susan Bahadori. Enhance multimodal learning through technology for students at CEHS, CEMS and PC to support individual learning styles.
Global Collaboration: CEMS Learns the World
Presented by Susan Dana. CEMS Students will work with a sister classroom in Spain to plan, organize and design reusable bags in support of the United Nation’s Global Goals for Sustainable Development initiative.
The Cape Elizabeth Education Foundation is an independent 501 (c)3 organization which provides resources outside of the traditional budget, in order to enhance the overall educational environment for the students. CEEF is committed to supporting its mission and helping Cape Elizabeth remain a leading school district in the State. Get in touch with CEEF by emailing or calling to discuss volunteer opportunities: info@ceef.us or (207) 767-2333
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