The Wayland Public Schools Foundation Awards $100,000 in grants to Wayland Public Schools Awards focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion programming, as well as technology, music, and innovation in teaching.
The Wayland Public Schools Foundation, a volunteer-based, not-for-profit organization that works to enhance and support the educational mission of Wayland Public Schools, today announced that it awarded almost $100,000 in grants for the 2021/2022 cycle to the Wayland Public Schools. Awards this year focused on diversity, equity, inclusion programming, technology, music, and innovation in teaching.
When asked about this year’s grant cycle, Wayland Public Schools Foundation president Marcia Irwin expressed, “A heartfelt thank you to the Wayland community for supporting our schools. During such a difficult time, we were able to grant $100k towards a diverse and meaningful set of grants this year. We are amazed and fortunate to have staff and teachers continually thinking of groundbreaking ways to enhance our children’s education. Innovative thinking such as these grants is what puts Wayland Public Schools on the map”
The 2021/2022 Grant awards include:
- PLAY FOR CHANGE, Claypit Hill Elementary School. This grant fully funds a year-long partnership between the Claypit Hill School kindergarten teachers and facilitators from Play for Change, which creates theatrical experiences, puppetry, music, and art, to help children experience lessons in racial justice and learn to become change-makers. The facilitators from Play for Change will also work with the kindergarten teachers to create and then share anti-racist and social justice lessons.
- KINESTHETIC LEARNING IN THE CLASSROOM, Loker Elementary School. This grant funds the purchase of four-pedal desks, which will allow students to exercise while learning to help those who struggle with attention. The kinesthetic activity of these desks increases students’ ability to be more focused and thoughtful in their learning. At the same time, students can benefit from the emotional regulation and endorphins that come with increased exercise.
- NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC GIANT CONTINENT MAPS, Wayland Middle School This grant funds the acquisition of the National Geographic Giant Maps for the social studies and world language classes. The giant maps encourage students to literally ‘step into the world’ and experience lessons more dynamically.
- ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE “A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE” PEER LEADERSHIP PROGRAM, Wayland High School – This grant provides funding for the ADL’s “A World of Difference” program to be implemented at Wayland High School. The program aims to build a coalition of student leaders with faculty support trained in and empowered to strengthen anti-racist and anti-bias practices within the school community. Students selected as peer leaders will receive training and support as they meet with groups of students to provide skill-building around recognizing and addressing bias. Communication around differences will promote an overall environment of inclusivity, tolerance, and belonging.
- WAYLAND EXPLORATION LAB FOR DESIGN (“WELD”) AT WAYLAND HIGH SCHOOL Wayland High School – Designed as a “school within a school,” the Wayland Exploration Lab for Design (“WELD”) creates a culture where students pursue meaningful projects to develop teamwork, empathy, and passion. The program will lead students through a semester-long “Introduction to Innovation” course, an elective of their choosing, and a year-long capstone class for upperclassmen to utilize their skills and passions on a team focused on incubating and accelerating an idea into an actionable project or business. This project encourages experiential learning and creative endeavors by allowing students to explore innovation methodology across their experience at Wayland High School. Wayland High School Principal Allyson Mizoguchi is very excited about the grants awarded to the High School. “Thanks to the Wayland Public Schools Foundation, the high school is busy in preparation for several expanded and exciting programs this fall. Our Innovation program will increase its staffing, space, and course offerings so that students have more opportunities to learn about and implement “design thinking” in their learning. Teachers will have an opportunity to learn about design thinking and innovation principles through professional development at the start of this summer.” Mizoguchi added “We are also planning our launch of the Peer Leader program in partnership with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), with an eye towards training student leaders in the fall in time to work with all 9th graders on anti-bias strategies starting in January 2023. “
Other grants awarded include audio and E books, slant boards, human physiology sensors, ukuleles, cooking equipment, and more. To see the full breadth of WPSF’s impact on Wayland Public Schools and a complete list of this year’s grants, please visit www.waylandpublicschoolsfoundation.org.
The Wayland Public Schools Foundation (WPSF) is a volunteer-based, not-for-profit organization that works to enhance and support the educational mission of Wayland Public Schools beyond the means of conventional public funding. Working closely with the Superintendent and district leadership, the Foundation makes grants to support the curriculum, professional development, and innovation. Many successful programs initially supported by the Foundation have become integrated into the District’s curriculum. The Foundation is incredibly proud of the impact its programs have on students each day — both in the traditional academic sense and social and emotional learning. In addition to providing programs that enrich the school curriculum, community support for the Foundation helps us continue to attract the
cadre of teachers that seek to work in our district.
Foundation grants are made possible by contributions from Wayland parents, community members, and local businesses, including Summa Cum Laude sponsor, The Village Bank; Magna Cum Laude sponsor, Mathworks; Cum Laude sponsors, Middlesex Savings Bank, Oak Hill Architects, and Wonderstruck Studio; and Patron sponsors, Arbella Insurance, Baldwin Insurance Agency, btone Fitness, Chisholm Insurance, Donelan’s Supermarkets, Joint Ventures, Keystone Development Corporation, The Longfellow Club, Pediatric Dental of Wayland, Russell’s Garden Center, Wayland Dental and Washek Electric. The foundation’s Annual Appeal, Party, Spelling Bee and HATS OFF (Honor and Appreciate Teachers and Staff) program are the foundation’s primary fundraising campaigns and events.
For more information, contact info@waylandpublicschoolsfoundation.org.
