WEDGE, the West Geauga Educational Foundation provides funding for potential learning innovations in the West Geauga School System. Since funds for trying new ideas are not always available in the school budget, the West Geauga Educational Foundation works to fill this gap. Each year the foundation receives many grant requests from teachers, administrators, students and parents. Although many great ideas are submitted each year, selection is based upon applications that meet criteria created by WEDGE founders. Trustees follow these criteria as they carefully review each application before deciding upon which programs to fund.
We are excited to announce the West Geauga Educational Foundation 2010-2011 school year awards.
Boogie Board™ Paperless LCD Writing Tablet
Funds from WEDGE will provide West Geauga High School Math Teacher, Kathleen Cooey with the opportunity to have her students use electronic writing tablets to complete problems in class. The Boogie Boards are an environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional paper that allow for quick formative assessments.
First Tech Challenge – Robotic Club
Funds will provide the West Geauga high school robotics team with the opportunity to participate in the FIRST Tech Challenge competition. FIRST Tech Challenge is an international competition in which high school students design, build and program robots. Students participating in this competition have the opportunity to earn a place in the World Championship as well as qualify for college scholarships. The grant from WEDGE will cover the cost of the competition entry fee and spare parts for the robot. Upon hearing the news of securing the grant, Natalie Cooper, West Geauga High School Physics Teacher said, ‘The robotics team is very excited to compete in Erie, PA in February. Thank you to WEDGE for helping our students have this important opportunity!”
HearBuilder® Educational Software
HearBuilder is a SMART Board compatible, research-based software program that not only helps students to improve listening skills, such as sequencing, auditory memory, and phonological awareness, but also provides teachers with individualized progress monitoring. Speech-Language Pathologist, Denise Gaskell will be able to secure a complete set with the WEDGE grant money.
Kids and Kindles™:
Funds provided by the West Geauga Educational Foundation will provide Primary Skills Intervention Specialist, Barb Force with Kindles to use as a teaching tool. Barb Force states, “…I am looking forward to using them with 2nd and 3rd grade students. And the students are looking forward to it too! The Kindles will provide some extra excitement and spark some motivation for reading. They will also provide students with another modality, another option in reading, and we can hardly wait to get started!”
WILSON Reading System®
The Wilson Reading System provides a highly-structured supplemental reading and writing curriculum designed to promote reading accuracy and spelling for students with word-level deficits. Funds provided by the West Geauga Educational Foundation will enable Intervention Specialists, Renee Schonhiutt and Tracy Wolfhope to round out their program by purchasing the Wilson Just Words Teacher’s Kit, the Wilson Fluency Kit and gel boards and pens.
None of these awards would be possible without financial support from the community. We thank those who attend our annual fundraisers such as the Thanksgiving Day Pancake Breakfast which once again, takes place at the Chesterland McDonald’s and features a breakfast of pancakes, sausage with juice, milk or coffee for just $4.00.
If you would like to help, attend one of our events or make a donation, please contact WEDGE President, Jerry Pignolet at 440-338-5196.
Media Contact
Caroline Concilla
440.729.8431
