Go Talk Devices for Chandler Preschool - The Go Talk Devices provide visual and voice output for targeted instructional topics in the preschool. These devices enhance our students’ abilities to learn through multiple sensory channels. The devices are also very motivating and reinforcing.  Instructional areas to be targeted using the devices include, but are not limited to:  literacy, social, auditory, and receptive/expressive language.  The devices are intended to be used to augment teacher instruction as a technology tool to enhance auditory, tactile, and visual learning.

Calculus and Algebra II Text Packages and Smartboard Technology – This cutting edge technology math program will affect all students at DHS. This interactive approach to teaching algebra and calculus will engage the students while improving comprehension of difficult concepts and allows teachers to accommodate many different learning styles.  All DHS students take Algebra II and approximately 72% of DHS seniors take Calculus.  This program provides an opportunity for students to interactively learn algebra and calculus via innovative math technology software and textbook packages in combination with Smartboard interactive whiteboards.  Students will be able to access their textbooks online at school and at home. The textbook technology and math software packages help students understand complex math by displaying step-by step math problems, graphical animation, and allowing for the creation of custom-designed and interactive worksheets.  Instruction becomes visual, exploratory and discovery-oriented, resulting in students that are highly motivated, actively engaged, and performing at a deeper understanding of mathematics.  The technology package also includes “MathSpeak” for visually impaired learners.  This grant funds three Smartboard interactive whiteboards, Calculus and Algebra II textbook and technology supplement packages, and LiveMath and Sketchpad math software programs. 

Simple Machine Unit Science Materials – 5th graders love to see how things work!  This grant funds the purchase of science materials for a Grade 5 science unit on the study of Simple Machines.  The materials include Lego manipulatives, the use of inclined planes, pulley sets, and gears sets. Teaching science with hands-on investigations and labs is a proven approach to help students gain a better understanding of content material. The support of these enrichment materials helps students become more confident in their science reasoning and thinking skills.

5th graders pictured here enjoy hands-on learning using the Simple Machines Kits that include inclined planes, pulley sets, and gears sets.

Instructional Programming Development for High-End Learners – The Duxbury School District has been exploring instructional programming opportunities for students who are high-end learners (formerly gifted and talented students).  Research has shown that an instructional approach that utilizes lesson extension in the classroom is the best way to challenge advanced learners and to close the achievement gap for at-risk learners.  This grant covers the cost for five Duxbury educators to participate in a week-long professional development conference at the 31st CONFRATUTE Summer Institute on Enrichment Learning and Teaching at the University of Connecticut.  CONFRATUTE coordinators, Joseph Renzulli and Sally Reis, are the leaders in the talented and gifted instructional movement.  The focus of the CONFRATUTE is program development that addresses differentiated instruction, high-end learning and enrichment teaching.  This grant also covers the fees for a consultant in the field of talented and gifted education to then assist the Duxbury faculty as they pilot differentiated instructional programming to small groups of high-end learners clustered together within regular classrooms this fall at the Alden School.  The transition to Duxbury Middle School will be developed during the 2008-2009 school year.  The ultimate goal is to develop a District capacity as this programming becomes part of the school culture.

High School Advisory Program – A new advisory program at Duxbury High School will start in the fall of 2008.  This advisory program is designed to facilitate improved student achievement and behavior for every high school student.  Each student will meet regularly in a small group setting with a staff member advisor.  Each grade level advisory group will remain together meeting every two weeks for 30 minutes throughout their high school career.  High school advisory programs are known for enriching the lives of students and staff through personalization of the learning process.  A Youth Risk Survey indicated that 35% of DHS students felt that they did not have an adult at the high school that they could go to for help, and only 51% felt that DHS staff cared about them. The students will be able to develop a connection with an advisor, provide support and be supported by fellow advisory group members, improve problem-solving and decision-making skills, and gain an appreciation for individuality of fellow advisory group members.  This grant funds the costs for a program coordinator and start-up materials.

Where Everybody Belongs (WEB) Professional Development Training – The DEF-funded Where Everybody Belongs (WEB) program was first implemented in the 2007-2008 school year at DMS.  Now in its second year, the WEB program is a peer-leader middle school transition program that welcomes sixth graders to the school by eighth grade WEB leaders.  Last year this well-received program involved training for 60 eighth grade WEB Leaders who welcomed 230 incoming sixth grade students.  Sixth grade students were surveyed about the WEB experience and 97% agree that WEB will benefit them as a DMS student.  Built on the belief that students want to and can help other students succeed, the WEB middle school transition program trains members of the eighth grade class to be WEB leaders, who as positive role models act as motivators, leaders and teachers.  Web leaders guide sixth graders to discover what it takes to be successful in middle school. This DEF grant funds the training for one additional DMS staff member to attend a three-day professional development WEB training program conducted by “The Boomerang Project.”

The 2008 WEB leaders pictured here are leading an activity with the incoming 6th graders in the DMS gymnasium.

Advanced Microscopes - Between 350 and 400 students at DHS take a Biology course each year.  This grant provides for the purchase of ten new advanced microscopes (magnification @ 1000X).  The study of the structure of bacteria, its role in the environment and affect on human life is possible when students are able to examine the cells using a microscope that magnifies 1000 times. The microscopes will be used by students in all Introductory Biology, AP Biology, Biology II, and Biotechnology courses at DHS. 

Lighting Board for Goodknight Theater – After 20 years, the lighting board, which controls the lighting at each performance in the DHS Goodknight Theater and auditorium stopped working.  The lighting board is used during performances by many students who take acting classes and participate in the Drama Club, which is the largest co-curricular group at DHS with over 100 students currently enrolled. Students gain first-hand experience by being involved in all aspects of a production, including acting, directing, and supporting a performance, which includes operating the lighting board.  This grant supplements funds already raised by family members of students involved in the program. 

Colonial School House Program for Alden students – This Colonial School House program for all Alden third graders allows students to see what it was like to be educated in early America.  This in-school field trip program ties in directly with the third grade Social Studies unit on both the Pilgrims and Massachusetts.  The students participate in daily lessons using era appropriate tools such as horn books and slates.  This grant supplements funds already contributed by the Alden PTA.

Ron Clark Academy Educator’s Professional Development Conference – This weekend conference in Georgia includes workshops on how to have a creative classroom in a time of increased accountability, vocabulary and reading, hands-on science, math methods for raising test scores, innovative strategies for connecting with parents and the community, and setting student expectations to foster excellence.  This grant provided funding for one Alden 5th grade teacher to attend the conference.

Annual Institute for Experienced AP Teachers Professional Development – This two-day workshop, designed for teachers with experience teaching AP language, provides instruction on developing innovative AP assignments, revitalizing the AP course and gathering updated AP test information to enhance existing AP language programs.  The grant provided funding for the DHS Spanish and French AP teachers to attend the workshop.

B-Informed Data Collection System – The B-Informed data collection system allows families to easily and efficiently stay informed of what is going on in their school community.  Duxbury High School and Duxbury Middle School currently send newsletters home via email, while Alden and Chandler families receive paper newsletters.  Family registration is done on paper and the data is manually entered into the email system employed by the Duxbury Public Schools.  This system will enable all schools to send email newsletters, allowing for easy and accurate online registration and updates.  To register visit the Duxbury Public Schools website B-Informed page.