2 0 1 2 V I S I O N S for L E A R N I N G

A Program for School Educators

The goal of Ecolabs grant program for school educators is to encourage and reward individual teachers creativity and innovation in classroom learning by providing opportunities that will 1) Motivate and challenge students intellectually 2) Raise student achievement 3) Increase student understanding of academic content, including technical/vocational studies 4) Increase student understanding of the connection between school and life The program provides materials and resources through grants ranging from $100 up to $3,000 to teachers in specific communities surrounding Ecolab facilities.

Guidelines:
Funds are available for the purchase of materials for the purpose of increasing student understanding of academic content The proposal must be student interactive and improve thinking skills Materials requested must be part of a curriculum plan (e.g., software will help meet specific learning goals)

Criteria:
Proposals will be reviewed and ranked by an Ecolab employee committee according to the following criteria, with top-ranked proposals receiving funding: Learning/improved thinking skills that will result from the project Relationship of requested resources to the curriculum and students Plan for evaluating results Number of students to be served Involvement of parents and/or other community resources Preference will be for projects that involve cross-learning between different courses (e.g. math and English, history and foreign language) Teacher-evaluated quality of expected individual student experience Priority will be given to projects that serve the most at-risk students

What will not be funded:

Computers and computer hardware Staff or substitute time Staff development Ecolab product donations Projects that do not directly impact students

Application information:
Each question on the application form must be answered. Supplemental materials are not necessary, and no more than two additional pages will be accepted. Please note, only one application will be accepted per educator. Deadline: Proposals must be received at ECOLAB by 4:00 PM April 26, 2012 whether hand-delivered, mailed through the postal service, e-mailed or faxed. All applicants will receive notice by mail in by the end of May and funds will be available at the start of school in the fall.

Mail: S. Scott McKinley, Sr. /Ecolab, Inc. 261 Highway 155 South, McDonough, GA 30253 Fax: 770-954-1528

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Cover Sheet Do not exceed one page Date: 03/01/2012 School District: Griffin-Spalding County Schools Applicants Name: Kim Hollingsworth School: Cowan Road Elementary School Home Address (for notification purposes only): 1295 South McDonough Road City, State, ZIP: Griffin, Ga. 30224 Home Phone: 770-228-8360 Cost of Materials Requested: School Address: 1233 Cowan Road City, State, ZIP: Griffin, GA 30223 School Phone: 770-229-3790 Position/Department/Subject: Media Specialist
American Indian: Hispanic/Latino: Caucasian:

$ 1948.94
African American: Asian/Pacific Islander:

School Demographics Indicate the percentage of your students that are: 48 %

Free / Reduced Lunch:

3%
Special Education:

0%
ELL:

5%

41 %

67 % 15.60 % 9.1 % Summary of Project (2-3 sentences): This project will help to improve the reading fluency and comprehension skills of students by providing reinforcing activities. Listening centers will be used to improve reading comprehension/fluency, and vocabulary. Summary of Requested Materials (detailed list on subsequent page): The requested materials include listening centers and grade-level appropriate audio CDs and matching titles. One paragraph summary of purpose and expected results of proposal: The purpose of the project included in this proposal is to help provide students with materials and activities that promote reading fluency and comprehension. Listening centers provide models of fluent reading. This project will provide an opportunity for parent volunteers and members of the schools Partner in Education Program to come into the classroom and work with students. The results are expected to increase the number of students who are able to meet the state standards in reading comprehension and fluency. The use of the listening centers will also provide a way for parents to become actively involved in their childs education. It will also help to build relationships with members of the local community. Applicants Signature: Principal: please print and sign name

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1. Briefly explain the main problem or need that this proposal addresses and what results are expected? It is critical for children to have a strong foundation in reading. If a child struggles with reading, it will be reflected in all aspects of his/her learning. Children that live in low income homes often face the challenge of having parent(s) who struggle with reading. Being able to check out listening centers and audio books will provide children with a model of fluent reading. This is critical for emergent readers. Children can listen to stories they enjoy over and over while building fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary skills. 2. Briefly, explain how this proposal will improve student learning or thinking skills? Teachers will be allowed to check the listening centers out of the media center and use of them in the classroom. Students will have the opportunity to listening to the stories multiple times while following along in a book. This will provide a model of fluent reading, improve vocabulary, and help with story comprehension. 3. Describe how the materials requested relate to the curriculum/classroom in which they will be used? All books are directly related to the Georgia Performance Standards for K-2. The level of the books range from K-2, This will allow students who are below-level, on level, and above level to be served. Book sets have been selected to meet a variety of student interests and backgrounds. Many of the books can also be used with existing units. 4. Describe any parental or other community involvement? Parents (and/or other family members) will be encouraged to volunteer to work with and monitor students while they are working at the listening centers. For the single parent that works in the evening, this will give them a chance to be an active participant in their childs learning. Because our school has a large population of low income families that may not be able to purchase books for skill practice at home, these listening centers will provide students with extra reading practice. Encouraging our Partners in Education to come and work with the students will help to build relationships between the students and their community. 5. Briefly explain how the results will be evaluated? STAR reader/math test (computerized test that monitors reading ability and comprehension) are given in the fall, winter, and spring. Results show the current grade level each student is reading on. Implementing listening centers should help to increase student achievement and should be reflected in STAR reader test scores. These tests help to monitor student growth.

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6. Approximately how many students will be affected by these resources and in what way(s)? There are 6 first grade classrooms (approximately 100 students) that would be affected with these resources. Teachers will be allowed to check these items out of the library and use them in the classrooms. 7. Please check the category into which this request falls: X Communications/Language Arts Arts/Music Job Skills 8. Have you received an Ecolab award before? Yes No X Briefly evaluate results of that award, including anything learned (from either success or failure) that might help improve future results: 9. Are there other funding sources available for this project? Explain: N/A Math Science Other

Project Budget
Project Name: Improving Fluency, Comprehension, and Vocabulary Skills with Listening Centers School: Cowan Road ES Teacher: Kim Hollingsworth General Supplies Item Supplier Cost each Quantity Total Cost
CD Player Listening Center 15 Audio CDs w/ matching titles Tax Shipping Classroom Direct Scholastic 119.99 168.00 6 6 $719.94 $1008. $121.00 $100.00

Total Project Cost: Total Request (Project Cost minus Other Income) Enter this number on cover sheet.

$ 1948.94 $ 1948.94

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APPLICANT S BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION (Simply attach a resume if you wish) Name: Kim Hollingsworth Address: 1295 South McDonough Road City: State: Griffin GA Education (degrees/colleges/major): Home Phone: 770-228-8360

ZIP: 30224

M. Ed. Instructional Technology, Georgia Southern University B.S. Early Childhood Education, Mercer University, Henry County A.A.S Networking Specialist, Griffin Technical College, Griffin, GA Licensure: T-5 certificate

Employment Experience (district/subject/dates): 2005-2006 Stepping Stones Educational Therapy Center 2007- Present Griffin-Spalding County School System, Cowan Road Elementary, Media Specialist

Other biographical information (optional), e.g. professional organizations, community activities, recognition, etc: Member of the American Association of School Librarians