NEF to award round of grants

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NAUGATUCK — A live morning broadcast led by middle school students and a peer editing program where students help their classmates with writing assignments are two of the interesting programs that will be funded this year by the Naugatuck Education Foundation.

The nonprofit organization, which raises money and gives it to public school educators to fund programs that are not included in the annual education budget, will give four grants this year. The amounts will be revealed during a grant ceremony April 7 at 4 p.m. in the Naugatuck High School Media Center.

NEF has a competitive grant process where teachers, aides and/or administrators can apply for funding. The programs must be unique and show potential to enhance learning opportunities. Since its inception in 2012, the foundation has given out more than $60,000 for a variety of programs in all 10 borough public schools.

This year’s recipients include:

  • Alyce Misuraca, Hillside Intermediate School, has applied with help from students for money to start a T.E.C.H. Club, which stands for Technology, Engaging, Curiosity and Hands On building. It will give students the opportunity to interact with technology through robotics, game design and engineering.
  • Beth Lancaster and Marc Pardee at Naugatuck High School have applied for money to start a Serious About Science Program that will give students an opportunity to explore science topics in-depth. They will conduct laboratory investigations and prepare for the Connecticut Science Olympiad competition, which promotes science education through competitive tournaments.
  • Allison Stephens at City Hill Middle School has applied for funding for a program that will allow students to live broadcast their morning announcements and add news segments to them. Stephens wrote in her application that it will help students with research, public speaking, writing, technology and time management skills.
  • Laura Litewka at City Hill Middle School applied for money to start the Student Writing Center, where students will be trained to help their classmates with school papers and other forms of writing. There is a program at the University of Connecticut that helps train students to become peer editors.