Third-grade teachers in five communities to share nearly $148K in grants

PHILANTHROPISTS John and Letitia Carter, front row, are seen with a card thanking them for funding nearly $148,000 in grants to five schools. They are joined by Rhode Island Foundation CEO Neil Steinberg and teachers and administrators representing some of the schools that received Spark Grants for classroom innovation. Steinberg is standing to the left, behind John Carter, who is holding the card. / COURTESY THE RHODE ISLAND FOUNDATION
PHILANTHROPISTS John and Letitia Carter, front row, are seen with a card thanking them for funding nearly $148,000 in grants to five schools. They are joined by Rhode Island Foundation CEO Neil Steinberg and teachers and administrators representing some of the schools that received Spark Grants for classroom innovation. Steinberg is standing to the left, behind John Carter, who is holding the card. / COURTESY THE RHODE ISLAND FOUNDATION

PROVIDENCE – A total of 157 third-grade teachers in five communities will share nearly $148,000 in grants through Spark, a program that encourages classroom innovation in urban school districts.
According to the Rhode Island Foundation, the Spark program was conceived and funded by philanthropists Letitia and John Carter. Launched last year with $75,000 in awards to Providence third-grade teachers, Spark has been expanded this year to include teachers in Central Falls, Newport, Pawtucket and Woonsocket.
“We were impressed by the creativity and impact of last year’s proposals,” said Letitia Carter. “Third grade is a crucial period in the academic development of children. Widening the reach of the program will put more youngsters on the road to a lifetime of academic achievement.”
Spark grants are for one-time expenses and not for ongoing projects. Full-time third-grade teachers in any public or charter school in these towns are eligible for grants of up to $1,000 to fund programs intended to engage students in unique experiences and creative learning methods, said Neil Steinberg, president and CEO of the Foundation.
“The Carters are once again promoting change by example,” Steinberg said. “Their vision is giving teachers a remarkable opportunity to be innovative.”
The announcement took place at Francis Varieur Elementary School in Pawtucket. Teachers Mary Bergeron and Donna Sawyer will pool their $1,000 grants to purchase 25 cameras to support learning activities and the documenting of visits to urban, suburban and rural communities as part of a unit on social studies.
“Our students will now have the opportunity to experience learning outside of the classroom and to demonstrate their understanding of the content through the arts,” said Sawyer. “We are thankful that this opportunity allows us to provide an enriching and creative learning experience for our young scholars.”
As the largest eligible district, Providence teachers received the bulk of the grants. All but two of the 21 eligible elementary schools in Providence were awarded funding. In all, 101 teachers will share nearly $96,000 for classroom initiatives.
The proposals include inviting an artist to help Pleasant View Elementary students write a narrative version of Cinderella and a year-long character education program at William D’Abate Elementary.

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