Lynn Public Schools teachers, principals, and professional staff have been awarded 55 Hardscrabble Education Fund Grants worth more than $200,000. The grant money will support teaching initiatives and student achievement in Lynn schools.
Each year, the Hardscrabble Education Fund supports projects benefiting Essex County public-school students in Beverly, Lynn, Marblehead, Nahant, Salem and Swampscott by issuing grants to teachers, schools, or districts. The grant program, run by the Essex County Community Foundation, awards one-year grants, primarily in the areas of English, science and mathematics, in amounts of $1,000-$5,000.
Since its inception in 2002, the Hardscrabble Education Fund has awarded more than $730,000 to Lynn Public Schools.
“One of the reasons we’ve given so much to Lynn is because of the creative and innovative proposals we’ve received from the Lynn teachers. We’ve received more strong proposals from Lynn teachers than we have from any other district,” said Julie Bishop, Vice President for Grants and Services at the Essex County Community Foundation.
In past years, many Hardscrabble grant projects have been focused on literacy or reading initiatives and the replacement of instructional classroom supplies. This year, projects were primarily technology-based; of the $200,000 awarded to the Lynn school district, more than $125,000 will go toward the purchase of interactive technology tools such as SMART Boards, iPads and accessories.
All public schools within the district are eligible to apply for the grants, while public charter schools are ineligible. Grant proposal submission is restricted to teachers, principals, or professional staff.
Priority is given to proposals that support teaching initiatives; promote staff development; introduce or enhance the use of technology; promote connections between the community and public schools; encourage experiential learning; increase instructional supplies; and combine outside community resources.
When submitting a proposal, applicants must include a detailed description of the school, the level of need, the project idea and its anticipated goals, and an itemized budget of all expenses. All grant applications are due by April 1 and are reviewed by an advisory committee.