2017-2018 Grants

Grants Awarded

Over the last decade, CAPE has provided almost $300,000 in grants to support nearly 100 unique projects. Take a look at all of the past year's grants.

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2017-2018 CAPE Grant Awards

“Cultural Connections,” JFK, lead applicant - Elisa Blanchard, Gr. 4 teacher
This grant extends one that was awarded by CAPE in 2009 geared around the book, One Hen. This new grant will fund a book entitled, Emmanuel’s Dream, about a Ghanaian boy with a deformed leg who lives in a society that shuns people with disabilities. The boy bikes 400 miles around Ghana with the message that people who are disabled are not unable. JFK students will compare both books’ characters in depth, studying themes, narrative elements and text structure.

“Latin Logic,” CHS, lead applicants – Pam D’Agostino and Brian Thomas, Spanish and Performing Arts teachers
This grant helped to fund a day of cultural music and dance (March 6, 2018) at the High School by the professional group, Latin Logic. The group blends Latin Jazz with Afro-Caribbean rhythms. During the day, Latin Logic gave two in-school performances, as well as an evening show that was free and open to the entire Canton community. The band also held after-school master classes for interested CHS music students.

"QBALL Microphones,” Luce, lead applicant – Nancy Durang, Gr. 3 teacher
Each 3rd grade classroom at the Luce will be supplied with a tool known as a QBall thanks to this grant. A QBall is a microphone that can be tossed around the room and is designed to promote class participation and public speaking.

“Ceramic Studio Tour and Raku Firing Experience,” CHS, lead applicant – Theresa Hadley, Art teacher
This grant funds a field trip to a working ceramic co-op art studio in Warren, RI. CHS students will experience working in a ceramic studio with professional artists who utilize a unique firing technique called “Raku.” A total of 120 art students will go on the field trip, half this spring and half in the fall.

“The Kennedy Reads Together,” JFK, lead applicant – Christine Jacobs, Reading Specialist
The JFK plans to create a community of readers using the “One Book, One School” initiative. This grant will help support this effort. “One Book, One School” gets an entire school reading the same book over a set period of time. The book, and associated activities, engage each grade on a different level. After completing the book, the school plans to hold a culminating event with families to celebrate having read a book together, the characters they encountered, and the overall experience.

“Drumming Up More Rhythms,” Hansen, JFK, Luce, lead applicant – Sarah Joncas, Luce Music teacher
This is a follow-up grant to one awarded by CAPE last year that seeks to expand the number of drums available to all elementary school students in Canton. This year’s award will enable music teachers to purchase 72 hand drums and 6 Tubano drums that will be used in general music classes, and in Mallet Madness after school percussion ensembles.

“Battle of the Books,” Luce, lead applicant – Jennifer O’Connell, Gr. 3 teacher
The Luce third grade teachers will use this grant to purchase books for all their classrooms from a list provided by America’s Battle of the Books. Students will read the books over the course of the school year and then compete in teams against their peers in a Family Feud-style competition in June. The goal is to increase students’ exposure to different types of literature, to encourage engaging conversations about what they’ve read, and to foster a love of learning.

“Stress Free Zone for Finals,” CHS, lead applicant – Stephanie Shapiro, CHS Guidance Counselor
The high school will use funds provided by this grant to set up an activity area at the school during the three days of final exams in the spring. Students will be encouraged to come to the area to relax, have some fun, and hopefully decompress from exams. The area will include arts and crafts, board games, yard games that encourage movement, and a petting zoo.

“West African Music and Storytelling Through French and Sign,” CHS, lead applicants – Rebecca Stiles and Sharyn Hallal, French teachers
The high school French Department had artist/musician Brice Kapel perform for French and ASL students during World Language Week in March 2018. Kapel is a French-speaking musician/artist from Lome, Togo who works with students in French, and who teaches them French sign language. He also encourages students to perform with him. This grant would enable the teachers to bring Kapel back in the spring or fall to conduct addition in-school workshops and to give a concert.

“Diverse Books in the Classroom,” Hansen, lead applicant – Yan Yii, Gr. 5 teacher
The goal of this grant is to provide 5th grade students at the Hansen with literature that is reflective of their cultures, to engage students in talks about diversity, and to teach students empathy.

“Rain Barrel Design,” CHS, lead applicant – Michelle Mendez, Visual Arts instructor
The Rain Barrel Project is a collaboration between Drawing and Painting students and Engineering and Design students at the high school, and the Canton Neponset River Watershed. Students will design and decorate rain barrels, and then use what they learn about storm water runoff and recycling water to educate potential buyers of the rain barrels about the importance of water conservation. Proceeds from the sale of the rain barrels will go towards purchasing a water refill station for the high school.