Randolph Foundation for Education

Post-Pandemic Randolph Foundation for Education

• Replacement Books (Donovan School)
• Water Quality Testing (RCMS)
• Beebots (Young School)
• Math Manipulatives (RCMS)
• First Grade Vocabulary (Kennedy School)
• Wild Turkeys in the New England (Donovan School)

The Randolph Foundation for Education, like many organizations, struggled through the pandemic -- but now we're restarting our "Teacher Grant" program. The RFE spent the pandemic doing a few teacher grants each semester, but mostly we focused on distributing over 4,000 COVID PPE Kits. Now, we'd like to invite teachers and community members to join our board, and restore our teacher grant program to its previous frequency. Here are some of the teacher grants we awarded during the pandemic:

Replacement Books (Donovan School)

These books are replacements of older copies, to align with newer themes, for grade 5. The teachers are delighted to have replacements for the older, worn-and-torn copies.

Heather O'Hara (left) is holding "Esperanza Rising", and Jenna Ebert-Pina (right) is holding the "I am Malala" book. These books are about diversity, inclusion, and identity.

Water Quality Testing (RCMS)

Water Quality Testing for Randolph Lakes & Ponds: Completed at one school with RFE funding and planning a second round of RFE-funded testing. Pictured above are (from left to right) RFE board member Mary Barrett; RFE Director Judy Conway; RFE President Jesse Gordon; Bob Michelson; and RCMS 7th-grade teacher Ari Joniac.

Water Testing Kit Contents:
• Digital thermometer with probe - Why is testing temperature important? Water temperature is the first water quality parameter that can impact the health of an aquatic environment in a lake, or pond. If the temperature is too high, then cold water fish species such as brook trout will perish. If colder than 40 degrees, then warm water fish such as bass get very sluggish and become inactive. High water temperatures also reduce the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water that fish rely on for survival.
• Wide Range pH test solution bottle - A pH of 7.0 is considered ideal for plants and fish in the pond. Some species of pond, or lake plants, such as waterlilies and hyacinths thrive in slightly acidic water below 7.0. Pond fish prefer on alkaline pH above 7.0. An acceptable pH range is generally accepted at between 6.8 to 8.2. Extreme pH levels above 8.2, or below 6.8 is not good for aquatic life.
• Ammonia Test Solution bottle
• Nitrite Test Solution bottle
• Phosphate Test Solution bottle

Beebots (Young School)

Young School grade 2 literacy

Bee-Bots are a wonderful tool to teach students the fundamentals of computational thinking. The small robot can remember up to 40 commands consisting of forward, backwards, left and right movements to maneuver around the floor. ... The Bee-Bot allows students to create, explore, and problem solve to achieve success.

This project was run by Young School teacher Susan Rudden-Horgan. Ms. Rudden-Horgan notes the newly purchased Beebot robots are a tool to teach the students the fundamentals of computational thinking as well as to create, explore, and problem-solve with 40 different comamnds.

Math Manipulatives (RCMS)

Students must learn mathematics with understanding, actively building new knowledge from experience and previous knowledge. We are planning to create a Math Manipulatives Library with material from all of 6th grade math domains. A Math Manipulatives Library will allow students to start at the concrete level and build to the abstract level. It will also give them the chance to actively build that knowledge from experience. A hands-on approach with manipulatives will deepen that understanding and allow them to be ready to expand on that knowledge and carry it to the next level with Learning.

Pictured above are (left to right) RFE Director Judy Conway; RFE board member Mary Barrett, 6th grade teacher Alissa Kennedy, and RFE President Jesse Gordon. Not pictured is Sue Smith, the other 6th grade teacher involved in this project.

First Grade Vocabulary (Kennedy School)

Building vocabulary and phonemic awareness through visuals: Not only to help the three first-grade classes, but also the special needs classes. This project is a huge benefit for English-language learners, as well.

RFE provided funding for four "kits" of hundreds of picture vocabulary cards, for four different classrooms. Project was run by Kennedy School teachers Nicole Houghton and Giuseppe Delisi

Wild Turkeys in the New England Area (Donovan School)

Right before Thanksgiving 2021, the people of Randolph saw wild turkeys everywhere around town. What's their story?

The presentation in the photos above is from November 12, at the Donovan School, about Eastern Wild Turkeys. The presentation was also made at RCMS.

Students at the Donovan School were treated to a presentation of the Eastern Wild Turkeys by photographer Bob Michelson. Teachers passed out informational hand-outs, to explain all the different aspects of wild turkeys. The presentation was attended by RFE Board members Mary Barrett and Judy Conway. "Students were attentive and had great questions for the presenter, and I myself learned so much to talk about at Thanksgiving," says Ms. Conway.

The presentation was made with the participation of Principal Beth Gannon, and the valued attendance and participation of Assistant Principal Erin Finn. Several teachers brought in their students and enjoyed the presentation as well!

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