The Waltham Education and Beyond Foundation on Tuesday awarded grants that will be used to update library technology, ramp up literacy programs, and even allow for actors to visit elementary schools to act out dramatic texts in the classroom.
Deb Marcou, the foundation's vice president, said the group doled out a total of $22,000 to local schools through two different grant programs.
There were seven different winners, with teachers from Waltham High School, Northeast Elementary, Stanley Elementary, Plympton Elementary, McArthur Elementary and McDevitt Middle School on hand at the Forefront Conference Center on Wyman Street to receive the awards that will allow them to add to their curriculum.
A grant from the Education and Excellence Grant Program awarded to the Waltham High School will give students access to updated technologies at the library there. Other money awarded will help develop a program linking literature and math at Northeast and MacArthur schools.
Bob Eagle, founder and director of Reagle Players, along with Thomas O' Toole, director of drama and English arts at Waltham High School, applied for and received a grant that will enable actors to visit elementary schools so they can act out dramatic texts.
Money from the Sally Elizabeth Peters Enrichment Program, which funds work that focuses on the arts, theater, drama and science, will help bring an educational music group to perform for special education and integrated preschool programs at Northeast and Stanley schools, as well boost a ``hands on'' science program at Northeast.
The nonprofit Education and Beyond Foundation was started in 2007 to help Waltham students and teachers by raising cash to develop programs not funded through the school budget.
``We wanted to try to do more and reach more students,'' said Marcou.
The foundation now has two big fundraisers, the Quack for Education Duck Race, which is held in September on the Charles River and the Educate Your Palate event, which features a wine tasting, art displays and dishes prepared by culinary students at Waltham High School.
``We reach out to the community for sponsorships,'' Marcou said.
The money raised is used not only to fund the grant, but also to buy supplies and to ensure the foundation's existence.
Richard Conn can be contacted at 781-398-8004 or rconn@cnc.com.
WALTHAM —
