Grant Recipients
​

2024-2025 ($32,838)

CURRICULUM GRANTS ($9,097)

• $1,210.05 to Michelle Kurchian, West Library Teacher for STATE the Facts! Complete Lightbox Collection 
• $1,398.00 to Beth Livermore and Paula Simpson, WMS Physical Education Teachers for Backyard Games: Corn Hole, Spike Ball and Curling.
• $1,100.00 to Kim Provensal, Boutwell, Wildwood, Shawsheen, Woburn St, West, North Schools Technology Specialist K-5 for Curriculum Materials to Enhance Ozobot Instruction
• $1,500.00 to Tim Walsh, Woburn Street School Special Educator for Woburn Street School Garden
• $237.85 to Michelle MacDonald, Woburn Street 1st Grade Teacher for STEM Bins for Morning Soft Start
• $751.50 to Colleen Maio and Kelly Mannarino, Wildwood, Speech Language Pathologists for AAC for Gestalt Language Processors Course and Media​
• $99.00 to Ashley Rokobauer, WHS Special Education Teacher for Story Shares High and Low Reading
• $749.35 to Colleen Cahill and Sarah Popp, WHS Special Education and Science Teacher for
• $751.50 to Karen Kantaros and Alexandra Lyons, Boutwell Speech Language Pathologists for AAC for Gestalt Language Processors Course and Media

JB EDUCATOR EXPLORATION GRANTS ($2,215)

• $900.00 to Samantha Prindville, WMS & WHS Chorus and Music Teacher for Theater Advisor Broadway Teachers Workshop
• $1,315.00 to Joanne Veliz, WHS French and Spanish teacher for Hummingbird Student Tours

TECHNOLOGY GRANTS ($14,072)

• $2,050.00 to Kim Provensal, District K-5 Elementary Tech Integration Specialist for 12 pack of Ozobots
• $390.00 to Christine Bridges, Wildwood Early Childhood Center Reading Specialist for Ipad (A16 with WiFi), tactile screen, and gift card for apps and a case
• $707.54 to Robyn Barry, North Intermediate and Boutwell for Music iPads in the Classroom
• $508.97 to Sophie Bishop and Kayla Borrell, West Intermediate Physical Education Teachers for Instant Replay: iPad and Software
• $1,074.00 to Michele Doucette, Amy Menezes, and Rosemary Tremblay, Shawsheen School Reading Specialist for Technology Integration for Reading Assesment: iPads
• $2,299.00 to Julie Kim and Marlene King, WHS Science CTL, Chemistry & Physics teachers and Robotics Team Mentors for Bambu Labs H2D AMS combo 3D printer
• $2,264.86 to Ed Kaizer and Charles Ronchetti, WMS STEM Teachers for Bambu Labs X1C Combo 3D Printer and Accessories
• $1,227.50 to Stacey Scott, Woburn Street School Principal for Pickup Patrol

MISCELLANEOUS GRANTS, STEM & ART FAIRS ($9,698)

• $450.00 to Katia Destefano, WMS Italian Teacher for Transportation to Italian Festival for middle school students
• $1,000.00 to Melissa Bettencourt, Pre-K - 5 Elementary Literacy Coordinator and Title 1 Director for Superhero Themed Family Literacy Night
• $1,500.00 to Jennifer Bolanos, Wildwood Educational Assistant for Sensory Walk
• $1,300.00 to Janet O'Reilly, Boutwell District Team Chair for Creating Sensory Spaces for All Students
• $3,000.00 to Michelle Levesque, K-5 STEM Coordinator for 2025 STEM Fair
• $2,448.32 to Lena Philips, District Art Teacher for 2025 Art Fair

2023-2024 ($22,276)

CURRICULUM GRANTS ($5,318)

• $520.00 to Sofia Gugliotta, Shawsheen Strides Teacher for Incorporating Sensory Play for Students w/Autism
• $2,376.00 to Michelle Levesqe, K-5 STEM Coordinator for Briding the gap with Bridges Intervention
• $1,950.00 to Christine Murray, Wildwood/Boutwell Office Support Srvcs for Creating Supportive Environments & Equitable Classrooms
• $250.00 to Ashley Rokobauer, WHSStrides & Life skills teacher for Unique Learning System for STRIDES & Life Skills
• $221.80 to Sara Serreze, WHSArt Teacher for Display Easels for High School Display Cases

MISCELLANEOUS GRANTS, STEM & ART FAIRS ($5,654)

• $286.83 to Jill Reynolds, North Classroom Teacher for Solar Eclipse Glasses
• $219.99 to Robin Abbott, Post Grad Special Ed Teacher for Vocation Units Mega Bundle and Materials
• $151.29​ to Robyn Barry, Boutwell Music Teacher for General Music Storybooks in the Library
• $995.96 to Michelle Kurchian, West Library Teacher for QUICK FIC: High Interest for Young Readers 
• $2500 to Michelle Levesque, K-5 STEM Coordinator for the 2024 STEM Fair
• $1,500.00 to Lena Philips, West Visual Arts Liaison/Vistual Arts Teacher for the 2024 District Wide Art Fair

TECHNOLOGY GRANTS ($11,305)

• $950.00 to Bethann Atkinson and Abigail Kacamburas, WSS Reading Specialists for 3 iPads and cases for DIBELS Assesments
• $392.00 to Megan Frain, Boutwell Reading Specialist for iPad, tactile screen, cases and apps for DIBELS assesments
• $1,775.00 to Stacey Melin, Shawsheen School Language Based Classroom, iPads for the Learning Based Classroom
• $58.88 to Katia DeStefano, WMS Teacher for Gimkit Subscription
• $2,437.99 to Ed Kaizer and Charles Ronchetti, WMS teachers for STEM Rocket Equipment
• $1,902.00 to Sarah Soares, WSS/NIS ESL Teacher for PocketTalk and PocketTalk Plus Translators
• $1,590.00 to Melanie Patterson, Shawsheen/Boutwell Librarian for CoverOne Book Repair Machine
• $2,199.00 to Heather Peachey, Wildwood/North Intermediate Librarian for ClearTouch Brand Board 

2022-2023 ($44,944)

CURRICULUM GRANTS ($9,357)

• $2500 to Heather Peachey, PreK-K Librarian, for VOX Books
• $2323.23 to Carrie Fitch, School Adjustment Counselor, for We All Belong at Wildwood
• $1512 to Michael Bullers, Paula Simpson and Beth Livermore, WMS teachers, for Fit Mats for Fitness
• $632.96 to Michelle Kurchian, West Librarian, for Mirrors & Windows, Embracing Diversity in the Library
• $500 to Michelle Levesque, STEM Coordinator, Stimulating Thinking Engagement and Making with STEM Bin Libraries 2
• $2484.50 to Michell Levesque, for Place Value - It’s Alive
• $1020.50 to Karen Santoro and Alexandra Perry, Speech Pathologists, for the Alternative and Assistive Communication Tool Kit for the Boutwell

MISCELLANEOUS GRANTS & ART FAIR ($3,915)

• $2103.90 to Megan Hinman, Visual Arts Liaison and teacher, for the WPS Art Fair and Mobile Art Display
• $1811 to Edward Foster, West Principal, for a Buddy Bench

JB EDUCATOR EXPLORATION GRANTS ($5,372)

• $1542.35 to Mary Beth Valuk, Mathematics CTL for WMS & WHS for Math Conference
• $2500 to Amy Meagher, Grade 5 Social Studies at the West Intermediate for Historic Triangle in Virginia
• $1330 to Joanne Veliz and Terresa Pietro, WHS language teachers for Linguistics in DC

TECHNOLOGY GRANTS ($23,530)

• $344 to Mike Sudak, Physical Education Teacher at Shawsheen Elementary School, for Engaging with Music and Movement.
• $1,499.95 to Amanda Salerno, Math Teacher at Wilmington High School, for TI-84 Graphing Calculators.
• $1,275 to Jill Reynolds (Fourth Grade Teacher) and Kate Pasternak (Fifth Grade Teacher) at the North Intermediate School for IXL (Math, Science, and Social Studies).
• $2,500 for Alyssa Raso, STRIDES Special Education Teacher at Boutwell Early Childhood Center, for Boutwell AAC Devices.
• $425 for Kimberly Provensal, Technology Integration Specialist for Wilmington Public Schools, for iPads for Green Screen and iMovie.
• $2,050 for Kimberly Provensal, Technology Integration Specialist for Wilmington Public Schools, for The Return of the Orzobots.
• $1,246 for Kelly Mannarino, Speech Language Pathologist at the Wildwood Early Childhood Center, for 2 iPads.
• $576 for Michelle MacDonald, First Grade Teacher at the Woburn Street School, for 4 Pockettalk Classic Language Translator Devices and Cases.
• $2,442.50 for Sean Lebrun, Teacher at Wilmington High School, for Songwriting.
• $1,501.12 for Michelle Kurchian, Library Teacher at the West Intermediate School, for Lightbox Interactive Multimedia.
• $2,396 for Ed Kaizer and Charles Ronchetti, STEM Teachers at Wilmington Middle School, for 3D Printers to Support Teaching CAD.
• $2,260.72 for Kerrie French, Music Teacher at Wildwood Early Childhood Center and the West Intermediate School, for Musical iPads - Digital Composition and More.
• $1,300 for Paula Doherty, Stepping Stones Teacher at Shawsheen Elementary School, for Social/Emotional Teacher.
• $638.84 for Robyn Barry, Music Teacher at the North Intermediate School, for iPads in the Music Room.
• $227 for Suzanne Krull, Speech Language Pathologist at Woburn Street School, for a one year subscription to Speech Therapy Plans.
• $100 for Alena Jewett, Health Teacher at the Shawsheen School, for Plickers Pro Subscription and Plickers classroom set of cards.
• $139.92 for Lauren Bessette, Speech Language Pathologist at the North Intermediate School, for an annual membership to ultimateSLP.com.
• $299 for Leah Allen, Speech Language Pathologist at the Shawsheen School, for and everyday speech subscription- social skill development.
• $2,329 for Samantha Onessimo, STAGES Liaison at the North Intermediate School, for Second Step® Elementary and Second Step® Middle School Digital Programs (Mind Yeti and SEL Digital Aids).​

​2021-2022 ($19,707)
      
CURRICULUM GRANTS ($9,357)

• Recipe for Reading Success Program Alphabet Series Starter Set  for Kelsey O’Neil and Niamh Annand, WSS SPED teachers, for $463
• STEM (Stimulating Thinking Engagement and Making) with STEM Bin Libraries to Michelle LeVesque, K-5 STEM Coordinator, for  $4400
•  Immersive Reading with Vox Books to Heather Peachey, Wildwood& Boutwell Librarian for Wildwood and Boutwell Schools for $2000
•  Math Games, Play Changes Everything to Amy Meagher, West 5th Grade teacher, for $430
•  Supporting Fluency During Reading Instruction to Kelly Sullivan, West SPED teacher, for $210
• Strengthening the Home School Connection Decodable Book library to Christine Hollaran and Christine Stanford, Wildwood teachers, for $994 
•  Unique Learning System for STRIDES Classroom to Ashley Rokobauer, WHS STRIDES teacher, for  $860

TECHNOLOGY GRANTS ($6,240)

• Kim Provensal (Technology Integration Specialist for K-5) for “Squishy Circuits” for $970
• Sue MacDonald (ESL / Curriculum Team Teacher for the District) for “Writing and Grammar Support with Quill.org” for $160.
• Jeanette Quirk (Administrator at the Middle School) for “You Up Lift eWall” for $799.
• Jeremy Salerno (Science Teacher at the High School) for “SPARKvue License, pH sensors, Spectrometer” for $965.
• Suzanne Krull (SLP at West Intermediate & Middle School) for “Everyday Speech” for $299.
• Michelle LeVesque (K-5 STEM Coordinator for the District) for “VEX GO Classroom Bundle” for $1,249.
• Lauren Bessette (SLP at North Intermediate) for “Annual Membership to UltimateSLP.com” for $140
• Jennifer Hanafin (Stepping Stones Classroom at West Intermediate & Middle School) for “iPad Integration” for $788.
• Robyn Barry (Music Teacher at West Intermediate & Boutwell) for “iPads in the Music Room” for $432
• Diana Hill (Post Grad Special Ed Teacher at the High School) for “Meta Quest VR Headset” for $399.
• Brenda Lomanno (Teacher at Middle School and District Tech Trainer) for “Mote” for  $39.

WEF MISC. GRANTS ($4,110)

• Community Evening with Schuyler Bailer for $2310
• Crystal O'Keefe, WMS teacher for Universal Design for Learning Training for $1800​​

STEM & Art Fairs


2020-2021 ($15,608) 
     
CURRICULUM GRANTS ($3,790)

• Heather Peachey and Michelle Kurchian (North and West Intermediate Librarians) for “Supporting Science in the Library” 46 titles for $912 
• Kristen Waldron (North & West Music Teacher) for “North Intermediate Ukelele Program”. This is to add from a similar grant provided to the West previously and to benefit the North Grades 4-5 for $1512.26 
• Carrie Fitch (Boutwell & Wildwood Adjustment Councelor) for “Strengthening Social-Emotional Skills for our Youngest Learners” for $495 
• Ashley Rokobauer (HS Life Skills teacher) for “Number Sense Software” for $429 

TECHNOLOGY GRANTS ($2,639)

• 3 iPads with protectors to Gary Nicholson, SPED TeacherWildwood for $942 to benefit STRIDES Program,PreK & K
• IXL Subscription to Michelle LeVesque, 4th Grade Teacher, West$44925
• 2 iPads, $100 Apple Gift Card for Apps, 2 iPad Cases, 2 iPad Screen Protectors, 3 Headphone Splitters, 5 Headphones to Robyn Barry, Music Teacher (Boutwell & West)  for $947.79
• 1-year Everday Speech subscription to Suzanne Krull, Speech Language Pathologist, West & WMS for $299.996 

EDUCATOR EXPLORATION GRANTS ($1,500)

• Nasa Training Camp 1 Day to Mary-Beth Valuk, Science Math Teacher & Science for WMS

WEF MISC. GRANTS ($3,348)

• Jennifer Perkins (Strings Teacher) $690 to restring school string instruments
• Kaley Dee, MS School Councilor, $500 for “Be Kind to All Kinds”
• Katelyn Scarfo, 1st Grade Woburn St., $500 for “Diverse Classroom Books to Promote Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion”
• Lisa King, Shawsheen Principal, $2719 for the “Bookworm Vending Machine”

​
2019-2020 ($21,269)
  
STEM & Art Fairs ($3,000 Pending 2022)

CURRICULUM GRANTS ($4,916)

• Keyboards for Kids: Samantha Prindiville and Michael Ferrara
• First Aid / Safety Courses for Individuals with Special Needs Project:Diana Hill
• Positive Impact Picture Books​: Michelle Kurchian $431
• Inner Explorer - Mindfulness Practice in the Classroom: Charlotte King
• Unique Learning System for Life Skills Classroom: Lauren Decker
• Battle Bots to Robots: Kristin Russo
• STEM Building Bins: Katelyn Scarfo
• Afro-Caribbean Culture Workshop: Terresa Pietro and Joanne Veliz

EDUCATOR EXPLORATION GRANTS ($7,223)

• Mindfulness Oregon Retreat and Workshop to bonnie gorrasi, West Teacher for $1,500.00
• New england aquarium Behind the Scenes to Erin Cowden for $1,500.00
• New York Museums to Courtney Cataldo, 2nd Grade teacher, Woburn St., for $1,500.00
• Mass literary tour to lisa desberg, for $950
• Glacier national park to kristen tozza, 2nd Grade teacher, Woburn st for $1,300.00
• Music of paris to samantha prindiville, WMS teacher $1,473.99

TECHNOLOGY GRANTS ($5,767)

• 1 yr subscription to Math Seeds: Larissa Weeks, First Grade Teacher, Shawsheen
• 2 year membership to Pear Deck: Kristin Smith, Grade 7 ELA Teacher,Middle School
• 90 pairs headphones designed for children: Kim Provensal, Elementary Technology Integration Specialist, West Intermediate
• Mightier subscription app & Heart rate monitors: Lisa King, Principal, Shawsheen Elementary
• Apple IPad, Touch Chat w/word power and Go Talk Now app, case: Holly Glynn, Speech-Language Pathologist, HS
• 2 IPads, 2 IPad cases, ITunes gift card for apps: Karen Kantaros & Alexandra Perry, Speech-Language Pathologist, Boutwell
• Apple Ipads, covers, Speech Language & Social Apps; 1 yr subscription to Everyday Speech:

​​           - ​Courtney McClendonSpeech-Language Pathologist, Mi ddle School 
           - Suzanne Krul, Speech-Language Pathologist, West & Middle
           - Michelle LeVesque, 4th Grade Teacher, West Intermediate

WEF MISC GRANTS ($363)

• Group Math Table for Mary Beth Valuk, WMS Math teacher for $363.14

2017-2018 ($19,000)

DIRECT FUNDS FROM JB WEF WALK ($4,625)

• Boutwell:  $417
• Wildwood​: $626
• Woburn St:  $1355
• Shawsheen:  $735
• North: $559
• West:  $933

STEM Fair ($3,000)
      Hand's on learning experience for children grades K-8 in physical, earth and life sciences and technology, 

JOANNE BENTON GRANT FOR EDUCATOR EXPLORATION ($3668)

•  Legislation and Washington DC: 8th Grade teacher Katianne Jackson traveled to Washington D to experience and learn more about Government and how it relates to educational policy. Ms. Jackson interacted with policy makers, attended meetings adn helped to draft legislative proposals affecting the educational system.
•  London and Dicken's Christmas Carol: WMS 7th Grade ELA teacher Kristin Smith travelled to London  to experience all things related to Dickens' novel A Christmas Carol..  She created a travel log for her students.
•  American Association of Spanish & Portuguese Teachers Conference in Spain: WHS tSpanish teacher Ms. Burns explored Spain to attend the American Association of Teachers of Apanish and Portuguese 100th conference in Salamanca, where she learned about the Roman and Moorhish influences on Spain. 

CURRICULUM GRANTS ($2,383)

• Unique Learning Skills for Life Skills Classroom:  Ms. Decker – WMS Life Skills
• Learning in a Whole New Light II:​: M. Kurchian – North & West Elementary - additional electronic editions for library
• Yoga & Mindfulness Program:  – Woburn St. Assistant Principal

TECHNOLOGY GRANTS ($4,163)

• Sphero Education Pack: Kim Provensal – Elementary Technology Integration Specialist
• BrainPOP Subscription​: Amy Iascone – North Elementary Science Lead Teacher
• Portable Sound System For School-Wide Assemblies: Frank Ferriero – Woburn St. Assistant Principal
• Subscription to Appypie To Create WPS Emergency Response App: Jeff Strasnick – District Safety Committee Chair - $600 – 
• 6 Amazon Fires, 6 Cases, 1 Charging Station, 1 Gift For Apps: Melanie Patterson – Shawsheen Librarian
• 10 Chromebook Chargers & 25 Headphones​: Caitlin Cronin – WMS Grade 8 Science Teacher
• BOSE Speaker, Projector Adapter, Microphone, Cord: Lisa King – Shawsheen Principal
• 40 Headphones​: Brenda Lomanno – WMS Technology Integration Specialist
• 2 IPEVO Document Cameras: Beverly DeFlumeri – Boutwell Kindergarten Teacher

WEF MISC GRANTS 

• Buddy Bench: Shawsheen School- Partial funding towards a buddy bench to help eliminate loneliness and foster friendship on the playground. 
• Standing Desks​:  Math Dept – Wilmington Middle School

2016-2017  ($29,000 +)

Direct Donations from WEF Walk ($7,887)

STEM Fair ($3,000)
      Hand's on learning experience for children grades K-8 in physical, earth and life sciences and technology, 

CURRICULUM GRANTS ($4,487)
    Squid Dissection: Grades 6
          - Squid dissection in collaboration with the New England Aquarium
    Mindfulness and Family Engagement  Shawsheen Elementary
          - 8 week student training with parent meetings
    Novel Study: Grade 6-7 
          - $500 towards the purchase of the following novels: Bud Not Buddy, Old Yeller & Love That Dog
    
TECHNOLOGY GRANTS ($5000))
    Purchase of the following: 10 Ipevo Ziggy HD Document Cameras, Raz-Kids Online Reading Software, 6 ASUS Memo Tablets, 5         P2V Document Cameras, Ipod Touch for Music, Kuta Math sofware, SPED Unique Learning System, Lego WeDo Robotics STEM         Pack, 3 Dell Chromebooks.


JOANNE BENTON GRANT FOR EDUCATOR EXPLORATION ($4400)
    Finding Finland: Principal Jeffrey Strasnick and Head Teacher Charlotte Philips visit Finnish schools to examine the Finnish                 school system, one of the most successful programs in the world..
    Austrailia Aboriginal & Street Art: WMS Art Teacher Neal Roberts explores Australian art galleries and street art and studies             their influence on contemporary art.
    Geography of Florence, Rome, Paris & Prague:  WMS Middle School Social Studies teacher, Patrick Taylor visits the Vatican,             Colliseum, Versaille, The Acadamia & Prague Castle.


WEF GENERAL GRANTS ($2485)
    Universal Design for Learning: Jennifer Mahon, SPED, to attend Staff Training Course 
    MaFLA Proficiency Academy: Spanish Curriculum Leader, Carlos-Luis Brown, attends the Massachusetts Foreign Language               Academy staff training course.

2015-2016 $32,000 +

CURRICULUM GRANTS ($4,4629)
    Versa-Tiles: Grades 1-5
    Multilingual Books/Cultural Connection Library: Grades 1-5
    Papyrus - Let's Write: Grade 6 (SPED)
    Move, Learn & Balance on Stability Ball: Grades 1-3

TECHNOLOGY GRANTS ($7500)
    Purchase of the following: 10 Ipevo Ziggy HD Document Cameras, Raz-Kids Online Reading Software, 6 ASUS Memo Tablets, 5         P2V Document Cameras, Ipod Touch for Music, Kuta Math sofware, SPED Unique Learning System, Lego WeDo Robotics STEM         Pack, 3 Dell Chromebooks.

JOANNE BENTON GRANT FOR EDUCATOR EXPLORATION ($4400)
    Study of 3 Finnish Authors in Finland: HS English teacher Mia Parviainen travelled to Finland to study the three Finnish authors,       visiting historical sites, museums, etc. related to the authors.
    Spanish Intensive Class in Spain: WMS Spanish teacher Donna Dube attended a 2 week intensive class at teh Don Quijote             Language Academy in Spain.
    Cape Cod Institute Intensive Course: West School Psychologist Bethany Dionne attended a one week intensive course -                Advanced Training in Collaborative and Proactive Solutions for Kids with Social, Emotional and Behavioral Challenges.

WEF GENERAL GRANTS ($2485)

    Music Educators All State Conference:: (400 students) Music teacher Robyn Barry attended workshops to apply to her music         classes, learning new methods in the music field to bring back to her students and present what she learned to her colleagues.
   
    A Writer's Craf - Visiting Author Using Text and Stories: Children's author and science journalist, Gregory Mone presented at         the Wilmington elementary schools, discussing the process of writing both fiction and non-fiction. His books feature a large             STEM component and teh presentations help support the ELA standars and WPS district goals of having students explain major         differences between books that tell stories versus those that give information, drawing on a wide reading of a range of t

​    Building Capacity to Support Student Mental Health:*: The WEF awarded funding for 2 staff members to attend a two day             workshop entitled "Student Mental Health: Roles, Responsibilities, and Resources".