2009 GRANT PROPOSAL GUIDELINES
 
PURPOSE:  The Watertown Education Foundation grant program provides funds for projects that enhance the Watertown Public Schools and promote continued improvements by supporting superior teaching and educational leadership.
  
 
GRANT CATEGORIES

    * Classroom Grants will be awarded to individual teachers or teams of teachers for projects aimed at supplementing and enriching classroom instruction.  The range of grants in this category will be $500 - $1,500.
    * Professional Development Grants will be awarded to individual teachers to assist them in their pursuit of part-time or summer graduate course work or summer study and travel.  The range of grants in this category will be $1,000 - $3,000.
    * School Grants will be awarded to individual schools for projects that enhance the quality of education within a grade level, subject area, department or the building as a whole.  Grants that involve groups of teachers in professional development activities and programs are included here also.  The range of grants in the category will be $1,000 - $5,000.
    * System-Wide Grants will be awarded to projects that have an impact on whole grades, several grades, more than one school or a curricula area.  Grants that involve groups of teachers in professional development activities and programs are included here also.  The range of grants in this category will be $1,000 - $7,500.
 
FUNDING PRIORITIES:  The Watertown Education Foundation gives priority to projects that:

    * support the Watertown Public Schools educational philosophy and its goals;
    * are not normally funded through the regular school budget;
    * do not duplicate existing programs in the Watertown Public Schools;
    * emphasize the development of reading, writing, math, science or technology skills, and
    * have a broad impact or ripple effect.
 
ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES

    * All proposals must be for projects that will benefit the Watertown Public Schools.
    * Projects must take place between July 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010.
    * Project funds may be used for materials and equipment, speakers, consultants, space costs, entrance fees, tuition not otherwise covered by the School Department, prep time @ $25.00 per hour, and substitute teachers.
    * Grant recipients will be required  to complete a brief self-assessment of their project and make a presentation at the Annual Meeting of the Watertown Education Foundation in June 2010.