Just a selection of the books paid for by our Ecolab grant

Ecolab Grant

Ecolab gave Sheridan Elementary a $3,000 grant for grade k-6 literature for our Renaissance Reading CSRD grant.  This grant made it possible to buy enough copies of many books so entire classes could read the same book at the same time.

CSRD Grant

Sheridan Elementary was awarded a Continuous School Reform Development Program (CSRD) grant from the Federal Government for our work to implement our research based reform plan in the 2002-2003 school year.  The goal of the CSR grant is to help schools that wish to transform all or part of their curriculum accomplish that goal.  The grant is renewable for up to two years, providing that Sheridan makes substantial progress on increasing student achievement and performance.

We have used this grant to purchase Renaissance Learning computer programs and updates, as well as staff training and consulting.  Among the programs we have purchased or upgraded are: StarReading Assessment, Accelerated Reading (reading comprehension testing), Accelerated Vocabulary, Accelerated Writing, StarMath Assessment, Accelerated Math (math practice/comprehension) program, StarEarly Literacy assessment for grades k-2, and computerized tests and exams to be used with these programs.

We also purchased consulting help and stuff development classes to learn how to use the products,

Our grants have helped us pay for our outstanding library and keep our books up to date.

and how to integrate Sheridan's work with the St. Paul School District’s Academic Excellence Project, specifically in the areas of Principals of Learning, Best Practices and Writer's Workshop, with the technology in our classrooms and the teaching styles of our teachers.

Deluxe Grant

Sheridan Elementary received a "Reading for Life" Grant from the Deluxe Corporation to pay for library books.  This grant allowed Sheridan to fill in sections of our library that needed additions, especially our non-fiction section. We also replaced books that had been worn because they were so popular with out students.  In addition, the grant allowed Sheridan to buy books that complimented homework projects, our independent reading program, and our Accelerated Reading program. 

The Deluxe Grant also helped pay for our annual Parent's Night.  We used this opportunity to inform parents and student on how they can use our School/Home links program, and how parents can encourage learning, especially reading, at home.

The desired outcome of this grant is to allow students a larger, more engaging variety of books to read here at Sheridan and to encourage students to read both at home and more often.

In the future

Sheridan Elementary continues to look for grants that fulfill our needs.  We are especially interested in grants that will allow us to buy books, classroom resources and help pay for a new playground.