State Farm Grant Application

Applicant Information
Name Cynthia A Bowen
School Carwise Middle
Phone 727 816-9761
Principal Name Gary Linder
Principal Email LINDERG@pcsb.org
Pony Number 1
 

Application Information
Grant State Farm
Project Title To Serve is to Learn
Specific Element ACC,LR
Grant Type I
Students Involved 60
With possible additional funding next year, could this grant be extended to Yes
multi-classrooms, multi grade levels?
Have you ever either submitted or received a State Farm Grant in the past? No
Are you a National Board Certified Teacher? No
Would you like to receive a copy of your scores after the judging? Yes
What grade level(s) will your grant impact? 7th and 8th
 

Budget Information
Item Cost Related Goal
Astro Skate Bus (2) $460.00 Field trip to CTK & Head Start
Scale (up to 165 lbs.) $124.00 Weigh clothing donations
Bath Gloves (48) $48.00 Toiletry Kits for F.E.A.S.T. & Head Start
Bath Net Sponges (48) $48.00 Toiletry Kits for F.E.A.S.T. & Head Start
Ziplock bags (qt. & gal.) $48.00 Toiletry Kits for F.E.A.S.T. & Head Start
30 Permanent Markers $48.00 Toiletry Kits & CTK donations
Total Budget: $776.00

Mini-Grant Application cont'd

Target Population
Pinellas County Schools, is the 25th largest school district in the United States, with Carwise Middle
School one of 21 middle schools in the district. The Service Learning 101 class at Carwise is an
elective semester long class for 7th and 8th graders - expanded from an 8th grade semester elective
last year. The class brings together 30 students from all learning levels, (7% ESE & 37% in the lowest
35% in Reading based on state assessment), cultural diversities (7% Black, 7% Hispanic, 10% Multi-
racial and 76% White), learning styles (all of Gardner's 8 levels of multiple intelligence/learning styles
are represented) and economic (current free and reduced lunch data is not available but can be
provided upon request after ten day count) groups. Current projections for the second semester are 32
students which overall is up from a total of 35 students for the 2009-2010 school year.
Student Need/Uniqueness and Relevancy in the Classroom
Funding to cover Astro Skate Bus rental for two trips for students to visit Clothes to Kids (CTK), plus a
stop at Clearwater Head start (which also receives donations from the class), would be a terrific real
world experience. Visits to these organizations will solidify classroom learning based on resources from
the Learn and Serve community (Service-Learning Listserv K12-SL), and reading/discussion of the
book "Three Cups of Tea" (Mortenson). The wide cultural, academic and racial diversity of the students
links service learning to Carwise's mission. The student classroom population (4.9% black, 6.8%
Hispanic, 4.6% Multiracial and 81% White) closely mirrors the demographic data stated in our 2009
SIP. Elements of the School Improvement Plan are focal: students acquire skills in reading
comprehension (CRISS learning strategies with "Three Cups of Tea" book), problem solving and critical
thinking (hands on service projects such as CTK, Salvation Army Change for Children, Recycling
program that benefits Ronald McDonald House, used book drive benefiting Salvation Army Homeless
Shelter and Head Start), leadership (Kiwanis Builders Club elected officer positions), and social
development. These experiences will allow students to see how service to others can develop their
leadership skills, responsibility, respect for others, goodwill and personal pride.
Activities Designed to Meet Goals
First Semester Timeline: 1. CTK Polo Shirt Collection Campaign (help with mandatory uniform policy
schools) begins Sept. 7th through Sept. 28th. Additional clothes are collected throughout the school
year and donated to CTK also. (Accountability) 2. Builders Club Officer Elections Sept. 8th 3. First
Builders Club monthly meeting Oct. 6th (Learning Readiness) 4. Field trip to CTK and Head Start mid
to late Oct. based on grant outcomes (Learning Readiness) Second Semester Timeline: 1.
Continuation of yearlong gently used clothing donations to CTK through late April (Accountability) 2.
Mid-March start of sample toiletries collection to benefit F.E.A.S.T. and Head Start (Accountability) 3.
Field Trip to CTK and Head Start in late April/early May after state assessments for hands on
experience and delivery of toiletry kits to Head Start and clothes to CTK based on grant outcomes
(Learning Readiness)
Proposed Evaluation Plan
Funds are for transportation (Astro Skate Bus) to and from CTK and Head Start sites will be handled
through the school bookkeeper but accounted for on paper by the Builders Club Treasurer. Project
funds to enhance the toiletry project benefitting F.E.A.S.T. and Head Start will be coordinated by the
Treasurer and the Technology Secretary of the Carwise Builders Club. Items needed for purchase for
this project include mitt wash cloths and exfoliating bath gloves, printing costs to copy student
developed personal hygiene guides for children and teens, ziplock bags, labels, permanent markers,
and a weighing scale. Students will weigh all filled clothing boxes and keep a log which will be graphed
and then presented at the end of year Builders Club ceremony. Fifteen students and their families at
Head Start will be impacted, while the clothing donated to CTK by year end will be included in some of
the 8,000 wardrobes distributed in 2010. F.E.A.S.T. toiletry recipients will vary based on need. These
experiences will help students to learn how to take charge of a service project, model good character
traits exemplified by volunteers at CTK, and cultivate the seed of service by becoming involved in future
community and high school projects.