October 23, 2017 - Kids First recently funded three grant requests from Sierra Foothill Charter School teaching staff.
Seventh and eighth grade teacher Andrea Contreras received Kids First funding to purchase sets of novels that are age and reading level appropriate for her leveled literature circles. Each set will follow the theme of “Understanding Each Other and Tolerance,” which are two of her students' focuses this year.
Third and fourth grade teacher Teena Starchman received Kids First grant funding to purchase historical nonfiction book sets based on prominent African American figures, including Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman and Louis Armstrong. These books range from third to fifth grade level reading. Ms. Starchman will also purchase the Ken Burns documentary, "Jazz." These purchases will enhance Ms. Starchman's current reading program and her African American studies unit during Black History Month to include more historical literature and jazz history, helping students to be able to read and comprehend nonfiction texts at their appropriate grade levels, as well as appreciate and understand the history of jazz music. These items also tie in with Ms. Starchman's art, science, and social studies curriculum.
Fifth/sixth grade teacher Erika Miranda and Learning Garden Coordinator Lauren Glikin received Kids First funding to start a vermiculture project with red wiggler worms that will turn our lunch waste compost into nutrient dense worm castings. Students will then be able to compare the nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and pH levels of the worm castings, to that of our native soil, commercial compost and our lunch compost with some nifty testing kits! This is a great opportunity for students to learn about a sustainable agriculture method of reusing food wastes.
Kids First is a non-profit, volunteer organization, formed to aid public school students in Mariposa County.
Sierra Foothill Charter School is a free, non-profit, TK-8 public school. Seats are currently available in grades TK, 4, 7, and 8. For more information, contact the office at (209) 742-6222 or visit SFCS’s website: SierraFoothillCharterSchool.org. To stay up to date on all the latest happenings, “like” SFCS on Facebook.