Biography Bonanza--$800
The fifth graders will read biographies with the third grade students. After a few sessions of partner reading, the fifth graders will assist the third graders in choosing a person from one of the biographies they have read. The biography project requires the students to dress up as the subject of the biography and write a monologue in the first person. They also will prepare to answer questions as the subject would. At the end of the project, the students will present their monologues to an audience of parents and students.

Broadway Experience for English Language Learners--$1,400
All students in the ELL program at MHS will be taken to see West Side Story on Broadway. Students who are learning English need to be exposed not only to the language of our country but also to our culture. The experience of seeing a Broadway show is one that most students in the ELL program would never to able to take advantage of because of the cost. Furthermore, West Side Story is a story about Hispanic groups and their relationships with Americans. Students will not only learn from the story but will be amazed at the wonders of Broadway. ELL and Bilingual teachers will work together to create a multidisciplinary unit about the themes and historical implications of the play if the students are given the opportunity to attend.

Countries: Raising Pride and Cultural Awareness about Students' Origins--$1,500
This grant will support the Morris School District's World Language Curriculum by expanding and bringing up-to-date a collection of books on foreign countries and their cultures and folklore. All of the students at Hillcrest will be involved in a multicultural project. They will do research, read books, write reports, learn to appreciate the cultures of the many students, do art projects which will be displayed throughout the school, and celebrate all their new knowledge at a special multicultural day which will be held later in the year. Parents and friends will be invited to share all that was learned during the year.

Cultural Arts for 2009-2010--$22,500
All K-5 schools and NP - $2000 Lafayette Learning Center - $1000 Frelinghuysen - $3000 MHS - $4500

Dance Dance Revolution--$1,664
Dance Dance Revolution is a high-energy music and dance program that gets kids and adults on their feet and working out. It is non-competitive, fun, and increases overall fitness and burns calories b an effective way to combat our nationbs current epidemic of obesity. DDR can be used in gym class, for Midday Fitness, and as a staff team-building activity. Participants follow an increasingly complex sequence of dance steps in time to music, stepping on electronic pads that record their progress. This project will be shared with all of the K-2 schools throughout each year.

Eat Smart/Move More Family Health and Wellness Fair--$2,265
The Morris School District bEat Smart/Move Moreb Family Health and Wellness Fair on May 14, 2009 from 6:00PM to 8:30PM will serve as the inaugural event of a series of family-oriented programs designed to educate children and their parents about the value of making wise food choices and the importance of establishing physical fitness as a life-long goal. The program has been developed in partnership with Atlantic Health System and with the support of the Morris Area Wellness Partnership. It will be a hands-on program for all students and parents of the Morris School District.

Expanding Literature through Performing--$856
In order to further develop the listening, public speaking, and arts appreciation of the kindergarten students, a unit of study has been has been designed that revolves around the many works of Dr. Seuss. The students will partner with the students from Thomas Jefferson School. They will celebrate Dr.Seuss's birthday in March. Many other Seuss experiences will take place throughout the year. The unit will culminate with a trip to see a performance of Suessical the Musical at The Community Theater at Mayo Center for the Performing Arts.

Making Languages Real--$1,500
Digital cameras and accessories (cables, batteries and chargers, SD cards) will be purchased in order for students to use in creating original presentations. Presentations will be viewed in Language Lab with studentsb vocal tracks as an integral part of the product. This equipment will personalize language learning. The students will be able to relate to new vocabulary in a unique way: they will see and hear their own language use. Creativity will be encouraged and nurtured. Students will take language learning beyond the classroom and then share their experiences with classmates. These cameras will be housed in the library. In this way, they are available to any teacher. The language department will have first choice in scheduling. Next year, the language department will come to the MEF and demonstate how the cameras were used.