This grant helped sponsor this first annual innovative program that reached out to culturally and linguistically diverse families in the Northborough community. Over eighty English Language Learners in grades K-8, and their families attended this program at Algonquin Regional High School to promote child literacy skills and teach methods to prevent language and academic regression during summer vacation. Each student received a book, a journal, a disposable camera and film development coupon (donated by CVS), a daily activity calendar and other materials to document their summer activities. Grant amount: $1000.00

The Northborough Free Library received a grant that funded the 2010-2011 Northborough Southborough Children’s Book Award (NSCBA) program. Public and school librarians from both Northborough and Southborough chose 20 different books appropriate for children in grades 3-5. Multiple copies of these books were purchased and made available from February to May at both the schools and public libraries. Suggested reading lists were supplied to students for recreational reading. Over five hundred children participated in the program and voted for their favorite book. The winning book was Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper. Children can look up current and prior year’s NSCBA winners and nominees and find them on the library shelves. Grant amount: $2000.00

Reading Specialists at the Peaslee School received a grant to purchase over fifty books for the leveled book library at the school. These exceptional books will serve as mentors, inspiring meaningful writing for students of all ages. This project aims to develop a mentor text library for K-5 teachers to utilize while teaching the traits of writing. Grant amount: $397.57

A K-5 music educator in the Northborough Elementary Schools, received a grant to purchase eight electronic keyboards to enhance students’ music experience at school. The keyboards will not only be used as a focus of designated keyboard units but as a vehicle to reinforce musical skills throughout the school year. Grant amount: $855.91

Whisper phones are handmade, hand held devices that are used to improve oral reading and comprehension skills. Students read quietly into the whisper phones and can listen to themselves which transforms reading practices into a multisensory learning experience. Funds to purchase materials needed to construct one hundred and twenty-five phones were granted to staff at the Lincoln Street School. Grant amount: $185.00