The Educational Excellence Campaign is Newton North PTSO’s major fundraiser targeted specifically at enriching North’s educational experience.
The Campaign was launched in 2007, in recognition of the need for supplementary funds to meet the ever-changing requirements of a modern high school.
Each year, Principal Jennifer Price and North’s faculty identify the Campaign’s target projects, optimizing the effect of the Campaign on the provision of an up-to-date, diverse and stimulating curriculum for every student at North.
In the last four years, the North community has donated over $90,000 to the Educational Excellence Campaign. Combining this sum with money from the school budget and various educational funds has maximized its use to provide the following:
Library Learning Commons
Over $60,000 was spent to create an opening day collection for the new Library Learning Commons, $20,000 of which came from Edex. Circulation of books in the new Newton North Learning Commons increased two-fold over last year as a direct result of the infusion of funding from Ed Excellence. Our students are excited about the collection in ways we haven’t seen before. The opening day collection has given us the momentum to sustain student’s appetite for reading and inspire new readers. Many studies have proven how this kind of support for school libraries has a positive, measurable affect on literacy and academic achievement. This wouldn’t have been possible had it not been for the support of Ed Ex!
Biotechnology
$2,553 was used to purchase Bio Tech equipment so that ALL biology students at NNHS could complete one biotech lab in their biology class. We now have enough equipment so that all students can participate and we purchased enough consumable materials for two years worth of biology students. Through the “Mystery of the Crooked Cell,” all students have the opportunity to run an electrophoresis gel and to learn about the detection of genetic mutations.
Collaborative Teacher Teams
$3,100 was spent on team facillator training. NNHS has a tradition of teachers sharing ideas, materials, and teaching challenges to improve student learning. In 2009, all teachers and counselors were grouped in teacher teams or counselor teams, and staff time was dedicated to this effort. Also, each team was led by a "team facilitator" who managed the agenda and trajectory of work. 96% of teachers at North surveyed agreed that, based on their experience in these groups, "collaboration contributes to better student learning." Educational Excellence funds were used in June 2009 for a "toolbox training" to train approximately 25 team facilitators. Funds were also used in January for six team facilitators to attend a professional learning communities conference where they sharpened their facilitation skills.
Computers
$27,776 was used to equip three new state-of-the-art computer labs and laptops for the library, supporting the use of computer technology in all areas of the curriculum.
Interactive White Boards
$8,491 was used to install interactive white boards in selected classrooms, making delivery of the curriculum more exciting and relevant.
This exciting new classroom technology with a large touch screen allows students to explore a website, give a science presentation or take a virtual field trip, as part of the classroom experience.
Resources for the Library
$16,000 was used to purchase nearly 700 books and print-reference materials for the library, enhancing literacy and supporting classroom teaching.
These additional library resources are well-used by teachers as they seek to ensure that all students are proficient readers, that relevant and up-to-date material is available to support the curriculum, and that students are able to effectively use print-reference materials and online databases.
see a video on the achievements from the 2006-2007 campaign
