New NEA grants

Learning & Leadership Grants: provide opportunities for teachers, education support professionals, and higher education faculty and staff to engage in high-quality professional development and lead their colleagues in professional growth. The grant amount is $2,000 for individuals and $5,000 for groups engaged in collegial study. The next application deadline is February 1 , 2008.

Student Achievement Grants: provide $5,000 to improve the academic achievement of students by engaging in critical thinking and problem solving that deepen knowledge of standards-based subject matter. The work should also improve students’ habits of inquiry, self-directed learning, and critical reflection. (These grants replace the Foundation’s Innovation Grants program, which has been discontinued.) The next application deadline is February 1, 2008.

The NEA Foundation Presents the NEA's Books Across America Library Books Awards: In collaboration with the National Education Association, The NEA Foundation will make approximately 50 awards of $1,000 each to public schools serving economically disadvantaged students to purchase books for

Rescuing Recess

The Corporation for National and Community Service has joined with the Cartoon Network, National Basketball Association, the PTA and other organizations in the "Rescuing Recess" campaign, which aims to recruit volunteers to give 1 million hours this school year to support recess and physical activity in schools.

Schools wishing to participate in this year's Rescuing Recess program should visit http://www.cartoonrecessweek.com/ for more information.
Top-recruiting schools from each state and the District of Columbia can earn $2,500 grants toward supporting physical activity programs and healthy lifestyle initiatives, as well as $250 gift certificates for sports merchandise. An ultimate winning school will be announced in June to receive a $25,000 cash grant and a recess rally event.

Arts Connect All

VSA Arts and MetLife Foundation are offering grants that support the creation and enhancement of educational programs. These grants incorporate inclusive teaching practices; provide access to students with all types of disabilities; develop social, cognitive, and artistic skills; involve people with disabilities in planning and implementation; build staff, teacher, and/or artist knowledge and skill of inclusive practices; and collaborate with public schools, actively engaging students, parents, and school administrators. The application deadline is December 7, 2007.

Anticipated number of awards: 10

Award Ceiling: $15,000For more information, visit: http://www.vsarts.org/x273.xml

Field Trip Grants from Target

• Up to $1,000
• Grants apply to field trips occurring in Spring of 2008.
• Grants are awarded to educators, teachers, principals, paraprofessionals or classified staff.
• Grant-funded field trips may involve museum, environmental or science projects, artistic and cultural experiences and civics or community service projects.

http://sites.target.com/site/en/corporate/page.jsp?contentId=PRD03-002537