LEWISTON – The Lewiston Education Fund, established in 2002, has grown over the past several years and has become a well known vehicle from which teachers can apply for grants.

The purpose of the nonprofit organization is to fund projects and programs that expand educational opportunities, foster creativity and enhance academic excellence in Lewiston’s public schools.

The fund is governed by an independent board of directors of community leaders and educators. It is independent from the school committee but endorsed by it.

Funds are generated from individuals, foundations, corporate tax-deductible contributions and fundraisers.

The fund Grant Committee awards competitive grants to teachers using those funds. Grant proposals may include innovative teaching and learning projects, such as the use of technology, experience in the arts, applied learning and service learning, enrichment activities, such as school/community presentations, career learning and visiting artists and authors.

Curriculum enhancement, faculty development, school programs and extracurricular activities are other areas of consideration.

The fall 2007 grants were awarded to Lewiston educators at a reception hosted by the Grant Committee at the Lepage Conference Center.

A grant of $2,500 was awarded to Giselle Cyr of the Lewiston Middle School. The proposal is titled “The Book Café.” Students reading below grade level will be invited to read in the new Book Café at Lewiston Middle School from 2:15 to 3 p.m. three days a week . A literacy teacher will be available to help students select books and to lead book discussions.

A $2,500 grant was awarded to Samantha Wilson, Dennis Mancine, Linda St. Laurent, Mary Rider and Elyce Reavely from Lewiston High School. The math teachers will align the math curriculum to the updated MLRs and create classroom activities that focus on performance tasks, project-based learning, differentiated instruction and integrated curriculum.

Math concepts will be related to career choices and will be integrated into the curriculum. In particular, activities that integrate English and math will be implemented.

A $1,000 grant was awarded to Dwayne Conway, Lindsey-Rae Delorme, Pamylah Brown, Sarah Levasseur, Howard Ellis and Allyson White from Lewiston Middle School. Their proposal is titled “Get Connected, Stay Connected.”

The project is an interdisciplinary unit that will engage the students in celebrating their shared cultural heritage. Students will learn how quilts have traditionally represented the cultural, economic and political atmosphere of the community. Ultimately the students will create a block quilt expressing cultural stories.

A grant of $1,000 was awarded to Judy Radigan of Lewiston High School. Her proposal involves rewriting the Algebra I curriculum into a layered curriculum format. It will include choices for the C Layer, the B Layer and the A Layer. The concepts will be organized into small units designed around student interests and learning styles.

The newest round of grant applications is under way. The completed proposals will be due back at the Lewiston School Administrative Offices on Dec. 10. Recipients will be announced in early 2008.