Bank Street/SLJ Unveil Children's Choice Award for Best STEM Picture Book

There's a new children's choice book award in town—and this one's focused on the best STEM title of the year.

Administered by the Bank Street College of Education with support from School Library Journal, the Cook Prize is the only book award that honors excellence in informational picture books on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) topics for elementary school children aged eight to ten.

A children's book committee comprised of two science/math faculty from Bank Street's Graduate School of Education and two teachers from its School for Children, as well as two graduate school alumna, have narrowed 16 titles down to four—and they're urging librarians and educators to get their students to vote for their favorite book.

Librarians and teachers nationwide are making efforts to promote science-based teaching as a part of President Obama's 2009 Educate to Innovate campaign, aimed at improving the participation and performance of America's students in STEM subjects.

Following the same format as Bank Street's 40-year-old Irma Black Award, third and fourth grade teachers and media specialists are invited to read aloud, discuss, and encourage students to cast votes for their top STEM title out of the following four: About Hummingbirds (Peachtree) by Cathryn Sill, illustrated by John Sill; Balloons Over Broadway (Houghton) by Melissa Sweet; The Honeybee Man (Random) by Lela Nargi and Kyrsten Brooker; and Meadowlands: A Wetlands Survival Story (Farrar) by Thomas F. Yeserski.

The Cook Prize is named in honor of Bank Street educators Donald Cook of the Graduate School of Education and Michael Cook (no relation) of the School for Children, both of whom recently passed away and left an indelible mark on their students and colleagues.

In order to vote, teachers and librarians must first register beginning on March 5. The deadline for voting ends midnight EST on May 4. For more information, contact Lisa Von Drasek at 212 875 4452. Stay tuned—the winner will be announced May 17.

Source:  http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/slj/newsletters/newsletterbucketextrahelping2/894298-477/bank_streetslj_unveil_childrens_choice.html.csp

Aboriginal Youth Art Contest

The National Aboriginal Health Organization art contest is open to all First Nations, Inuit and Métis youth between the ages of 10 and 30. Youth are invited to submit works of art on an environmental health issue that may affect health both inside the home and outdoors.  The contest deadline is May 14, 2012.

 

Read more at http://www.naho.ca/healthy-homes-art-contest-launch/

Cabot Family Charitable Trust and Virginia Wellington Cabot Foundation

Welcome to the website for Cabot-Wellington, LLC, the Cabot Family Charitable Trust and the Virginia Wellington Cabot Foundation. Cabot-Wellington, LLC Cabot-Wellington is the family office of the Thomas D. and Virginia W. Cabot family. Cabot-Wellington is a registered investment advisor with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Information for Cabot family members is available at the link Family Members Only. Cabot Family Philanthropy The Cabot Family Charitable Trust and the Virginia Wellington Cabot Foundation are independent foundations established by Godfrey L. and Thomas D. Cabot in order to sustain and encourage an active commitment to philanthropy by members of the Cabot family. The family's tradition of charitable giving and public service was formalized in 1942 when Godfrey L. Cabot created the trust that became the Cabot Family Charitable Trust as an instrument of giving for his descendents. Fifty years later, Godfrey's son, Thomas D. Cabot, established the Virginia Wellington Cabot Foundation as a second commitment to philanthropy for his family. These two family foundations have contributed to the work of many important nonprofit organizations in the Boston area, New England and other communities where family members live. For application guidelines, deadlines and other application information, please follow the links Cabot Family Charitable Trust and Virginia Wellington Cabot Foundation.

Correspondence and inquiries to the family office, trust and foundation should be addressed to: 70 Federal Street (7th floor) Boston, MA 02110 Tel. 617-451-1744 Fax 617-451-1733 Read more at http://www.cabwel.com/index.htm

Flora Family Foundation

About the Foundation

The Flora Family Foundation was established in 1998 by the family of William R. Hewlett (co-founder of Hewlett-Packard Company) and his late wife, Flora Lamson Hewlett. It is predicated on the belief that each individual has an obligation to go beyond the narrow confines of his or her personal interests and be mindful of the broader concerns of humanity.

The Foundation is organized around two groups.  The Family Council includes the five children and the twelve grandchildren of William and Flora Hewlett, along with the spouses of the children and grandchildren. This is a consultative body that meets once a year to help determine the organization's policies and programmatic directions.  It also serves as a forum for discussion and instruction in matters related to the philanthropic interests of the family. 

The rotating eight-member Board of Directors consists of two children, four grandchildren, and two non-family members.  Spouses of the children and the grandchildren also serve on the Board. 

The Flora Family Foundation has no constraints on its grantmaking so long as grant candidates fit the philanthropic interests of the Board and Family Council and meet IRS requirements. This provides unrestricted opportunities for innovative, responsive, and responsible grantmaking.

Grants of the Flora Family Foundation reflect the extraordinary diversity of interests among the twenty-six members of the Family Council. The Foundation supports programs in education, arts and culture, international development, the advancement of women, health, the environment, human services, economic development, humanitarian assistance, cultural preservation, and international security.  FFF grants assist work throughout the United States and in countries around the world.  The Foundation funds fellowships, research projects, endowments, start-up expenses, program initiatives, capital improvements, and general operations. Beyond the provision of financial resources, Family Council members and Foundation staff support the work of grantees by serving on boards of directors, brokering new funding relationships, and supporting associations of grantmakers.

The Foundation’s wide reach reflects a conscious rejection of all boundaries on grantmaking.  The Foundation’s open architecture encourages the initiative of each member of the Family Council, capitalizing on the wide-ranging talents and experiences of individuals who share equally in decision-making.  

We recognize that the FFF approach presents some disadvantages for grantseekers.  Because of the absence of limitations on the scope of grants, the Foundation is unable to consider unsolicited proposals.  Nor is the Foundation able to commit long-term support to organizations working in a single domain.  The staff and Family Council attempt to compensate for these disadvantages by circulating widely in the public benefit sector, constantly gathering prospects and sending clear signals about the possibilities for support.  The Foundation also seeks to minimize the burden of proposal-writing and reporting on grants, while ensuring that the requirements of due diligence are met. 

In years to come we expect the interests of some Family Council members to cluster in selected subject areas, but a hallmark of the Flora Family Foundation will continue to be its flexibility and responsiveness to needs as they arise across the entire public benefit sector. 

Read more at http://www.florafamily.org

Funding for Edible Trees

Edible Trees   Funding for this program was generously provided by: **Thank you for the overwhelming response to our Edible Trees Program. We had over 200 applications which we are carefully reviewing. We hope to have a decision made quickly so that you can order the trees and shrubs for your projects as soon as possible. Selected projects will be notified by email/phone. Planting Fruit & Nut Trees for the CommunityThe purpose of the Edible Trees program is to offer funding of up to $4,000 and other resources for community-based projects that provide residents with access to fresh fruit and nut trees while making a positive difference to the Canadian environment including: Provide shade Absorb and deflect solar radiation Improve air quality Absorb and filter water Create habitat for wildlife Funding is available, but not limited to, community gardening groups, community housing projects, schools, parks and arboretums.  Applications are available for download here. Important Dates All applications must be received by February 28, 2012. Final Reports and projects must be completed by September 30, 2012. Note: The number of projects will be based on available funding. In 2012 it is projected that approximately 15 projects will be funded. Application Criteria Tree Canada will consider projects that meet the following criteria:  Increases  equitable access to healthy food Strengthens communities by empowering neighbors to share in the harvest and care of city-grown food resources Benefits the local community by providing access to the trees and their fruit by the public ( i.e. food banks, volunteers, community kitchens) Meets the needs of the community and includes creative plans for the produce grown Takes place within a geographic area suitable for growing fruit and nut trees Protects and preserves the Canadian environment Assists residents in understanding and participating in environmental activities in local communities. Contributions will not be made towards the following: Projects on private residential property; Lobbying or advocacy activities; Projects completed before the application is reviewed; Projects taking place outside of Canada; Salaries (where salaries represent a significant proportion of the total amount requested); Projects that benefit individuals or businesses. Eligible Project Costs may include: Site preparation Calliper tree(s) purchase Materials (guards, mulch, stakes, mycorrhizal fungal associate) 3-year maintenance fund Site supervision and assessments Workshop delivery Application Evaluation Tree Canada staff review the Edible Trees applications and make recommendations for funding support according to the established guidelines. They are evaluated on the following basis: Innovation: Demonstrated understanding of the purpose of the program and in designing a creative program that promotes innovative practice. Community Involvement: Demonstrated ability to involve the community, other not-for-profit organizations and volunteers. Technical Expertise: Demonstrated capacity that the expertise is present or can be sought to guide the applicants in its efforts. Grant recipients may be encouraged to use a portion of their funding to include an educational component. Promotion: A commitment to publicize the Program, including program partners, Tree Canada and Funders, in a variety of ways that may include a launch event, press release and reaching out to local print media. Evaluation: That a system is in place at the community level to evaluate the success of the program 3 years into the future.

Read more http://www.treecanada.ca

The Allard Foundation

The Allard Foundation

Each and every one of us can make a difference in our community. Indeed, we all contribute in our own ways. It is for this very reason and with much pride that the Allard Foundation exists.

The vision and caring of one man — our founder — Dr. Charles Allard has made an enormous and lasting impact on our community. Dr. Allard was determined to create an organization that would enhance, enrich and build a strong community specifically through support of health, education, family and arts programs.
The Allard Foundation started with a $500,000 endowment and has grown generously ever since through investment income and family donations. It exists in perpetuity. Dr. Allard incorporated the Allard Foundation as a private entity on November 16, 1978.

Mission

The Allard Foundation exists for the sole purpose of making Edmonton and Alberta a better place with funding advancing health, education, family and arts programs.

Funding Guidelines

Planting The Seed

The Allard Foundation is a private family foundation which supports charities in Western Canada primarily in Edmonton and Alberta.
If your project / proposal meets the Allard Foundation’s philosophy, current priorities and funding availability, our foundation can help your project grow. We review applications every six to eight weeks to determine how to distribute funding. There are no specific deadlines for grant submissions. Our fiscal year begins January 1 and ends on December 31.
A four–person board of directors, made up family members and a representative from the community, guides the Allard Foundation. The board reviews each application on an individual basis with no set minimum or maximum grants. On average, grants awarded range between $1,000 and $10,000.

To Qualify

Your organization must meet these basic requirements. It must:

• have been established for a minimum of one year
• have a specific project or event
• be actively fundraising in the community
• be registered or incorporated under either the Societies Act of Alberta, the Special Act of the Alberta Legislature, be a registered charity or fall under the Special Act of the Parliament of Canada.

To Apply

Your written submission must include:

• a brief history of your organization
• a name, address, phone number, email address and contact for your organization
• a description of the project / program for which you are requesting grant funds

http://allardfoundation.com/funding

Students learn by publishing

A division of Nationwide Learning, LLC, Studentreasures® is the leading edge, quality-focused student publisher committed to motivating students to learn to read and write through innovative student publishing opportunities.
Nationwide Learning, LLC was founded in 1994 by Joseph E. Gigous, who has been serving the education industry for over 30 years. In that time, 300,000 teachers from over 15,000 schools in all 50 states have used our programs to publish books for over 6 million students. Our success is due to the focus on the education customer including teachers, parents and students. We are proud to boast that over 4 million Free books have been given to students through our programs!

http://www.studentreasures.com

May 11 Bird day

Connecting People to Bird Conservation

Celebrate 20 Years of IMBD

International Migratory Bird Day will celebrate its 20th anniversary.  Created in 1993, the event is now hosted at over 500 sites throughout the Western Hemisphere, reaching hundreds of thousands of youth and adults.  As part of the 20th anniversary celebrations, the annual bird conservation theme will focus on 20 ways people may help preserve birds every day.  The theme is highlighted in the 2012 art created by Rafael Lopez.  The lively piece reflects the joy, curiosity, and beauty of birds, while sharing the importance of community in bird conservation. 

http://birdday.org/birdday/themes/2012-twenty-years-of-imbd

June 8 World Oceans day celebration

June 8 World Oceans day celebration @ our school library

Draw ocean animals, fishes, flora and fauna, read books about the ocean life, facts about sharks and fishes, Fifi the Fiction Fish puppet theatre, sea shell identification, Scavenger hunts, beach art and poetry that the whole family can join in.

Welcome to the international community's online resource for World Oceans Day—our planet's biggest celebration of the ocean, held every June 8^th. This year, we encourage you to reach out to young people in your community and help inspire them for the 2011-2012 theme Youth: the Next Wave for Change. The future of ocean conservation is in their hands! Explore this site for ideas, resources, and information about how you can get involved!
Read more at http://worldoceansday.org

Plotting my Direction with a Learning Portfolio

Taking charge of my career and life journey

You have been learning many new skills from experiences you have had each day of your life. The key to moving forward in your education, career, and life goals is making sure you get recognition for your learning so you avoid spending your time and money re-learning what you all ready know.

A Learning Portfolio will help you plan your next move toward your goal, and help you state your case to get the credit you deserve from an employer in the workplace, an educational system, or an institution. A Learning Portfolio takes time and effort to complete but once you have it, you simply update, adjust, and use it wherever you need to seek recognition for your learning.

This resource is a workbook to assist you in creating a Learning Portfolio. It includes descriptions and tools for developing each step in building and using a Learning Portfolio.

Read more at http://recognitionforlearning.ca/library/plotting-my-direction-learning-portfolio

Harrison McCain Foundation

The Harrison McCain Foundation supports education, health and social services needs as expressed to them in written applications.

Its grants are primarily focused on the Atlantic Provinces but, on occasion, grants are given elsewhere in Canada.

The Foundation requires:

            The name, directors and charitable status of the organization requesting funds

            A clear description of the need, the costs, the anticipated impact and outcomes of the project, how it will be measured

            An indication of exactly how much is being requested; over what period of time;

            The most recent financial statement of the organization making the request.

Your applications for fund should be addressed to:

Edwina McBrine

Administrator

Harrison McCain Foundation

8800 Main Street

Florenceville-Bristol, New Brunswick

E7L 1B2