Students dig holes and plant bulbs as part of a project funded by the Mattapoisett Land Trust in response to an application submitted by Old Rochester Regional High School math teacher Karen Browning. (Photo Courtesy Old Rochester Regional School District and MA Superintendency Union #55)
MATTAPOISETT — Old Rochester Regional (ORR) School District and MA Superintendency Union #55 Superintendent Michael S. Nelson, High School Principal Michael Devoll, Center School Principal Linda Ashley and Old Hammondtown School Principal Stephanie Wells are proud to announce a second year of educator grants awarded by the Mattapoisett Land Trust Education Committee, funded by the Mattapoisett Land Trust and Mattapoisett Cultural Council.
The Mattapoisett Land Trust Education Committee awarded more than $8,000 this school year to support nine initiatives in response to applications submitted by teachers. The grant funding has supported school science and environmental curriculum in Mattapoisett schools, providing opportunities for hands-on educational experiences and eco-friendly beautification projects.
“The Mattapoisett Land Trust Education Committee is delighted to be able to support the students of Mattapoisett and the ORR School District to experience science and connect with nature through the creative teacher-led programs,” according to a joint statement from Wendy Copps and Mary Cabral, co-chairs of the Mattapoisett Land Trust Education Committee.
One project empowered first graders at the Center School to make and install birdfeeders, helping them learn about local birds, seasonal changes and bird behaviors; and in the process, making observations, graphing bird visits, and taking part in related writing and art activities. This project was funded with $520 awarded by the Mattapoisett Land Trust Education Committee in response to an application by first-grade teacher Courtney Aarsheim.
“Our first graders are so excited to receive this bird feeder from the Mattapoisett Land Trust,” Aarsheim said. “We can’t wait to observe the birds in their natural habitat and learn more about the world right outside our classroom.”
Another project purchased new nonfiction science-based library books for students at the Center and Old Hammondtown schools. This project was funded with $500 awarded by the Mattapoisett Land Trust Education Committee in response to an application by Library Media Specialist Laura Mirabito.
During the spring, Old Rochester Regional High School (ORRHS) students took care of the EmpowORR Garden created by the Transition Program students. Through this inclusive, hands-on real-world learning environment, the students explored various aspects of science, math and environmental studies, while also learning teamwork, responsibility and patience. This project was funded with $750 awarded by the Mattapoisett Land Trust Education Committee in response to an application by special education teacher Emma Fenton.
“The Transition Program is so grateful for the grant we received from the Mattapoisett Land Trust,” Fenton said. “This grant will allow us to purchase new tools and materials to keep our garden growing strong. The hands-on learning that this garden provides is so beneficial, as well as the joy that we are able to spread by sharing our flowers and garlic.”
In May, sixth graders at Old Hammondtown School took part in an annual Cuttyhunk STEAM Academy field trip. The students enjoyed a day of workshops on Cuttyhunk, learning about the island, its history and inhabitants, exploring its wetlands and beach areas. During the trip, they also got to learn about oyster farming and shipwreck diving. Additionally, in a workshop led by a local artist, sixth graders were able to create their own painting of Cuttyhunk Harbor, leaving them with a memento of the experience. This project was funded with $2,890 awarded by the Mattapoisett Land Trust Education Committee in response to an application by science teacher Ben Squire.
“This grant pays for a good portion of the trip, which includes the buses, ferry and an entire day of outdoor learning activities,” Squire said. “We partner up with the Cuttyhunk STEAM academy and small groups of students visit different stations around the island where they learn about local history, erosion, local plants and animals, local ecosystems and aquaculture.”
ORRHS students have also been working on a beautification project on campus. This project involved the school’s Community Service Learning Club and students from the schools’ Life Skills classes, along with many other high schoolers. The beautification project taught students about native plants and their importance to the environment, having them plant seasonal flower boxes and planters around entrances to the high school to improve aesthetics for students, parents and other visitors. Earlier this year, the Mattapoisett Land Trust Education Committee awarded $350 for this project in response to an application submitted by high school math teacher Karen Browning.
In addition to these initiatives, the Mattapoisett Land Trust Education Committee recently awarded $75 in response to a request from third grade teacher Jeannine Tranfaglia for a sunflower project; $500 in response to a request from Early Childhood teacher Elizabeth Kennedy for a sophomore class field trip to the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History; $500 in response to a request submitted by Browning for the ORRHS Native Garden; and $1,642 in response to a request from second-grade teacher Amy Renna for a field trip to the Heritage Museum and Gardens.
“This is the second consecutive year that the second graders of Center School will be able to experience the Heritage Museum and Gardens in Sandwich, thanks to the generous donation of the Mattapoisett Land Trust,” Renna said. “This field trip serves as a culminating activity to our seed dispersal and animal habitat units of study. Through this grant, students will be able to explore gardens, make observations about the local flora and fauna, and learn to appreciate the beauty of our local habitats. We are thankful to the Mattapoisett Land Trust for their continued partnership.”
Lastly, fifth graders at Old Hammondtown School continued their annual fall bulb project, planting daffodils behind the school. To date, the students have planted an estimated 500 bulbs on campus through funding from the Mattapoisett Land Trust. Through this project, students have learned about the growth cycle of the daffodils and the surrounding trees, as well as the impact that the sun and wind have on plant life.
“With the generous support of our friends at the Mattapoisett Land Trust, our fifth-grade science classes had the opportunity to plant daffodil bulbs alongside Mr. Squire and our fifth-grade teacher Amy Casi,” said Old Hammondtown Principal Stephanie Wells. “Students learned about the importance of selecting the right planting location and discovered how the bulb’s outer layer protects it through winter. We’re all looking forward to a beautiful display of flowers come spring.”
Superintendent Nelson, Principal Devoll, Center School Principal Ashley, Old Rochester Regional School Committee Chairperson Michelle Smith and Mattapoisett School Committee Chairperson Carly Lavin also thanked the Mattapoisett Land Trust Education Committee for thoughtfully considering and funding all of these projects.
The source of funding for these awards includes the Mattapoisett Land Trust Shoolman bequest, the Mattapoisett Cultural Council, the Marion Cultural Council, the Rochester Cultural Council, and the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
“The grant funding provided through the Mattapoisett Land Trust has been so helpful. It has provided our students with such important opportunities to get in touch with the environment around them and feel a connection with the land,” Chairperson Lavin said. “Thank you to the Mattapoisett Land Trust for making all of this possible.”
“Seeing all of the great work that our students are doing and the ways they are learning about the environment through this grant funding is phenomenal,” Chairperson Smith said. “Not only are they beautifying our environment, but they are also receiving an education in ecology. We are very grateful to the Mattapoisett Land Trust for working with us and providing this important funding.”
“Our two years of grant funding from the Mattapoisett Land Trust have provided invaluable opportunities for our students to develop a connection to the environment and learn so much about it in the process,” Principal Ashley said. “We are very grateful for these opportunities provided through the Mattapoisett Land Trust. We look forward to continuing this partnership and giving more students a chance to participate in these amazing educational projects.”
“It’s amazing to see all the hands-on projects our students have been engaged in on campus as a result of these awards from the Mattapoisett Land Trust,” Principal Michael Devoll. “This funding has provided for some incredible educational experiences in line with our science and environmental curriculum. Thank you to the Mattapoisett Land Trust for making this all possible.”
“I’d like to thank the Mattapoisett Land Trust, our teachers who applied for these awards and everyone involved for all their hard work to provide these valuable educational experiences to our students,” Superintendent Nelson said. “These hands-on learning experiences will stick with them for the rest of their lives, teaching them lessons about science and environmental stewardship. We look forward to continuing this valued partnership with the Mattapoisett Land Trust in the coming years.”
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Fifth graders from the Old Hammondtown School plant daffodil bulbs as a result of funding provided by the Mattapoisett Land Trust. (Photo Courtesy Old Rochester Regional School District and MA Superintendency Union #55)
Old Hammondtown School students plant daffodil bulbs on school grounds. (Photo Courtesy Old Rochester Regional School District and MA Superintendency Union #55)
First graders from Old Hammondtown School take part in a bird feeder project. (Photo Courtesy Old Rochester Regional School District and MA Superintendency Union #55)
A $500 grant paid for new nonfiction science-based library books at the Center and Old Hammondtown schools. (Photo Courtesy Old Rochester Regional School District and MA Superintendency Union #55)
ORRHS students have been working on a beautification project on campus, funded by a $350 Mattapoisett Land Trust Education Committee grant. (Photo Courtesy Old Rochester Regional School District and MA Superintendency Union #55)
This project involved the school’s Community Service Learning Club and students from the schools’ Life Skills classes, along with many other high schoolers. The beautification project taught students about native plants and their importance to the environment. (Photo Courtesy Old Rochester Regional School District and MA Superintendency Union #55)
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