CAPE ELIZABETH — The Cape Elizabeth Education Foundation recently closed its 2010 spring grant cycle, and will award $27,500 to the school district for programs,  professional development and equipment.

CEEF has awarded grants 15 times, and since 2002 has been able to fund more than $780,000 in programs to the schools.

The group’s mission is to help promote innovative programs that fall outside the school budget. The Grant Committee is made up of faculty advisers from each school, a CEEF board member and community members.

At Pond Cove Elementary School, CEEF awarded nearly $9,400 for technology and professional development. Up to $7,500 was awarded for equipment, and nearly $2,000 will fund a professional development grant for educators to attend the Wayland Literacy Institute to better understand the developmental needs of young writers.

At Cape Elizabeth Middle School, CEEF will provide about $4,000 for programs and professional development. A Civil Rights Team will be reformed and a Puppet Club will be created with the help of $1,150. 

Three professional development programs will receive funding. One will allow the technology integrator to attend a conference that will enhance methods of teaching; one will cover a portion of three weeks of Spanish-language and culture immersion in Santiago, Spain, and one will augment guidance counselor strategies for students with behavioral and emotional needs. 

At the high school, $8,500 will help benefit arts, wellness and technology programs. 

The wind symphony will receive a $3,000 grant that will bring internationally known composer Andrew Boyson to compose music for the group. The Lincoln-Douglas debate team, a form of competitive debate that focuses on logical thinking and public speaking skills, will be re-established with the help of $1,500 in funding, and the Chef-of-the-Month program received $500 and will continue to bring healthy and local food to the high school.

A $2,200 grant will be used to supply technology to the social studies department and an additional grant will provide partial funding to help improve methods of teaching instructional support students who are in need of stress management techniques.

Finally, a joint grant between the high school and middle school will provide funding to train modern language teachers to evaluate and assess the level of student’s proficiency.

CEEF is expected to give a presentation to the School Committee on Tuesday, May 11.

Amy Anderson can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 110 or aanderson@theforecaster.net