Innovative Programs

There are several innovative learning initiatives we believe will win support from large foundations that fund inventive public school programs. Two of these generated big "Wows!" and "Cools!" from students in the recent focus groups we ran in the middle and high schools. These are the Marine Studies Program and Gloucester Art Institute.

The Marine Studies Program builds on our city's history as America's Oldest Seaport and original home to the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute. Funds raised will be used to work with organizations such as the Gloucester Maritime Heritage Center to create opportunities for students across the city to study aquatic biology, chemistry, physics, ecology, and environmental science. The program builds on projects underway at Veterans' and Fuller Elementary Schools, as well as in the high school, where students construct underwater submersibles and study eelgrass. A major benefit of these efforts is that students are already being motivated to learn more science and math through hands-on applications of concepts.

The Gloucester Art Institute builds on our city's unique history as one of this nation's oldest art communities and creates a broad range of art programs in the schools. Integrated into the district’s existing art curriculum, the Institute increases support for broader offerings of music, dance, theater, and visual arts starting in the elementary schools. Other activities may include a visiting artist program, student apprenticeships, and a summer youth arts festival where artists offer weeklong workshops for interested students, periodically displaying or performing their own work, along with that of the students.

Examples of other innovative programs include a Sports Medicine Program in which sports medicine professionals work with coaches and members of the schools’ sports teams to improve physical conditioning, while encouraging the athletes to learn about human anatomy, physics, biology, and chemistry.

Already the Foundation has begun a program to bring into the middle and high schools various leaders in their fields to work directly with students to enrich their educational experiences. The program creates opportunities for students to learn from accomplished individuals, while inspiring children to consider a wide range of career paths.

The Foundation’s website includes more information on these and other programs being considered for presentation to the School Committee and Administration. Additionally, we are including a Family Survey in this mailing so we can learn what you think about the different programs we are considering. We also encourage you to share your ideas for improving the schools.