Wilbraham Hampden Academic Trust, Inc. Announces Grants

More Than $9,000 Awarded

Wilbraham and Hampden, Mass. January 26, 2005—Wilbraham Hampden Academic Trust, Inc. (w.h.a.t.) recently awarded grants totaling $9,217 for educational enrichment activities in the schools of the Hampden Wilbraham Regional School District. Overall, more than 500 students will benefit from the broad range of programs and projects supported by the funds.

“This is the third grant cycle since w.h.a.t. came into existence,” said Lynne Quintin, Vice President of Allocations. “We award grants twice each school year and every time they benefit an enormous number of kids in our community,” Quintin added.

Four grants were awarded and a fifth previously funded project received additional funds. The Wright Flight program, in which students will learn organizational and educational skills during a collaborative program with Barnes Air National Guard Base, although funded in the first grant cycle at the end of 2003, had been on hold. Now expanded to include more students and with additional funding from w.h.a.t., the program will be getting under way during the current school semester.

Bridges, a program in which students interact with seniors in learning experiences centered around the process of aging, will occur at Thornton W. Burgess School in collaboration with the Hampden Council on Aging. In a project at Soule Road School, Vernal Pool Posters, sixty-four 2nd grade students will develop and design posters depicting the biodiversity of the vernal pool at Fountain Park. The Wonders of Physics, also at Soule Road, is a “Physicist in Residence” program. A University of Wisconsin physicist will be involved in a series of activities, demonstrations, and projects that will introduce students from 3rd through 6th grade to many aspects of physics during a four day period. Finally, TurningPoint Technology was funded. This project involves the purchase and use of innovative computer software and hardware in a 7th grade science classroom at the Wilbraham Middle School. The technological items funded by the project, including the TurningPoint software package, infrared response cards, and a SMART Board, will allow a significantly enhanced interactive educational experience.

w.h.a.t. is a non-profit, tax-exempt corporation that was formed for the purpose of funding enrichment activities in the public schools that serve Hampden and Wilbraham. The foundation, which is financially and administratively separate from the school system and from the town governments, raises funds through private donations. w.h.a.t. does not fund routine educational expenses, such as textbooks and salaries, which are the responsibility of the tax-supported school budget. According to the w.h.a.t. Board of Directors, by enriching the educational experience of the students through innovative projects and activities, the educational system and therefore the entire collective community benefits.

Those interested in making a tax-deductible donation to w.h.a.t. may mail it to P.O. Box 477, Wilbraham, MA 01095-0477.