While the grant is to be applied to one school district, it is the hope of all involved that we will learn from this experience and as a result, apply those "lessons" to our own settings when the opportunity to write a grant occurs.  None of us has written a winning grant proposal and we hope to start with the Learn and Serve Grant.
 

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

Stage 4

Stage 1

1.  Topic for Proposal
Park View’s 8th graders, in a joint venture with the Morton Grove Park District, will act as “computer tutors” for the village’s senior citizens.  As part of their nine week computer class curriculum, they will be responsible for:
(1) publicizing the classes (2) planning the course materials, (3) teaching the seniors during after school sessions, (4) creating a web page sharing the success of the venture.  Busing will be provided to the seniors whose classes will include:  “Taming the Computer Beast,” The Computer as a Typewriter…and more,” “Fun with the Computer,” and “Mining the Internet.”

2.  Rationale
Many of the Senior Citizens in Morton Grove own or have access to computers.  Some have been gifted with computers from family members.  The level of interest has been manifested in the steady, large attendance (100 persons per session) at computer lectures at the local library.  The participants are able to register for very limited individual tutoring at this facility.  A computer-tutoring program was held at a local school 2 years ago.  Registration was full and there was a waiting list for each session.  The school chose to discontinue the program due to a lack of funds.

The Seniors want to be able communicate and enjoy the computer with their families, some of whom are not living in Morton Grove or adjacent communities and also want to benefit from the educational and informational resources available through the computer.

The fact that many of the Seniors and students live apart from their grandchildren and grandparents creates an atmosphere of isolation for the two generations.  Ageism, which is prevalent in our society, can be diluted by more interaction between the youth and elders.  Conversely, so can the antagonism of the elder for the youth be decreased.  We need more intergenerational programs so that there is greater understanding and appreciation of each group for the other.  Computers present an educational and enjoyable avenue for this goal.
 

3.  Other Resources
    • Name and URL of the RFP
    • Description - the official Learn and Serve website
    • References

4.  Project Participants and Assignments
     Susan Cooper-Background information, narrative
     Gloria Henke-Alignment of Illinois Learning Standards to proposal
     Marilyn Hudson-Recorder, assembler of all information for web, budget
     Alicia Kessler-Web research on appropriate topics
     Mike Sennert-Curriculum developer

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