Third graders Zinan Dow and Isis Grafals, both 8, lead their Varieur Elementary School classmates in an assembly to receive Spark Grants. Photo by Steve Klamkin WPRO News

By Steve Klamkin WPRO News

Some 157 teachers in five urban Rhode Island communities will share $148,000 in so-called “Spark Grants”, intended to engage students and stimulate their interest in academics through classroom innovations.

At an assembly Wednesday in the Varieur Elementary School in Pawtucket, philanthropists John and Letitia Carter were recognized for conceiving and funding the program, starting with an initial, $75,000 award to Providence third-grade teachers last year. This year, the program is expanding to schools in Central Falls, Newport, Pawtucket, Providence and Woonsocket.

Third grade students thanked the Carters, whose donation was distributed through The Rhode Island Foundation.

“Their vision is giving teachers a remarkable opportunity to be innovative, said Foundation president and CEO Neil Steinberg in a statement. Many of the teachers plan to acquire cameras to help expand students’ horizons.

“We have all the books, we have all the writing materials, but we don’t have these extras,” said Varieur School third grade teacher Donna Sawyer.

“And they were able to give these to us, so we were able to get these cameras and get more kids involved,” she said.

“A lot of children don’t get to go into the communities, and see the different types of communities we have within Rhode Island,” said fellow third grade teacher Mary Bergeron.

“So, we thought it was a unique opportunity for them to bring the real world into our classroom,” Bergeron said.