Palm Elementary receives grant to inspire teachers

The Lorain City School District announced Nov. 26 that Palm Elementary School, 2319 E. 34th St. in Lorain, is set to receive a grant from the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation, according to a news release.

The grant will fund a study of the book, “Sensitive Schools: Learning Communities Transforming Children’s Lives, K-5,” by author Susan E. Craig.

Palm Elementary teachers will receive a copy of the book and materials to apply some of the suggested activities in classrooms, the release said.

Planned book club style discussions of the chapters will take place monthly as part of ongoing voluntary professional development.

“Reading this book will provide my staff and school leaders with a common understanding about many of our scholars’ lives, whether they are living with the toxic stress of food insecurity or traumatic events in their lives,” said Palm Elementary Principal Carol Winter.

Winter goes on to explain, “the book discussions will also be instrumental in how we teach social emotional skills, why we practice mindfulness as a school, how to de-escalate outbursts and violent behavior and how to better use our restorative circles to support our scholars.”

The Martha Holden Jennings Foundation is a Cleveland-based nonprofit organization that provides funding to support Ohio’s teachers and focuses on programs and activities that emphasize excellent teaching and deep learning, the release said.