Frequently Asked Questions about CiviConnections

1. I am not a social studies teacher. Can I apply for this grant?
A: Yes, teachers that teach other disciplines can apply, however priority will be given to those teachers who teach social studies or a social science course.

2. We currently receive service-learning funding. Does this mean we would not be considered for the grant?
A: Teachers who currently receive funding for service-learning can apply, however priority will be given to those teachers who do not currently receive funding.

3. Will the grant funds cover substitute pay while the teacher teams attend the NCSS conference?
A: Yes, funds can be used to pay substitutes while teachers attend the NCSS conference.

4. I would like to be part of a teacher team, but I will not be able to go to the NCSS Annual conference in November. Can someone else go on my behalf?
A: All teachers in the team must attend both the same summer workshop (see dates and locations on the application form) and the NCSS Annual Conference in Washington, D.C., December 1, 2006. Substitutions should not be made for these events.

5. Should I include additional information about my idea or plan for the CiviConnections program with my application?
A: Please do not include any additional information about plans or ideas for your program beyond those requested. This is not one of the requirements and we do not consider them when choosing recipients for the grant. Teachers will brainstorm and begin planning for their programs at the summer institute and will be asked to e-mail a draft of their CiviConnections project plan for approval by the Project Director by the end of September 2006.

6. What will the summer institutes cover?
A: The summer institutes will cover:
-the key principles of CiviConnections' two basic components: local historical inquiry and community service-learning
-activities on each of the 6 steps of the CiviConnection program
-time to begin brainstorming or planning your CiviConnections project
-exposure to a variety of curricular resources to assist teachers in project development
-review of the grant guidelines, evaluation procedures, and reporting requirements

7. Are part time teachers or teachers who are retired but work part time eligible for the grant?
A: Part time or retired teachers are not eligible to apply for this grant. More importantly, each teacher must involve at least 25 students per teacher in at least 20 hours of service plus related classroom activities.

8. Do all three teachers need to teach the same grade level?
A: No, the three teachers can teach various grade levels from grades 3-12.

9. Can the 25 students that each teacher involves in the program be some of the same students?
A: Each teacher must engage 25 different students in CiviConnections program activities. There must be a minimum of 75 students involved in the program.

10. I am concerned about not having enough money to cover the program costs, especially after paying for three teachers to travel and attend the summer institutes and the NCSS Annual Conference.
A: A significant part of this grant is meant to cover the 3 teachers' costs for attending the summer institute and the NCSS conference. Grant funds will cover costs for supplies, curriculum materials, and transportation costs for implementing the program. There are no specific costs for the teachers' projects so they can design their projects around their available funds -- the grant funds they have available after deducting expenses for the summer institute and NCSS conference (CiviConnections teachers need only attend Friday, December 1, of the 2006 NCSS conference in Washington, D.C.). Special Note: It may be necessary for you to incur some of your travel costs to the summer workshop and/or the NCSS Conference and then be reimbursed by your school district. Talk to your district accountant about your district guidelines for grant expenditures and reimbursements.

11. Do all three teachers applying need to be from the same school?
A: No, but the three teachers applying do need to be working in the same public school district (unless there is a teacher from a private school involved, see question 13).

12. Do all three teachers need to work together on one CiviConnections project or can we each do different projects?
A: The three teachers can decide whether they would like to work together on the same project or plan separate projects, we will discuss the pros and cons of these approaches at the summer institute.

13. I work for an independent school or private school. Can I apply for this grant?
A: Yes, you may apply but only in collaboration with at least one public school teacher. CiviConnections funds can only be given to public schools or public school districts.