The Calypso School First Foundation will award three school-wide classroom voice amplification systems (up to 35 classrooms maximum) beginning in the 2010-2011 school year.

The grant awards will be announced on Tuesday, May 18, 2010. 

Follow-us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/easiertolearn for grant updates.

Classroom voice amplification is becoming increasingly important to K-12 education with growing evidence that lightweight, wireless teacher microphones help create inclusive learning environments for special needs students. In addition, a growing portfolio of independent research supports the performance improvements seen for all students where sound-field reinforcement systems are used in the classroom, even as class sizes grow.

Recent research findings validated by the U.S. Department of Education support the use of classroom voice amplification systems: 

• Improved student attention (particularly with A.D.D. students), resulting in easier classroom management, less student distraction, less need to repeat instruction, higher listening skills test scores.

• Increased student motivation, participation, and speaking confidence results from better hearing.

• 43% reduction in students placed in special education referrals where early K-6 classroom amplification was introduced.

Source: http://www.marrs-study.info/measure-results

Each grant award includes:

Classroom voice amplification system equipment and installation in up to 35 classrooms.

Each classroom kit includes:

•              WCM-RF wireless microphone and base station                          
•              Calypso Systems 32-watt classroom amplifier
•              (1) student microphone
•              (2) 6.5” ceiling mounted speakers
•              All necessary connecting cables
•              Installation costs for up to 35 classrooms

 Estimated Grant Value: $37,150 

Eligibility

K-12 institutions, including public, non-profit, charter, and private schools are eligible to apply.  The Be Heard School Grant is not a needs-based grant program. As part of the grant program, each grant recipient agrees to participate in pre-installation and post-installation research surveys to measure the impact of classroom voice amplification systems in your school.  In addition, each recipient agrees to be the focus of a case study for Calypso Systems during the 2010-2011 school year.

Application

Applications can be submitted online at www.calypsosystems.com/grant-apps and will be accepted:

February 8 – April 30, 2010. 

Applications must be submitted, or approved prior to submission, by a school or district technology administrator. Applicants may receive a phone call from Calypso Systems to clarify information submitted on the application.

 Timing

• Applications accepted:February 8 – April 30, 2010
• Announcement of grant awards: May 18, 2010
• Installation: July-August (prior to start of 2011 school year)

1. Applications are available solely to K-12 school districts and private schools.  Architects, consultants and contractors may not apply on behalf of their clients.
2. School districts awarded grants from Calypso Systems are prohibited from applying for additional grants from Calypso Systems for 24 months after the award date.
3. Calypso Systems retains sole and exclusive authority to review and decide upon grant awards and reserves the right to modify the terms and conditions of the Classroom Voice Amplification System Grant program (Be Heard School Grant) at any time, without prior notice.
4. Calypso Systems reserves the right to publicly discuss, promote and announce grant awards, which includes the right to identify recipient school districts and/or schools.
5. Recipients of a Calypso Systems Classroom Voice Amplification Grant will be required to participate in a pre and post grant program research survey as well as a case study conducted by Calypso Systems during the 2010-2011 school year.
6. Calypso Systems will provide the WCM-RF Package, as defined above, in one school building in up to 35 classrooms for each grant recipient.  If a grant recipient's school building contains fewer than 35 classrooms, no credits will be given for any difference in the total value of the grant.
7. Calypso Systems will work with an install partner of it’s choice that will provide installation services to the grant recipient’s school to ensure all eligible rooms in the school are installed with a Calypso Systems Classroom Voice Amplification System by the start of the 2010-2011 school year.  Install timing and completion will be dependent on grant recipient schools providing reasonable and timely access to their school for installation purposes. Calypso Systems reserve the right to delay installation timing if reasonable school access is not provided during the months leading up to the start of the 2010-2011 school year.
8. Calypso Systems will provide the WCM-RF Package which includes: 

• • Calypso's WCM-RF wireless mic and base station
  • Calypso 32 watt classroom amplifier
  • (1) Student microphone
  • (2) 6.5" ceiling mount speakers
  • All necessary connecting cables
  • Installation costs for up to 35 classrooms

Calypso Systems will NOT provide any other equipment outside that mentioned above.