Cormier Jewelers of Southbridge generously donated a three stone, oval cut, 1 carat diamond ring valued at $3,000 that each attendee had a chance to win.

The newly raised money will go to fund special student-focused projects for 2013 and to build an endowment that will support projects and programs in future years.

Recipients for this year’s round of funding provided the 135 brunch attendees with an update of their grant-winning projects. Presenters included Emilie Parent and Lynn Cahill for their proposal of “iPads for Khan,” Daniel Thompson for “Geocaching,” and Steve Kelly for “Picture Posts: Digitally Documenting Environmental Change.” Other winners include Alesia Peck from Burgess Elementary School, Bernadette Toomey and Marion from Wales Elementary School, and Steven Thompson and Patricia O’Brien-Briere of Tantasqua High School.

Ted. is a non-profit community foundation that was launched in the spring of 2007. Its mission is to fund teacher-sponsored, student-focused projects that encourage students to pursue their interests through activities that would not typically be funded by the district’s operating budget.

Teachers seeking funding for particular projects will submit applications in the form of grant proposals, which will compete with other, similar grant proposals for funding during each school year. The next round of grants will be awarded in the spring of 2013.

Ted. funds will provide students with 10 iPads for a full-inclusion model classroom. Using Khan Academy web materials, teachers will reteach small groups and students will practice skills at their own pace. Khan Academy offers free web-based video micro-lectures and guided math practice, K-12.

Ted. funds will provide students with 22 e-books, 10 iPads, and Apple applications. Using iPads, students create multimedia presentations and digital stories and learn science curriculum through a teacher-created iBook textbook. e-Books also provide access to books focused on geography curriculum.

Ted. funds will provide students with instructions from a master potter in Raku pottery making, with an emphasis on building a kiln.

Ted. funds will provide students with a green screen, lighting, and costumes. Fourth graders produce and film reports on geography of a state; fifth graders produce and film reports as they re-enact history of the United States.

Ted. funds will provide students with four waterproof digital cameras with GPS and accompanying materials. Picture Posts are used for environmental monitoring and are part of the Digital Earth Watch network at University of New Hampshire. Locations would be at TRHS and the community, with a special emphasis on the June 2011 tornadoes aftermath.

Ted. funds will provide students with ten GPS devices and accompanying materials to allow students to locate and find hidden objects in the Brimfield State Forest. Geocaching can be used to teach history, geography, social studies, math, and science. Geocaching also teaches students to have respect for the environment through positive environmental stewardship.

The newly raised money will go to fund special student-focused projects for 2012 and to build an endowment that will support projects and programs in future years.

Recipients for this year’s round of funding provided the 165 brunch attendees with an update of their grant-winning projects. Presenters included Marion Reilly and Michelle Nascemben for their proposal of “Diving Into a Vernal Pool Study,” Shelly Winiarski for “Planting the Seeds for Success,” and Noel Lamothe for “Electric Shop Solar Panels,” Other winners include Alesia Peck and Debra Quinn from Burgess Elementary School, Lisa Lamothe, Lori Hamparian, Debra Culver, and Rusti Plants-Prouty from Tantasqua Junior High School, and Mary Duane and Sean Cusick of Tantasqua High School.

The Ted. board would like to thank All-Star Premium Products and Brian Galonek for the Red Sox tickets, Ruben’s Limousine for transportation, Bella Mia for the Spa Party, and all of the fine dining restaurants who so generously donated.

Ted. is a non-profit community foundation that was launched in the spring of 2007. Its mission is to fund teacher-sponsored, student focused projects that encourage students to pursue their interests through activities that would not typically be funded by the district’s operating budget.

Teachers seeking funding for particular projects will submit applications in the form of grant proposals, which will compete with other, similar grant proposals for funding during each school year. The next round of grants will be awarded in the spring of 2012.

Ted. Funds will provide students with materials and experiences that will enhance their education of neuroscience. This grant is being implemented during the 2011-12 school year. Please check back soon, for more details and a full report of how the High School students benefited from this Ted. grant.