Federal grant will give curriculum historic boost Greenwich Township School District to spearhead new program. Monday, August 13, 2007 • By ANDREA EILENBERGER • The Express-Times GREENWICH TWP. | A nearly $500,000 federal grant will help give area history teachers a lesson in effectively bringing their subject to students. The Greenwich Township School District is the lead on the U.S. Department of Education Teaching American History grant project, which partners teachers from six school districts with colleges and state historical societies. Over a three-year period, they'll visit historical sites, study original documents, attend workshops and learn how to bolster their own curriculum. "I hope the teachers greatly increase their expertise in American history in such a way that they'll be able to really spark enthusiasm in the students," said Patty Lantz, Stewartsville Middle School principal. Teachers from Greenwich, Lopatcong, Pohatcong, Bloomsbury, Alpha and Phillipsburg schools are part of the project. They'll work with experts from the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, the New Jersey Historical Society, Rutgers University and Centenary College. Barbara DuPuis, technology teacher and coordinator at the Stewartsville Middle School, is the project director for the program. She said the application process for the competitive grant began in January and included creating an advisory board, surveying history teachers and reaching out to agencies willing to partner with them. Greenwich Superintendent Kevin Brennan expects the intensive program will "bring them to the level of historians." The department of education awarded 122 total grants in 40 states, including seven in New Jersey, according to the department's Web site. Greenwich Township, which received $493,968, is the only district in Warren or Hunterdon counties to earn a grant. "We're extremely pleased and excited," said Greenwich Superintendent Kevin Brennan. "It took a great amount of work on behalf of all the participants." DuPuis said teachers will learn how to fill in content gaps that exist in their curriculum. They'll also practice incorporating new technologies and methods into their lessons. "That will help bring it to life rather than listening to a lecture or looking at a textbook," DuPuis said. Also, students in the participating districts all go to Phillipsburg High School. The project could mean a more streamlined curriculum at the lower levels so students have similar base knowledge when they reach the high school. DuPuis said the group expects to hold a kickoff event open to the community in November. "The purpose (of the program) is to understand democracy and help us become better informed citizens in the end by knowing our history," she said. Reporter Andrea Eilenberger can be reached at 610-258-7171 or by e-mail at aeilenberger@express-times.com.