The Fund for Learning presented 10 "Excellence in Learning" grants for the 2011—12 academic year during the June 14 Board of Education meeting in Pleasantville.
Grant Co-Chairs Veronica Costanza and Lisa Ultan revealed the grant requests totaled nearly $45,000.
"With roughly $25,000 to allocate toward grant requests, the Fund for Learning decided to reach out to other organizations in the community and asked them to partner with us to fulfill as many worth requests as possible," revealed Ultan.
With the help of the Parent Teacher Association, Parent Teacher Association, Parent Council, Special Education Parent Teacher Association (SEPTA) and the Friends of the Performing Arts, the Fund for Learning was able to award $32,723 in grants for the coming year.
"I think this kind of partnership really underscores the kind of community that we live in," said Ultan, "and the fact that we were all able to come together to do as much as possible for our students is something we're all very proud of."
From the Fund for Learning:
Bedford Road School
A-Z Web-Based Reading Program — $2,500
This computer based reading resource center will be used to improve the reading fluency and differentiation of instruction for children grades 1-3.
(presented in partnership with BRS-PTA)
District-Wide Special Education
iPads for Education — $6,893
The purchase of 10 iPads and accessories in an effort to connect learning and technology in a meaningful way, while satisfying individual learning styles and needs.
(Presented in partnership with SEPTA)
Pleasantville Middle School
Mobile Laptops — $8,300
This mobile cart with 12 laptops will be shared by faculty grades 5-8 and will be used to integrate innovative, exciting technology, including collaborative student projects and interactive learning into the middle school curriculum.
Online Book Club — $1,000
An enrichment program, open to all eighth graders, encouraging reading, interaction and the exploration of new genres.
Ecological Footprint Program — $2,000
Cross-curricula day-long event led by the Children’s Environmental Literacy Foundation, where our 6th graders would explore sustainability and environmental responsibility in regards to their own school.
(presented in partnership with PMS-PTA)
Six Steriomicroscopes — $4,200
These microscopes will allow 7th graders to learn from highly detailed views of live specimens.
(presented in partnership with PMS-PTA)
Pleasantville High School
Digital Microscope — $995
Microscope that will provide greater access to curriculum through the use of SmartBoard technology, fostering inquiry and comprehension skills specifically in the special education classroom, but across the entire science department as well.
(presented in partnership with PHS-PCO)
DVD Collection for the Visual Arts — $1,048
Collection of DVDs that would enhance teaching and learning by providing connections to what it means to be an artist in the various art disciplines and in a variety of media.
(presented in partnership with PHS-PCO)
Grand Piano (reconditioned) — $11,000
An important component of an effective music program, this piano would afford proper tone as well as line of sight for the instructor. (This grant was funded over two years and includes partnership with Friends of the Performing Arts, PHS-PCO, and student fundraising).
Student Grant
Challenge Team Buzzers — $587
Set of electronic buzzers for High School Challenge Team to use to practice for local televised quiz show The Challenge.
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The Fund for Learning will hold its largest annual fundraising event, the 2011 PFFL Autumn Dinner Dance and Auction, on November 18 at in Chappaqua.
