The Foundation Grant Program is one of many ways the Educational Foundation of the Chesters provides assistance to the Chester schools. Foundation Grants are awarded on a competitive basis by action of the Foundation's Board of Trustees. Any faculty member, administrator, parent, or community member may submit a grant application. Proposals are reviewed to select innovative projects which would not otherwise be funded through the normal budget process. Once a year, the Foundation considers grant applications requesting amounts in excess of $2,500 through our Special Projects program.
The Foundation has awarded approximately $180,000 to the Chester schools through the Foundation Grants and Special Projects Programs over the past 7 years!
Scroll down to see grants recently awarded and a complete listing of all grants awarded by the Educational Foundation over the past years.
Total Grants Awarded Fall 2008 - Spring 2009 ($52,455.20)
DICKERSON
Weekly Reader Magazines, Social Studies (Spurr) $ 402.78
Family Sky Watch (Thieringer, Fazekas, Rock) $ 1,350.00
Two Olds ¾ Baritone (Cerulo) $ 2,266.00
Voice Amplification System (Ironson) $ 298.08
Weaving For Chester (Manno) $ 710.00
Guided Math Workshop (Stanton) $ 1,033.00
ELMO porjector for 4th grade (Berg) $ 1,904.00
ELMO projector for 5th grade (Connahan) $ 1,904.00
BLACKRIVERMIDDLE SCHOOL
Stage Lights and Sound Sytem (Aiello, Pizzo) $ 2,456.64
Smartboards (Mullen) $23,583.00
Tuba (Piascik) $ 3,177.00
SPECIAL PROJECT GRANTS AWARDED - SPRING 2008
Bragg School
Smart Boards ($15,792.90) – 5 Smart Boards will be distributed throughout Bragg School so that each grade will have access to this interactive technology.
Differentiating Instruction and Assessment in the Science Classroom ($2,500) – Mrs. Thieringer and Mrs. Stanton will be attending the Space Exploration Educators Conference as presenters. They will create a virtual field trip of the Johnson Space Center to be used during 5th grade astronaut training at Bragg School.
Black River Middle School
Musser Vibraphone ($3,550) - The BRMS bands, Percussion Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble will all benefit from the addition of the vibraphone.
Computer Lab Video Cameras ($3,000) – Mrs. Garrison’s technology lab classes will use the video cameras and digital editing software to create public service announcements about internet safety
Spring 2008
Digital Cameras ($1863) - First grade students and teachers will enjoy using the 7 new digital cameras and printing docks to help produce their memory books. Each student will create a book to capture important events and celebrations during the year. The students will choose photos, design their book, and write text and captions.
Music Listening Library and Equipment ($2499) - All music and band students at Bragg will benefit from the two new sets of listening equipment and the listening library which will be found in Mr. Cerulo’s and Mr. Gruver’s rooms. Students will be able to listen to a wide variety of music presented in the best quality possible.
Smartboard ($1,833) – Mrs. Thieringer’s class and other fifth graders at Bragg will be using the interactive features of the Smartboard in their daily lessons. This equipment will be used to enhance lessons by creating a technologically interactive classroom environment.
After school program at BRMS: Boys Lacrosse Team - ($2375) – The Foundation has assisted with the funding of the new boys lacrosse team.
Fall 2007
Smartboard ($1,776) – Mrs. Spurr’s class at Dickerson will be using the interactive features of the Smartboard in their daily lessons. The wireless element will also allow other 2nd grade teachers to utilize this technology to advance student learning.
Elmo Visual Presenter ($1,895) – Mrs. Herzner and the 2nd grade team will use the document camera and projector to capture and display images of 3-D objects, graphics and text while teaching Science, Writer’s Workshop and Reading.
Student Created Enrichment Book ($1,080) – Mrs. Theiringer’s EL Math classes at Bragg will be writing and publishing a Math enrichment book. The book will be distributed to the entire 5th grade and will include grid matrix puzzles, calculator puzzles, and student artwork. The students will be working with the Chester Historical Society to discover interesting facts about Chester to be included in their books.
Café Night at the BraggSchool ($1650.74) – Mr. Cerulo, Ms. Manno, Mr. Gruver, Ms. Ironson, Mrs. Werner, and Mrs. Eberhardt will be working with some 4th and 5th grade students to present an evening of creative performances in music, art or poetry. A café atmosphere will be recreated at BraggSchool, and students will have the opportunity to perform for the community.
Advanced Differentiation Materials for 3rd and 4th grades ($914.18) – Mrs. Mueller will provide third and fourth grade teachers with resources that cover math, reading, social studies, critical thinking and research skills. These materials will be assigned to students to be used for self-directed projects as a learning extension.
Food and Fitnes For Life ($2,252) – 5th grade students will be visiting the WellerHealthEducationCenter to enhance their learning about making healthy food choices. They will attend a multimedia presentation and participate in activities that reinforce the lessons learned in Health and PE. They will also visit the AnatomyAcademy interactive museum.
School Quality Dance Package ($916.43) – BRMS students will be improving their cardiovascular fitness and endurance with the Dance Dance Revolution game in PE class. Multiple stations will allow DDR to be used in warm up activities and as an aerobic station during class fitness activity.
Maps101.com ($1,197) – All BRMS students and faculty members will be able to access this online resource for maps, current events, and other learning activities.
Spring 2007
Smartboard 660 ($1597): Mrs. Clemmer’s first graders at Dickerson will use the Smartboard to display, edit, and save their work for Writer’s Workshop and Math. Other first grade classes will also benefit from this technology.
Aerogardens ($552.67): Mrs. Howard’s first graders will use 3 Aerogardens to demonstrate the hydroponic growing method for their science program.
Jupiter 593GL Baritone Sax ($2440): The BRMS band will benefit from the addition of a Baritone Sax. This will help to balance the band and allow them to perform standard literature for the middle school level.
Classroom Jeopardy ($868.47): Mrs. Cammarata’s 6th graders will appreciate using an interactive, electronic Classroom Jeopardy game to review material and prepare for tests.
TeachCam System ($900.94): Mrs. Keane will use the TeachCam system to project microscope work and other images through a computer or LCD projector for her 7th grade science classes.
Vernier LabQuest ($2145): Mrs. Armbruster’s students will be able to integrate technology into their learning when using the LabQuest portable units. Students will be collecting and analyzing data in real-time The units are portable and can be used in any location to measure temperature, pressure, force and motion data.
Fall 2006
All Dickerson students will benefit from the critical thinking and math games that Mrs. Mueller (Gifted and Talented Program Coordinator) will introduce to each class.
Dickerson students will enjoy using the Dance Revolution video game during Physical Education class to enhance their cardiovascular fitness and endurance.
First grade students will be taking home Family Literacy Backpacks to promote reading skills in a pilot program organized by Mrs.Taub. The backpacks contain books, DVDs and games to be shared with their family at home.
Dickerson students who are studying French will be able to enhance their learning and reading skills with French language books.
Fourth and fifth grade students and teachers will attend a workshop to learn about individual learning preferences. This assessment will enable teachers to implement lessons that address a variety of learning styles. Parents will be invited to attend an evening workshop to help understand their children’s learning style and ways in which they can help their children achieve their learning goals.
With their new video equipment and software, Mrs. Ironson’s fifth grade class will display their knowledge of American History by filming and producing video documentaries.
Mrs. Armbruster’s 8th grade science classes will be using a motor-driven planetarium to better conceptualize planetary systems and their motion. They will also be using an Interactive Classroom System and Wizard Testmaker for unit reviews and student assessments.
Mrs. Keane’s 7th grade science classes will be using three-dimensional DNA models to better understand the structure of DNA.
Teachers will attend separate Writing Workshops for Grades K-2 and Grades 3-8 to further their training in the Teachers College Writing Workshop model. Study groups will be able to utilize the resource library of videos and books, which will support the Writing Workshops.
Fall 2005 and Spring 2006
Summer Writing Institute (Dickerson-Jaffe,Herzner )-Summer course on teaching writing - $1,250 BraggSchool
Space Exploration Educators Conference (Bragg-Howard and Stanton)-Conference in Texas for teaching about space exploration. $2,200.00
TeamBuilding Outdoor Experience (Bragg-5th Grade Teachers) -team building workshop for students $3,480.00
Microscopes (BRMS-Keane )-refurbishing old and purchasing new microscopes for 7th grade science. $1,952.00
Science Sportacular Assembly (BRMS-Armbruster) -Lib. Sci. Ctr. Hands on program $795.00
Workshop-Sustainable Energy (BRMS-Armbruster) -Lib. Sci. Ctr. Hands on program $945.00
Spring 2005
Radium Phonic Ear Classroom Amplification System ($865.00) helps students hear the instructors’ voice above the inspired dialogue in the art room.
Acoustic-Electric Guitar ($500.00) for the music program will be useful for concerts and assemblies and gives the children firsthand experience with a string instrument. Its’ usage enables the music program to more effectively meet state and national curriculum standards.
Two teachers, Mrs. Pennella and Ms. Motto attended an inservice training ($1,050.00) for a developmental yoga program that can be integrated into school and physical education classes with Mrs. Kozlowski. Yoga promotes strength, endurance, coordination, balance and calmness.
Pollution and Solar Energy Module ($1,848.46): Through the pollution module, all fourth graders learn about litter and landfills. They study recycling, air pollution and acid rain.
Responsive Physical Education Instruction ($1,200.00) training allows the physical education teachers at Bragg to learn a program that promotes respectful, responsible and skillful play during classes and recess time.
Fall 2004
Literacy Centers ($2,213.00): Provide materials that create the foundations for creative writing for second graders in Dikerson Occupational Therapy ($860.00): Swirl vestibular equipment.
Character Counts program ($2, 033.00): Guidance counselors will receive specific training and then will direct programs throughout the school that help children understand, value and act on core ethical values.
Writing Workshop Training ($2,295.00): Principal at Bragg’s grant allowed 19 teachers to learn to teach writing through small groups, whole class presentations and individual conferences.
Frog Dissection kits ($498.00): For the seventh grade science students to enhance laboratory skills and learn about organ systems and anatomy.
Vernier Force Sensor and Force Plate($2426.00): Eighth grade students will learn real world applications of physics.
TI-83 Calculators($1,926.00): Eighth grade students will become accustomed to using the calculators required at WestMorrisMendhamHigh school.
Radium Phonic Ear Classroom Amplification System ($830.00): This system in the Computer Lab helps the instructor be heard above the background noise generated by all of the equipment in the classroom.
School year 2003-04
High Touch-High Tech Science Program ($1795.50) - 1st grade students participated in a two 90 minute hands-on science programs for a better understanding and discovery of scientific methods and systems.
Dig-it looked at gems and minerals; students panned and performed acid tests etc., and Magnet Makers focused on magnets and the students made their own electromagnets.
Bully Proofing your School Assembly-($1000.00) - A whole school assembly given by Jim Vagias who specializes in using magic to teach students respect for each other.
Guided Reading A-Z ($324.00) - A site license that enables 2nd graders to download materials from a library of 3,000 books at multiple reading levels.
Kind Kids Care ($2,647.00) - Program materials and assembly that enhance the school-wide Anti-Bullying Initiative. Includes over 50 books for teachers and students on how to handle conflict, posters for the school and 3 assembly shows.
Multi-Level Resource Library ($2496.77)-180+ books at multiple reading levels and interests for our 5th grade students.
Those Amazing Engineers- ($502.50) - A publication for our 4th and 5th graders that illustrates the significance of what they are learning to the real world.
The Magic of Cells-($2945.10) Purchased microscopes, slides, flex cams and videos for use by the 5th grade science classes.
Kids Discover Supplemental Teaching Aids-($3495.00) -An award winning series of more than 80 nonfiction titles for all the Bragg students to enhance the science curriculum.
Data Studio/Waveport Software ($615.94) - A site license enabling 8th grade science students to create workbooks to record and analyze temperature, pH, heart rate and velocity and acceleration data. When used in conjunction with sensors, students will be able to display multiple runs for sensor data, create data tables, graph one variable against another and use curve fit and calculator functions.
Van de Graff Electrostatic Generator ($773.95) - 8th Grade science students will be able to conduct hands on science experiments involving electrostatics. The Van de Graff generator provides students with a basis for conceptualizing the electromagnetic force within the atom. It allows students to perform museum quality experiments.
Vernier Lab Pro - ($1852.87) - An enhancement to the graphing calculators and sensor probes that allow multi-disciplinary data acquisition.
3 Laptops ($5419.35) - Dell Laptops dedicated to the LCD projectors for use by all BRMS students.
To ChesterSchool District - $7,000 state of the art computer/video/DVD projector
Family Math training for 2nd grade teachers. Innovative reading strategies teacher training.
Creation of Outdoor ScienceCenter.
Kids & Money assembly.
Illustory kits for 2nd grade.
2 sound amplification systems.
NJ Philharmonic Peter and the Wolf and Roots of Rock performance assemblies.
Classical music appreciation assemblies.
Mavica digital camera.
Telex Listening Center
Dino Dig hands on dinosaur experience.
Morris Museum Outreach programs.
Guided Reading books.
Kitchen on Wheels and supplies.
Pat Brisson author visit.
Science software. Writing software.
Liberty Science Outreach programs. Museum of Early Trades presentations.
Garden State Percussion Trio assemblies.
$500 art program award.
$3,000 technology award.
$2,000 principal's discretion award.
BraggSchool $5 gift certificates to a book store as awards for a year-long reading program.
Books and audiotapes purchased for students to read books on tape.
Sony Mavica digital camera.
AlphaSmart keyboard computers and charging carts for 4th and 5th grades.
Creation of Outdoor Environmental Courtyard.
BJ Ward poet-in-residence.
Digital thermometers for 5th grade science program.
NJ Philharmonic Roots of Rock and Peter and the Wolf performance assemblies.
Weather station.
Classical music appreciation assemblies.
Lexia Learning software.
Character development & editing process artist-in-residence program.
Digital piano.
Math enrichment book creation.
National Geographic magazines.
Return to the Moon space travel teacher orientation and student visits to BuehlerChallengerScienceCenter for 5th grade.
$500 art program award.
$3,000 technology award.
$2,000 principal's discretion award.
BRMS Poetry Online.
Poetry anthology created by 7th grade students.
Floating and sinking science software and supplies.
Electronic library.
Moral Courage Workshop.
Project Adventure ropes course and supplies.
French software.
Micro Worlds Pro software.
Lego Robotics.
Transition to Middle School program.
8th grade science software/probeware.
Windows XP wireless networking card, zip drive, and audio speakers for Communications classes.
Adobe PhotoShop Elements software site license.
Turbo Twist math software and manipulatives for math support.
3,000 technology award.
$2,000 principal's discretion award.
