Contact Debra Schor 914-263-4857
Croton-On-Hudson, NY, January 8, 2010–The Croton-Harmon Education Foundation (CHEF) recently reviewed all grant applications for Fall 2009. Over $17,000 in grants was awarded to the Croton-Harmon District Schools. Grants were awarded for a wide array of programs. The details of the grants are summarized here:
CET
CHEF awarded a grant to CET to build a sustainable, organic garden. The current third grade science curriculum is specifically tied to the life cycle of a plant so they will be spearheading this project. But the impetus for the project goes far beyond school curriculum. Last year four third graders with the assistance of the school Head Custodian, Lou Scazzafava, started their very own vegetable garden, in the rocks, behind the school. Eliana Peretz, one of the young gardeners wrote an essay in support of the CET School Garden and she said, “It’s much more fun to be hands on than studying by reading and writing things. It would make that [science] unit fun because then there’s something to do every day and then it stays there, and it doesn’t get put into a report card and then kept and filed—it’s there for everybody to see every day.”
CHHS
CHEF supported a grant for robotics equipment for the new Robotics Club. The club enables students to build and program large complex robots that are able to execute complex tasks. The students in the club are also learning engineering concepts, programming and algorithm design, as well as collaboration, teamwork and project management skills.
CHEF funded a grant for Calculus In Motion and Algebra In Motion modeling software—to be used in math classes across all grades at the high school. These programs bring calculus and algebra to life for students through interactive animation tutorials thereby helping students to visualize the key mathematical concepts.
Funds were awarded for books for both the CHHS Math Team/Pi Squad, and for CHHS Global History Review.
CHEF is also granting money for a new projection screen in the CHHS Community Room.
If you have a program idea for the Croton-Harmon Schools – please share it with CHEF. Applications can be filled out by students, teachers or parents. The next grant cycle will occur in May 2010. Through the generous support of the Croton community, CHEF has awarded grants of more than $480,000 for a variety of initiatives, many of which give students unique educational experiences that go beyond the scope of traditional classroom learning. For more information, visit the Foundation’s website at www.crotonfoundation.org
The Croton-Harmon Education Foundation celebrates its 10th Anniversary in 2010. The first CHEF event of the year is the annual Dine-A-Round fundraiser, which will take place on Saturday, January 30th. This three-stop party includes a cocktail hour with live music, fine dining at homes around Croton, and dessert and dancing to the soulful rock n’ roll of The Real Rough Diamonds. Tickets are on sale now at www.crotonfoundation.org. Space is limited.