The Valley Central Education Foundation, established by local community-minded citizens through the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan, has awarded $1,941.00 in grants to local schools.
The first Grant Recipient is for “Understanding Food from plant to table” submitted by Nancy Phelps of Walden Elementary- This project is math and science based with a writing component for each activity. Ms. Phelps will lead her class in throughout the course of the school year with activities including apple pie making and a trip to Fox Hill for making maple syrup. It’s a truly wonderful way to enhance the learning in her classroom.
The second Grant Recipient is for “Berea Chess Club” submitted by Amy Van Zanten of Berea Elementary. Ms. Van Zanten will host a chess club during recess once a week. When the idea was presented to the fifth grade class, more than half of the students signed up. The VCEF will pay for the necessary chess sets to allow all the students to learn to play chess, gain an understanding of the game, and have collaborative discussion around new learning strategies.
The third Grant Recipient is for “Using Nooks to Increase Student Achievement” submitted by Tara Meyer and Kerry Devine of Walden Elementary. The grant is to purchase three Nook HD Tablets to be used with students with special needs that read significantly below grade level. Using the Nook will allow students to read books on their level, without feeling uncomfortable and be beneficial for those students that have trouble concentrating or need text sizes to be bigger.
The fourth Grant Recipient is for “8th Grade Art Service Club” submitted by Francine Adams of the Middle School. The grant will purchase supplies and the club will study a variety of clay and fiber art products in our consumer society. They will design and create art products that can be sold, design and set-up displays, keep inventory and sales records. The products will be sold and the profit will be donated to charity. Creating art and supporting charity, a great combination.
The fifth Grant Recipient is for “Homeless Help” submitted by Barbara Gravel. In Valley Central there is an average of 150 homeless students. The grant will be used for school supplies, sneakers to participate in physical education and even necessary hygiene supplies such as soap, shampoo and toothpaste.
About the Valley Central Education Foundation:
“Friends” of the Valley Central School District, including parents, members of the community, staff, retirees, and Board of Education members established the Valley Central Education Foundation in 2010 as a charitable partnership between the community and its students. The Valley Central Education Foundation has spent the last three years fundraising on behalf of this Fund that will begin making grants in 2013 that provide opportunities to children attending school in the Valley Central School District.
About the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan:
The Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan, a 501(c)(3) public charity, was created to help individuals, organizations, and businesses establish endowments within their community. To make a secure on-line gift to the Valley Central Education Foundation, please visit www.cfoc-ny.org or make checks payable to CFOS – Valley Central Education Foundation, and mail to Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan, 30 Scott’s Corners Drive, Suite 202, Montgomery, NY 12549. For further information, contact the Community Foundation at (845) 769-9393 or
karen@cfoc-ny.org.
