Granting Funds Since 2015...
GRANT SPOTLIGHT: HHRS
SCHOOL: Henry Hudson Regional
TEACHER: Mrs. Fitzsimmons, STEAM Academy
HHTDEF GRANT: The SeaPerch ROV Program
"We just received the SeaPerch kits. I’m so excited for the STEAM Academy students to build their underwater robots. It will be a big learning curve for us, but hoping to be competition-ready for their 2020-2021 season! Thanks again for your support.”
-- Leigh Fitzsimmons, HHRS STEAM Coordinator
The SeaPerch is an innovative underwater robotics program that equips teachers and students with the resources they need to build an underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV).
Students learn about robotics, engineering, science, and mathematics while building an underwater ROV as part of a science and engineering technology curriculum.
Congrats & good luck to Mrs. Fitzsimmons and her STEAM Academy students! 👏
Funds Granted...
Atlantic Highlands Elementary (AHES) Pre-K through 6th grade
Atlantic Highlands Elementary (AHES) Pre-K through 6th grade
Highlands Elementary School (HES) Pre-K through 6th grade
Henry Hudson Regional School (HHRS) 7th through 12th grades
Atlantic Highlands Elementary (AHES) Pre-K through 6th grade
Highlands Elementary School (HES) Pre-K through 6th grade
Henry Hudson Regional School (HHRS) 7th through 12th grades
Atlantic Highlands Elementary (AHES) Pre-K through 6th grade
Highlands Elementary School (HES) Pre-K through 6th grade
Henry Hudson Regional School (HHRS) 7th through 12th grades
All Three Tri-District Schools
Students to Science benefitting 325 students from 4th through 8th grades. Program brought virtual science labs and supplies to the two elementary schools for all students to participate—The 7th & 8th grade went on a field trip to the physical lab to work with professional scientists.
Atlantic Highlands Elementary (AHES) Pre-K through 6th grade
Highlands Elementary School (HES) Pre-K through 6th grade
Henry Hudson Regional School (HHRS) 7th through 12th grades
GRANT SPOTLIGHT: HHRS
SCHOOL: Henry Hudson Regional
TEACHER: Mrs. Fitzsimmons, STEAM Academy
HHTDEF GRANT: The SeaPerch ROV Program
"We just received the SeaPerch kits. I’m so excited for the STEAM Academy students to build their underwater robots. It will be a big learning curve for us, but hoping to be competition-ready for their 2020-2021 season! Thanks again for your support.”
-- Leigh Fitzsimmons, HHRS STEAM Coordinator
The SeaPerch is an innovative underwater robotics program that equips teachers and students with the resources they need to build an underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV).
Students learn about robotics, engineering, science, and mathematics while building an underwater ROV as part of a science and engineering technology curriculum.
Congrats & good luck to Mrs. Fitzsimmons and her STEAM Academy students! 👏
Funds Granted...
Atlantic Highlands Elementary (AHES) Pre-K through 6th grade
- Butterfly Garden (previously approved and now funding will be distributed with new teacher)
- Computer Aided Drawing (CAD) Tablets and 3-D Printer
- Piano Keyboard Lab (Grades 1-6. Students learn piano basics and/or improve skills they already have. The keyboard and iPads allow students to use notation software to read and create music.
Atlantic Highlands Elementary (AHES) Pre-K through 6th grade
- Steam Kits for Kindergarten students. The STEAM kit activities encourage students to use team work, critical thinking and problem solving skills, while increasing their vocabulary and communication skills.
- "The kindergarten classes of Atlantic Highlands have been enjoying new STEM kits that were purchased by the Education Foundation. The new kits are being used with the STEM table and are updates on the kits that were purchased last year.
This year Mrs. Corey and Mrs. Evans wanted to expand on the learning since the children loved the activities so very much. "We kicked off the year with the story of the Gingerbread Man. Each class read a few different versions of the story. To compliment the story, we used our new Gingerbread Man STEM kit.
"The children needed to work together in teams to try to build a boat, bridge, etc. to try to get the Gingerbread Man across the water and away from the townspeople and fox. The children had to draw out a plan, execute the plan, and test the plan.
"Everyone had a great time experimenting with different ways to help the Gingerbread Man. Up next will be our new Goldilocks and the Three Bears kit. The children will try to build new chairs for the characters to sit in without them breaking. All of this is so very exciting for the children and the teachers, too! Thank you to the foundation for your generous support!"
- "The kindergarten classes of Atlantic Highlands have been enjoying new STEM kits that were purchased by the Education Foundation. The new kits are being used with the STEM table and are updates on the kits that were purchased last year.
- Flexible Seating for students in 5th & 6th grades. Flexible seating offers students different seating choices (standing desk, wobble stools, etc.) in addition to desks and chairs. Research indicates that flexible seating improves focus and attention, while burning more calories and providing increased oxygen to the brain.
- "The chairs have been a great use for students when they are sitting too long and need to be able to move around. They help give to keep the students more engaged because they are enjoying the class more with the seats. The seats are also used for a reward system for students who are on task and have completed their homework. When working in small groups it is easy for the students to pull up one of the stools and do different station activities with the teacher."
- Flexible Seating Plan for special education students in the 4th grade Student Centered Classroom. This alternate seating will use collaborative tables and flexible seating options to encourage movement, teamwork, and creativity. Alternate seating provides open communication and idea sharing which nurtures problem solving skills and independent thinking.
- "I want to thank you once again for the funding for the flexible seating for my 4th grade classroom and include some recent pictures of the final set up. We received our two large tables just before the winter break and have been thoroughly enjoying the alternative seats for the past few weeks. The students have enthusiastically embraced trying out the yoga ball chairs, stools, and stand up desks. They are able to change seats everyday and work in small groups during reading, language, and math classes. They are all so excited to see which new seats work best for them and make independent choices for their learning. In addition, we use the "surf desks" on the floor with our laptops. They are fully portable and add to the flow of movement in the class. Moving away from traditional desks has added so much to the childrens' ability to move while increasing focus and creativity. Please see the attached photos to fully appreciate the magnitude of these changes! My classroom environment is forever changed for continued success! Thank you!"
Sincerely,
Mrs. Cheryl Franzreb
- "I want to thank you once again for the funding for the flexible seating for my 4th grade classroom and include some recent pictures of the final set up. We received our two large tables just before the winter break and have been thoroughly enjoying the alternative seats for the past few weeks. The students have enthusiastically embraced trying out the yoga ball chairs, stools, and stand up desks. They are able to change seats everyday and work in small groups during reading, language, and math classes. They are all so excited to see which new seats work best for them and make independent choices for their learning. In addition, we use the "surf desks" on the floor with our laptops. They are fully portable and add to the flow of movement in the class. Moving away from traditional desks has added so much to the childrens' ability to move while increasing focus and creativity. Please see the attached photos to fully appreciate the magnitude of these changes! My classroom environment is forever changed for continued success! Thank you!"
Highlands Elementary School (HES) Pre-K through 6th grade
- iPads for 70 students in Kindergarten-2nd Grade. The grant will help purchase fifteen 128GB 6th Generation iPads that will be used in learning stations throughout classrooms for STE@M-based activities and applications. The balance of the cost is being paid through the HES budget.
- Cooking Class for 5th & 6th Special Education Classroom Grade. Grant to purchase start up materials to begin a Cooking Course. Cooking is a motivating and versatile activity used to teach life skills using STE@M hands-on activities. Cooking activities illustrate science concepts such as changes in states of matter, math concepts such as fractions and measuring, reading comprehension, and following multi-step directions.
- We loved using our new convection oven! Thank you very much!
- We loved using our new convection oven! Thank you very much!
- Flexible Seating Plan for 1st Grade Students. This alternate seating will use collaborative tables and flexible seating options to encourage movement, teamwork, and creativity. Alternate seating provides open communication and idea sharing which nurtures problem solving skills and independent thinking.
- STEM BINS for students in 1st grade. These comprehensive kits include teacher guide, manipulatives, and task activity cards for classroom STEM centers to support science curriculum this year and in the future.
Henry Hudson Regional School (HHRS) 7th through 12th grades
- “Escape Room” Start Up Materials for 339 students in 7th – 12th Grades. These STE@M-themed challenges focus specifically on math and Next Generation Science Standards. Materials are used to create challenges for thinking “outside the box” on activities related to current units under study.
- "Seventh grade science classes all partook in the first STEM Escape Room. Students had to use their knowledge of the periodic table and atomic structure to save the world from nuclear meltdown. To complete the task, students had to use teamwork to unlock various puzzles using alphanumeric and directional locks provided by the HHTDEF. Everyone has fun and is looking forward to the next escape room!"
- iFLY STEM Field Trip for 22 STEM Academy students in 9th – 11th Grades. Students will visit an indoor sky diving facility as an introduction and motivational activity for a unit on the physics of freefall. Aerodynamics, wind, gravity, acceleration, velocity and time will be explored. Includes flying time for each participant.
- "Henry Hudson STEAM Academy students in grades 9-11 traveled to iFLY Paramus for a one-of-a-kind field trip. Instructors taught the group all about the physics of skydiving and wind tunnel testing. They also gave a demonstration of the impact of wind speed of different shaped sports balls and even water droplets. Lastly, the students and Mrs. Fitzsimmons each got two turns to "skydive" in the vertical wind tunnel with the help of an instructor."
- Ion XE 20 Console for theatre lighting in the High School. This equipment will benefit the entire school for productions and other events in the theatre. It will also allow for the creation of courses in theatre production. The light board is part of a comprehensive upgrade to the theatre and its programming.
Atlantic Highlands Elementary (AHES) Pre-K through 6th grade
- Odyssey of the Mind for 14 students in 5th & 6th grades. Two teams of seven students each competed in a renowned National Competition involving critical thinking, problem solving and collaboration.
- Chrome Books for 52 Fifth Grade students. This enables access to online courses, standardized testing, and other technology-based needs. The cost of the Chromebooks was shared with the AHES Board of Education.
- Monarch Butterfly Waystation for 330 students from Pre-K through 6th grade to explore the life cycle of Monarch Butterflies. Students planted a 10 x 10 garden and experienced a field trip to the Rutgers University Butterfly Field Research facility.
- Flexible Seating for 40 students in 4th to 6th grades. This flexible classroom seating is more conducive to open collaboration, communication, creativity, and critical thinking
- Standing Desks for 40 students in 3rd grade. Students are able to sit or stand at their desks, which encourages freedom of movement, a feature especially beneficial to students with special needs.
- American Young Voices for 55 students in 5th & 6th grades. Students trained and competed in a concert to demonstrate the power of music.
- Hands on STE@M Table for 40 Kindergarten students. The table uses multi-sensory boxes to engage students to explore the principals of language development, Math, Science, Engineering, Technology and Art.
Highlands Elementary School (HES) Pre-K through 6th grade
- Smart Board for 180 students from K through 6th grade. The smart board was installed in the computer lab to teach coding and other computer classes.
- NASP National Archery in the Schools Programs for 180 students from K through 6th grade. The program explored the Math curriculum as it relates to Geometry.
- Mobile STEM Museum for 180 students from K through 6th grade. This visiting program with interactive stations was set up in the school gymnasium for all students, teachers and parents to participate.
- Hands on STEAM Table for Kindergarteners. The table uses multi-sensory boxes to engage students to explore the principals of language development, Math, Science, Engineering, Technology and Art.
Henry Hudson Regional School (HHRS) 7th through 12th grades
- Outfitting the Maker Space for STEAM Lab for 7th through 12th grades. This area is for students to create & solve challenges from utilizing recycled materials to computer coding and robotics.
- Funding for Competitions for 30 students 9th through 12th. These included IEEE Robotics, Teen Arts, Congressional Arts, and Scholastic Arts competitions.
- Guggenheim Art Museum Field Trip for 50 art students 9th through 12th grades.
- 3-D Printers for 400 students grades 7th through 12th. These two printers are located in the new Maker Space.
- Odyssey of the Mind Competition Team for 14 students in 7th & 8th grades. Two teams of seven entered a renowned National Competition involving critical thinking, problem solving, and collaboration.
Atlantic Highlands Elementary (AHES) Pre-K through 6th grade
- Podcast Center Equipment for 250 students grades 2nd through 6th . The equipment is used in four centers and is compatible with laptops, engaging 12 students at a time for speaking and language presentations.
- Odyssey of the Mind Competition Team for 14 students from grades 7th & 8th. Two teams of seven students each competed in a renowned National Competition involving critical thinking, problem solving and collaboration.
- Engineering Center for 25 Pre-K students. Table utilizes multi-sensory boxes to engage students in problem solving and cognitive development while exploring the principals of Math, Science, Engineering and Technology.
Highlands Elementary School (HES) Pre-K through 6th grade
- Engineering Center for 25 Pre-K students. Table utilizes multi-sensory boxes to engage students in problem solving and cognitive development while exploring the principals of Math, Science, Engineering and Technology.
- Play Piper Kits for 40 students grades 3rd to 6th.. Kits allows students to build their own computers and learn to code.
- STE@M Lab Equipment for 200 students in Pre-K through 6th grade. Adjustable height stools for STE@M Lab/Maker space to enable students to use the lab tables.
- Band Instruments. Two new trumpets and two new trombones for the band/music students.
- Maker Space Equipment for 200 students from Pre-K through 6th grade. Equipment included microscopes, plant models, two greenhouses, and lab equipment.
Henry Hudson Regional School (HHRS) 7th through 12th grades
- Teen Tech for 10 students from 9th through 12th grades in STEM. This daylong workshop offered hands-on demonstrations of technology, engineering, and computer science.
- Robotics Competition for 10 students in grades 9 through 11th grades. The grant funded professional supplies for two competitions.
- Congressional Art Competition for 20 students in grades 9 through 11th grades. The grant funded professional supplies for two competitions.
- Odyssey of the Mind Competition Team for 14 students in 7th & 8th grades. Two teams of seven students each competed in a renowned National Competition involving critical thinking, problem solving, and collaboration.
- Turtle Back Zoo Education Program for 60 students in 9th grade. This field trip introduced Animal Anatomy & Physiology and enabled students to do comparative anatomy dissections and explore evolution.
- Shoot Away Basketball Aid for the boys’ basketball team. This basketball shooting machine will allow various teams to practice their shooting skills for many years.
- Band Trip to Disney for 100 students. The foundation paid the fee for the marching band of to participate in a daily parade down Main Street in Disney World following the band’s participation in a national band competition.
- MOMA Field Trip for 44 Art Students in 9th through 12th grades. The grant paid the entrance fee to the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.
- Skills USA Community Service for 25 Art Students in 9th through 12th grades. Funding provided materials for students to paint a mural on the Parker House (a facility to provide medical treatment for the uninsured in the community).
All Three Tri-District Schools
Students to Science benefitting 325 students from 4th through 8th grades. Program brought virtual science labs and supplies to the two elementary schools for all students to participate—The 7th & 8th grade went on a field trip to the physical lab to work with professional scientists.
Atlantic Highlands Elementary (AHES) Pre-K through 6th grade
- Odyssey of the Mind Competition Team for 7 students from 7th & 8th grades. The student team competed in a renowned National Competition involving critical thinking, problem solving, and collaboration.
- Band Competition for 100 students 4th through 6th grades. Transportation and park entrance fees to Six Flags/Great Adventure for a band competition.
- School Gardens Supplies benefitting Pre-K through 6th grades. Supplies used in the Tiger Patch Garden.
Highlands Elementary School (HES) Pre-K through 6th grade
- Engineering Center for Pre-K students. Grant purchased a STEM table with integrated activities.
- School Gardens Supplies benefitting Pre-K through 6th grades. Supplies used in the Osprey Nest Garden.
Henry Hudson Regional School (HHRS) 7th through 12th grades
- Genius Hour Science Club supplies used by students to investigate a concept. At conclusion of the project students presented their findings through an informational display or Ted Talk-esque presentation.
- Broadway Field Trip for 26 English students. Students attended the Broadway show, “A Curious Incident of the Dog,” in alignment with the curriculum studied in English class.
- Spotlights for the Theatre department. Three spotlights will help highlight the large casts in each play.
- Choreographer Fee for students in 7th through 12th grades. A choreograph was hired to work with students learning to dance for two school plays, which enabled the plays to be eligible for local competitions.
- Musicians benefitting students in 9th through 12th grades. Four professional musicians were hired for two plays—one in the Middle School (7th & 8th grades) and one in the High School.
- Tennis Ball Machine Equipment for athletes in 9th through 12th grades. The equipment will be used by the boy’s and girl’s Tennis Teams.
