Byram Hills Education Fund Announces 2014-15 Grants

The Byram Hills Education Foundation recently announced it has awarded seven grants totaling $130,176 for the four schools in the Byram Hills School District for 2014-15. The seven awards include two signature grants including a $42,024 grant that will provide MacBook Pro Laptops to modernize the photography curriculum at Byram Hills High School. And a $78,345 grant, awarded in January, that provides 210 Chromebook laptop computers, one for every sixth grade student at H.C. Crittenden to use throughout the school day.

Additionally, BHEF awarded the district five Insta-Grants totaling $9,807 that fund Cubelets Educator Robotics Kits to introduce STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) concepts in the second and third grade technology curriculum at Coman Hill and Wampus; an art therapy program at BHHS; “Get Smart” toolkits for three third grade classes at Wampus, and a bank of parabolic aluminized reflector theatrical lights for the BHHS theater.

BHEF Insta-Grants provide teachers and administrators with funding for short-term educational programs. Insta-Grant awards may not exceed $2,500, and these grants must be implemented within six months or before the end of the academic year. Signature grants are awarded once per year, with implementation over a two-year period.

Since it’s inception in 1994, BHEF has awarded over 325 grants and more that 3.7 million dollars to the Byram Hills Schools to supplement the school district’s annual operating budget and to fund innovative programs, equipment and technology in all Byram Hills schools.

BHEF raises funds through donations and through local events including their annual basketball game between the Byram Hills faculty and the Harlem Wizards and their Spring Gala. This year’s Gala will be held on Friday, May 29 at the Brae Burn Country Club in Purchase. Scott R. Levy is BHEF’s 2014-15 Chairman. BHEF provided us with the following detailed information on their 2014-15 grants that we share with you below:

2014-15 SIGNATURE GRANTS:

·      MacBook Pro Laptops to Modernize the Photography Curriculum (BHHS – $42,024): This grant, awarded in March 2015, provides MacBook Pro Laptops, printer and related accessories for storage and charging for the Byram Hills High School photography department to complement and enhance students’ knowledge and use of basic photography. With this grant, each class of eighteen (18) students in Basic, Advanced and AP Photography will have the opportunity to learn advanced digital photography skills, including Photoshop editing. These computers allow for the expansion and restructuring of the photography curriculum to include up to 50% of instruction in digital media, allowing students to submit a digital 2-D design portfolio at the college level.

·      1:1 Mobile Learning Pilot (HCC – $78,345).  This grant, awarded in January 2015, provides 210 Chromebook laptop computers for every sixth grade student to use throughout the school day. The grant also funds related software and charging stations, eliminating the need for students to check out a laptop one class at a time. The 1:1 Mobile Learning initiative extends the curriculum and learning opportunities for students, as well as increases efficiency for teachers and enhances communications among parents and the District. This grant also leverages previous grants awarded by the BHEF, including the BHEF Fast Path grant in 2012 and Cloud-Based Computing in 2013.

2014-15 INSTA-GRANTS:

·      Cubelets Educator Robotics Kits for STEAM Integration (Coman Hill: $2,396 and Wampus: $2,396). This grant funds educator sets of Cubelet Robotic Block Kits that introduce STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) concepts in the second and third grade technology curriculum. Students will combine a host of sensors and action blocks to build their own robotic creations. The Cubelets will provide play-driven learning opportunities to integrate STEAM lessons. Both Coman Hill and Wampus Insta-Grants are funded by the Debra Leipman Yale Memorial Fund.

·      Art Therapy for Flexible Support Program Students (BHHS: $2,365) This grant funds an art therapy program to foster the social and emotional development and overall performance within the school environment. The program promotes self-awareness, confidence and self-advocacy, helping students better express themselves and flourish in the school environment. This grant is funded by the Debra Leipman Yale Memorial Fund.

·      Mindset Pilot Materials (Wampus: $494) This grant funds “Get Smart” Toolkits for three third grade classes which leverage the work of Carol Dweck whose research is a growing trend in teaching children how to persevere in the face of challenge. The Toolkits provide practical applications for children to build confidence, take on challenges and persevere in the face of difficulty or failure. This grant is funded by the Debra Leipman Yale Memorial Fund.

·      ETC Source Four PAR Cans (BHHS: $2,156) – This grant funds a bank of parabolic aluminized reflector (PAR) can theatrical lights to be installed in the BHHS theater. When developing lighting plans, students will gel and focus this equipment to be used for many District events, including BHHS theater productions, concerts, Science Symposium, PTSA events, and more.