PEF provided updated materials for special education students receiving support in the area of reading through the PAF (Preventing Academic Failure) Reading Program.

A visit from astronaut Leland Melvin kicked off “Chasing Space,” a year-long, interdisciplinary initiative focused on STEAM learning.

This PEF grant to “Friends of Pelham Sports” funded the development of an inclusive fitness, wellness, and health facility at Pelham Memorial High School that will benefit the well-being of all Pelicans.

National Teacher of the Year, Rebecka Peterson, will provide an inspirational keynote address to all district instructional staff in March 2024, focusing on the values of high expectations, inclusion, cultural competence and joy.

New ⅛-sized bass instruments were provided for use at all four elementary schools, making the bass an approachable instrument selection for young musicians of all ages and sizes.

This tactile art and design activity allows PMHS Foundations of Learning students to work with general education students to develop confidence, creativity and social skills.

This multimedia, cross-curricular science program educates 4th and 5th grade students on the importance of biodiversity, balanced ecosystems, and the interconnectivity of all species, empowering them to take action on local, national and global environmental problems.

PEF funded a $7,400 grant to cover the cost of new software for  middle level math and science students to accommodate the new New York State Science Learning Standards (NYSSLS). The new standards seek to enhance skill and content integration through a three dimensional learning approach, better engaging students in investigative learning requiring analysis and critical thinking. This grant benefits students in grades 6-9 in Earth Science, Living Environment, and middle level math courses—over 800 students in total at both the middle school and in 9th grade of high school.

This $26,840 grant will engage Rosalind Wiseman, Cultures of Dignity, and Pelham Together for a program that includes professional development, youth and community engagement. The plan was developed based on the results of PMS’ annual “School Climate Survey,” and focuses on reducing bullying and improving student perception of peer-to-peer behavior (and therefore, the school climate as a whole).

This $5,000 grant funds visits at all four elementary schools in May 2023 from award-winning author-illustrator John Parra, who is best known for his Latino-themed children’s picture books. Amongst his many accolades, John’s book “Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos” was named a New York Times Best Illustrated Book of the Year. This project supports the district’s strategic plan by offering students an authentic experience and addressing cultural competence by allowing students an increased voice.

This program represents the second phase of the work begun in the 2018-2019 school year at Pelham Middle School under the leadership of Lynn Sabia and Sean Llewellyn which led to Pelham Middle School’s recognition as a New York State and National School of Character in the spring of 2021. The Cultures of Dignity organization, led by noted educator, author, and expert on adolescent social and emotional development Rosalind Wiseman, will continue to deliver a series of hands-on workshops with students, teachers and staff at the middle school aimed at creating a welcoming and inclusive environment that allows all students to reach their full potential.   Grant amount: $22,000

Designed for 8th grade art students, this program will ultimately benefit all grades through the professional development and training undertaken with art teachers K-12. Eighth grade students will be introduced to a wide range of artists throughout history and their works, and they will also have the opportunity to interact with working artists from diverse backgrounds who will visit the class as guest speakers. The students will be guided through a curriculum that helps them to understand how the art world has evolved over time into a diverse community of artists.  Grant amount: $15,650.

The Pelham Education Foundation was proud to facilitate a grant for the Door Magazine club at PMHS this fall. The Door Magazine is a literary/art magazine published by the students and for the students.  It is published at the end of each school year to celebrate and formally recognize the creative talents of our high school student body.  Through this grant, the students were able to publish and distribute copies of the Door Magazine to as many people as possible, celebrating literary talents as well as building awareness of the club to attract future submissions by students. (Note: this grant was not disbursed as The Door was published digitally in June 2020 but will return to print publication in the 2020-2021 school year.) Grant amount: $1,600

Pelham Together partnered with Pelham Memorial High School to bring an educational experience in the form of a speaker to address our high school students, grades 9 – 12, regarding substance use prevention, youth mental and emotional well-being, and creating a culture of wellness in our school. Chris Herron—former All-American basketball player and high school legend from Fall River, MA who went on to play for the NBA—was scheduled to come to the High school in October 2020 for a school-wide assembly to share his personal journey to recovery in an effort to shift the conversation about prevention.  PMHS students will learn that prevention begins on the first day a young person struggles, as opposed to the worst day. (Note: this program was planned for October 2020 but has been rescheduled for October 2021) Grant amount: $10,500

The lightboard serves as the “brains” for all ceiling, house, and stage lighting at the PMHS auditorium. It was last replaced in 1995. The new ETC Element lightboard will allow more data, dimmers, output, and channels and lighting possibilities for all who use PMHS Auditorium. This includes orchestra classes, concerts, honor societies, guest speakers, Sock ‘n’ Buskin, Film Study students, Young Playwright Festival, Pelham Middle School Drama Club, Pelham Children’s Theatre. Grant Amount: $7,000

The PEF is collaborating with the Junior League of Pelham and the Pelham schools to support a yearlong series of STEAM-focused events and experiences for Pelham students and their families. These events will be tied to the book The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind and will take place in the schools and in partnership with other community organizations such as the Pelham Art Center and The Picture House.  This program is intended to inspire the next generation of scientists by providing opportunities for all of our students to see themselves as mathematicians, engineers, and other STEAM professionals.  Grant amount: $13,964

 To accommodate PUFSD’s phased reopening plan to allow students to return to full time in-person learning, the district purchased specialized equipment unique to the schools’ needs in regards to COVID protocol. This included 250 air purifiers and 300 box fans for classrooms, 1,500 clear barriers, and 120 card tables (for use at lunchtime at PMS and PMHS). Grant amount: $103,000

Celebrated jazz musician Sean Nowell returned this school year for a virtual residency focusing on improvisation with the middle school and high school jazz bands. The goal with the residency was to expose the jazz band students to diverse approaches and styles and enhance their confidence with improvising, which is required of any student who participates in the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) competitions. Grant amount: $5,000

We were pleased to join the Pelham school community in celebrating Pelham Memorial High School’s 100th anniversary on October 16th. PMHS is the longest continuously in use high school building in Westchester county and is rich in history and architectural interest. We provided the high school funds to purchase special keepsakes and mementos for students, teachers, and staff to mark this important occasion and connect them to the generations of Pelicans who preceded them through the doors of PMHS. Grant Amount: $2,500

The Overdrive Digital Books Initiative provides all K-12 students, faculty and staff with in-school and at-home access to a diverse collection of digital books, including fiction and non-fiction e-books and audiobooks through Overdrive, the most commonly used digital platform for school libraries. The Overdrive subscription allows students instant access to books for both independent reading and academic research purposes through the Westchester County Consortium (WCC), a collection of 10,000 books and counting. With participation in the WCC, the district will also be able to purchase individual titles based on curricular needs and student interest for the six Pelham school buildings. With a digital book platform, the library is never closed! Grant amount: $20,880

This grant supported the purchase of a set of six online learning platforms (Generation Genius, Mystery Science, Lifelique and Labster, Gather Town, Padlet, We Video) designed to engage students across all grades virtually in the experiences they typically would have in a physical lab setting.  These platforms supplement instruction with virtual learning resources, simulations, and lab activities, and teachers are able to assign lab experiences and grade student responses over these virtual platforms. Grant amount: $27,968

This grant expands the Diversity Book Bag program, successfully implemented at Siwanoy and Colonial, to Hutchinson and Prospect Hill. The Diversity Book Bag program is a school-wide program that provides an opportunity for students to acknowledge and learn about the diverse backgrounds of the families in the school community and beyond through an exploration of grade level books. The literature explores racial, cultural, religious, ethnic and economic diversity as well as the differences in families and individual abilities. Grant amount: $5,823

At a special board meeting in August, the PEF approved the funding of the introduction of a nationally recognized anti-racism program and curriculum to students in grades 6-12. The grant will subsidize the delivery of a series of six professional development workshops, aimed at supporting English and Social Studies educators’ efforts to incorporate culturally responsive instruction and practice into the classroom and shape their schools into strong, equitable communities. You can learn more about Facing History and Ourselves here: https://www.facinghistory.org/. Grant amount: $6,000

To prepare for the start of the school year, the PEF acted quickly to fund the purchase of Fundations phonics books and materials for all students in grades K-2 to keep at home to support their learning. Due to backlogs that had arisen at printing facilities as a result of closures driven by the pandemic, the Pelham schools needed to place an order by the end of July to ensure the books and materials would arrive by the start of school. The PEF held a special board meeting in July to   the purchase of the Fundations books and materials. Grant amount: $33,000

In an effort to foster a better sense of community, understanding and belonging, the Foundation funded the continuation of a Cultural Competency series with the “Building Bridges” program that was piloted at Colonial Elementary school in spring 2019 and was expanded to all four elementary schools in the 2019-2020 school year.  The Building Bridges pilot program garnered favorable responses from students, teachers and parents, introducing young students to diversity with respect to disability and creating awareness and empathy for those with differing abilities.  The program featured age-appropriate workshops for students and assemblies with guest speakers. (Note: the program was not rolled out at Hutchinson this past spring due to the pandemic. The district will resume offering the Building Bridges program in the 2021-2022 school year.) Grant amount: $18,000

The Foundation also awarded a major grant to the elementary music program for the purchase of new percussion instruments, including chimes, xylophones, and tom-toms across all 4 elementary schools.  Says grant applicant, Mr. Andrew Dolgan, “this is a big step into providing new instruments for the music program.  By obtaining these instruments, students will be exposed to numerous genres and be able to play more advanced music, which will enable them to transition smoothly into their middle school music classes. Grant amount: $26,479

Celebrated jazz musician Sean Nowell returned this school year for a virtual residency focusing on improvisation with the middle school and high school jazz bands. The goal with the residency was to expose the jazz band students to diverse approaches and styles and enhance their confidence with improvising, which is required of any student who participates in the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) competitions. Grant amount: $5,000

The Overdrive Digital Books Initiative provides all K-12 students, faculty and staff with in-school and at-home access to a diverse collection of digital books, including fiction and non-fiction e-books and audiobooks through Overdrive, the most commonly used digital platform for school libraries. The Overdrive subscription allows students instant access to books for both independent reading and academic research purposes through the Westchester County Consortium (WCC), a collection of 10,000 books and counting. With participation in the WCC, the district will also be able to purchase individual titles based on curricular needs and student interest for the six Pelham school buildings. With a digital book platform, the library is never closed! Grant amount: $20,880

This grant supported the purchase of a set of six online learning platforms (Generation Genius, Mystery Science, Lifelique and Labster, Gather Town, Padlet, We Video) designed to engage students across all grades virtually in the experiences they typically would have in a physical lab setting.  These platforms supplement instruction with virtual learning resources, simulations, and lab activities, and teachers are able to assign lab experiences and grade student responses over these virtual platforms. Grant amount: $27,968

This grant expands the Diversity Book Bag program, successfully implemented at Siwanoy and Colonial, to Hutchinson and Prospect Hill. The Diversity Book Bag program is a school-wide program that provides an opportunity for students to acknowledge and learn about the diverse backgrounds of the families in the school community and beyond through an exploration of grade level books. The literature explores racial, cultural, religious, ethnic and economic diversity as well as the differences in families and individual abilities. Grant amount: $5,823

At a special board meeting in August, the PEF approved the funding of the introduction of a nationally recognized anti-racism program and curriculum to students in grades 6-12. The grant will subsidize the delivery of a series of six professional development workshops, aimed at supporting English and Social Studies educators’ efforts to incorporate culturally responsive instruction and practice into the classroom and shape their schools into strong, equitable communities. You can learn more about Facing History and Ourselves here: https://www.facinghistory.org/. Grant amount: $6,000

To prepare for the start of the school year, the PEF acted quickly to fund the purchase of Fundations phonics books and materials for all students in grades K-2 to keep at home to support their learning. Due to backlogs that had arisen at printing facilities as a result of closures driven by the pandemic, the Pelham schools needed to place an order by the end of July to ensure the books and materials would arrive by the start of school. The PEF held a special board meeting in July to   the purchase of the Fundations books and materials. Grant amount: $33,000

In an effort to foster a better sense of community, understanding and belonging, the Foundation funded the continuation of a Cultural Competency series with the “Building Bridges” program that was piloted at Colonial Elementary school in spring 2019 and was expanded to all four elementary schools in the 2019-2020 school year.  The Building Bridges pilot program garnered favorable responses from students, teachers and parents, introducing young students to diversity with respect to disability and creating awareness and empathy for those with differing abilities.  The program featured age-appropriate workshops for students and assemblies with guest speakers. (Note: the program was not rolled out at Hutchinson this past spring due to the pandemic. The district will resume offering the Building Bridges program in the 2021-2022 school year.) Grant amount: $18,000

The Foundation also awarded a major grant to the elementary music program for the purchase of new percussion instruments, including chimes, xylophones, and tom-toms across all 4 elementary schools.  Says grant applicant, Mr. Andrew Dolgan, “this is a big step into providing new instruments for the music program.  By obtaining these instruments, students will be exposed to numerous genres and be able to play more advanced music, which will enable them to transition smoothly into their middle school music classes. Grant amount: $26,479

To continue its sponsorship of PMHS’s highly competitive science research program, the PEF provided funding for a program to engage a consultant from CoLabl, a company whose mission is to develop workshops for students to prepare them to interview, work, and network in a professional environment. CoLabL will offer a resume and interview prep workshop for 9th and 10th grade science research students in the fall of 2020. The workshops are designed to enable the students to be better prepared to approach potential mentors for critical summer internship opportunities. (Note: the workshops were planned for April 2020 but could not move forward due to the shut down and will take place in the fall of 2020.). Grant amount: $2,250 PMHS

The Foundation approved a grant for the elementary schools orchestra program to facilitate the purchase of 4 1/8-size upright bass instruments.  This purchase allowed one 1/8-size bass to be available at each elementary school.  The instruments are used by 3rd grade newcomers to the orchestra program who elect to play bass. Grant amount: $6,000

The Foundation also partially funded a grant to bring the 33-member PMHS Chamber Chorus to Carnegie Hall to learn and perform the entire Mozart Requiem in collaboration with other choral students from around the country. (Note: The Chamber Chorus was not able to participate in this program due to the state-ordered shut down. The grant amount was not disbursed and will be returned to the Foundation for new grant-making.) Grant amount: $4,917

Chorus teacher Maria Abeshouse was able to bring Pastor Chantel Wright, a consultant for the Carnegie Hall Weill Music Institute and founder of Songs of Solomon, a gospel Choir, to our schools. Pastor Wright visited the High School and Middle School to work with the choirs for two days, helping students connect more deeply to the meaning behind the music. Grant amount: $1,600

A second “Artist in Residence” was funded by the Foundation to allow band teacher Andrew Van Bochove to bring improvisational jazz artist Sean Nowell to work with Middle and High School Jazz Band students.  Mr. Nowell started with Mr. Van Bochove’s program in the 2018-2019 school year under a smaller grant that allowed students to learn improvisational techniques and confidence during performance.  This year’s grant funded Mr.Nowell’s return, furthering the students’ development as musicians from his encouragement and guidance. Grant amount: $5,000

Ms. Laura Battema was awarded a grant to bring the AP Biology students to the Regeneron DNA Learning Center to work with gene-sequencing equipment that does not exist at Pelham Memorial High School.  The grant allowed the students to travel to the lab in Cold Spring Harbor, NY and complete a four-hour program on human DNA fingerprinting, which helped them further understand these concepts and research. Grant amount: $1,365

Pelham Together partnered with Pelham Memorial High School to bring an educational experience in the form of a speaker to address our high school students, grades 9 – 12, regarding substance use prevention, youth mental and emotional well-being, and creating a culture of wellness in our school. Chris Herron—former All-American basketball player and high school legend from Fall River, MA who went on to play for the NBA—was scheduled to come to the High school in October 2020 for a school-wide assembly to share his personal journey to recovery in an effort to shift the conversation about prevention.  PMHS students will learn that prevention begins on the first day a young person struggles, as opposed to the worst day. (Note: this program was planned for October 2020 but has been rescheduled for October 2021) Grant amount: $10,500

English Language Arts teacher Neil Schleifer received approval to purchase 50 theatrical make-up kits to be used for his Theatre Arts class where students learn the many components of drama, including the use of costume and make-up.  The make-up the school had been using was seven years old and in dire need of replenishment and replacement. All four high school grades will have a chance to utilize the make-up for this class, but it may also be used for senior projects and the school plays and musicals. The professional make-up kits are expected to last for many years. Grant amount: $3,120

The Pelham Education Foundation was proud to facilitate a grant for the Door Magazine club at PMHS this fall. The Door Magazine is a literary/art magazine published by the students and for the students.  It is published at the end of each school year to celebrate and formally recognize the creative talents of our high school student body.  Through this grant, the students were able to publish and distribute copies of the Door Magazine to as many people as possible, celebrating literary talents as well as building awareness of the club to attract future submissions by students. (Note: this grant was not disbursed as The Door was published digitally in June 2020 but will return to print publication in the 2020-2021 school year.) Grant amount: $1,600

The Innovative Classroom grant, the largest ever awarded to the District by the PEF, is the result of countless hours of research and study by the District’s K-12 Innovation Committee, chaired by Dr. Steven Garcia, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Personnel. This analysis and subsequent proposal included educational research, regional site visits to other districts, and pilot efforts in select classrooms in the Pelham Public Schools. Through this grant, the District will begin to outfit the elementary and middle school libraries across the district with flexible furniture. The grant will also provide innovative furnishings to select classrooms across the district expanding the pilot program that has already begun.

Dr. Steven Garcia, assistant superintendent for curriculum, instruction and personnel added: “We discovered ways that flexible learning environments in common spaces and classrooms across the district will engage and empower student centered learning experience. Static traditional desks and classrooms focus learners on the teacher. Greater flexibility for movement fosters an environment which supports students as co-designers, collaborators, and creators, while easily shifting to areas for both sharing and personalization. Likewise, movement spurs neurochemical processes, including those that promote concentration and enhance attention.”

Ms. Abeshouse more recently was given a larger grant for $4,917 to bring the 33 chamber chorus students from Pelham Memorial High School to Carnegie Hall this Spring to learn the entire Mozart Requiem. Students will practice with other choral students from around the country and will participate in a concert that will be open to friends and family. The $4,917 is only part of the cost of the program which is $9,867 in full.

Chorus teacher Maria Abeshouse was  given $1,600 to bring Pastor Chantel Wright, a consultant for the Carnegie Hall Weill Music Institute and founder of Songs of Solomon, a gospel Choir, to our school. Pastor Wright is also a teacher at New York University and a sought after choral clinician.  She visited Pelham Memorial High School and Middle School to work with the High School choirs and the 8th grade chorus for two days, helping students connect more deeply to the meaning behind the music.

Band teacher Andrew Van Bochove has been awarded a $5,000 grant to bring improvisational jazz artist, Sean Nowell, back to school to work with Middle and High School Jazz Band students.  Mr. Nowell started with us last year under a minor grant but exceeded all that was expected of him and stayed on all year to help the students. Students learned improvisational technique and confidence from his encouragement and guidance.  This year he will be able to commit more time under the new grant.

The Spelling Bee program offers students from across the schools an exciting opportunity to compete against each other through a literacy-based program. This grant allows an equitable Spelling Bee program to exist at all five schools and benefit students across the district in grades 2-8. Additionally, it provides for extra instructional hours supporting students in their preparation and allows for more students, who may not have the resources at home, to prepare for the Spelling Bee with a teacher.

A Mini Grant by PEF allowed the purchase of a new cyclorama curtain for the upstage wall of PMHS auditorium. This is essential for theatrical and music productions as well as speaking engagements or awards ceremonies. Covering the back and sidewalls of the stage, the cyc is used with lighting to create the illusion of great distance and perspective as part of the stage set while concealing stored risers. This will be utilized by Sock’n’Buskin, PMS Drama, Pelham Children’s Theater, and all concerts and speakers and awards ceremonies in the auditorium allowing the lighting crew to have more creativity with lighting effects. The PEF funded the cyc curtain and the rigging for its installation.

The Pelham Education Foundation is pleased to announce a new grant that was initiated by PMS and PMHS Band Teacher Andrew Van Bochove and elementary school Band Teacher Madison Martineau. This grant will provide the funding to expand the low brass instrument collection for all six Pelham schools. Low brass instruments are indispensable to any band program. The grant provides baritone horns to the middle school and high school, a 1 3/4 size tuba to the middle school, a sousaphone (a marching tuba) to the high school, and one trombone to each elementary school. Students will gain access and opportunity to learn quintessential band instruments, which can expand student access to scholarship opportunities.

A grant has been approved requested from Music Teacher, Maria Abeshouse for Juilliard-trained composer and pianist (and Pelham elementary and middle school grad) Will Healy will collaborate with PMHS concert chorus students to share his artistic process and work with the students in developing their own methodologies. Through a PEF mini-grant, four sessions from December to May will culminate with the creation of an original score of music that will premiere at the PMHS Spring 2019 concert. More than 100 students will benefit from this artist in residence, and the song will remain in the library to be used for years to come.

The Pelham Education Foundation has approved a second grant for Music Teacher Maria Abeshouse which brings technology to the music departments at all six Pelham schools. This major grant allows for the purchase of a one-year subscription to MusicFirst Classroom, a web-based software application that supplements music education in grades K – 12. The application allows for more hours of practice at home, independent learning, and expeditious feedback from instructors to students in all grades who participate in a music ensemble.

The Pelham Education Foundation has approved a grant request from Band Teacher Andrew Van Bochove. The funds will allow a jazz musician in residence to work with the PMS and PMHS jazz bands. This mini-grant will allow jazz musician Sean Nowell to teach the art of improvisation to jazz band students in PMS and PMHS. Mr. Novell will meet with the students once a month for an entire school year to teach different styles of improvisation and the use of technology to aid in improvisation. Students will be better equipped to compete and participate in NYSSMA Majors, and their confidence will benefit.

The 8th grade students typically produce a perspective drawing, but with the help of this grant, a professional photographer will take pictures of the children. Students will then layer these photographs over their own drawings of their bedrooms. The photos will bring an enhanced perspective to the end result by using mixed media and multiple dimensions. The grant was requested by Mrs Schwarz, the 8th grade art teacher. Over 200 students will benefit.

The 8th grade art and social studies teachers have collaborated on a grant request to compliment the students’ current Holocaust education. The teachers have arranged for the Pelham Picture House to host a private screening of Woman in Gold, a movie about Austrian art, including the famous Gustav Klimt piece titled “Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I,” stolen by Nazis. The movie is about history and art, demonstrating insights with the children on how multiple school subjects overlap and coincide. This inspirational movie will give students additional information about this historic period. All 250 8th grade students will attend the screening.

The PEF recently approved a grant to fund the “Aspire to Inspire” Diversity Oversight Committee Speaker Series, which will kick off with workshop events for the middle school and high school students with Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant, who is a wildlife specialist with an interest in bears and the only African-American woman scientist at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. Additionally, she will conducted an evening presentation that was open to all members of our community. Dr. Wynn-Grant’s story is compelling as an African-American woman who discovered her love of science after overcoming barriers in her career and earlier academic years.

Our science research program is growing thanks to a sizable grant approved by the Pelham Education Foundation. This grant will fund a science research consultant who will provide professional development for teachers and students, who will then act as mentors to other students. This consultant will offer guidance to the students as they prepare for the Junior Science and Humanities Symposium and the Westchester Science and Engineering Fair. The consultant, David Keith, most recently led the Authentic Science Research Program at Byram Hills High School to great success. He has identified our greatest need to be in the area of scientific writing and believes with his training, our students will be more successful. Finally, he will work with elementary school teachers for two full days to develop programs to prepare their students for the fourth grade STEAM-oriented science research fair and showcase.

The Pelham Education Foundation will bring a professional poet and former elementary teacher to work with K and First grade students. Last year, Ted Scheu visited students in grades K-5 at all four elementary schools and conducted writers’ workshops with grade 5. The response to his visits was overwhelmingly positive. This year, Mr. Scheu will spend a full day at each school and conduct separate Poetry Workshops with Kindergartners and First Graders. Mr. Scheu—otherwise known as “That Poetry Guy”—will share his writing process, work with student poets to discuss rhyming, rhythm, similes and metaphors, and help the groups craft their own poetry. Research shows that introducing poetry at an early age builds vocabulary, fluency and writing skills just to name a few of the benefits. Workshops will be interactive, engaging, and developmentally appropriate. You can find Ted Scheu’s bio and work at www.PoetryGuy.com.

Through a grant funded by the Pelham Education Foundation, an exciting speaker will be coming to Pelham on February 5th, 2018. The community is invited to learn about Dr. Wynn-Grant’s experience as a large carnivore ecologist working at the American Museum of Natural History. Her talk will also focus on her personal story, including barriers and challenges she has faced and what she has learned from her experiences as well as her message of inclusion. In addition to her work studying bears and lions, Dr. Wynn-Grant is passionate about diversity and is the Deputy Chair of the Equity, Inclusion and Diversity Committee for the Society for Conservation Biology.

The Middle and High School Bands have a new sound. Thanks to a major grant from the Pelham Education Foundation, the students in the percussion section have new instruments! New band director, Andrew Van Bochove, felt that the sound of the over 40-year old drums, bells, and cymbals was compromised due to their condition. The items being replaced include a new drum kit, set of timpani, marimba, vibraphone, orchestra bells, congas, bongos, concert bass drum, chimes, cymbals, as well as new hardware to ensure all the new equipment is properly supported and stored for greater longevity. The students will have the opportunity to perform using crisp, high-quality percussive instruments while also learning about proper storage and care going forward.

In January, the high school will enjoy a performance of “Molière Than Thou,” a one-man show performed in English by Timothy Mooney. Mr. Mooney performs a “greatest hits” of Molière’s works This engaging and participatory opportunity, made possible through a grant from the Pelham Education Foundation, will enhance student studies of 17th century society and French culture in a historical context. The performance will be for students in French III, French IV/V, SUPA French, Theatre Arts and AP English classes, and AP European History class.

As a result of student demand, the high school is forming an A Cappella singing group. The group will be student run, with Mrs. Abeshouse serving as its teacher advisor. To help get the group established, the Pelham Education Foundation has provided funding for a consultant to assist at the outset with conducting auditions, arranging songs, running rehearsals, and transitioning into a self-directed ensemble.

A coordinated team of teachers, parents, students, and administrators, led by Assistant Superintendent Dr. Steven Garcia, Director of Technology Mr. Michael Tromblee, and Director of Math & Science Dr. Thomas Callahan, have been working over the past year on one of the largest grants the PEF has ever considered. The PEF has carefully considered and has awarded a grant of almost $200,000 to create MakerSpaces in each of the six Pelham schools. The Maker Movement is about innovation, collaboration, experimenting, tinkering; using materials to create products and solve problems, individually and within teams. Each school will have a dedicated space with everything from furnishings to supplies and equipment. All spaces will have low to high tech resources.

The Pelham Education Foundation (PEF) approved a sizable grant to replace basses and cellos for use by Pelham Middle School students as part of its ongoing mission to enrich curriculum and provide funding for special equipment. Typically larger instruments, such as a basses or cellos, remain at the school while students have their own instrument for at-home practice. The grant to replace the Middle School’s instruments complements PEF’s recent grant to replace the High School’s larger, full-sized basses and cellos. The Pelham Eduction Foundation could not be more pleased to enhance the thriving orchestral programs in Pelham schools.

To help integrate Mindfulness into Pelham schools, the Pelham Education Foundation recently approved a large grant to bring the School Yoga Project—a company with experience in a school setting—to the district. Similar programs have been implemented in neighboring schools such as Bronxville, Larchmont and White Plains. Studies show that mindfulness increases students’ self-awareness and respect for self and others, teaches emotional behavioral regulation, and helps students achieve balance and reduce anxiety. The program is meant to help students learn to cope with distress, emotion regulation and stress management.

The plan includes a three-year timeline with a gradual introduction of Mindfulness training across the district, starting with grades 1, 3 and 7 in the first year, along with K-8 staff training. There will also be parent workshops where School Yoga Project professionals can educate parents about the initiative, as well as present strategies that can be used at home.

The Pelham Education Foundation is pleased to sponsor two world-renowned choral conductors as artists-in-residence for the 2016-2017 school year. Harold Rosenbaum and Brian O’Connell will hold a series of choral conducting workshops with Maria Abeshouse, the PMHS Choir Director, and the roughly 100-member PMHS Choir, focusing on advanced choral techniques and phrasing. Micro grant amount: $1,749.

The Art Department was the recipient of a grant for a large-sized “human picture frame” which was used to teach eighth grade students about the elements and principles of art and design.

Scores of parents and elementary students thronged the Pelham Middle School and Pelham Memorial High School to participate in the Pelham Education Foundation’s fun and educational Exploratorium. The Exploratorium was jointly presented by Pelham Public Schools and The Pelham Education Foundation and was sponsored by Meridian Risk Management and Joan Solimine Real Estate.

Through a Pelham Education Foundation funded residency program with The Picture House, eighth grade students worked with facilitators to create “Election Documentaries.” The students developed scripts, discussed guidelines for what was to be said, and learned how effective scenes are shot.

Pelham’s elementary school students will have the opportunity to use Apple iPad tablet computers to enhance learning in the classroom. IPads were selected after reviewing best practices because it takes multiple technology tools and integrates them into one platform, can be used as an e-reader, internet browser, research tool, word processor, camera, video recorder and presentation tool affording teachers and students increased flexibility.

A coordinated team of teachers, parents, students, and administrators, led by Assistant Superintendent Dr. Steven Garcia, Director of Technology Mr. Michael Tromblee, and Director of Math & Science Dr. Thomas Callahan, have been working over the past year on one of the biggest grants the PEF has ever considered. After careful consideration and much discussion, the PEF has awarded a grant of almost $200,000 to create MakerSpaces in each of the six Pelham schools. The Maker Movement is about innovation, collaboration, experimenting, tinkering; using materials to create products and solve problems, individually and within teams. Because students are “making”, the traditional silos of different subjects break down and the experience is interdisciplinary. Each school will have a dedicated space, and the Grant involves everything from furnishings to supplies and equipment. All spaces will have low to high tech resources. Legos, craft and art supplies, computers, green screens, and 3D printers will be dedicated at each MakerSpace.

The Pelham Education Foundation (PEF) recently approved a sizable grant to replace basses and cellos for use by Pelham Middle School students as part of its ongoing mission to enrich curriculum and provide funding for special equipment. Typically larger instruments, such as a basses or cellos, remain at the school while students have their own instrument for at-home practice. The grant to replace the Middle School’s instruments complements PEF’s recent grant to replace the High School’s larger, full-sized basses and cellos. Middle schoolers require instruments typically at 1/2 size and had been practicing with instruments that had lost their best sound quality and function and which were, in many cases, too large. The instruments had holes, cracks and battered bodies producing poor sound quality and were in use for nearly 30 years.

The inferior instruments understandably affected student moral as well as performance quality. To protect the new instruments, a storage room was arranged in the High School by Mrs. Clark and ongoing maintenance of the basses and cellos will be provided as well. For instruction purposes, educators at the Middle and High schools could not be more pleased to eliminate the distraction of instruments of lesser quality and poor sound and the Pelham Eduction Foundation could not be more pleased to enhance the thriving orchestral programs in Pelham schools.

To help integrate Mindfulness into Pelham schools, the Pelham Education Foundation recently approved a large grant to bring the School Yoga Project—a company with experience in a school setting—to the district. Similar programs have been implemented in neighboring schools such as Bronxville, Larchmont and White Plains. Studies show that mindfulness increases students’ self-awareness and respect for self and others, teaches emotional behavioral regulation, and helps students achieve balance and reduce anxiety. The program is meant to help students learn to cope with distress, emotion regulation and stress management.

The plan includes a three-year timeline with a gradual introduction of Mindfulness training across the district, starting with grades 1, 3 and 7 in the first year, along with K-8 staff training. There will also be parent workshops where School Yoga Project professionals can educate parents about the initiative, as well as present strategies that can be used at home.

Differentiated Learning Project The PEF in collaboration with the district helped fund professional development for the faculty in the area of differentiation, a method to ensure that teachers can address the needs of and motivate students at all levels. The training sessions were conducted by Carol Tomlinson, who is best known for her innovative work with techniques of differentiation in education. Ms. Tomlinson also conducted an evening session for parents on the topic.

Popular children’s authors were brought into every elementary school to meet with all K-5 students district-wide. These visits offered a unique opportunity to breathe life and relevance into classroom reading and writing experiences.. The structure of the visits was relatively consistent from kindergarten through fifth grade. Each session was a mini-lesson followed by a workshop of guided practice conferring and sharing with the author.

The K-5 teachers were able to purchase specific resources for their classrooms to implement the reading and writing curriculum. Specifically, the resources were mentor texts (individual titles, picture books, series books, and chapter books) to use to model specific skills/strategies for the students and to add to their classroom libraries. The acquisition of these books allows the teachers to have the resources for what is being taught within the unit available for all students.

Resources were purchased for the elementary reading and resource room teachers to use with their students. These research based materials allow a way to support the most vulnerable struggling readers in the district. The district already owned two kits but there was a need to supplement them to help students who receive resource room or building-level support in both reading and writing. The grant allowed the district to purchase four more kits to be shared among the elementary schools.

The College Board recently changed the curriculums for AP Physics, Chemistry and Biology dramatically increasing the expected laboratory activities. Over time, lab group size has grown from 2 or 3 students to 6 or 7 students, decreasing the quality of the lab experience in these classes. This grant has enhanced the experience of students in AP science classes by purchasing equipment to run smaller group laboratory activities. The equipment included microscopes, spectrophotometers, laptops, and high precision scales.

Thanks to the grant from the Pelham Education Foundation and a grant facilitated by Senator Jeff Klein, the Pelham School District was able to secure one Chromebook for each student in the 8th and 9th grades for the 2014/2015 school year and to use in subsequent years. The grant also included training for faculty on The Google Apps for Education platform in order to allow teachers to integrate the technology into their lesson plans.

Music teachers, parents and student-musicians from all the Pelham schools are already benefitting from the first phase of a three-year major grant of musical instruments for band and orchestra. This grant will provide string, percussion and brass instruments, music stands, string instrument storage, a conductor’s system and a piano (with a cover and dolly) to the bands and orchestras at all levels. The goal of the project is to develop students as artist-musicians and critical listeners through the use of quality instruments. Upon the gift of a new baritone saxophone for the High School band, Band Director Mr. Campbell Whitford commented, “The new “bari” plays almost effortlessly, allowing the player to concentrate on more important musical issues, such as balance, technique, intonation, and musicianship.”

Students in all schools in grades K-8 will soon enjoy new hands-on tools by virtue of a major grant of iPads and Netbook computers. In addition, the Foundation has already provided all schools with Smart Response “clickers.” Each elementary school received 30 iPads and a syncing cart, and the Middle School received 30 Netbook computers and a mobile cart. iPads were selected after reviewing best practices because it takes multiple technology tools and integrates them into one platform, can be used as an e-reader, internet browser, research tool, word processor, camera, video recorder and presentation tool affording teachers and students increased flexibility.

Netbooks were donated to the Middle School were chosen for their durability and will allow teachers to bring the educational benefits of a computer lab into the classroom. The hand held Smart Response clickers quickly engage students while allowing teachers to easily assess student understanding and instruction knowledge during instruction.

Eugene Farrell, the Director of Guidance, attended a national conference to learn the latest admissions requirements, policies and procedures as well as to gain exposure to national issues and external influences in admissions. One of the counselors visited three North Carolina colleges to develop relationships with admissions officers, to learn about potential choices for students, and to extend Pelham’s geographical reach beyond the Northeast region. During a Spring 2012 PMHS faculty meeting, an admissions officer from Barnard College instructed teachers in the act of writing college recommendations for students. Another consultant from Barnard worked with English teachers to help students write better essays for their college applications.
The Foundation provided the guidance department a SMART Board so that visiting college officers can easily present to groups of students. The department is also updating the college research software, Naviance, used by counselors and students.

Finally, the Foundation sent a counselor and group of students to Camp College to promote access to higher education to students traditionally underrepresented on college campuses.

In March 2012, several members of the art department attended the National Art Education Association Convention in New York City. This staff development opportunity included workshops, exhibit halls with art vendors, lectures with art educators and researchers, and networking sessions. It was a hands-on and efficient way for the art teachers to learn about current best practices, new materials and techniques.

Students at Hutchinson Elementary School can now improve their flexibility and stamina while having fun climbing on the traverse climbing wall provided by the Foundation. The wall is an extension of the fitness program that allows physical education teachers to work on muscle development and endurance as well as general physical coordination.

In addition, teachers can now track the progress of students in all the elementary schools and middle school via the Fitness Gram program which includes a variety of health related physical fitness tests to assess aerobic capacity, muscular strength and endurance and flexibility. Each physical education teacher is able to track students’ progress using iPads provided by the Foundation that are loaded with a software package that is consistent throughout the elementary and middle school grades. Students will carry their fitness profiles as they move from elementary to middle school.

The Foundation approved grants to improve instruction in visual arts at the secondary level which led to significant classroom enhancements during the summer months.  Two Middle School classrooms were transformed to create age-appropriate environments in which students can research, create, view and critique works of art in a gallery-like setting.  The new classroom settings foster self-directed learning by providing art books, magazines and DVDs, as well as art stations where students can make art of their choice when they finish a class project early.  The new gallery area allows teachers to display student art and enables classes to discuss techniques and give feedback in order to achieve mastery over various materials.

At the High School, a grant was made to extend work accomplished by prior Foundation grants.  The growing popularity of the Art of Photography course launched using a 2008 Foundation grant required the purchase of additional digital cameras and a photographic printer, as well as new photography textbooks.  In addition, the grant provided digital cameras for the advanced art classes; a laptop cart, 15 laptop computers and two color laser printers to be shared by all PMHS art classes; and the creation of gallery space similar to that provided in the Middle School classrooms.

The Foundation made grants to the school district to fund the second phase of its multi-year “21st Century Teaching and Learning Tools” initiative. The tools include “classroom kits” composed of a SMART Board (an interactive whiteboard), a document camera (a device for displaying objects to a large group) and a laptop computer for the teacher. These high priority 21st century learning tools are now installed in every general purpose classroom K-12 through a collaborative effort between the Foundation and the school district.

The Foundation funded the purchase of classroom kits and a cart of laptop computers for the three secondary art classrooms. A second donation funded 21st century tools for 10 elementary art, music and general purpose classrooms, one classroom and the library in the Middle School, and five High School classrooms.

In order to ensure that all teachers would have the skills to use 21st century teaching tools effectively, the Foundation supported the rapid infusion of new technologies by providing an intensive summer technology workshop. The workshop prepared 14 teachers, representing all disciplines and grade levels, to act as technology coaches for the next school year. Working with their colleagues in regularly scheduled, mandatory professional development meetings, the coaches will train teachers to use technology tools to differentiate instruction, assess learning throughout lessons, and better engage students in analysis, critical thinking and knowledge creation.

A Foundation grant funded a global simulation workshop that afforded seventh-grade students the opportunity to experience the challenges of negotiation and problem solving in an interdependent world. Students were assigned to teams representing regional governments, non-governmental organizations, multinational corporations and the media. They faced challenges in economic and political development and learned about the impact of factors such as financial resources, technology, education, environmental concerns, human rights issues and public perception in working toward goals and averting crises.

The Foundation granted a class set of guitars, music and storage racks enabling the sixth grade music teachers to add an applied music experience to the general music curriculum. Each student will study guitar for six to eight weeks, learning to read notation and play basic chords.

The Foundation and the school district, with the sponsorship of TD Bank, co-hosted a family-oriented PEF Science Expo. The event provided hands-on activities showcasing new teaching tools and techniques in language arts, math, social studies, science, visual and performing arts and physical education. In addition to workshops and drop-in zones for elementary school students, the evening featured guided tours and visits to some of the district’s state-of-the-art facilities, including the Foundation-funded foreign language lab, broadcast production studio, fitness center and science research lab.

A grant funded the purchase of materials required for hands-on experiences in the new Principles of Engineering course, which introduces students to basic engineering concepts and demonstates the natural integration of math, science and technology.

Several grants also provided materials for new electives in the visual and performing arts.  Art reference books and DVDs were provided for Advanced Placement Art History.  A grant for the Jewelry and Metalsmithing course funded the purchase of materials for advanced techniques such as enameling and casting.  The Art of Photography course received digital cameras and related materials.  Digital Music benefited from a grant for site licneses for the software used with digital keyboards.

A gift of $3,500 from the Junior League of Pelham enabled the Foundation to purchase non-fiction titles for the Pelham Middle School Library.  Funds donated in memory of Joseph Stavola and Jeanne Serocke-Stavola funded $3,505 of equipment and materials for special education students.

The Foundation provided a grant to fund a pilot program during the summer of 2008 to increase opportunities for PMHS students to succeed in the School’s most challenging courses.  Attended by 46 students, the two-week long Academics for Curriculum-based Excellence Seminar (ACES) program focused on improving reading comprehension, developing critical thinking skills, and preparing for both objective tests and written assessments.

ACES allows students who aspire to take Honors or AP level courses, but who do not meet existing criteria, to demonstrate their commitment to the higher level work while providing a foundation for success in the most academically rigourous courses.  It replaces an appeal process that allowed some students to access Honors and AP courses without meeting academic criteria, but provided no additional support.

The Foundation funded the purchase of technology equipment for a major upgrade and expansion of the language laboratory serving the Middle School and High School.  The grant allowed for the upgrade of equipment at 25 stations in the existing lab as well as the purchase of additional equipment for 30 new stations in an adjoining classroom.

The upgrade to the existing lab included adding a personal computer at every station with multimedia capabilities.  The digital equipment in the expanded lab now offers superior file storage, permits easy download by students and teachers to an MP3 player, and enables students to complete assignments on any home or school computer.

“The digital systems allow teachers to be so much more productive and students to spend more time actually speaking with each other in the target language.”  Anne Marie Duignan, World Languages Department Chair

The Pelham Education Foundation awarded a major grant to Pelham’s elementary schools to create Guided Reading Leveled Libraries.  Guided reading matches students to books that are “just right” and facilitates small group instruction in which students are grouped based on assessment.  This enables teachers to better meet the reading needs of all students, including English language learners, advanced readers and Special Education students.

Each elementary school is now furnished with a Benchmark Education K-5 BookRoom, which includes 2,736 texts; a wide range of teacher support tools; assessment materials; comprehension tools for teachers and students; and a system for organizing, storing and managing use of the texts.

The Foundation sponsored a thought-provoking art installation and corresponding educational program at the middle school, presenting a visual and historical narrative of the 1970’s Civil Rights Movement. The exhibit was viewed by all middle school students, and the corresponding academic program was integrated within the 8th grade Social Studies curriculum, through varied learning activities and classroom instruction by the artist.

 “The Soles of the Movement program allowed our students to experience first hand how art and history can be brought together to educate and enlighten.” Thomas Tobin, 8th Grade teacher

In partnership with a private donor and the Special Education Department, the Foundation developed a multidimensional grant to strengthen the effectiveness of regular and special education instruction within high school inclusion classes.  Training, by on-site consultants and through Windward School’s summer workshop, helped teachers to develop co-teaching practices and to effectively differentiate instruction within their classrooms.

A Foundation grant funded the creation of a state-of-the-art Broadcast Production Studio and the development of a new high school course in television production.  The course, now in its second year, provides students with an understanding of basic theory, techniques and procedures of television production, including pre-production planning, script and storyboard writing, taping and editing.

“This type of hands-on and cooperative learning offers a welcome change from the more traditional classroom setting and facilitates teaching of both specific skills and broad concepts.” Brian Powers, PMHSTeacher

The new fitness center at the middle and high schools (funded jointly by the Pelham Education Foundation and Shea Family Foundation) is now in its second year of use.   This fully-equipped aerobic and strength-building center accommodates classes of up to 35 students and has fostered an expansion of the physical education curricula to educate students in lifelong health and fitness practices.

 “The expanded Physical Education curriculum teaches our children how to build and maintain a healthy body.”  Susan Hughes, Dept. Chair, Physical Education