2026

Hydroponics In the Classroom – High School (Michael Esposito)

The Flex Farm, a year-round indoor growing system in the horticulture classroom, addresses NY Portrait of a Graduate priorities through authentic, student-centered learning. Students will participate in the project by learning about sustainability and expanding beyond courtyard gardening to controlled environment agriculture. This project will impact a minimum of 120 students.

Lenape Playground – Gaga Ball Pit Mat & Spikes (Jim Longbotham)

This project involves the installation of a rubber mat under the very popular Gaga Ball Pit at Lenape Elementary School that the Foundation funded last year. The mat and the spikes will make the entire ball pit more secure and accessible for all students. 

New Paltz to Niimi Japanese Student Exchange Program – Middle School (Melissa Gruver-LaPolt, Isabella DeFalco, Joanne Metzger)

Thirteen students and four chaperones will travel to Niimi, Japan, where they will stay with host families and attend school alongside their hosts. Students will fully immerse themselves in Japan’s rich culture and traditions and strengthen global connections. The Foundation funded $3,000 towards this program.

Author Visit & Workshop – Lenape Elementary School (Joanna Wilcox)

Students in grades 3-5 will meet with local author/illustrator Kayla Miller and will participate in an author presentation, a comic-making workshop and an optional small-group lunch with the author/book-signing. Meeting with an author offers the opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of narrative structure, character development and storytelling. This experience will also allow students to connect personally with literature, increasing their likelihood of reading for pleasure – a key factor linked to improved academic performance.

Pawsitive Praise Fund – Duzine Elementary (Renee Reynolds)

This project will implement a school-wide positive behavioral program both in the cafeteria and on the playground using developmentally appropriate materials and visual supports. This grant will be used to purchase materials that visually reinforce expectations and provide students with appropriate outlets for regulating emotions and socializing with peers. It will also help to equip staff with tools to consistently support positive behavior.

Monthly Cultural Awareness Theme Celebrations – Duzine Elementary School (Olga Choedron)

The Equity Committee seeks to inspire students learning about cultural diversity and inclusivity. This grant will support the purchase of banners that will decorate the school to help raise awareness about monthly cultural and socially and historically important celebration themes; thereby fostering inclusivity and diversity, developing background knowledge, and building global citizen and critical thinker skills.

Sphero Indi Challenge – Lenape Elementary School (Joanne Sawicki)

Students in grades 3-5 will challenge the Sphero Indi Robot by creating mazes using coded tiles through scaffolded lessons. In small teams, students will design, build and program a maze or obstacle course. This project strengthens learning for all students by providing a hands-on, inclusive and multi-sensory approach to problem solving and critical thinking.