By Sam Patterson, VP, Public Relations, The Bronxville School Foundation
May 15th, 2024: The Bronxville School Foundation announced its 2024 grant awards, giving $658,000 in resources to benefit the Bronxville School’s K-12 student body.
The grant requests came from teachers, administrators, coaches, parents, and students. This year’s grants supported meaningful projects designed to enrich the educational experience for all grades and support the goals of The Bronxville Promise. The grants included professional development, health and wellness initiatives, new equipment, enhancements to facilities and classrooms, and new programs and curriculum updates.
The Foundation had more than 450 donors contribute to the Foundation's community drive, and many others supported the alumni drive, Katie's Run, and our designated funds for Athletics, Elementary School ELA, Theater Arts, History, Science, and Special Education. Total contributions received by the Foundation so far this year have exceeded $475K and helped to fund this year's grants.
Amy Atkeson, the Foundation’s vice president of grants, said “We are all so fortunate to live in a school community with supportive parents, active teachers, and engaged administrators, who work together to advance the dispositions of the Bronxville Promise. The Bronxville School Foundation is grateful for the generosity of the many donors who contributed to our campaign, enabling us to fund 31 grants totaling $658K this year. These grants cover a broad range of initiatives, including robust youth mental health support, from teacher training to curricular enhancements; continued investment in cutting-edge artificial intelligence coursework; exciting local partnerships with The Picture House and Twin Lakes Farm; and a significant security upgrade to our school facility. The impressive slate of funded projects was proposed by students, parents, teachers, other faculty, and administrators, representing a true cross-section of our larger community. The Foundation deeply appreciates the support of our amazing donors, who make possible these strong, strategic investments in our children’s educational experience.”
Foundation Chair, Katie Shah, added, “Since 1991, the Foundation has provided more than $13 million in funding for meaningful programs and initiatives that touch every Bronxville student from kindergarten to twelfth grade. This year’s slate of grants includes funding for an upgraded security vestibule at the Pondfield entrance to the school, completing the installation of an enhanced security infrastructure at all three main entrances to the District’s school buildings. We are grateful to the Foundation’s donors and grant writers who continue to support the Bronxville School’s tradition of excellence.”
Following is a complete list of the approved grants for the 2023-2024 school year:
PROGRAM & CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT:
Artificial Intelligence Courses in High School
Bronxville Picture House Residency for First-Grade
Bronxville Picture House Guest Speakers for High School Film Club & Bronco TV
Civil Discourse Curriculum Development in High School
College Essay Workshop
Equine-Assisted Learning for Special Education Classes
Mental Performance Coach for Athletics
Mental Health First Aid Training for Middle School
Revamping Middle School Advisory Curriculum for Belonging
FACILITIES:
Flexible Seating for First-Grade Classrooms
Flexible Seating for Third-Grade Classrooms
Professionally Framed Performing Arts Photos for the Auditorium Lobby
Security Vestibule at Flagpole Entrance on Pondfield Road
Sound System for Main Gymnasium
EQUIPMENT & MATERIALS:
Baroque Bows
Fine Arts Technology Update - Macbooks & iPad Pros with Apple Pencils
Recycling Equipment for Middle School Technology Class
Bronxville Football Field Sleds
Elementary School Playground Musical Equipment
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:
AP Summer Conference for World Languages
AP Summer Conference for Social Studies
Finland Trip for Educators through PNWBOCES
Foundation for Critical Thinking Professional Development
Gilder Lehrman Professional Development
National Convention of Teachers of English
National Council for Social Studies Conference
HEALTH & WELLNESS:
Harlan Cohen Speaking Engagement
Playground Peace Path
Spirit Steps Highlighting the Bronxville Promise, Be 3 Characteristics & Positive Affirmations
Strength & Conditioning Specialist
“Visualize the Bronxville Promise” Mural
Photo: Elementary School Principal Rakiya Adams, Vice Principal Anthony Vaglica, and their students celebrating the arrival of the school's first ever book vending machine, courtesy of a Foundation grant.