2023-2024 Year

Armstrong, Jessica - MPMS $2834
Intensive Skills Class-Autism Grades 6-8
To create a sensory area in the Intensive Skills Classroom-Autism for grades 6-8 . This grant would allow us the funds to purchase very specific items to allow students to meet their individual sensory needs by creating this space with a variety materials to design a safe place for a student to go to decompress or calm their senses when they are experiencing an overload or overwhelming feelings.

Balogh, Steve - MPMS $3000
Grade 8
To fund transportation for touring sites around the city of Schenectady in order to teach about some of the interesting history within the city: Old Lock 23, Lock 8, Vale Cemetery, the Stockade District, the Edison and Steinmetz Statue to name a few.

Bee, Jennifer - MPMS $810
Orchestra Grades 6-8
To purchase 6 Block Straps for cellos. One of our traditions in my string program is a 'strolling strings' in which groups of students walk around and deliver impromptu performances throughout the school. Strolling performances are a challenge for cello players because the cello is typically played in a seated position. The Block Strap holds the cello in playing position on the shoulder. The strap gives cellists the ability to move about freely while also maintaining a proper playing position. Our program will be able to reuse these straps for many years to come.

Bonheim, Alison - MPMS $2600
ELA, SS, Science and Math Grade 8
The funds would be used for 3 full sized buses and one lift bus to transport an entire team of 8th grade students to and from the Albany State Museum. The rest of the funds will be used to purchase food and supplies to eat outdoors at the Empire State Plaza.

Bookmiller, Emily - CPMS $972
Art Grade 8
Purchase 15 lightboards for an art project for the eighth grade. This includes the light pad, the protective case, the charger, and tilting stand.

Ciaravino, Jessica - WIEC $500
Grades 6-12
Funds acquired would go to purchasing the products for the care packages for YWCA (hygiene products and other items identified as being in need from the YWCA). The funds would also go toward the purchase of the food for the planned luncheon and various snack items for girls during the weekly Girls Circles.

Clements, Aubrey - Paige $3000
School Counselor
Registration for 15 girls for the Girls on the Run program (175 dollars per child). Due to the race historically not being in Schenectady, money would be used for transportation to the event. The rest of the money would be used for a running buddy registration fee to ensure that each of the girls participating has a running buddy.

D’Annibale, Lauren - MPMS $2500
ELA Grade 8
The intended use of the funds is two fold. 1. First use would be to expand our classroom libraries. Our students are a diverse group of readers with different interests and reading levels. So many are often discouraged by the idea of reading because they have a hard time finding books that meet their interests. 2. The second use of these funds would be to get full class sets of headphones with an attached microphone. So many of our students struggle to write answers, paragraphs and essays. Having headphones with an attached microphone would enable students to have access to the voice-to-text feature and allow them to complete written assignments in an easier fashion.Funds would be split equally between the classrooms.

Dexter, Bethany - SHS $5000
9-12 Special Education: Social Development Flex Program
To support The Social Development Program which was designed to address both academic and social emotional learners. Our students utilize a classroom management plan that allows them to earn incentives (lunches from outside restaurants, tangible and food/drink items from our school store). Currently all of these incentives are purchased by us (Ms. Novak, Ms. Dexter). 1.The SD program also holds celebrations throughout the year in which the students and staff make and share food and practice life skills needed during social situations. The Funding would ensure that we are able to continue these practices with our students. 2. Start taking our students out into the community. Giving students the opportunity to learn how to use public transportation, College/Trade School Visits, Practicing real world math and communication skills. Funds would be utilized for transportation, etc.

Dixon, Jennifer - Howe $4700
Grades 3-5
Fund the Girls on the Run Program: $175 per student x 25 students;$20 per session x 20 session for snacks;$200 water bottle, headbands, team swag.

Dobson, Jennifer - Zoller $192
Kindergarten Gen Ed
Funds to equip a Calming Corner which is a designated area within the classroom where students can go to calm down when emotions run high.

Eddy, Sharon - Van Corlaer $411
PreK
Funds to purchase books for my PreK students from Scholastic Book Clubs each month. The books will be given to the students throughout the year and at the end of the school year.

Gauthier, Nancy - MPMS $870
Grades 6-8
To equip Science centers to provide my students with the opportunity to take risks in learning by trying new challenges at their own pace. The centers help enhance my students learning in all areas at their own pace. The science resources in this project will assist my students with science curriculum throughout the school year.

Gelston, Tracy - SHS $600
Orchestra Grades 9-12
The awarded funds would be used to add some acoustic instrument pickups to the SHS Orchestra inventory. These pickups could also be shared with other buildings as well, and the items can be reused for as many years as they are kept in working order. If this grant is funded, it would impact our entire district Orchestra program in various ways for many years. 1 Cello Pickup ($200) 2 Violin/Viola Pickups ($170 x 2 = $340)

Giumarra, Aaron - Keane $2360
Grades 4-5
Bronx Zoo Field Trip for admission and transportation .

Gozalkowski, Terri - Howe $800
Grades 3-5 AIS-ELA groups
To fund the publishing/printing costs for our AIS-ELA students to create a cookbook full of their recipes. Each student will bring in a family recipe from home, write it out on a template provided by publisher, and it ultimately be published in a "Howe" cookbook. This is an authentic way of writing that engages students.

Hannon, Nicole - Oneida MS $1254
Grades 6-8
To facilitate the implementation of morning video announcements for Oneida MS through the creation of a video production club. The objective of the club is to produce weekly video announcements providing needed information as well as segments highlighting Oneida students and staff. Funds will be used to purchase: Camcorder; 2 lapel microphones; and 1 wireless microphone.

Hotaling, Lorelei - SHS $3900
Grades 10-12 Business: Sports Marketing, Intro. to Business, and Entrepreneurship
The funds will be utilized to secure 1 Coach Bus for transportation and admission for 40 Schenectady High School Students (and 4 chaperones) in Business Classes to attend a field trip in the Spring of 2024: Jets Sports Business Day at Metlife Stadium in NJ. Open to students in Business classes at the High School: Sports and Marketing Entertainment, Introduction to Business, and Entrepreneurship classes.

Hubel-March, Sarah - Oneida MS $1017
Art Grade 8
The students would learn about the history of Islamic Tiles, Strafigo and the ceramic process. The geometric art in the ceramic tiles is extremely sophisticated, requiring scientific and mathematical precision, with imagination and creativity. This project allows students to look, and learn about other cultures, their art and then apply their knowledge to make something of their own. This project is a way to produce glossy, hand-painted tiles that look like the real thing and are also time & space efficient for my classroom.

Los, Sheila - SHS $5000
Musical Theatre Students Grades 10-12
I am currently team teaching Schenectady High School students enrolled in the Musical Theatre program at Proctors. This is a multidisciplinary performing arts program that is a partnership between the Proctors Collaborative School of the Arts and the Schenectady City School District. Students attend a half day session and study dance, music, and acting, in addition to a "MediaWorks" English Language Arts course. Grant funds to cover the fee associated with hiring a professional photographer to take our students headshots to be included in their audition binders. Our program includes students in 10th, 11th, and 12th grades. Some of our Senior students are currently preparing for college auditions as well as opportunities in and outside of our district programming.

Manning, Mandi - Oneida MS $815
Art Grade 6
The funds will be used to purchase items for black light art projects. All of the materials will be used for a couple different lessons where we use black light responsive materials and work in a dark room with black light only. The funds will cover one extra black light to add to my supply as well as neon paints, oil pastels and bingo dabbers. In addition, I have requested items to create the work on, including canvases and paper.

Marten, Cala - Zoller $3316
Special Education Music Classes Grades 3-5
To implement a piano curriculum into my 3rd-5th grade self-contained special education classes using 2 methods: Piano Adventures & Occupational Octaves. Students in these SPED classes have an extremely wide range of functionality, but would all benefit from the success that can be achieved through keyboard instruction. Funds will be used to purchase: keyboards, music stands, headphones, lesson books, and song books.

Muscatiello, Audra - Van Corlaer $232
Grades 1-3
I currently host an afterschool Board Game club at Van Corlaer for grades 1-3. Each student is invited to join the club one day a week depending of their grade. Funds will be used to purchase more games and puzzles for the current students participating. The new games will also allow me to expand and invite students in grades 4-5 in the future.

Neugebauer, Julie - WIEC $358
Algebra Grade 9
I plan to use the BreakOut kits in my classroom to build community, critical thinking skills, and communication skills. Students get a series of clues and must work together to solve the puzzles to break out of the series of locks provided. Puzzles will be used to build community and communication skills, while reinforcing our algebra curriculum.

Peek, Nicole - SHS $3000
Business Grades 10-12
Business Plan Competition: Student supplies to make business plans, posters and tangible objects $1,000. Breakfast for 112 students approximately $700. Transportation for 112 students $600. Lunch for 112 students $ 1,200 Prizes for winners of business plan competition. Total Prizes $1,100 Students will use this prize money to get their business up and running. 1st $500; 2nd $300; 3rd $200; 4th $100

Piccolo, Brittany - Keane $4500
PreK-5 Attendance
Our school is impacted by a high rate of chronic absenteeism (30% of our school). We have implemented several initiatives to improve student attendance through incentives. One of which is the Never Been Absent (NBA) club. NBA students are recognized with awards for not missing school, and they are provided with NBA "swag" each quarter. This "swag" is customized basketball themed, with our school mascot, and the NBA status on each item. Students have opportunity to receive 1 item each quarter including socks, hats, shorts or pants, and jersey. At the end of the year, a student could earn an entire NBA outfit. Funds will be used to purchase the items.

Steadham, David - MPMS $1811
Grade 8 Life Science and Grade 8 Regents Biology
To fund an aquaponic project. Apuaponics is the process of growing fish and produce without the use of soil. The fish waste provides the nitrogen the plants need, while the plants clean the water for the fish. As the world fights overcrowding in major cities, city planners and scientists are turning towards aquaponics to help feed the masses. The funds will go towards the hardware needed for this project: the tank, the hydroponic plant rack, the water chiller, chemicals for water testing, etc.

Trumpler, Jonai - Keane $1500
PreK-Grade 5
For materials for projects in interactive story telling and STEM engineering.

Tufo, Margaret - SCLA $950
Math and Living Environment Grades 10-11
The Lake George Association’s Floating Classroom provides a hands-on aquatic learning experience for our students. Students will discover the beauty of Lake George and the challenges to keeping it clean and protected. This educational program is aligned with the New York State Common Core Curriculum. The field study will be conducted in two parts. 1. Floating Classroom: Students will board a 40-foot catamaran in Lake George to study the lake's water quality and learn about how the geological history and lake ecology. 2. Stream Monitoring: Students will walk along streams at the Lake George Recreation Center to study how natural processes like soil erosion and human activities such as waste treatment and stormwater runoff can affect water quality.

Van Der Wouden, George - WIEC $3500
Grades 6-12 and Adult Education
Adult education students and 6-12 grade students will oversee the design and continued building and use of a garden area for enjoyment, leisure and recreation. The scope of the project area is to add two additional picnic tables/ garden work benches, a garden shed, and extend the lattice wall / fence line behind the school building.

Yacobellis, Cante - Woodlawn, Yates, Hamilton $356
Grades 4-5
As a traveling music teacher, my students are frequently learning in spaces that aren't equipped with access to technology. Furthermore, we are frequently relocated due to building circumstances. Having a small, portable Bluetooth speaker will greatly enhance the learning opportunities for string students. For example, all of our new lesson books include play along tracks.

Zarrelli, Sarah - WIEC $4825
Adult Education Program - ESL, Construction Class, and GED
Funds would be used for every Adult Education student (those studying for their GED, those learning English, and those in the Construction program) who lacks additional funding and resources through the school district. Every student will have the opportunity to participate in at least 3-4 field trips. Field trips will offer hands-on learning opportunities with pre- and post- learning activities. In an effort to "Explore the Capital District" and expose students to varying subject matters, we would visit a different site each month. These sites would include the Empire State Aeroscience Museum, ViaPort Aquarium, the NY State Museum/Capital, Monet Immersive Experience, Mi-Sci, and the Shaker Heritage Museum. We want to provide an enriching engaging experience for our adult students to connect the content they are learning in the classroom to the "real world."