The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

educational grants

Beyond the Budget: The Byram Hills Education Foundation Impact

by

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE
BYRAM HILLS CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

For thirty years, the Byram Hills Education Foundation (BHEF) has been instrumental in shaping Byram Hills into one of the most renowned districts in our area. A non-profit organization, made up of volunteer parents, school administrators and educators, the BHEF has become the district’s innovative engine, enhancing education for all students by funding grants that are beyond the school district’s budget.

With over $6 million awarded – its impact can be felt everywhere. “The BHEF is capable of doing what school budgets cannot do alone. The BHEF has been behind major initiatives of the District for decades, from 1:1 technology initiatives to library renovations and program development. EVERY child in Byram Hills benefits from the support of the BHEF–at every turn in their school years–and that is a big part of what distinguishes a Byram Hills education,” says Superintendent Dr. Jen Lamia.

Working collaboratively with the district and community, everyone can help shape the future of Byram Hills by sharing grant ideas, donating and taking part in events.

Every Child, Every Day

The BHEF relies entirely on the generosity of families and businesses. Last year, the BHEF awarded over $575,000 for 20 new grants benefitting every school. These grants nurture every aspect of the educational experience such as a cutting-edge theater projector that creates digital scenery, a new Executive Functioning program, the first Fashion Design course, an outdoor ropes course, and innovative 3D Lego kits and social-emotional resources.

The BHEF has also pledged $1MM towards the district’s transformative “Lights, Learning, Action!” initiative, bridging the gap between the budget and the $9MM project cost. With the foundation’s support, the 1965 BHHS library and lecture hall wing was re-imagined into a collegiate quality Learning Commons and a second turf field was added. Donations are still needed to install permanent outdoor lights on BHHS fields and courts – bringing the thrill of night events to Byram Hills.

Taking Byram Hills Beyond Limits

Byram Hills is a special district. While our schools offer extraordinary opportunities, they operate on a public-school budget. Many of the programs and facilities that set a Byram Hills education apart – from innovative curriculum, cutting edge technology, wellness resources and modern learning spaces – were made possible by the BHEF.

There are many ways to support the foundation’s mission, including corporate sponsorships and BHEF Leadership Circles that include donor benefits. Donations of any amount are truly appreciated and make a difference. Byram Hills graduates can also leave their legacy with a personalized brick on the new Bobcat Alumni Walkway, paving the way for future bobcats.

What Will You Make Possible?

This is an exciting time to be at Byram Hills! Whether your child is at Coman Hill, Wampus, HCC or BHHS, your donations today to the BHEF will elevate their Byram Hills experience for years to come. YOU can help our children learn and grow beyond limits.

Donate: supportbhef.org
Learn: byramhillsfoundation.org
Follow: Facebook Instagram
Get in touch: BHEF1@byramhills.org

Chappaqua School Foundation: A Focus on Innovation

by

CSF members gathering in front of the new Sustainability Research Center at Horace Greeley High School. First row (l-r): Julie Balber, Shauna Levy, Tara Brandoff, Jillian Bynum, Megan Gulotta, Michele Wolfberg, Dayna Beicke, Anuja Joshi, Lois O’Neill, Solveig McShea, Joanna Coogan, Sheri Hametz. Second row (l-r): Jennifer Belew, Todd Herrell, Eugene Song  PHOTO By Donna Mueller

Home to bucolic grounds, a small-town vibe and a nationally recognized school district, Chappaqua is renowned for its strong sense of community. Embedded within the fabric of that community is the Chappaqua School Foundation (CSF), a nonprofit organization with the mission of funding innovative, educational projects that fall outside the scope of Chappaqua Central School District’s (CCSD) budget. Over the past two years, CSF’s work has never been more relevant, as the organization evolves and pivots to support the district’s goal of prioritizing students’ needs. 

Mission Control

Since its inception in 1993, CSF has raised over $4 million, funding over 350 educational grants and innovative projects. Its Board of Directors is comprised of 22 parent volunteers, representing each of Chappaqua’s six schools with diverse backgrounds and skill-sets.

Solveig McShea, President of CSF, took on the role in a time marked by change and uncertainty. Her mission was simple despite an environment that’s been anything but. She explains, “Our mission to fund innovation in our schools has held fast and helped us to navigate the shifting landscape. We also increased our focus on engaging our rapidly growing community through a host of new initiatives. We want to involve people in the excitement of what we are doing. Our work, after all, impacts each of our children.” 

Granting Innovations

CSF works alongside CCSD, teachers, parents, and students to identify significant strategic initiatives that are innovative and meaningful. CSF funds those initiatives with two types of grants; Instagrants, and Traditional Grants. Instagrants are smaller grants under $2,500 that undergo a condensed approval process; ideal for projects that teachers wish to implement during the same school year. Traditional Grants are awarded through a multi-step process for programs that tie into the curriculum and take longer to develop. 

The grants process is a true partnership between CSF and CCSD. Todd Herrell, Vice President, Grants elaborates, “We have a strong, collaborative relationship with our District to identify grants that spur educational enhancements and innovations in each of our schools. In recent years, CSF has funded projects including Studio 7B, a fully functional professional grade digital television studio, clip-on microphones to enhance teachers’ ability to overcome audio challenges during the pandemic and, a particularly exciting endeavor, the Sustainability Research Center (SRC) at Greeley that’s currently in construction.” 

Christine Ackerman, Ph.D., Superintendent of Schools, Chappaqua Central School District is also enthusiastic about the grant, saying, “Our sustainability research center will allow our students to explore and understand how to conserve natural resources in a cutting-edge facility. We are thrilled to provide this space for our students through our partnership with the CSF, PTA and the Robert and Ardis James Foundation.”

This isn’t CSF’s first forward-thinking grant. In 2018, CSF partnered with the District on the 1:1 Digital Learning Initiative, the largest single grant ever awarded at that time. This grant provided every 3rd and 4th grade student with their own school iPad. The full scope of this grant was truly demonstrated in 2020, as Herrell points out, when “these resources became instrumental in helping to facilitate the quick transition to remote learning at the onset of the pandemic.”  

Putting the “Fun” In Fundraiser

Fundraising efforts are at the crux of CSF’s ability to support the District. Two years ago, however, fundraising events screeched to a halt, forcing CSF to rewrite its playbook. Lois O’Neill, Executive Vice President & Vice President, Fundraising met the challenge head-on with a slew of ingenuitive fundraisers. She says, “The pandemic both changed and expanded our fundraising platform, and frankly broke down some walls, allowing us to build creative new ways to interact with our community. We launched a line of Chappaqua apparel, debuted what are now annual events–the CSF Food Truck Night and our At Home Series–and began offering Holiday Rainbow Cookie Jars. We love that these fundraisers enable people to give at any level whether it’s through a Walter’s hotdog, a Chappaqua hat or giving at the Benefit Committee level.”   

After a two-years hiatus, CSF is excited for the highly anticipated return of its largest fundraiser, the annual Spring Benefit. O’Neill has big plans for the Benefit’s revival on Friday, April 29th. “We want CSF to be a catalyst for the return to fun; we want to deliver on that as a thank you to our community for their deep generosity,” she explains, adding, “This year, the Benefit will feature a “Tacos & Tequila” theme with music and dancing. Our silent auction features a curated selection of exciting gifts, travel, and food items, and is now an online, one-week event culminating on the evening of the Benefit.”

New Beginnings

As McShea reflects upon the previous year, she says, “Though it’s been a challenging time, it’s also been deeply rewarding. I’m proud of all we’ve accomplished, from funding projects like diversity libraries in the elementary schools to programs exploring the impact of discrimination and human rights violations to repurposing a commons space at Greeley for social/emotional well-being. We are exploring how CSF can support the whole student with a robust classroom experience, so that they are prepared to lead and thrive in the outside world.” McShea acknowledges that much work remains to be done and that priorities are constantly in-flux, but in uncertain times, the CCSD community can be assured that CSF will be a stable source of support.