Fast Track Grants

 

MSF's new Fast Track Grants were created to fund programs and initiatives that address emerging needs and/or require faster access to funds that would be available via MSF's annual Teacher Grants. Applications are accepted throughout the school year, and grants will be awarded approximately 6 weeks after the application due dates listed below. Please note that Fast Track Grants are limited to grants under $2,500. MSF will consider Fast Track Grant applications above this range in very limited circumstances.

 

The Fast Track Grant application consists of two parts, the grant application form and the budget spreadsheet, both linked below. Please refer to the Fast Track Grant Guidelines for additional information.

 

To assist with preparation of your application, you may access the full application here. Please note, your final application must be submitted via the Google form linked below.

 

APPLICATIONS ARE DUE on the dates listed below:*

 

Round 1: Due Tuesday, October 1, 2024

Round 2: Due Monday, December 2, 2024

 

 

Part 1: Applicaton Form

 

Part 2: Budget Worksheet

 

Fast Track Funded Grants

This slate consists of three Fast Track teacher grants for total funding of $5,788 for implementation during the remainder of the 2024-25 academic year.

 

Murray Avenue Student Work Display Board
Grantees: Aaron Stone and Matt Poricelli
School: Murray Avenue School
Murray Avenue School will be holding its first school-wide art show in recent memory this May. This grant will fund a portable display board that will be used to showcase students’ artwork during the art show. With limited communal space in the building, the portable display board will offer an additional, large surface area to showcase a large variety of student works. The art show will help to foster student confidence (how cool to see your work on display!) and bring the community together. Given the board’s portability, it will be shared with other teachers and schools as needed as Murray has borrowed similar boards from MAS in the past.

 

Trout In the Classroom Lesson Materials and Aquarium Supplies
Grantees: Drew Scecina and Matt Poricelli
School: Murray Avenue School
This grant will support the expansion and sustainability of the Trout in the Classroom project impacting 115 fourth grade students and six teachers at Murray. The grant will fund materials that would provide new learning opportunities for 4th graders including lessons on the watershed, topographic maps and microplastic sampling. In addition, the grant will fund supplies to ensure proper filtration and water quality of the aquarium.

 

Legal Work to Establish a Nonprofit Organization (Mamaroneck Endowment Fund) to Support the Operations of MHS Investment Club
Grantees: Peter O’Byrne and Francesco Scioscia
School: Mamaroneck High School

The MHS Investment Club, a student-run organization, seeks to provide real-world investing experience to club members with actual money. The school administration determined that a separate nonprofit organization is necessary to house the funds and oversee the MHS Investment Club’s operations. This grant would fund the legal work necessary to create this nonprofit organization, which will be called the Mamaroneck Endowment Fund (MEF). MEF will be run by applicant Peter O’Byrne and a Board of Directors made up of local community members.

 

 

2024-2025 January Slate

This slate consists of 7 Fast Track teacher grants for total funding of $12,538.85 for implementation during the remainder of the 2024-25 academic year.

 

Bracelets, Beads, and Book Love

Grantees: Lisa Manheim, Karen Caine, Deb Sampayo, Bernadette Mannion, Lauren Gaudio

School: Hommocks Middle School

In an effort to spark excitement in reading in fun, new ways, this grant will fund beads and other materials for bracelet making tied to independent reading books for 6th grade students. Building on the friendship (and Taylor Swift) bracelet making craze of the last year, the program will encourage 6th grade readers to make and trade bracelets that may spell out a title, theme or favorite character. The teachers have informally surveyed students about such a program and have been met with interest from all genders.

 

HMX Science Display Case

Grantees: Scott Peterson, Michael Wing

School: Hommocks Middle School

This grant will create two display cases for the Hommocks Middle School Science Department to use to display student work as well as science-related materials. This will allow students to see their work displayed and provide students, staff members, and visiting district employees the opportunity to learn about scientific phenomena in a school setting. The grant will fund the materials needed to set up the cases (glass shelving, LED lights strips, paint and track shelving).

 

Kindergarten Sings Their Hearts Out

Grantees: Mindy Friedman, Danielle Beshar, Kelly, Ann Trombley, Angela LaMorte-Doerr, Laurie McShea

School: Central School

This grant will help fund a series of workshops over five full days working with ArtsWestchester’s artist-in-residence Matt Turk. Mr. Turk will provide a folk music sing-a-long program with some body movement for all Kindergarten classes culminating in a presentation for parents and teachers. Songs will come from the world music catalogue; Mr. Turk chooses material based upon which songs the kids connect with. Mr. Turk previously worked successfully with students at Murray Avenue School. The Central School PTA is funding the ArtsWestchester program & development fee as well as a planning meeting to support these workshops.

 

Meaningful AAC for Gestalt Language Processors PD

Grantees: Alyssa Del Negro, Ann Rushe, Yaritza Ayala, Alexandra McCue, Courtney Picciano, Christine Riordan, Giovanna Garrison, Angela Fazzolari,

School: MUFSD-wide

This grant will fund the 10.5 hour self-paced, online training course, Meaningful Speech, to eight speech language therapists (SLPs) in our district focusing on gestalt language processing. This course will provide therapists with a new approach for working with students using Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), which current research estimates may impact between 70% and 90% of autistic individuals (who may be considered Gestalt Language Processors (GLPs). Currently, there are 34 students who are using AAC to communicate, either full or part time. Additionally, many speaking students in ICT and Special Classes may be gestalt language processors and will benefit from SLP’s increased understanding of this language learning approach.

 

Central Golf

Grantees: Erin Byron, Dario DiValentino

School: Central School

Golf is a lifetime activity that can be played throughout the span of one's life if one chooses. However, golf may not be accessible to all students outside of school due to socioeconomic and other factors. The purpose of this grant is to introduce golf to students during elementary school. This grant will fund the equipment to expand the PE curriculum to include a golf unit.

 

Video Equipment

Grantees: Elena Elmoznino, Adam Rizzuti

School: Mamaroneck High School

As video students progress to the upper levels of the MHS video program, they are eager to get their hands on professional and higher-end equipment. This grant will provide the program with additional equipment that caters specifically to its more advanced film students, giving them opportunities to create more ambitious shots. The equipment includes one pro gimbal, two motorized video sliders and one wireless lens with power kit and one wireless video transmitter.

 

Snidero Jazz Workshop

Grantees: Timothy E. Hooker, James Mullen

School: Mamaroneck High School

This grant will fund Master class sessions with J. Snidero, Grammy award-winning alto saxophonist, composer and New School professor, for the MHS Big Band and Swing Choir in March 2025. Mr. Snidero will listen to our students and provide valuable feedback in the Jazz field.