Major Projects of the Pelham Education Foundation

RECENT GRANTS, INITIATIVES AND EVENTS:
 
K-5 Guided Reading Leveled Libraries
The Pelham Education Foundation awarded a major grant to Pelham’s elementary schools to create Guided Reading Leveled Libraries.  Guided reading matches students to books that are “just right” and facilitates small group instruction in which students are grouped based on assessment.  This enables teachers to better meet the reading needs of all students, including English language learners, advanced readers and Special Education students.
 
Each elementary school is now furnished with a Benchmark Education K-5 BookRoom, which includes 2,736 texts; a wide range of teacher support tools; assessment materials; comprehension tools for teachers and students; and a system for organizing, storing and managing use of the texts.
 

Civil Rights Program at the Middle School
The Foundation sponsored a thought-provoking art installation and corresponding educational program at the middle school, presenting a visual and historical narrative of the 1970’s Civil Rights Movement. The exhibit was viewed by all middle school students, and the corresponding academic program was integrated within the 8th grade Social Studies curriculum, through varied learning activities and classroom instruction by the artist.
 
 “The Soles of the Movement program allowed our students to experience first hand how art and history can be brought together to educate and enlighten.” Thomas Tobin, 8th Grade teacher
 
 
Differentiated Instruction Program at the High School
In partnership with a private donor and the Special Education Department, the Foundation developed a multidimensional grant to strengthen the effectiveness of regular and special education instruction within high school inclusion classes.  Training, by on-site consultants and through Windward School’s summer workshop, helped teachers to develop co-teaching practices and to effectively differentiate instruction within their classrooms.
 

Broadcast Production Studio
A Foundation grant funded the creation of a state-of-the-art Broadcast Production Studio and the development of a new high school course in television production.  The course, now in its second year, provides students with an understanding of basic theory, techniques and procedures of television production, including pre-production planning, script and storyboard writing, taping and editing.
 
 “This type of hands-on and cooperative learning offers a welcome change from the more traditional classroom setting and facilitates teaching of both specific skills and broad concepts.” Brian Powers, PMHSTeacher
 

Fitness Center at Middle & High Schools
The new fitness center at the middle and high schools (funded jointly by the Pelham Education Foundation and Shea Family Foundation) is now in its second year of use.   This fully-equipped aerobic and strength-building center accommodates classes of up to 35 students and has fostered an expansion of the physical education curricula to educate students in lifelong health and fitness practices.
 
 “The expanded Physical Education curriculum teaches our children how to build and maintain a healthy body.”  Susan Hughes, Dept. Chair, Physical Education
 
 

OTHER GRANTS, INITIATIVES AND EVENTS FROM PRIOR YEARS:

Guidance: Counselor training at Harvard University's Summer Institute for College; Teacher training in recommendation letter writing

Language Arts: Writer's Workshop, Picture Writing: Literacy Through Art and Image Making Within the Writing Process  pilot programs at all elementary schools

Foreign Language: State-of-the-Art Language Laboratory and Classroom Multimedia Network for middle and high school students

Science: A State-of-the-Art Molecular Biology Laboratory at PMHS

Technology: Technology centers in the elementary school libraries; Digital projectors and SMART Boards at the middle and high schools; Alpha Smart keyboards in elementary classrooms

Facilities: Lighting and sound renovation at Prospect Hill auditorium: Nature's Classroom at Hutchinson Elementary school

 


Every year the PEF Board considers a range of projects presented by teachers, administrators, parents and BOE members. Ideas and initiatives can be submitted to the PEF Board of Directors at anytime.

914-263-8148  |  info@pelhameducationfoundation.net  |  Franklin Place  |  Pelham, NY 10803