Current Grants
Dream Grants
Contributions to Date:
- Provided funding for 241 grants totaling $566,660.67
- A total of 17 grants were awarded at the 24th Annual Dream Awards Gala in 2019. These completed grants will be celebrated at the 25th Annual Dream Awards Gala in 2023.
The 2019 – 2020 Dream Grant Recipients
“FIRST GRADE BOOK OF THE MONTH CLUB “
Midland Elementary School
Jennifer Jennings, Denise Tripaldi, Robert Marion, Katie Rodgers
This grant will introduce ten new engaging books to 1st Graders while presenting important
reading strategies that students can utilize during Reading Workshop and independent reading
time. Along with reading the book and learning a critical reading strategy, they will participate
in an extension activity pertaining to the book. These activities will incorporate writing, crafts,
fluency, science and movement.
“APPLYING INTERACTIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR OUR 21ST CENTURY”
WORLD LANGUAGE LEARNER
Paramus High School
Michele Limbacher
The primary objective for this project is to increase the level of proficiency of the second
language learner on all levels by engaging the students in a manner that provides them the
opportunity to speak, write and learn as if they were native speakers. It immerses them via video and interactivity in authentically spoken language and cultural presentations. Students will be challenged to engage in conversation by way of simulated social media website experience. The project includes acquisition of headphones with microphones which enable auditory and vocal interactivity.
“CONNECTING WITH BOOKS”
Stony Lane Elementary School
Leslie Rochman, Emily Skrezec, Maria Bonner
This grant will combine teaching students media literacy and internet citizenship with an exciting and motivating program called Biblionasium. It will allow students to participate on a social media platform that promotes reading and writing about books. The goal of “Connecting With Books” is to have elementary and middle school students write and build friendships while using a safe social media platform within the district.
“EXPLORING SOLAR ENERGY AND ENGINEERING”
East Brook Middle School
Kristen Johnson, Danielle Shine
The goal of this STEM project is for students to work collaboratively to create a robot that
moves using solar power and mechanics. The students will have to use inquiry and go through
the steps of the Engineering Design Process to brainstorm a design, research information, create a model, test out their solution and make modifications to their design until they are successful.
“IT’S INSTRUMENTAL TO OUR SUCCESS”
Midland Elementary School
Kerry Russo
This project will provide special education students with a rich, rewarding, interactive music
experience. Music is essential in fostering socialization and communication and is a tremendous tool in drawing students out of themselves and encouraging interaction with people around them. This grant will provide “starter kits” of appropriate classroom instruments to be used in musical experiences.
“MORE MARVELOUS MATH MENTORS”
Midland Elementary School and Paramus High School
Katie Rodgers, Gina Cutrona, Jacklyn Sapp, Jennifer Jennings
Kerri Afromsky, Kimberly Picciano, Tania Regalbuto, Jacqueline Paizis
The objective of “More Marvelous Math Mentors” is to expand on last year’s grant and provide
stimulating and engaging STEM experiences for 1st, 3rd and 4th graders as they work alongside
high school mentors, deepening their understanding of critical math concepts. Midland School
students will work with their mentors in five hands on centers where they will expand their
understanding of concepts in the existing curriculum.
“RELAXATION STATION”
East Brook Middle School
Betsy Johnsrud, Sherry Toubassi, Kathleen Flynn
These stations will provide students access to a variety of manipulative / tactile tools for
relaxation and self regulation of their emotions. Having a variety of tools in each classroom
will allow students to address anxiety quickly. Teachers will have the ability to differentiate their
stations to the individual needs of the students.
“RUN FOR YOUR LIVES: DEVELOPING HEALTHY HABITS FOR PEOPLE ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM”
West Brook Middle School
Raymond Vazquez, Kevin Kehoe, Jaclyn Huntington, Jeanne Browne
Every year more students benefit from sensory learning tools. At times students can shy away
from using sensory tools because they feel “different”. Creating a sensory informed classroom
can build an inclusive and accepting learning atmosphere. This grant will help decrease the
“stigma” of sensory tools and benefits all learning styles in the classroom to support focus /
attention, develop learning skills, and manage classroom behaviors.
“SENSATIONAL HALLWAYS: INCREASING STUDENT ATTENTION AND
MOTIVATION THROUGH MULTI SENSORY BREAKS”
Midland Elementary School
Laura Gomez, Kathleen Flynn, Sharon Heaney, Cathy Coppola, Cynthia Hulse
Sensory stations using colorful enticing decals will be placed in various locations throughout
the hallways to provide access for all students. The Nature Path set consists of 7 sensory and
movement activities: Crab Crawl, Daisy Hopscotch, Jump Logs, Match Ants, Step Stones, Toe to
Heel, and Wall Push-Up. These stations will offer students an assortment of physical, emotional
and/or educational based activities and allow them to refocus and enhance their classroom
learning experience.
“SHAKE UP YOUR BODY WAKE UP YOUR BRAIN”
Memorial and Stony Lane Elementary Schools
Jessica Harris, Laverne O’Boyle, Tom Marshall
A sensory pathway using vinyl stickers will be created that transforms the hallway from a simple
passing space into an active learning space to enhance overall student wellness. Teachers would then have an entire class, a small group or an individual student utilize the space to supplement student learning, offer a brain break, help students calm down and regulate their bodies and/or bolster motor skills.
“STEM R & D CENTER”
East Brook Middle School
Gina Herring
Students will engage in the Engineering Design Process and work collaboratively to problem
solve, plan, deal with a budget and dictate the design and creation of the Research and
Development Center. This grant provides the necessary materials they will need to create areas
such as a Lego Imagination wall, tool area, meeting / conference / testing area with idea boards, a STEM store and flexible seating area.
“STEM SALAD”
Memorial Elementary School
Alexis Fishman, Laverne O’Boyle, Marie Creste, Caroline Fitzgerald, Elizabeth Schlossberg
The goal of STEM SALAD is to provide students in Grades 2, 3 and 4 with an opportunity
to grow edible plants in a vertical, aeroponic growing system which can be wheeled into their
classrooms. With these “Tower Gardens” students will learn about aeroponics, safe nutrient
solutions and food production in the 21st century. Once the “Memorial School Farmers” have
harvested their crops they will prepare heathy treats to share with students in kindergarten and
1st grade.
“TO INFINITY AND BEYOND:
EXPLORING THE UNIVERSE WITH GOOGLE EXPEDITIONS”
West Brook Middle School
Angela Bussanich
Google Expeditions enables students to strap on headgear to explore and experience unique
destinations such as a volcano or International Space Station. This equipment gives the teacher
the ability to provide experiential, inquiry based learning through simulation and students the
ability to become more engaged in the learning process.
“THE BUILD YOUR DREAMS PLAYGROUND”
Early Childhood Center and Paramus High School
Jacqueline Crago, April Dinallo, Carolyn Piquero, Diane Felt
With this grant the Paramus High School Early Childhood Center will begin to transform
their outdoor playground into a place where creativity can flourish. The creative play process
promotes the intellectual, social, emotional and physical development of preschoolers. Funds
will provide a large sand box and cover.
“WE GOT THE WHOLE STORY IN OUR HANDS: READING THROUGH PUPPETS”
Stony Lane Elementary School
Kristen Greco
The goal of this project is to have the students practice reading behaviors such as retelling,
reenacting or dramatizing stories through the use of puppets. Utilizing classic literature and
folktales in big book format will help students to focus on character development and analysis,
the use of repetitive language and story elements to enhance comprehension.
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