2018 - 2019
The 2018 – 2019 Dream Grant Recipients
MUSEUM MAGIC: MAKERSPACE IN MOTION
Memorial Elementary School
Mona Bennett Marie Creste Laverne O’Boyle
The goal of this project is to create a STEAM / MakerSpace club to foster the important skill sets
and learning dispositions necessary for success in a 21st century world. Teachers will support
and guide students to develop science concepts in an environment that encourages hands-on
learning by doing. STEAM ( Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics ) projects
will be completed with online research, virtual museum trips, teamwork and collaboration.
TECHNOLOGY TOGETHER II
Stony Lane Elementary School
Leslie Rochman Darlyne Kelleher
Technology Together II aims to continue an enrichment and speech collaboration. Authentic
costumes, a microphone and littleBits kits will be purchased. LittleBits are open ended snap
circuit kits and with them students can make movable prototypes of their inventions. These will
enhance the time travel videos created by students with special needs who will be collaborating
with high achieving enrichment students to produce technology based projects.
PERFECT PE PROGRAM; FOCUS, BALANCE,STRENGTH,AND FUN
Ridge Ranch Elementary School
Kelly Ribeiro Barbara Vene-Anderson Jeanne Browne
Cutting edge research points to children on the Autism Spectrum needing multiple types of
stimulation in order to process information. This grant provides funds to continue the programs in formal dance, yoga, gymnastics and Karate instruction by certified instructors.
ALL KINDS OF CHARACTERS
Ridge Ranch Elementary School
Christine Chiaramonte Laurie Corizzo
The goal of this project is to increase a positive school climate and independent conflict
resolution skills among kindergarten through fourth graders by combining a love of literacy and
age appropriate, high interest explorations of childhood predicaments. Hand puppets, a variety
of books and storage will be supplied by this grant.
DON’T JUST DANCE ….LEAP – INTO AUTISM FRIENDLY PERFORMANCE SERIES
Paramus High School
Claudine Ranieri
This grant will provide LEAP students with an opportunity to attend a professional dance
performance series throughout the school year at NJPAC. These performances will introduce
students to the magic of the performing arts on stage. An Autism friendly assembly will also be
presented at Paramus for all special services students, pre-K through LEAP, in the district.
MARVELOUS MATH MENTORS
Midland Elementary School
Jennifer Jennings Jacklyn Sapp Kimberly Picciano
The object of Marvelous Math Mentors is to provide stimulating and engaging STEM
experiences for third graders working along with high school mentors as they deepen their
understanding of critical math concepts. The high school students will act as role models and
develop communication and leadership skills as they teach and scaffold the learning of their
young charges in hands on learning centers.
SENSORY BOARDS IN ACTION
Stony Lane Elementary School
Kristen Scrivens Angela Girvan Erin Todd
Sensory boards are important for the development of motor skills, intelligence and imagination.
These boards include tasks, such as locks which a child must open, and help with both tactile
and visual issues relating to sensory processing disorders. Since music is important in all
aspects of life and a crucial factor in any sensory environment, two music sound gardens will
also be built in the playground.
THERE’S “ONLY ONE YOU” ROCK GARDEN
Memorial and Ridge Ranch Elementary Schools
Laurie Corizzo Kallie Williams Lisa Moran Laverne O’Boyle Jeanine Nostrame
Children in Ridge Ranch and Memorial Schools will read and discuss the book “Only One You”
with an effort made to expose the children to diversity and stress respect for differences in all we do. Each student will then create a beautiful rock which shall be a visual representation of their own uniqueness. These rocks will be places in a “garden” outside the respective schools.
FLUENCY FUN FOR EVERYONE!
Midland Elementary School
Betsy Johnsrud Sherry Toubassi Kathleen Flynn
Fluency Fun For Everyone will provide engaging materials for students to increase fluency skills
while having fun! All students need to develop fluency and particularly those students who
struggle, need additional practice with this important literacy skill.This grant will allow students to use technology along with engaging texts to increase their phrasing, inflection, comprehension, and confidence to work cooperatively with their peer and younger students in the building.
MOVE TO SUCCEED: INCREASING STUDENT SUCCESS IN FIRST GRADE CLASSROOMS
WITH SENSORY TOOLS
Midland Elementary School
Katie Rodgers Denise Tripaldi Laura Gomez
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.
BRANCHING OUT
EastBrook Middle School
Kristen Johnson Danielle Shine
The sixth grade students will use Aerogardens to learn the basics about plants, agriculture,
engineering, sustainability, and variables that influence the growth of plants. The students will
work in groups to create hypotheses, make observations, test variables, record data , analyze
results, and form conclusions based upon their findings during this inquiry – led experience.
COURTYARD TO TABLE
Ridge Ranch Elementary School
Alison Costello Colby Cavaliere
Courtyard to Table is a project that encompasses environmental stewardship and educational
goals (STEM) in a self – sustaining ongoing endeavor that allows students to have multiple
experiences with “green living”. The culminating activity will involve a harvest / meal preparation, a kid friendly “farmers market” and a PTA event.
KINDNESS ROCKS
Midland Elementary School
Carol Cutrupi Michele Higgins
To spread kindness within Midland School as well as throughout the Borough of Paramus this
project proposes that each student paint two rocks and write a kind and positive message on
each. One of the rocks will be used to create a “Garden of Kindness” that will greet each person
entering the school. The other will be sent home with instructions to be placed within the
borders of Paramus.These are intended for a person to find and help as a reminder that
someone cares about them.
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