Franklin Township Warrior Education Foundation
We are excited to announce the awarding of 20 grants over $8,900 for 2025! These grants reflect dedication to fostering innovative projects across a diverse range of topics, including DEI, Social-Emotional Learning, Fine Arts, Visual & Performing Arts, physical fitness, STEAM, and reading. We believe these initiatives will make a meaningful impact in their respective fields and contribute to growth of our communities. Thank you to all the applicants for their inspiring proposals!
Muslim Heritage Month
We are pleased to award
$300
The FHS Muslim Heritage Month is seeking a grant of $300 to promote awareness and appreciation of Muslim contributions to American history, society, and culture. This grant will fund essential teaching resources, school-wide decorations, activities, and event materials. These initiatives aim to integrate Muslim heritage into the academic curriculum, enhancing students' understanding of subjects such as History, Science, Math, English, and World Languages, and fostering a global perspective within the classroom and beyond. The grant aims to implement FHS Muslim Heritage Month throughout the Franklin High School community, benefiting students and staff. With this grant, FHS History teacher Zakia Basha and the committee will plan and coordinate all events and activities in January 2025. The program aims to build on the state’s resolution, fostering an inclusive and diverse learning environment, and creating a lasting educational and cultural impact within the school.
Zakia Basha
Franklin High School
Poetry Anthology
We are pleased to award
$498.25
On behalf of the FHS Spoken Word Poetry class, the inaugural FHS Poet Laureate Princess Dumbuya, and the FHS student body to publish an FHS Poetry Anthology. This anthology will feature student poetry and artwork, with a vision to showcase the artistic capabilities of Franklin High School students and connect the student body through expressive poetry. The book will include a collection of poems from our Poet Laureate, student submissions organized by theme, and artwork from a student-designed cover competition. This project aims to publish a student poetry anthology, promote interdisciplinary collaboration with the FHS art department, and engage students in literacy and authentic writing. This grant will enable the publication of poetry from 30 student poets and artwork from at least one student artist. We aim to distribute the anthology to published students, Franklin Township Public Schools libraries and ELA classrooms, public libraries, and the Franklin Township Youth Center library. Additionally, the project will boost student confidence, provide a publishing experience, and foster community engagement through a celebratory publishing party.
Sarah Montanari
Franklin High School
Stress and Fidget Items
We are pleased to award
$498.20
In a post-pandemic society, students are learning to succeed in school while managing difficult emotions. Since returning to in-person learning, school counselors have worked closely with students to develop effective coping skills and institute a strong Social Emotional Learning (SEL) program. We aim to create a safe space with various sensory items to assist students in developing their emotional regulation, addressing the high need identified by recent NJ-SCI and Panorama Data. This project will support all students at FHS, including those receiving Special Education and ESL services, by providing tools to help them focus and calm down during the school day. We seek funding to purchase sensory items for this safe space, benefiting the entire student population of 2092 students at FHS. All school counselors and SACs will be involved in designing and implementing the project. We will evaluate the project's effectiveness by tracking student usage, gathering feedback from teachers and students, and analyzing behavioral data. The timeline includes setting up the sensory items and developing feedback surveys within four weeks of receiving the items. This initiative will enhance our SEL program and help students manage their mental health effectively.
Jacqueline Schumacher
Franklin High School
Dance Workshop
We are pleased to award
$500
The Advanced Dance Honors and CTE Dance students at Hillcrest School will participate in a Master Workshop led by a prominent dancer and choreographer from the performance dance industry. This workshop will include choreography sessions, hands-on training, and a Q&A discussion, providing students with valuable insights into pursuing a dance career. The professional will teach advanced-level choreography and offer tips to enhance students' choreography, auditions, and performances. This initiative aims to build essential career readiness skills and challenge students technically and creatively. This Master Workshop will take place over one school day in March/April 2025, benefiting approximately 50 junior and senior students enrolled in the Advanced Dance Honors and CTE Dance programs. Caylia Wallace and Lindsey Della Serra will design and implement this project, hiring professional dancers. The workshop will allow students to showcase their learning during the District Tour to elementary and middle schools, fostering both career readiness and advanced technical training.
Caylia Wallace &
Lindsey Della Serra
Franklin High School
Resource Center for Essentials
We are pleased to award
$464.82
At FMS@HSC, we support our students' well-being academically, socially, emotionally, and personally. Our 6th-8th grade students have significant needs, including winter clothing, formal attire for events, school supplies, and food. In collaboration with community partners, we have addressed some of these needs through donations. However, to further support our students, we seek a grant to establish a resource center where they can access these essential items in a secure and supportive environment. This grant aims to create a dedicated resource center at HSC, empowering students to obtain what they need with confidence and dignity. By providing targeted support, we aim to enhance student engagement, improve academic outcomes, and foster a more inclusive school environment. This project will involve students, families, and school staff, ensuring that resources are available to any student in need.
Melissa Langan &
Deb Osman
Franklin Middle School
@ Hamilton Street Campus
Pre-K and 3rd Grade Book Partnership
We are pleased to award
$500
The goal of this project is to celebrate the partnership between Pre-K and Third Grade classes by providing each child with a book of their choice from Scholastic, benefiting 75 students. Throughout the year, the classes will engage in various learning experiences together, such as reading and curriculum-related projects. As a culminating activity, we plan to invite parents to join us in the building to read with their children's buddies, showcasing the relationships formed over the year. Additionally, we are applying for a FAST grant through the FTEA to invite a local author to present to the kids. We aim to host this culminating event in June 2025, with hopes of matching or exceeding the participation of over 50 parents from last year. This project will foster a love of reading, strengthen bonds between students, and involve the community in celebrating the students' learning and growth. By providing books and organizing engaging activities, we aspire to create a memorable and impactful experience for both students and their families.
Megan Morris &
Kim Buchinski
Claremont Road
Elementary School
Recess/Soccer Club
We are pleased to award
$350
This grant application aims to provide the necessary equipment for the 2035 graduating class at CES to play soccer during recess. While inspired by the graduating class, this project will benefit all students, aligning with New Jersey standards for comprehensive health and physical education. These standards emphasize personal growth, emotional health, social and sexual health, movement skills, and physical fitness. By providing soccer equipment, we aim to enhance students' physical health and foster social relationships, benefiting an estimated 100 students across various classes. We seek funding to purchase soccer equipment, which will be used in the fenced field by the playground. The project will involve staff supervising students during recess and individual class time. The effectiveness of the project will be evaluated through observations of student engagement and adherence to game rules. This initiative will promote increased physical activity and social interaction, creating opportunities for future fundraising events like "student vs. teacher" games. The project aims to provide a fun and healthy activity for all students at CES.
Jennifer Boardman
Claremont Road
Elementary School
Photography Club
We are pleased to award
$489.95
This project aims to foster creativity, teamwork, and a love for the arts among grades 3-5 students in the morning Photography Club. By providing digital cameras, we will enable students to explore their creativity and document their world through unique perspectives. Many students have limited access to technology, particularly in the arts. Providing digital cameras will empower them to engage with photography, enhancing their appreciation for visual art and developing essential skills such as critical thinking, collaboration, and communication. We seek a grant to provide digital cameras for 15 students, organizing weekly photography sessions to teach techniques and share work. The project will culminate in a photography exhibit showcasing students' best work at the school’s art show. Expected outcomes include gaining practical photography skills, enhanced creativity, increased confidence, and strengthened community ties. This grant will enable our Photography Club to thrive, inspire a new generation of photographers, and provide students with valuable life skills.
Kelley Masterson
Claremont Road
Elementary School
Chill and Build: A STEAM Thrill
We are pleased to award
$315.94
The coaches and teachers of Conerly Road School are hosting a STEAM night, utilizing the library, cafeteria, gym, and science lab. Families from CRS are invited to attend and participate in engaging activities that teach math concepts and can be used at home. These activities are designed to support the New Jersey Student Learning Standards, fostering a love for STEAM subjects among students and their families. To evaluate the event's success, we will gather feedback from attendees and staff working the event. Parents and staff volunteers will be provided with a feedback survey, which will be reviewed by the math leadership committee to improve future events. This collaborative effort aims to create a meaningful and educational experience for the entire school community.
Khristelle Mae Manuyag, Maxine Robinson,
Sophia Roth,
Rania Saba &
Alexandra Thomas
Conerly Road
Elementary School
Add a :Bit of STEAM
We are pleased to award
$495
Inspired by the Infosys Foundation 2024 Pathfinders Summer Institute, this project aims to integrate invention literacy into the classroom using Makey Makey and Micro: bit tech tools. Funding will be used to purchase a classroom set of Micro: bits, cords, battery packs, and additional Squishy Circuit kits. These materials will enhance the Student College course (STEAM Team) at Elizabeth Avenue School, benefiting the current 16 students and future participants. The project will involve 4th and 5th graders throughout the school year, teaching them to code and create assistive technology devices, and fostering skills in engineering, physical science, and computer science. Our goal is to provide students with hands-on experience in coding and invention, enriching their learning experience and preparing them for future problem-solving. By incorporating Micro: bit with Makey Makey, students will create projects like game controllers and alarms, which they can showcase during community events. This initiative aligns with engineering, physical science, and computer science standards, ensuring students receive a comprehensive STEAM education. The project's success will be evaluated through participant surveys, guiding plans, and fostering a culture of innovation and creativity at Elizabeth Avenue School.
Shana Ponna
Elizabeth Avenue
Elementary School
Reader of the Month
We are pleased to award
$492.97
Reading is a cornerstone for a child's success in school and throughout life. At Franklin Park School, we aim to continue the Reader of the Month program, which was a huge success last year. This program motivates students to develop a love for reading by recognizing their effort, improvement, attitude, or reading skills. Each month, K-5 teachers will nominate one student from their class as a Reader of the Month, who will be celebrated with a book, bookmark, certificate of achievement, and a reading medal. The goal is to encourage independent reading and foster fluent reading skills. We seek a grant to support the Reader of the Month program, involving the entire K-5 student population. The Literacy Coach, Administrators, Parents, Teachers, and Students will collaborate to ensure the program's success from January 2024 to June 2025. This initiative will boost students' confidence and promote a culture of reading within the school community. By providing recognition for hard work and dedication, we aim to create an inclusive and motivating environment that nurtures a lifelong love of reading.
Tanya O Leary
Franklin Park
Elementary School
The Egg Drop Experiment
We are pleased to award
$150
The goal of this project is to build confidence, teamwork, and leadership among upper elementary students through the Egg Drop Experiment, inspired by the "Way of the Warrior Kid" books by Jocko Willink. This hands-on project will teach students about physics, materials science, and fluid dynamics while aligning with the FPS Bullying Prevention-School Climate Lesson curriculum. Students will navigate disagreements, assess materials, and collaboratively design and implement the experiment, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The challenge of working together and exploring construction limits will enhance their ability to listen, respond, and achieve common goals. This initiative involves teachers as mentors and students as leaders, promoting a welcoming environment where everyone is included in decision-making. The project will be part of the "Way of the Warrior Kid" morning club and the Franklin Park School (FPS) Student College Program, culminating in May 2025. No more than twenty students will participate, gaining practical knowledge and skills through active engagement. The Egg Drop Experiment will help students adapt to challenges and achieve positive outcomes, utilizing technical expertise, critical thinking, and effective communication. This project aims to infuse the school climate and science curriculum with a collaborative adventure, preparing students to become global leaders.
George Michael Hopkins
Franklin Park
Elementary School
iPad Dance Workshop
We are pleased to award
$372.12
The project goal is to provide iPads for use in the Franklin Park School dance classroom to support and enhance the dance program in alignment with the New Jersey State Dance Standards. Incorporating iPads will allow teachers to present visual and digital resources, support creative expression through apps and tools, and enable students to record and analyze their movements. This technology will help meet several dance standards, including generalizing and conceptualizing ideas, organizing and developing ideas, aesthetic education, and understanding historical and cultural contexts. By integrating iPads into the curriculum, we aim to foster creativity, critical thinking, and real-world applications in dance education. We seek a grant to purchase iPads for all K-5 students at Franklin Park School, benefiting the entire student population. The iPads will be used to record class dances, facilitate assessment and reflection, build connections with families, and explore technology used in professional dance settings. This project will involve dance teachers, students, and administrators, creating an enriched learning environment that aligns with New Jersey’s dance standards. By integrating technology, we aim to promote lifelong learning, collaboration, and higher-level thinking, ultimately fostering a deeper appreciation for dance.
Kira Sikorski
Franklin Park
Elementary School
Enhancing ESL Learning Through Technology
We are pleased to award
$498.39
This proposal requests funding for a color printer to support our English as a Second Language (ESL) program at Hillcrest School, serving 99 students from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. By integrating a color printer into our resources, we aim to enhance instructional materials, create engaging visual aids, and provide personalized learning tools that cater to students' diverse needs. The printer will allow us to create color-coded charts, posters, and word rings, significantly enhancing comprehension and retention for ESL students and fostering ownership and engagement in their learning journey. The color printer will be housed near the ESL staff classrooms in trailer 2 at Hillcrest School. Investing in a color printer is a crucial step toward improving educational outcomes for our students. It will enable us to tailor materials to different proficiency levels, ensuring all students have access to appropriate learning resources. We will collect feedback from students to assess the project's success. With your support, we can create a more engaging and effective learning environment that recognizes and addresses the diverse needs of our students.
Meenaxi Patel,
Denise Solovay &
Melissa Dalere
Hillcrest
Elementary School
Empowering School Spirit: SOARing high with an Eagle Mascot!
We are pleased to award
$487
Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is the foundation of a thriving culture at Hillcrest School, teaching students behavioral expectations and fostering a positive learning environment. Through clear instruction and consistent support, students learn appropriate behaviors for different school settings, reinforced by recognition from faculty and staff. PBIS emphasizes positive reinforcement, where good behavior and decision-making are celebrated school-wide. To elevate this impactful program, Hillcrest relies on our beloved mascot, Eddie the Eagle, as a symbol of safety, organization, achievement, and respect (SOAR). For nearly a decade, Eddie has ignited enthusiasm, boosted school spirit, and made PBIS more relatable and engaging for students. However, Eddie has aged beyond repair, and we urgently need funding to replace him with a refreshed mascot to continue this tradition of excellence. A new mascot will reignite excitement around PBIS initiatives, creating memorable moments during assemblies, classroom rewards, and school-wide celebrations. Students earn "SOARing slips" for demonstrating desired behaviors, and Eddie the Eagle brings these incentives to life by fostering a sense of fun and achievement. With appearances during lunch, classroom visits, and contests, the mascot inspires students to embody our school’s core values. As a tangible representation of our commitment to positive behavior, the new Eddie will help Hillcrest students soar to greater heights. This project will impact approximately 440 Pre-K through 5th-grade students, enhancing their school experience while improving behavioral outcomes through consistent data analysis. With your support, we can ensure that Hillcrest School’s PBIS program continues to flourish, creating a safe, organized, and respectful community where every student can achieve their best.
Meenaxi Patel,
Denise Solovay &
Melissa Dalere
Hillcrest
Elementary School
MacAfee Road School: Battle of the Books
We are pleased to award
$495.49
We seek funding for a reading incentive program where students compete in a game show-style competition to demonstrate their knowledge of selected books. Like the TV series Family Feud, students will form self-organized groups to test their abilities and showcase their comprehension of the books they've read. This engaging and interactive approach aims to motivate students to read more and develop a deeper understanding of literature. The reading competition is planned for April 2025 and will provide our participants with an exciting and educational experience. By encouraging teamwork and fostering a love of reading, this program aims to enhance students' literacy skills and promote a culture of reading within the school. The grant will support the organization and implementation of the event, ensuring its success and positive impact on student learning.
Eleanor Szelc
MacAfee Road
Elementary School
MACnificent Achievers Event
Trimester #1 December 2024
We are pleased to award
$499.50
Teachers will Recognize two students in each class who have had positive behavior/SEL and academic growth in Math & Language Arts for the first trimester, and they will have a gingerbread decorating celebration in the school gym. A presentation will follow the decoration where students will read what their teachers wrote about how they achieved this reward. The literacy and math coaches and principals will attend the event to engage with families. The success of our event is in student and family involvement, it is measured by more and more students attending the future MACnificent events. It is a continuing work in progress. Each year our committee should meet to discuss further goals and ideas for our MACnificent events by sending out a survey post the event to see how we can improve overall student behavior.
Marisa Saucedo,
Isha Pancholi &
Karen Adams
MacAfee Road
Elementary School
MACnificent Achievers Event
Trimester #2 March 2025
We are pleased to award
$499.50
Our project will be held for students in grades PreK-5th grade. Teachers will Recognize two students in each class who have had positive behavior/SEL and academic growth in Math & Language Arts for the second trimester, and they will have a Giraffe painting celebration in the school Cafeteria. A presentation will follow the decoration where students will read what their teachers wrote about how they achieved this reward. The literacy and math coaches and principals will attend the event to engage with families. The success of our event is in student and family involvement, it is measured by more and more students attending the future MACnificent events. It is a continuing work in progress. Each year our committee should meet to discuss further goals and ideas for our MACnificent events.
Marisa Saucedo,
Isha Pancholi &
Karen Adams
MacAfee Road
Elementary School
MACnificent Achievers Event
Trimester #3 June 2025
We are pleased to award
$498.50
Our project will be held for students in grades PreK-5. Teachers will recognize two students in each class who have had positive behavior/SEL and academic growth in Math & Language Arts for the third trimester, and they will have a birdhouse-decorating celebration in the school Cafeteria. A presentation will follow the decorating, where students will read what their teachers wrote about how they achieved this reward. The literacy and math coaches and principals will attend the event to engage with families. Our project will be held for students in grades PreK-5. Teachers will Recognize two students in each class who have had positive behavior/SEL and academic growth in Math & Language Arts for the Third trimester, and they will have a birdhouse-decorating celebration in the school Cafeteria. A presentation will follow the decorating, where students will read what their teachers wrote about how they achieved this reward. The literacy and math coaches and principals will attend the event to engage with families.