2024
Classroom Engagement through Qballs: Submitted by the 3rd grade teachers
QBalls are wireless, throwable microphones that are used to enhance student participation and engagement. The Qball allows for students to have their voices heard in the classroom and to feel like a valued member of the classroom community. Q-balls have been ordered.
Inclusive Playground Communication Board: Submitted by Dr. Ursula Glackin, District Speech Language Pathologist
The communication board will be added to the school’s playground, opening opportunities for non-verbal children to make their wants and needs known to both adults and peers. The board has been ordered and will be installed upon arrival.
Glowforge Laser Cutter: Submitted by parent, Karen Cutler
The laser cutter aims to enhance the STEM agriculture program with an opportunity to explore entrepreneurial skills including branding, marketing, and community relations in the farmer’s market units for 7th and 8th grade. The Glowforge has already been in use creating products for the upcoming Earth Day Celebration.
High Quality Printer: Submitted by Forrestdale Art teacher, Dr. Matthew Miranda
This high-quality printer enables the expansion of the digital art and photography units enabling the ability to showcase digital artwork and photography during our “Evening of Fine Arts” and throughout the school year. The printer is currently in use.
A VEX GO classroom bundle*: Submitted by parent, John Ostrow
The bundle supports the launch of a new club to teach children the fundamentals of STEM through fun, hands-on activities that help young students perceive coding and engineering in a fun and positive way. The club will be implemented at Deane Porter in the 2024-2025 school year. (*in conjunction with the PTO Innovation Fund.)
100 Acer Touch screen Chromebooks for Kindergarten classrooms: Submitted by the Kindergarten teachers
Touch screen technology will improve the process around digital assessments and digital instructional tools to track student learning and progress. Devices are currently in use.
Purposeful Rumson: A Wraparound Approach to Care for Neurodivergent Students: Submitted by Nicole Nolan, MPP, LCSW, district clinical social worker
The funding provided for Purposeful Rumson will expand upon the district's SEL teams and commitment to supporting the needs of neurodivergent students and their families. The program will help students reach their potential for achievement in a variety of domains. The program is currently underway.
The Geodes Classroom Library Project (GCLP): Submitted by Mrs. Bridget Albrizio and Mrs. Jodi Cocchiola (reading specialists), and Mrs. Vera Ridoux (Supervisor of Curriculum)
The initiative provides all K-2 classrooms access to the Geodes Classroom Library, a collection of high-quality, decodable books designed to support the early literacy development of young learners. The program has been implemented and resources are in use.
Previous Years
Flexible Furniture (2019-2023)
The REF completed a four-year, $800,000 grant request made by Dr. Bormann and the Board of Education for the purchase of flexible furniture for the Deane-Porter and Forrestdale Schools.
Thanks to this wonderful community and in conjunction with the Board of Education’s classroom renovations, the students and teachers now have new mobile desks, cubbies, bookshelves, storage cabinets, writable cloud tables, marker boards, stackable Oodle stools and more!
Digital Program and Photography Addition (2023)
"One of my big goals this year was to take our already amazing art program and incorporate an in depth digital art component. Students have been exploring the use of shape, color theory, transparency, photo editing, and other digital techniques. Please see a few work samples attached to this email. The addition of cameras opens the doors to us to explore the world of digital photography. When the weather gets warm, I will begin to pilot some photography work with a few of my classes, before implementing it school wide at the end of this year, beginning of next year. The cameras will allow us for the first time to explore and create a digital photography program within our growing program." - Matthew Miranda, Forrestdale Art Educator
Deane-Porter Outdoor Classroom (2023)
Opened in 2023 and located by the Deane-Porter science rooms, this modern outdoor classroom is available for all students at Deane-Porter. This facility will enrich our science and STEM agriculture programs. The circular seating instills a sense of belonging and encourages all students to participate and the awning covering provides shade protection.
Forrestdale Outdoor Classroom (2021)
Opened in 2021 and located between the 4th and 7th grade wings at Forrestdale, lies an innovative outdoor classroom funded by members of our school community. The classroom is situated next to the greenhouse and REF funded aquaponics lab, mushroom farm and apple orchard, enriching our science and agriculture STEM curriculum.
Smart Boards (2018 - 2020)
Interactive white boards were installed in all classrooms in 2019-2020. This was a multiple phase grant totalling over $300,000.
Aquaponics (2017)
The Aquaponics program is up and running, enhancing the Science curriculum for multiple grades.
And Much More...
Since 1996, the REF have funded a wide variety of grants including:
- Educational Workshops & Programs
- Science Lab Equipment
- School Clubs
- Audio, Video and Lighting Equipment
- Musical Instruments
- CPR Training