Mamaroneck Schools Foundation Expanding

by Harold Wolfson of the Local Summit

(October 23, 2003) At a time when many sources of educational funding are cutting back, the Mamaroneck Schools Foundation is planning to expand.

Foundation president Sabrina Fiddelman told a meeting of the Local Summit organization on October 21, "In the past few years we have averaged between $100,000 and $115,000 in annual grants to enhance curricula in local Mamaroneck/Larchmont schools. But for the 2004 - 2005 school year we have added a second major fund-raising event and expect to increase our disbursements."

Barbara Henkind, the Foundation's vice president, explained that the 7-year-old volunteer organization is dedicated to enhancing the public education of children beyond the regular school curriculum.

Among recent grants awarded were: the purchase of thirty TI-83 graphing calculators for a special after-school workshop to help underachieving math students in the Hommocks understand and apply math concepts; a two-day workshop for 150 learning-disabled students, parents, families and community members to empower students to understand their own learning strengths and differences and be motivated to overcome obstacles; the purchase of voice-dubbing equipment and Califone machines to enable up to eight students at a time to listen to the same cassette tapes to improve foreign language study through listening to native speakers, and practicing sounds and speech patterns inside and outside the classrooms; and the purchase of fifteen pottery wheels to allow ceramics students to develop sophisticated, artistic works.

Mrs. Henkind explained that all grant requests are initiated by those seeking support. Once a grant is received, a team of approximately a dozen Foundation members reviews the grant and, where helpful, meets with a promising applicant to refine an application to the point where it can be given serious consideration. The grants are judged on the basis of program merit and anticipated educational benefits.

Parents, students, teachers and other citizens interested in Foundation grants can learn more by calling 698-9079 or emailing MSFoundation@mamkschools.org.

The Local Summit was founded eight years ago by local residents to pursue projects that make the community a better place to live for everyone. Much of its work is done in small task groups that report to the full membership. Meetings are held at 7:45 am on the third Tuesday of the month at the Nautilus Diner.

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