news and events Archives - Page 2 of 2 - Red Hook Education Foundation

RHEF Provides Funds for New Musical Instruments

The foundation has approved a mini-grant of $1,100 for the purchase of new musical instruments for elementary school students whose families cannot afford rental costs.

The educational advantages of learning to play a musical instrument at an early age — developing creativity and an appreciation of the arts — are well-known. Because these purchases will be high-quality instruments, their value to the district will continue through the years, ultimately saving money when compared to damaged or inferior quality instruments.

RHEF Funds New After-School Knitting Program

Knitting has been called “the new yoga,” though it’s an ancient skill that’s now available through a new after-school program funded by the RHEF. “LAMS Knit” is aimed at providing middle and high school students with a relaxing way to develop focus and maintain clarity. Knitting also can allow students a creative outlet that can culminate in an appreciation for design and color, not to mention the chance to create wearable items that a student can be proud of.

Mentoring Clubs Awarded RHEF Mini-Grants

The RHEF has awarded a $1,000 mini-grant to the Linden Avenue Middle School’s Mentoring Club and a $700 mini-grant to the high school’s Mentoring Club. The aims of both groups are identical: to help develop a genuine, caring connection between at-risk students and a group of adult volunteers — teachers, staff and administrators — from the district. And in that way, to show students they are accepted and valued.

Though both groups are identified as “clubs,” a more accurate description would be “programs.” Though, like clubs, they are voluntary, they are not driven by a student’s interests so much as by his or her needs. Students are selected based on the risk factors in their lives and involved in creative activities that allow them to bond with the adult volunteers through activities such as community breakfasts and creating holiday crafts.

Getting a “Lego” up on Mathematics

To many of us, math is an abstract and mysterious discipline. The decision to fund a $741 mini-grant request that will allow elementary school students to have an actual hands-on, engaging math experience was as simple as pi. This grant will allow students from third through fifth grades to explore the world of math through the use of Legos.

Legos will help teachers introduce students to such concepts as problem solving, multiplication, geometry, fractions and area and perimeter by building (sic) their spatial and proportional awareness. Those familiar Lego bricks will help students understand the why and the how of mathematics by making basic concepts tangible. The grant will enable math teachers to construct a “Lego Wall” where elementary school students will see how learning — and understanding — math can be fun.

Foundation Helps Support Anti-Bullying Effort

The foundation has given Linden Avenue Middle School a $700 mini-grant to help promote the school’s efforts to stop bullying. The LAMS ACT PAC has already had surprising success in helping to pass the statewide Dignity for All Students Act.

The club’s aim is the same as in the past: to work with students, teachers, administrators and parents to create a bully-free environment by educating students and giving them strategies to deal with the problem.

The grant will be used to help the club to get its message out earlier than in the past. Until now, efforts at the beginning of each school calendar year have been delayed while students raised money through fund-raisers.

RHEF Supports Students Attending Leadership Conferences

RHEF continues to support student participation in the New York State Council on Leadership and Student Activities (NYS CLSA), a conference fostering leadership skills among both high school and middle school students throughout New York State. The goal of the conference is to inspire participants to learn and take home ideas to make a difference in their school and in the lives of their peers and community members. Red Hook students lead and attend workshops at the conference and bring important skills and ideas for community service back to the Red Hook school community, energizing organizations throughout the middle and high schools.

In 2014, twenty students from Linden Avenue Middle School and Red Hook High School, along with their advisors, attended the Red Carpet of Leadership Conference in Albany (November 23-25) with support from RHEF.

Sponsored by the New York State Council on Leadership and Student Activities (NYS CLSA), the conference fosters leadership skills among both high school and middle school students throughout New York State. The goal of the conference is to inspire participants to learn and take home ideas to make a difference in their school and in the lives of their peers and community members. During the conference students exchanged ideas, learned about different programs that are used by other student leaders throughout the state, and had the opportunity to hear internationally known motivational speakers.

LAMS student Jennifer Rowland is a member of the statewide student board and LAMS Student Council Advisor, Kim Goldhirsch, serves on the statewide Executive Board. In 2013, Ms. Goldhirsch was recognized the New York State Middle Level Advisor of the Year.