GCEF commits $30K to long list of programs

The Garrison Children’s Education Fund (GCEF) raised $19,000 during its fall fundraising efforts, which included a golf marathon and a general appeal. More than 100 donors donated $17,000 to support a variety of academic, artistic and athletic curriculum-enhancing activities.

The fall appeal highlighted the Imagination Playground, a 105-piece architectural set that allows children to design their own inventions, environments and activities. It was delivered to the school in November. “Creative play is vital to healthy human development, and Imagination Playground not only prompts this type of activity but fosters social interactions like no other recess activity I have ever seen,” said Garrison School Principal John Griffiths.

Garrison students using the Imagination Station equipment paid for with a GCEF grant (photo provided)
Garrison students using the Imagination Station equipment paid for with a GCEF grant (photo provided)

GCEF welcomes grant proposals from any member of the Garrison School community, including teachers, administrators and parents. To date, the foundation has committed $30,000 for 15 programs during the 2015-2016 school year, including:

  • $6,000 to Hudson Valley Seed for the development of a sustainable, year-round school garden for grades K-5.
  • $3,700 to Garrison Art Center for a multi-disciplinary art program for students K-4 and middle school.
  • $3,350 for musical instruction that will teach middle school students to read jazz band arrangements, improvise solos and address basic jazz rhythms and scale choices.
  • $2,240 to partially cover the cost of bringing teachers from Beacon Music Factory, Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival and Garrison Art Center to teach afterschool music, theater and art programs in partnership with the Garrison PTA.
  • $1,250 for the annual fifth-grade sail on the Clearwater sloop as part of its study of history, ecology, art and music through the Hudson River.
  • $1,200 to fund a percussionist/teacher for an ensemble for grades 4-8.
  • $1,175 to bring the Teatro SEA’s bilingual production of Skeletons to the school as part of a school-wide celebration of Dia de los Muertos.
  • $1,700 for grades K-3 and 5 to participate in a program with Constitution Marsh/the Audubon Society to learn about tidal marsh ecology.
  • $1,000 to cover the cost of a dance instructor, Belle Ritter, to teach the eighth graders swing as part of its production of Much Ado About Anything.
  • $1,000 to reduce the cost of Kaplan’s SAT Prep Course for participating students, which will be offered at the Desmond-Fish Library. (Contact Library Director Jen McCreery at [email protected] for more information.)
  • $500 to fourth-graders to participate in a three-part study at Constitution Marsh of eagle habitats and adaptations.
  • $400 to cover the costs for eighth graders to visit to the National Constitution Center and the Betsy Ross House in Philadelphia.
  • $362 to partially cover a fourth-grade visit to the Liberty Science Center in New Jersey and participation in the Bee-bot Robot Challenge.
  • $350 for sixth graders to experience a simulated mission to Mars and transform themselves into scientists, engineers, researchers and astronauts at the Challenger Space Center.

GCEF’s next two fundraisers will be a “Winter Garden” ladies’ night cocktail party on Friday, Feb. 5 at 7:30 p.m. and the 17th Annual Spring Thaw at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Apr. 2 at Highlands Country Club. For more information, visit gcef.net.

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