Schools get more resources thanks to new foundation
BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP
Staff Writer

ALLENTOWN - The Upper Freehold Regional Education Foundation picks up where the school budget leaves off.

A group of local residents started the foundation last year to help financially supplement the educational programs in the Upper Freehold Regional School District (UFRSD).

James Derasmo, the president of the foundation, described the organization as a nonprofit of the private business and civic sectors that is dedicated to promoting quality education by establishing, supporting and enhancing UFRSD programs.

The foundation just completed its first round of awarding grants for programs at the local elementary, middle and high schools that are beyond the capabilities of the school budget. During the first grant cycle, the foundation awarded eight grants totaling $8,500, according to Derasmo.

Derasmo said it is exciting for the foundation to have completed its very first grant process.

"The Upper Freehold Regional Education Foundation's spring grants will touch every student in some way," Derasmo said.

The foundation received grant requests from teachers and district staff for classroom and educational programs, according to Derasmo.

"All of the grant applications are for great projects in our schools, and participation has been strong," he said.

The current round of elementary and middle school grants includes money for equipment and books to enhance third-graders' hands-on science and math programs in their classrooms as well as at home.

The grant money will also allow for the purchase of tone chimes, or hand bells, for music classes in grades four to six and for seventh- and eighth-grade concerts.

Funds will be used as well to purchase a classroom response system, which will allow elementary and middle school students to participate in class using interactive remote-control devices.

In addition, grant money will be used to buy a TelePrompTer and a tripod system for the student-run television studio in Allentown High School for the production of "A-Town Live," a morning news program for students and faculty.

Funding will further provide for the purchase of two digital camcorders for other media-related assignments.

With the help of the foundation, students in the Entrepreneurial Business Academy for Service and Experiences program will have the opportunity to visit local businesses to learn more about their operations.

Funds from the foundation will also be used to provide a child-rearing skills workshop for parents in the Allentown High School Parent Academy.

Grant money will also be combined with funding from the Allentown/Upper Freehold Municipal Alliance to Prevent Alcoholism and Drug Abuse to allow 10 additional students to attend the Reaching Everyone By Exposing Lies (REBEL)/Lifesavers Club Weekend Retreat in October. REBEL is a group of teens working together to raise awareness among their peers and the community of the dangers of tobacco use. The Lifesavers Club is a group of Allentown High School students aiming to raise awareness of the dangers of tobacco, alcohol and drug use.

"These grants complement many of the goals outlined by the Upper Freehold Regional School District, such as enhancing math proficiency, diversity awareness, physical wellness, and many important aspects of social-emotional learning," Derasmo said.

The foundation, which will award additional grants in the fall grant cycle, collects grant money through contributions from various individuals, families, organizations and businesses.

In January, the foundation received a $10,000 grant from Bristol-Myers Squibb to purchase materials associated with constructing the Redbird Robotics team's robot, which has been competing this year in robotics skill competitions against robots from other school districts.

Last fall, the foundation held its first major fundraising event, partnering with the Millstone Township Foundation for Educational Excellence (MTFEE) in the "Fore the Kids" fifth annual golf outing and dinner.

Derasmo said, "Thanks to increasing support from our community, a total of $18,500 has been dispersed since January 2007 in support of our teachers, classrooms and students."

For more information about the Upper Freehold Regional Education Foundation, the spring grants or the fall 2007 grant application process, visit www.ufref.org.