Hackettstown Foundation Continues Mission

October 27, 2015 – Hackettstown, NJ – The Hackettstown Foundation for Educational Excellence recently elected their 2015-2016 Board of Directors. In its 23 year history, the Foundation has raised over $150,000 distributed through their Grant Program to help the teachers and students of Hackettstown achieve continued excellence.

With new enthusiasm the board is ready to begin the current Grant Cycle, inviting teachers in the Hackettstown School District to submit their grant applications by February 1, 2016. District Representative, Marie Griffin, Principal of Hatchery Hill Elementary School heads the peer review committee.

“The HFEE brings a valuable resource to the teachers and students of Hackettstown. The grant program is designed to encourage teachers to introduce innovative and exciting projects to their students that would not normally be funded by the Board of Education or PTA groups. The passion of our teachers for our students can be seen in the diversity of projects we have funded in the past” – Steve Maternick, HFEE Vice-Chair.

In recent years, the Foundation’s fund raising focus has been on the annual Duck Race typically held during the second weekend in May. However, for the 2015 – 2016 school year, the Foundation will be heavily promoting the Teacher Tribute program as a way for people to donate to the Foundation.

The Teacher Tribute program provides a great vehicle for parents to recognize one or more teachers in the Hackettstown School District who are superior role models and great educators. Parents can donate funds to the Foundation in honor of the teacher. The teacher is notified that a tribute gift has been received in their honor and the Foundation uses the donations to provide grants to teachers for innovative, curriculum based programs that enhance the education of our children.

The Grants awarded for the 2015-2016 school year include strong 21st Century Skills from Kindergarten through High School.

Maxi Grants Awarded:

Chemistry with Computers - This project will utilize the LabPro interface system to collect and measure data; giving students the chance to see chemistry beyond the beakers and graduated cylinders. Students will see and experience how chemistry has evolved as a technological science.

Driving Simulator - The driving simulator has many purposes which include learning proper driving techniques before actual road practice, refining and enhancing decision making skills in both every day and emergency situations, practicing emergency maneuvers and responding to hazardous conditions that cannot be replicated and safely practiced in a real vehicle, and developing good driving behaviors and habits before entering an actual vehicle.

Stratosphere Project - Sending a Weather Balloon to Space - With the Stratosphere Project, students will aid in the construction of a Weather Balloon which will be launched into space. Students will engage in creative thinking and collaboration as they engineer a balloon that will journey to the upper limits of the stratosphere and back, tracking the balloon after it has landed. Not only will this project give a fresh perspective to science content, but it will foster a great comradely between students, staff, and community.

Little Bits is a system of color coded, electronic modules that encourage elementary children to design circuits without programming, wiring or soldering. These modules are magnetic and allow students to create specific functions such as light, sound, sensors, buttons, thresholds and motors by snapping together via tiny magnets. Little Bits promote limitless experimentation and learning through problem solving, critical thinking and engineering. Projects can be combined with Legos to create cities and skyscrapers with lights and buzzers or make a light controlled vehicle.

All community members are welcome to join the Foundation at their next meeting, 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 12th at the HHS Library - We’re still looking for some trustee’s to join the board and welcome new faces with new ideas!

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For more information please contact the foundation at TheFoundation@Hackettstown.org