Chatham Education Foundation to Host Comedy Night

The Chatham Education Foundation (CEF) is excited to announce that over $18,000 in grants have been distributed during its Fall 2024 grant cycle to support innovative educational programs throughout the School District of the Chathams (SDOC). These grants will fund a variety of forward-thinking projects designed to enrich students’ learning experiences and address the district's evolving needs. CEF remains committed to driving innovation, empowering educators, and enhancing academic opportunities for every student.

“We are thrilled to kick off this school year by supporting new initiatives that will make a lasting impact on our students,” said Puja Swamy, President of CEF. “Our work would not be possible without the generosity of our community, and we are deeply grateful for the ongoing support of the School District of the Chathams.”
Suzanne David, Chair of the Grants Committee, added, “Our mission is to fund creative, impactful programs that elevate the educational experience and provide teachers with the resources they need to bring new, transformative ideas to the classroom. We are incredibly thankful for our donors' dedication and our educators' passion, which allows us to continue providing these extraordinary opportunities for our students.”
Get ready to laugh your socks off! On February 22, the Chatham Education Foundation is kicking off its first-ever CEF Comedy Night at Chatham Middle School from 8PM to 10PM. Join us for an evening full of giggles and good vibes, all while supporting our amazing school district!
Make it a full night out—grab a bite at one of our fantastic local eateries participating in the Comedy Night Give Back Dinner Special, for "Giggles & Grub: A Night of Laughter and Giving" and help benefit CEF while you chow down!
For all the latest scoop, swing by our website at Chatham Education Foundation and don’t forget to follow us on social media @ChathamEducationFoundation for updates and sneak peeks! Let's make this a night to remember!
Check our website Chatham Education Foundation and follow us on social for the most up-to-date information @ChathamEducationFoundation.

GRANTS AWARDED DURING THE FALL 2024 GRANT CYCLE

Horticultural and Agriculture Science Grant (CHS (Mary Donohue & Lauren LoPorto)–$1,187.35): Horticultural and Agriculture Science is a new course at Chatham High School that was created based on student and faculty interest. It is an inquiry-driven course designed to introduce students to the topics with a strong focus on sustainable practices. This grant provides funding for equipment necessary to implement the curriculum of the class and provide hands-on experiences for enrolled students. According to the grant applicants, “Students indicated they would like more opportunities to work in the garden/greenhouse throughout the year. This interest ignited the idea for this science elective. This is a unique opportunity as most agricultural courses are offered only in vocational or special education programs. There are few school garden programs in New Jersey public schools
with a dedicated course offering.”

NJ Symphony Partnership Grant (LAF, CMS, CHS (Liam Keller,Emily Gaul, Suzanne Bass, Christine Spriggs, Justin Lemley)--$6,300.00): This residency aims to provide customized, multi-week coaching for instrumental music students in grades 4-12, featuring New Jersey Symphony musicians. The goal is to supplement in-school instruction and deepen students' musical understanding. The grant applicants shared, “the musicians from the Symphony provide decades of musical knowledge at the highest level achievable which deepens the understanding and connection of our student musicians. Providing this access at a young age opens our students to possibilities in the music world that are normally reserved for college students and gives them an advantage in statewide ensembles and competitions.”

2025 District Choral Festival (LAF, CMS, CHS (Ken Bryson, Dana Goodstein, Jared Badalamenti)--$3,159.50): CEF continues to support the annual District Choral Festival. This year’s guest clinician is Jim Papoulis, who will lead a composing workshop. The grant applicants believe that “this project will help form connections between students who are just starting out their choral career and students who have been participating for a decade. Over the last four years the Choral Festival has shown first hand how this event has improved student communication, collaboration, and musicianship. CHS students paved the way for CMS students who then became role models for Lafayette students.”

From Seed to Seed (MAS, SBS, WAS (Lauren LoPorto, Sarah Gutierrez)--$3,682.20): This grant allows for the expansion of an initiative started in the second-grade classes at Washington Avenue School. Classes will use Wisconsin Fast Plants to teach the "Relationships in Habitats" science unit, which provides a more hands-on, interactive learning opportunity. According to the grant applicants, “through activities such as observation, experimentation, journaling, and data collection, students not only develop critical thinking skills but also enhance their scientific inquiry abilities and develop a deeper understanding of disciplinary core ideas.”

Biotechnology in the Biology Classroom (CHS (Kelly Baumle)--$3,975.00): Funding was requested by Chatham High School biology teachers for materials supporting a new and an existing lab experience for the biology classes at CHS. Kelly Baumle, the grant applicant, shared “these labs will not only increase student interest but also provide valuable hands-on experience with real scientific equipment. These labs can be adapted for various biology courses, and the purchased equipment will be a long-term investment for the science program.”

About the Chatham Education Foundation
The Chatham Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization. The mission of the Foundation is to support educational excellence in the School District of the Chathams through parent and community donations. In close partnership with SDOC and school administrators, CEF supports innovative and creative educational programs and special projects that are designed to enrich the 3,500+ K-12 students enrolled in the SDOC’s six public schools. Since its inception, the Foundation has funded $1.8million in grants and scholarships to the district. Individuals interested in learning more about the Chatham Education Foundation, or financially supporting its efforts, are encouraged to visit www.chathamedfoundation.org.