Recent Grants

Fall 2024 Grants Approved

Rye Elementary School

RES Classroom Break Bin Pilot Program
The bin will provide teachers and students with tools they need to self-regulate in the classroom versus having to leave the classroom to a break space. The bin will contain a variety of sensory items to target different needs. For example, if a student is dysregulated due to sound, they can put on noise-reducing headphones and draw on the doodle pad. Submitted by Ms. Crowell.
Grant Amount: $300

Watercolor Painting Techniques
The RES art program will launch a comprehensive Watercolor Techniques Program. It will provide students with an in-depth exploration of watercolor painting. Students will engage with the fundamental elements of watercolor art, including color theory, texture, and composition, thereby enhancing their artistic skills and knowledge. Submitted by Ms. Barrett.
Grant Amount: $1295

Restoration of the Kiln
This grant will revitalize the ceramic program at RES by repairing and reinstating the kiln and procuring essential materials and tools for a comprehensive ceramics’ curriculum for K-4 students. Submitted by Ms. Barrett.
Grant Amount: $4560.00

Nonfiction Bookshelf Labels for the Library
Visually appealing bookshelf dividers to be utilized in the nonfiction space of the library to help developing readers discover and read interesting nonfiction books. Submitted by Ms. Somers.
Grant Amount: $868

Outdoor Classroom Platforms for Student Learning
Platforms in the outdoor learning space will provide a structured classroom environment outside. This lends to a more supportive learning environment while still benefiting from the unique practice of outdoor learning. Submitted by Mrs. Murphy.
Grant Amount: $2200

Decodable Readers
Kindergarten and 1st grade classrooms will receive decodable readers to align with the reading program, Fundations, to help support young readers in this evidence-based instruction, “the science of reading.” Submitted by Mrs. Weeks.
Grant Amount: $2590

Charlotte's Web at The Music Hall
The 3rd grade class will attend the performance of Charlotte’s Web at The Music Hall after reading the classic novel in class. Seeing a performance live helps bring the story to life by supporting our youth in their creativity, understanding and appreciation for the arts. Submitted by the 3rd grade team.
Grant Amount: $609

Ruggles Mine Field Trip and America’s National Parks
The 4th grade students will each select one of America’s 63 national parks to study and present as an end-of-year project. To enhance their understanding of our national parks system, students will take a field trip to Cardigan Mountain and Ruggles Mine. Submitted by: Mrs. Smaracko and Ms. DeFreze.
Grant Amount: $2007

GPS for Outdoor Education
As an extension of RES’ outdoor education students will create maps for the trail systems around the school using the GPS units. In addition to creating maps, students will also use the technology to identify and mark multiple examples of the 14 species of trees in the Riptide Reserves. Students will create a pamphlet to share with the community encouraging more use of the trail systems around the school. Submitted by Mr. Ross, Mrs. Morrison, and Mrs. Murphy.
Grant Amount: $1672

Rye Junior High School

Podcasting Microphones for EXPLORE and Genius Hour Projects
Microphones will help produce quality sound for podcasts created by RJH students. Having the proper equipment will help students create a higher quality podcast and therefore take more pride in the result. Submitted by Ms. Brown.
Grant Amount: $280

Math Interventionist Supplies
The math intervention and enrichment program works with small groups to strengthen math skills and keep students challenged/engaged in math. Using math logic and critical thinking games is an effective way to motivate students while engaging in tasks that strengthen math reasoning. Submitted by Ms. Hass.
Grant Amount: $172

How to Survive Middle School
RJH students will attend How to Survive Middle School at The Music Hall in Portsmouth in February. This live comedy will provide talking points in Advisory classes while presenting in a relatable way how to optimize a student’s time in middle school. Submitted by Mrs. Gilbert.
Grant Amount: $1840

Terezin: Children of the Holocaust
The 8th grade class will attend the performance at the Players Ring in Portsmouth. After the 65-minute performance the cast will host an interactive Q&A session with the audience. The actors, middle school and high school aged, will help highlight the broader implications of its themes of hatred, racism, and discrimination. Submitted by the 8th grade team.
Grant Amount: $1125

Writing and Wellness Retreat to Alnoba
The 7th grade class will experience a one-day retreat on a 600-acre property in Kensington, NH. Their day trip to Alnoba will include a guided outdoor art tour, yoga and meditation, exploration of the land, and a writing workshop. In addition to awakening their senses through art, nature, and movement, students will craft poetry based on their surroundings. Submitted by Mrs. Kaplan.
Grant Amount: $4025

“Beef Up” the Fitness Room
This grant will enhance RJH’s fitness room with quality equipment and instruction aimed to encourage healthy and knowledgeable exercise habits for the developing age group of students. Submitted by Mr. Cartlidge.
Grant Amount: $3000