30 Grants from 30 Years

Four grants in total and the Brearly House project they helped to fund produced an innovative vehicle for teaching Lawrence Township eighth-graders about history, through archaeology and hands-on research using primary sources. The project also gained coverage from local newspapers and television stations and earned the Lawrence Township department of Recreation recognition by the New Jersey Recreation and Park Association.

1997-98 $23,308

1998-99 $7,600

1999-2000 $4,000 x 2

Total: $38,908

Lifelong passions for many people are sparked from one of these secondary fields of study, yet students only see that specialist teacher for a limited time during their education. This is especially true during our virtual and hybrid learning world. This grant celebrates the "specials" that inspire creative thinkers and world-changers. LIS students engaged in virtual learning opportunities with leaders in the fields of art, music, healthy bodies, technology, creative thinking, storytelling, illustration, and anti-bullying education.

2020-21 $3,000

"The impact of this grant on our students has been tremendous and because of the LTEF’s generous support for this enormous project, every student who attends Slackwood School for years to come will benefit. This grant provided for all new furniture, interactive whiteboards, chrome books, and tons of STEM and STEAM books and materials. Our Library Media Zone and STEAM Center has given our students a space to cultivate new ideas, strengthen their problem solving and empower them as questioners and thinkers. Transforming the lower level of Slackwood School from a small, dark, under-used floor into a bright, engaging, modern space has changed more than a building.

The LTEF has partnered with us to provide a setting that supports learning, provides experiences, and truly ignites the potential our Slackwood students possess.

Personally, each LTEF grant I have been involved with has pushed me to grow as an educator. Whether diving into environmental science with the Streamkeeper project or watching amazing autobiographical books being created for the Milestone Books grant, being involved with the LTEF has changed how I approach learning. Each grant is always an amazing opportunity to work with colleagues, students, families, and the community. When you are figuring out how a grant project can be implemented and you have an educational foundation that says 'Why not!' unique learning experiences can be actualized for our LTPS kids across the district.

To me, the LTEF is all about possibilities! Teachers have incredible ideas and the LTEF helps bring them to fruition! The LTEF is open to brainstorming, out of the boxing and moon shots! The impact of the LTEF is felt every day and our students have grown academically, socially, and creatively from every grant project that has been implemented!"

Jeanne Muzi
Principal, Slackwood Elementary School"

2018-2019 $100,000

This enabled parents who do not speak English as their primary language to read with their students and foster a love of reading at an early age.

2006-2007 $7,000

2014-2015 $1200

Reading Ripples in the Pond Reading Ripples to Writing Ripples A Step and a Reach to Literacy Teacher training in creating a balanced writing program; Professional development in literacy for all K-2 teachers by Darla Wood Walters.

Mr. Jeff Berry is one of Lawrence Township Public Schools' most passionate and beloved educators. He is also passionate about mentoring new teachers. Back in 2004-2005, Mr. Berry received a generous grant from LTEF to bring in a "teacher's teacher," Ms. Darla Walters into his class with a program called ""Reading Ripples to Writing Ripples"" which enhances language arts skills. This grant had a significant impact on Mr. Berry and, almost 20 years later, he received another grant to bring Ms. Walters back to Lawrence to hopefully make an impact on the teachers just starting their careers.

2002-03 $6,740

2004-05 $5,115

2020-2021 $5,000

The game of chess teaches lots of skills, including strategizing, abstract thinking, sportsmanship, patience, and calmness under pressure. Hundreds of LIS children have learned a basic game of chess while practicing these important life skills. We want to thank Lawrence Township Education Foundation for providing this opportunity to our students.

Chess on the Playground, LIS, 2009-2010, $2,132

Chess Success, LIS, 2011-2012, $2,000

Chess on the Playground (Refresh), 2014-2015, $1,200

Outdoor Chess for Kids, EPS, 2019-2020, $1,075

We decided to teach the children chess because it is a game played all over the world which can be played throughout their lives. But chess is also a game that teaches kids to slow down, plan, problem-solve, and look at all their different options. We feel these are skills that can transfer to all areas of their learning. This one grant has touched over a thousand children through all these years. So, thank you LTEF and we wish you another 30 years of success!”

2003-2004, $810

2005-2006, $978

2011-2012, $2,000

2017-2018 $3,661

2016-2017 $2,715

2018-2019 $1,900

… for the money to make those activities a reality. They are always willing to work with me and offer suggestions that will help make it more useful to the students and the district. I look forward to writing many more grants for LMS that will benefit all of our students from many different walks of life and academic levels."

Tracy Bozarth applied for her first grant in 2007 -- copies of a compelling novel that supported students' exploration of environmental issues. She was so proud of the grant's acceptance and impact on her students that she applied for one nearly every year thereafter. In 2008-2009, she earned a grant for calculator-controlled robots. While a scheduling change prevented the students from using them for their intended use, Bozarth launched a Mad Scientists after-school club instead. As time went on, she focused her attention on activities and experiences that were portable in terms of time and space, and that would provide a lasting impact on the school community.

2007-2008: Interdisciplinary Science & Language, $2,878

2008-2009: Calculator-Controlled Robots, $4,600

2015-2016: Bill Nye STEM Videos , $1,194

2015-2016: Feel the Buzz, $719

2016-2017: If They Build it They Will Have Fun and Learn, $600

2017-2018: USA Science & Engineering Festival, $1,276

2017-2018: Gamify Your Science Classroom, $2,000

2018-2019: X-Stem Conference 2019 in Washington, DC, $1,560

2019-2020: USA Science and Engineering Festival, $1,500

2020-2021: It's For The Birds, $1,075

2018-2019 A variety of free play tools; $1500

… for all kindergarten and preschool children at Ben Franklin, and a grant for DVDs of songs, including sight words, math concepts, and social skills, for all students at Slackwood. These grants have all made learning come alive in a fun and engaging way for the children. Without LTEF, they would not be possible. It is wonderful to know there is a group of people to whom I can bring the dreams I have for my students, and they will make them into a reality. Thank you LTEF for the huge impact you have on the Lawrence community of learners every day!”

2005-2006 Learning to Read: Early Literacy Lending Library, $1,150

The program focuses on an Environmental Education Initiative for students to obtain observations, responsibility, and life-cycle skills/knowledge while hosting living things (fish) in our classroom windows. We have 3 different fish aquariums for students to interact with throughout the school day. Students are involved in our three classes throughout the process, from beginning to end, providing a healthy climate for living for our adopted pets. Each window is fully furnished with a representation of oceanic themes to support attributes of aquatic experiences. These wild windows are an ongoing environmental resource for students that support our science standards, as well as the Disciplinary Core Ideas in New Jersey Student Learning Standards in STEM education.

2016-2017 WILD Windows, $1,172

Since then, with LTEF as her partner, she’s grown the district’s investment in the lending library, math games, smart cameras, and more!

Nine grants from 2004 to 2021, totaling over $22,000!

2006-2007 Fit for Life, Wellness for All, $8,401

2007-2008 Fit for Life II, $10,902

Jammin with Jamhub, 2014-2015, $3,500

SmartMusic, 2014-2015, $596

Sounds of Music, 2014-2015, $1,613

Lights Up, 2014-2015, $1,512

LMS arts festival, 2014-2015, $4,000

World Drumming, 2014-2015, $2,000

Mel Lepzig, 2014-2015, $3,000

Eco del sur artist in residence, 2014-2015, $1,000

the halls are alive with the sound of physics, 2014-2015, $248

Opera Philadelphia Don Carlo, 2014-2015, $490

students making cultural connections through music, 2015-2016, $5,935

Lapel Microphones, 2015-2016, $10,000

LHS Timpani, 2017-2018, $7,794

Using STEAM Tools to Engineer Sound in Music, 2017-2018, $463

LHS auditorium Communication Improvements, 2018-2019, $1,936

LHS Tubas, 2018-2019, $4,842

Global Neighborhood 2001-2002, $6,455

Mindfulness Practices for Eldridge Park Students and Teachers 2018-2019, $1,316

Mindfulness for LES and BF Students and Teachers 2019-2020, $1,870

Mindfulness Training 2019-2020, $440

Mindfulness Practices for the EPS School Community 2019-2020, 935

I BELIEVE THAT I CAN CLIMB!! 2017-2018, $475

I Believe I Can Climb Too 2017-2018, $472

… from classroom resources to beautification and facilities improvements to arts and cultural programs. As she says, "Thank you to everyone in our community who supports the Foundation! You are truly making a difference."

Critical Issues: Responsible Behavior 1998-1999, $1,000

SCREAM Theater 1998-1999, $500

Stress Busters 2003-2004, $3,000

Bullying in Schools 2004-2005, $1,700

Sit and Read 2012-2013, $5,000

Project VOICE 2013-2014, $3,000

Teach Like a Pirate 2014-2015, $1,291

Mindful Teen Part 2 2017-2018, $1,200

Manners Matter! Pathway to College and Career Readiness 2017-2018, $395

Winter Grant 2017: Art Room 2017-2018, $50,000

Collaborative Learning Tables 2019-2020, $6,790

Keith Hawkins - Day of Understanding 2019-2020, $7,500

Nurtured Heart Approach Training 2019-2020, $4,000

Finding Your Voice to be Connected 2020-2021, $2,500