The Mountainside Education Foundation is comprised of a group of local residents and several organizations. The MEF is an incorporated, nonprofit, tax-exempt organization that funds grants that enhance the academic development of our students. As the MEF celebrates its tenth anniversary, it continues to operate as an independent entity led by a volunteer Board with the support of parents/guardians, the community, and district staff members.

Reductions in federal and state aid coupled with local budget cuts directly impact spending in our schools. Funds are needed to help our school district remain highly competitive by offering our children additional enrichment opportunities.

In partnership with the Mountainside community, the MEF introduces innovative programs that motivate, inspire, and educate students in the areas of technology, arts and culture, life skills, and general academic enrichment.

The MEF seeks to fund projects that support the enrichment of the current curricula. Innovative academic or extracurricular programs involve the community and often engage outside experts who will enhance such projects both during class and in after-school clubs.

Examples of MEF programs and grants awarded in the 2008-2009 school year include:

Star Lab Planetarium (since 2004)
This program was designed to provide students with the experience of stepping inside a mini-planetarium.

Blankets for Babies (since 2004)
This program was designed to teach students about service learning and citizenship.

Broadway Experience (since 2005)
This program was designed to show students how a Broadway production is brought to the stage.

Colonial America Day (since 2005)
This program was designed to provide resources to recreate the environment of a typical colonial setting.

Creating Real Books (since 2007)
This program was designed to introduce students to the profession of publishing.

Engineers Teaching Algebra
This program was designed to assist students in establishing the connection between algebra and the real world.

I-BOBS
This program was designed to provide students with an individualized bag of books to improve upon reading comprehension.

Raz-Kids
This program was designed to provide an online interactive leveled book library.

Digital cameras, school maps, the High Note Festival trip, cooking class, Wee Deliver program, Jazz Band, Sculpting for Planets, French Museum, music listening lab, Steve Songs, Once Upon a Number, and the NJPAC dance and poetry programs (co-sponsored by the Watts Foundation) were among the projects awarded in 2007-2009.  

Any member of the Mountainside community with an idea whose purpose is to enrich the learning experience of our students can apply. This includes members of the administrative team, teachers, parents, students, and community members.

The grant application can be downloaded . Grant applications are also available in the MEF mailboxes at Beechwood and Deerfield. Proposals are reviewed by the Chief School Administrator prior to being forwarded to the MEF Grant Review Committee and prior to being approved by the MEF Board of Trustees.

The MEF seeks your support through attendance at our fundraisers, participation in our teacher/support staff member appreciation program , or individual and/or corporate tax-deductible donations. The MEF qualifies for certain matching grants programs offered by many corporations.

The MEF has 11 community Board members and 2 teacher liaisons. We rely on volunteer support in order to achieve our goals. To receive information about school year events or to volunteer, please contact one of our Board members or send a note to one of the MEF mailboxes.

          

Deanna Andre, Michael Banick, Dr. Christopher Belden, Laurie Kaplan, and Kirsten Post

There are MEF mailboxes at both Beechwood and Deerfield.

P.O. Box 1203
Mountainside, NJ 07092