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What is the Mountainside Education Foundation?

The Mountainside Education Foundation is an incorporated, nonprofit, tax-exempt organization operated for the benefit of our school children. Our aim is to raise money through donations and programs such as Steve Songs Concert, Family Restaurant Nights, and Food for the Arts Dine Around. Monies raised fund grants designed to enhance the Mountainside curriculum.

Why is a Foundation needed?

With reductions in federal and state aid and local budget cuts affecting spending in our schools, additional funds are needed to help us ensure our school district is among the best, and our school children receive the best education possible. Individuals and businesses who donate funds to MEF receive tax exemptions for their donations. MEF also qualifies for matching donations that many corporations offer.

What types of projects will be funded?

Primarily, the projects we fund offer innovations and creativity, be it on a small scale or large scale. MEF has awarded grants for: academic enrichment, arts and education, multicultural programs, and technology and learning. The projects should: support the enhancement and/or enrichment of the current curricula, introduce innovative academic or extracurricular programs that will motivate, inspire, and educate students, involve the community in enhancing education, and involve outside experts who will work with students on a variety of projects during class and in after-school clubs.

Who can apply for grants?

Anyone in the community who has an idea that would enrich the learning experience of our school children can apply – teachers, administrators, parents, students, and community members.

How are grants awarded?

Grant applications are available to community members and the Mountainside School District staff. A notice will be posted on Channel 35, and applications will be available at Deerfield and Beechwood Schools and on the district website. Proposals will be evaluated by the MEF Grant Review Committee and approved by the MEF Board of Trustees.

How can I participate?

If you have an idea for a project, please fill out an application. If you would like to become involved with the Foundation, please send us a letter or contact one of our Board members.

MEF Events Held and Grants Awarded in 2007-2008

School of Rock, Flat Stanley, Young Audiences of NJ, Starlab Planetarium (since 2004), Creating Real Books, French Museum, Broadway Experience (since 2005), Diego Rivera, Sculpting for Planets, Roots of Rhythm, Jazz Band, Music Listening Lab, Colonial America Day (since 2005), Steve Songs (since 2005), Wee Deliver (since 2005), Totally Vocal, Flamenco performance, Once Upon a Number, Blankets for Babies (since 2004), School House Rocks, I-Bobs, and Digital Cameras

History of Funded Projects 2000-2006

Deerfield Stage Curtains, Bee Man, History Alive!, Inventors and Inventions, Clay Animation, Instrumental Music Workshops, Plaque Research Project, Libraries Are for Listening, Holocaust Videoconference, Tour Philadelphia-Art Enrichment, Resource Room Library, Etiquette 101, Deerfield Video News Club, Teen Arts Sponsorship, Mountainside Library Collection and E-Book Development, Arte Hispania, A Cappella Workshop, Jazz Music Collection, Deerfield Art Museum, Supreme Court Book Collection, Mountainside Library E-Reader, Devlin Collection-Donation to Library, Pen Pals-French and Spanish, Simple Machines, Language Arts Literacy Reading Center, American History Research Library, “All About Milk” – Agriculture in NJ, Intro to Instrumental Music-Recorders, Enrichment Reading, Beechwood Playground Donation, Broadway Workshop, Radio Club, Webpage Development, and Music Listening Lab

Board of Trustees

Presidents: Linda Grossi and Rick Schkolnick

Vice-Presidents: Amy Erasmus and Maria Goldman

Treasurer: Tricia Freer

Secretary: Kirsten Post

Board Members: Jackie Devitt, Melinda Janofsky, John Koehn, and Kelly Waters Teacher Liaisons: Barbara Dubno and Danielle Soular Grant Review Committee: Michael Banick, Dr. Christopher Belden, Amy Erasmus, Jeffrey Goldstein, Laurie Kaplan, and Kirsten Post

Contact Information

P.O. Box 1203

Mountainside, NJ 07092