THE EDUCATION FOUNDATION OF the Paramus Regional Chamber of Commerce

P.O. Box 1703, Paramus, NJ 07653-1703

201-261-3344

Our Mission
The Education Foundation of the Paramus Regional Chamber of Commerce is a registered 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation dedicated to encouraging and funding innovative and challenging ideas and projects amongst Paramus students and teachers. The Foundation was formed in mid 1995 and is non-political and operates independently of the Paramus Board of Education. Deserving grant recipients are recognized at an annual “Dream Awards” gala.

Who Directs The Foundation?
The Foundation is managed and directed by a Board of Trustees. They represent many aspects of Paramus cultural, civic, corporate and educational leadership. The Paramus Public Schools Superintendent and the President of the Chamber of Commerce sit as permanent ex-officio trustees. However, the vast majority of the trustees are not directly connected with the Paramus schools. They are citizens who are interested and committed to the betterment of education.

Our Goals
The Foundation was created to promote, through corporate and private funding, excellence in education and to provide our schools with resources to reach beyond the limitations of the school budget. The goals of the Foundation are to encourage teachers and students to pursue innovative and creative ideas and projects.

What Is A Grant & Who Makes The Decision?
Teachers and their students apply for grants each year. Grants applications for projects are reviewed by a teacher’s principal, school department supervisor, and the superintendent or assistant superintendent of schools, and then reviewed and approved by the Education Foundation’s Board of Trustees. The Foundation awards grants to applicants whose projects are exceptional, innovative, original, and which clearly enhance the quality of education in Paramus schools.

What Kinds Of Projects Are Funded?
The Foundation will award grants to deserving projects which actively involve and stimulate students and which can be replicated or shared throughout our schools. Among the areas that will be considered for grants are:

• Multicultural Studies
• Math and Science Projects
• Whole Language Programs
• Foreign Language Enrichment
• Environmental Studies
• Problem Solving and Critical Thinking
• Art, Theater, Music and Literature
• Technology

How Does The Foundation Raise Funds?
The business community and individuals who live in the Greater Paramus area help ensure that the tradition of excellence in education continues by their support of major events, corporate sponsorships, and private donations.

• Taste of Paramus – Paramus area restaurants offer tastes of their very best food and beverage samples with proceeds contributed to the Education Foundation Fund. This event is held at the Rotunda at Neiman Marcus at the Westfield Garden State Plaza. This event is held in late winter.
• Mini Golf Outing – Area residents and businesses enjoy a day of mini golf at the Paramus Municipal Golf Course with proceeds contributed to the Education Foundation Fund. This event is held in early summer.
• Dream Awards Gala – Past year’s Grant recipients are honored and current year’s Grant recipients are announced. Additionally the Education Foundation Board of Trustees honors several community or business leaders for their exceptional contribution to education. This event is held in the fall.
• Advertising Journal – Business and community members have an opportunity to contribute and be recognized at the Dream Awards Gala.

Here Is How You Can Help
In order to provide opportunities for educational excellence and creativity the Education Foundation needs great support from the entire community. Parents, alumni, businesses, and other Paramus area residents can help insure that the tradition of excellence continues.

• Attend Events
• Spread The Word
• Solicit Donations
• Personal Donations

In addition to cash, contributions to the Foundation may take the form of securities such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds and life insurance policies. Contributions may be made through wills, bequests and personal property, gifts in kind and other deferred gifts. All gifts to the Foundation are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. It is important to note that many corporations will match the gifts of their employees. Pledges to the Foundation may be paid over a three year period.

Invest In A Dream
There are few investments that will yield a greater return than the investment in our children. Through the generous donations of Paramus residents, local businesses, and Paramus alumni, the Paramus Education Foundation of the Paramus Regional Chamber of Commerce has raised more than $250,000 to support innovative and creative classroom projects and enrich the learning experience of hundreds of Paramus students.

The Following Are A Few Examples Showing The Range Of Recently Funded Grants:

Hutts for Mutts

• Paramus High School
• Gina Monaco, Elizabeth Iorio, Jeremy Westhaver

The goal of this collaborative project is to design, build and donate two doghouses to the N.J.S.P.C.A. The math class in the Special Education department will research designs, calculate dimensions and plan layouts of the doghouses. The P.A.W.S. Club will have the final decision on the design and will prime and paint the doghouses after the Woods classes have constructed them. Students in all areas will present the doghouses to the N.J.S.P.C.A.

Global Classroom: A Study of Wildlife Migration

• Memorial Elementary School
• Marie Creste, Mimi Duffy

The project uses guided inquiry and technology and equipment (provided by this grant) to engage Memorial School students in a global study of wildlife migration and seasonal change. Students will track and share the coming of spring with classmates across North America, through the migration pattern of monarch butterflies, robins, hummingbirds and other birds and mammals,; the budding of plants; changing of sunlight; temperature and other natural events. Students will collaborate, communicate via Skype and create projects with others to gain an understanding of our shared interdependence.

Caring and Sharing: Intergenerational Partnerships Capturing the Best of Both Worlds

• Ridge Ranch Elementary School
• Laura Yannone

This intergenerational project is designed to take advantage of a natural draw between older people and children. Adult seniors and first graders will be assigned as pen pals to begin a friendship. This friendship will be enhanced by visits to the Bergen County Senior Day Care Facility and the children will be challenged to use their newly developed reading and writing skills to guide their pen pals in the creation of a scrapbook.

Art Kits For Kids

• Ridge Ranch and Stony Lane Elementary Schools
• Kaliope Williams, Leslie Rochman, Diane Fogel

"Art Kits For Kids" is a program meant to deepen children's understanding of art through the use of carefully designed kits (containing a book to read and materials for an art project) that will circulate for student home use. These kits will give students a greater exposure to literature and art materials that will expand their interest in the arts and extend the art curriculum.

Word Wizards

• Ridge Ranch Elementary School
• Stacy Goldfarb

The goal of the "Word Wizard" project is to develop knowledge, foster comprehension and writing skill through instructional techniques and strategies that facilitate the vocalbulary development of students with learning disabilities as well as students acquiring English as a second language. Students will be engaged in high-interest internet activities, vocabulary software and Smart Board lessons provided through this grant.

Handy Works

• Ridge Ranch Elementary School
• Barbara Spero, Jennifer Jennings, Laura Hemmerly, Janine Nostrame

"Handy Works" is a whole school iniative that will address fine motor skill development with students in kindergarten through fourth grade in an interactive and supportive environment. Crossgrade level partnerships will be created where third and fourth graders would work cooperatively with lower grade students to complete activities that will strengthen fine and gross motor skills for all involved. The activies are designed to appeal to students of all ages and include play dough, legos, weaving and various cooking projects.

Across the Digital Divide

• Paramus High School
• Dennis Dalelio, Michael Ferrari, Bryan Gorski

"Across the Digital Divide" desires to connect students to the cutting edge technology of digital image making and to connect them to other students beyond the classroom walls. Students will become proficient in the use of professional digital image making cameras (supplied by the grant) and computer processing as well as how to upload their work for online publication. They will also have the opportunity to turn their images into video productions or interactive media and to share their work with online galleries that invite other students throughout the world to do the same.