Huntington Foundation Donates $38K for Grants

The Huntington Foundation recently donated more than $38,000 to the Huntington School District to fund 14 grants sought by faculty members for innovative projects in several buildings.

Trustees accepted a donation in the amount of $38,009.59 during a public meeting this week in the Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School auditorium.

The organization’s annual gala is set for Thursday night at Water’s Edged in Centerport. Huntington High School Dean of Student Support Robert Gilmor III and Helping Hands Rescue Mission President and Pastor Rev. Kimberly Gaines-Gambino will both be presented with the Huntington Foundation’s Spirits Award. The organization has donated more than $1.1 million to Huntington UFSD to support innovative programs and classroom practices.

The new round of grants will cover costs associated with the following initiatives:

• J. Taylor Finley Middle School; Reinforcements, incentives

Applicants: Dr. Mary DiBenedetto, Kate Carey

A grant in the amount of $542.53 will provide supplies for the Finley Friendship Club and peer mentoring.

• J. Taylor Finley Middle School; Marketing/design unit of JV Virtual Enterprise program

Applicant: Gregory Dieterich

A grant in the amount of $1,407.78 will fund the purchase of a large format printer.

• J. Taylor Finley Middle School; Pen lathe – Write a Soldier program

Applicant: Kevin Kuhner

A grant in the amount of $3,693.03 will fund the purchase of a pen-making starter set lathe – eighth grade technology woodworking

• Flower Hill Primary School; Outdoor learning space

Applicant: Christine Lofaro, Veronica Quinlan

A grant in the amount of $3,000 will partially fund the stencils – math and movement for outdoor spaces and hallway walls initiative.

• Huntington High School; Band uniforms

Applicant: Andre Rizzuto

A grant in the amount of $5,500 will support the purchase of new Blue Devil marching band uniforms.

• Huntington High School; Presentation monitors/guidance department

Applicant: Steve Lashin

A grant in the amount of $5,215 will support the purchase of seven Samsung presentation monitors for school counselors to use when meeting with students and parents.

• Huntington High School; Binocular microscopes: Unveiling the Mysteries of the Microworlds

Applicant: Tara Rossy

A grant in the amount of $4,800 will support the purchase of eight scientific microscopes.

• Huntington High School; Auditorium stage equipment

Applicant: Brian Stellato

A grant in the amount of $5,000 will support the purchase of music chairs and storage carts for performances.

• Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School; Game changers: Mentoring Over Games and Conversation

Applicant: Mary Guzman, Nina Digioia, Risa Brachman

A grant in the amount of $535.28 will fund the purchase of various educational games to enhance the mentoring program.

• Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School; “Do you want to play a game?”

Applicant: Tracey McManus, Lisa Baldanza

A grant in the amount of $537 will support the purchase of classroom games for special and regular education fifth grade students.

• Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School; Different Roads to Learning

Applicant: Debra Lawrence, Christina Plant

A grant in the amount of $ 1,091.70 will fund the purchase of alternatives to desks and chairs to support all types of learners.

• Jefferson Primary School; Bjorem Speech Sound Cues

Applicant: Jenna Milewski

A grant in the amount of $125 will fund the acquisition of speech department curriculum enhancement.

• Woodhull Intermediate School; High Interest Books for All Learners

Applicant: Elizabeth Flanagan

A grant in the amount of $4,563 will provide for the purchase of a printed set of guided reading books that will be utilized by the entire fourth grade and also made available to fifth graders.

• Woodhull Intermediate School; Main lobby furniture/art showcase

Applicant: Todd Hiscox

A grant in the amount of $2,000 will support the purchase of an art showcase and seating in the main lobby.