Dear Administrators, Principals and Teachers,

The Oakland Education Foundation (the “OEF”) is honored to announce the implementation of our Teacher Grant Program for the 2013-2014 school year. This program is for teachers, administrators and/or staff of the Oakland Public Schools. Grants are for educational projects that align with the Common Core State Standards and enhance the learning process.

The OEF has allocated a total of $10,000 for the 2013-2014 Teacher Grant Program for the Oakland Public Schools K through 8th grade. Funding will be given based on grant application needs and at the discretion of the OEF.

Together we can generate innovative, creative projects and bring excitement to our classrooms. Thank you for your participation in this program. We look forward to reading your application.

If you have any questions, please contact Michelle DeGennaro, at michelledeg@hotmail.com.

Regards,

Michelle DeGennaro, Lisa Cooper and Julie Matthews

Teacher Grant Committee

2013-2014 Teacher Grant Application

The Oakland Education Foundation (the “OEF”) is an independent, non-profit organization made up of volunteers dedicated to advancing and improving our students’ education. To further these purposes, the OEF has instituted a new grant program (the “OEF Grant Program”), which will be made available to qualifying teachers, administrators and staff in the Oakland Public Schools (the “Grant Applicants”) for the 2013-2014 school year. The OEF has formed a committee (the “OEF Grant Committee”), which will serve as the liaison between the Grant Applicants and the OEF. Grant Applicants that are chosen to participate in the OEF Grant Program (the “Grant Awardees”) shall be selected at the discretion of the OEF and the OEF Grant Committee.

Grant Guidelines:

The grants shall be used for projects (“Grant Projects”) that are not already financed through the Oakland Board of Education budget.

It is encouraged, but not mandatory, that Grant Projects align with district literacy and/or technology initiatives.

Grant Projects shall not include after-school activities, field trips, purchasing of furniture for classrooms and/or funding of school transportation.

Grant Procedure:

Grant Projects shall be funded on a collaborative basis only. The collaborative grants shall include:

Building Grant: A grant funded for a team of teachers/staff within one building.

District Grant: A grant funded for a team of teachers/staff across the district.

There are two deadlines for submission:

Fall: October 7, 2013

Spring: March 10, 2014

Please note: All Grant Applicants must present their proposal in person to the OEF Grant Committee. This presentation will be scheduled and take place within 14 days following the applicable grant deadline. Once the applications are submitted, the Grant Applicants will be notified of the date for presentation of their Grant Project.

All Grant Awardees shall submit a project report to the OEF Grant Committee, which shall be completed and submitted within 45 days of the conclusion of the Grant Project. In addition, all Grant Awardees shall participate in a grant showcase to be hosted by the OEF at the end of the school year.

All Grant Applicants must complete a grant application as detailed on the attached and submit such application, along with all appropriate approvals, on or before the above submission deadlines. 2013-2014 Teacher Grant Application

Each OEF Teacher Grant Application must include the following:

A list of all teachers/staff that will be collaborating on or otherwise involved in the Grant Project and the name, phone number and email of the primary contact for the Grant Project.

A description of the Grant Project, which description shall include a detailed explanation of (a) how the Grant Project aligns with the Common Core State Standards and (b) the educational benefits the students will be receiving by participating in the Grant Project.

An explanation of how the idea for the Grant Project was developed.

A timetable for implementation of the Grant Project.

A detailed budget for the Grant Project, including backup documentation such as quotes, photos and/or brochures.

Any additional information or documentation that the Grant Applicant believes is necessary or appropriate to support the grant application.

Principal Approval

I, _________________________, principal of ___________________________, have

[Principal] [School Name]

reviewed the grant application of ___________________________, and approve

[Name of Primary Applicant(s)]

submission of said grant to the Oakland Education Foundation Grant Committee.

________________________ _______________________

[Signature] [Date]

Superintendent Approval

I, _________________________, Superintendent of Oakland Public

[Superintendent name]

Schools, have reviewed the grant application of

_______________________, and approve submission of said grant to

[Name of Primary Applicant(s)]

the Oakland Education Foundation Grant Committee.

________________________ _______________________

[Signature] [Date]

Technology Supervisor Approval

I, _________________________, Technology Supervisor of the Oakland Public

[Supervisor name]

Schools, have reviewed the grant application of

_______________________, and confirm that the proposed grant project is

[Name of Primary Applicant(s)]

compatible with current technology and the current infrastructure supports the proposed

grant project.

________________________ _______________________

[Signature] [Date]

Did you know you can make a difference at no cost – TD Bank Affinity Program. Click here to find out how you become part of the TD Bank Affinity Program.

Save Money ALL YEAR and Help the OEF Raise Money Through Ambit Energy

The Oakland Education Foundation (OEF) is now participating in the Ambit Energy Affiliate program, which is helping the OEF raise money by crediting the OEF for every customer that switches to Ambit Energy as their energy supplier through the OEF affiliation.

When you switch your energy supplier to Ambit Energy, you will save 7% on your energy supply for the first two months and guaranteed to save a minimum of 1% (although typically higher) throughout the rest of the 12 month billing cycle.  There’s no long term contracts, no sign up fees, no termination fees on your part – just cost savings and a Free two night hotel stay at over 25 locations across the country as a welcome gift.   Nothing changes on your side as you will still continue to receive the same PSE&G and O&R utility bills – they’ll just be a bit lower.

For every home or business that makes the switch to Ambit Energy through the OEF affiliation, Ambit will give the OEF between $2-$3.50 per account EVERY MONTH!   Our goal is to have 250  homes on the program by Jan 1 2014 which would translate to over $7,500 annually and then double that target by 2015.

In these times we don’t think twice about paying $5 for a cup of coffee or $2 for an app on your phone, yet we’ll drive the extra mile to save 5 cents on a gallon of gas.  Why not make the switch now, save some money automatically, help the OEF, get rewarded – all for doing nothing?

Go to www.oefenergy.joinambit.com to sign up yourself.

Alternatively you can send an email or call Anthony Morgante and he can answer any questions you may have and make the switch for you.  Anthony can be reached at:

OEFEnergy@outlook.com

Home: 201-644-8137

Thursday, February 23, 2012
BY PHILIP DEVENCENTIS
STAFF WRITER
Franklin Lakes – Oakland Suburban News

Click here to see the article and more pictures in the Suburban online.

OAKLAND — The first gummy bear was sacrificed last week during an experiment in the newly renovated science lab at Valley Middle School.

Donald Dean, science curriculum coordinator for the Oakland K-8 district, conducting an experiment marking the renovation of Valley Middle School’s science lab.

Donald Dean, the K-8 district’s science curriculum coordinator, demonstrated in front of a crowd of some 50 people what happens when sugar is mixed with molten potassium chlorate.

When the gummy bear was dropped into a test tube containing the chemical compound, it ignited, in turn igniting a round of applause.

It was the defining moment of an event organized specifically to celebrate the refurbishment of the lab, a classroom that had not been updated since the school was built in 1969.

Minutes before the experiment, district officials and representatives of the Oakland Education Foundation cut a ceremonial red ribbon. Renovation of the classroom was funded through a $100,000 grant from the foundation.

The ribbon-cutting Monday, Feb. 13, was attended by Mayor Linda Schwager and by a majority of the Borough Council. Administrators, teachers and parents, too, filed into the school’s library, where the event began.

“In the fall of 2009, our officers and trustees were full of fresh fund-raising ideas,” said foundation president Margaret Kourgelis, kicking off the proceedings.

“The desire to raise money for the renovation was reinforced when the foundation toured the lab,” Kourgelis continued. “We saw firsthand how outdated the equipment was and how run-down the lab stations and cabinetry were.”

The school has two labs. The other lab was renovated in 2006, also with funds raised by the foundation.

Kourgelis presented an enlarged check to Board of Education president John Scerbo, who thanked the foundation for its support.

“During these difficult economic times for our families, and for the district itself, it is nice to know that we have partners willing to assist us,” Scerbo said. “We can’t thank you enough.”

School board trustee Jennifer Matts, who serves as liaison to the foundation, said district officials wanted to update the second lab to ensure all students have the same educational experience.

“Infrastructure of that classroom was less than terrific,” Matts said. “There was no running water and very few outlets. It just was not suitable for the experiments and the science curriculum we have today.”

The renovated lab has a glossy floor and seating for 28 students. Sturdier tabletops, which are burn-proof and stain-proof, are made of epoxy resin. The classroom also features an emergency shower, an eye-wash station, a fume hood, four work stations with sinks and 16 new computers, including eight laptops.

The fume hood allows classes to perform more complex experiments, like oxidation of a gummy bear.

“Before our students even go to high school,” said Principal Peter Hughes, “they’ll have a facility available to them for the most advanced experiments. This lab will inspire our students and help them picture their future as chemists, biologists and physicists.”

Hughes said the lab is now used by seven seventh- and eighth-grade classes. Next year, he said, the classroom will likely be occupied all eight periods of the school day.

The event was capped when schools Superintendent Dr. Richard Heflich asked the foundation to embrace the district’s next technology initiative: equipping all four district libraries with iPads. He said the district would need $37,500 to buy 50 of them. He said the district received a federal grant last year to buy iPads for four special education classrooms.

The foundation’s flagship fund-raiser, a casino night gala, is scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday, March 17, at Portobello Banquets, 155 Ramapo Valley Road.

Devencentis@northjersey.com

Above Trustee Laura Given is pictured accepting a donation from the proprietor of Tony’s Brothers.

Pictured from left to right, Richard Esposito, Manager; and Angelo Greco, owner of Frank’s Pizza, handing over a $500 check to Oakland Education Foundation trustee Jamie Sheehan-Willis

The OEF is fortunate to have strong small business support.  The Eat for the OEF is just one more example of this partnership.  On select days throughout the year, participating local restaurants donate a percentage of their sales to the OEF.  The families in our town support this program by frequenting these businesses.

Thank you for your help in continuing this program by spreading the word to your friends and neighbors and your patronage at area restaurants!!