HOME Investing in Our Community's Greatest Asset ~ Our Children
About About the Foundation Our Goal The Vahalla Schools Foundation is a nonprofit, tax-exempt, education foundation that provides grants to enhance the academic resources of the Valhalla Schools. It operates independent of the school district under the direction of a volunteer board of directors. The Valhalla Schools Foundation works with educators, business leaders, alumni and residents of the community to promote excellence in public education. We do this by recognizing students of Valhalla Public Schools for scholastic achievement and by encouraging teachers to take innovative approaches to education.
Who We Are Who We Are
The Valhalla Schools Foundation is made up of parents, teachers, and residents of the community who, like you, care about our children and the education they receive. The Foundation operates under a volunteer board of directors comprised of many members of the community.
Board Members:
Tracey Franzese, President
Michele Grossman, Vice President
Caroline Baviello, Treasurer
Kelly Astrella, Secretary
Glen Accocella
Lorraine Accocella
Lisa Adams
Lori Adelsberg
Roseanna Cutiettta-Olson
Janet Del Greco
Opal Dopsch
Leslie Goldrich
Kirsten Nagashima
Maureen Pruner
Michelle Serena
Marie Smith
Angela Valente-Muscolino
Karen Young
Liaisons:
Faculty Linda Carpentieri
Virginia Road Elementary School Angela Valente-Muscolino
Kensico School Angela Valente-Muscolino
Valhalla Middle School Caroline Baviello
Valhalla High School Caroline Baviello
JOIN US! The members of the Foundation meet formally four times annually as needed for our fundraising and grant awards committee. There are many opportunities to give as little or as much of your time as you can donate.
Grants Grants
Criteria for the Grant Review Process
The Valhalla Schools Foundation is most interested in supporting projects that enhance the educational program and encourage innovation, offer supplemental programs, and enrich the curriculum above and beyond that which is provided by the school district budget.
Projects will be considered in all academic areas as well as in areas that will serve to enhance the social/emotional development of students on all grade levels.
Proposals that request equipment to support the curriculum will also be considered, and proposals for staff development related to innovative projects or the startup of a new program are encouraged. Training related to existing programs or state mandates are the province of the Board of Education.
grantapplication2011-12.docx
Print the Grant Application
Grant FAQs GRANT FAQs
Q: How do I go about applying for a grant?
A: In the spring a representative from the Valhalla Schools Foundation will visit each school to talk about the grant process in a monthly teachers meeting. Grant forms will be handed out at this time. Teachers and community members can also go to our website and download a grant packet. www.valhallaschoolsfoundation.org
Q: Can any teacher apply for a grant?
A: Yes, we encourage all teachers from our public schools to take advantage of our grant process. There have also been grants requests from teachers representing entire grades.
Q: What information would I need to supply to be considered for a grant?
A: All the necessary information to apply for a grant will be contained in the grant packet. You will need to attach itemized vendor estimates (not your own handwritten estimates) of the monies that you will need to implement your project. If you have any questions you can email the VSF or call our grant chairperson. Their name and number will be provided at the school meeting.
More FAQs
More FAQs Q: Do you have a list of past grant winners?
A: Our website contains all past grant descriptions.
Q: How do you judge who receives a grant?
A: The Valhalla Schools Foundation is most interested in supporting projects that enhance the educational program and encourage innovation, offer supplemental programs, and enrich the curriculum above and beyond that which is provided by the school district budget.
Q: How much time do I have after I am notified that I am a grant recipient to implement my project?
A: Grants are awarded annually and cover a one-year period. Therefore, you must make a new grant request each year in order to be eligible. Additionally, in order to be eligible for a subsequent grant, you must provide the Valhalla Schools Foundation with a statement (but no more than 3 pages) of how the funds were used. If after the one-year period the grant monies have not been used, the grant will have officially expired and all monies will revert back to the Valhalla Schools Foundation.
Q: What if I don't use all of the monies that were originally sought after in my project proposal? Can I use it for other purposes?
A: Any leftover monies will revert back to the Valhalla Schools Foundation for possible future grant distributions.
Back
Accomplishments Thanks to the generosity of the community the Valhalla Schools Foundation has been able to provide the district with more than $150,000 in grants since it's inception in 2002-2003.
2004-2005
2009-2010
2002-2003
2007-2008
2006-2007
2003-2004
2008-2009
2010-2011
2005-2006
Accomplishments01 Our Accomplishments 2002-2003
The Valhalla Schools Foundation awarded more than $10,000 in teacher grants. In 2002-2003, the following grants were awarded to teachers in the District for innovative programs:
Virginia Road Elementary School
The Age of the Dinosaurs - –
AlphaSmarts 3000 Keyboards - –
Food Festival
Kensico School
Easy Reader Books - –
Louis R. Cappelli Foundation Grant
Valhalla Middle School
Bullying Prevention Workshop - –
Journalism/Newspaper Writing
Valhalla High School
Graphing Calculator View Screens - –
Junior Great Books
District-Wide
Automated External Defibrillator Training
Accomplishments02 Our Accomplishments 2003-2004
Valhalla Schools Foundation awarded almost $12,000 in mini-grants to Valhalla teachers & administrators
.
Virginia Road Elementary School
American Folk Music in the Classroom - Integrating E-Books & Problem Based Learning into the Classroom - Fairytale Project - Community Project - Countries Project - Childrens Elibrary & Ideportal program
Kensico School
Picture This: Strengthening Writing Skills Using Visual Images - Field of Dreams - Family Reading Nights - Sheila Hulsebosch, special education teacher/leveled books for the school library
Valhalla Middle School
Reading Investigations -
Journalism/Newspaper Writing
Valhalla High School
Valhalla Middle/High School Librarian, Suzanne Scarola/ books and reading materials that will enhance the new VMHS Library
District-Wide
Around the World with ESL
Accomplishments03 Our Accomplishments 2004-2005
Valhalla Schools Foundation and WestHelp Partnership teamed up to award more than $32,000 in mini-grants to Valhalla teachers.
Virginia Road Elementary School
Tadpoles to Frogs - Nutty Nutrients- Our American Musical Heritage – SMARTboard - Leap Into Literacy
Kensico School
Oscar Night - Classroom Jeopardy- Smartboard - Family Reading - Geology Rocks
Valhalla Middle School
Two digital cameras for the foreign language program –- Letterville Carbo recorded books - Classroom Jeopardy
Valhalla High School
Smartboard - laptop computer and LCD projector - ActivStats
Accomplishments04 Our Accomplishments 2005-2006
Valhalla Schools Foundation and WestHelp Partnership teamed up to award more than $40,000 in mini-grants to Valhalla School teachers
.
Virginia Road Elementary School
Artifacts and Art Literature - Creative Drama - Art Music and Me ~Around the World
Kensico School
Ghosts of the White House - Instrumental Music - Family Reading Nights –- SMARTboard
Valhalla Middle School
Journalism/Newspaper Writing - After School Drama Workshop
Valhalla Middle/High School
World Beat - Production/Editing Computer System - TV Studio/Audio Visual - Baritone Sax - Wireless Intercom System –
Valhalla High School
Psychology Through Multimedia - Renaissance WebQuest - Rosetta Stone Online Delivery
Accomplishments05 Our Accomplishments 2006-2007
Valhalla Schools Foundation and WestHelp Partnership teamed up to award more than $30,000 in grants to Valhalla Schools teachers
.
Virginia Road Elementary School
Bash the Trash - Cross-Curricular project to purchase books that reflect the first-grade themes of: The Ocean, The Rainforest, Earth Day, Ecology, Geography, Mapping, Weather and Science - More English Language Learners Leap into Literacy - Boardmaker Plus!
Kensico School
SMARTBoards - Family Reading Nights
Valhalla Middle School and High School
Advanced Digital Art Lab - Equipment that will improve sound in the auditorium - Art/craft tables - Classroom Jeopardy - Colonial Life and the American Revolution
Accomplishments06 Accomplishments 2007-2008
The Valhalla Schools Foundation awarded thirteen
grants for the 2007-2008 school year. Over fifty requests for grants came from faculty and staff at Virginia Road Elementary School, Kensico School and Valhalla Middle/High School and from community members.
Virginia Road Elementary School
Let's Make Books - It's a Multicultural World - Be Proud of Your Heritage
Kensico School
Walk Across America - Family Reading Night - DVD/CD Duplicator/Printer
Valhalla Middle/High School
Revolutionary War Reenactment - Drama Program/Workshops - The Constitution Works - Decisions, Decisions computer software program - Monthly Book Club - Wireless Microphones - TV Production Equipment - Easels for the Art Department
Accomplishments07 Accomplishments 2010-2011
The Valhalla Schools Foundation has awarded more than $27,000 to teachers and administrators in the Valhalla School District.
Virginia Road Elementary School
Using technology to engage children w/ Nooks - Digitalizing VRES music recording library with iPods and docking stations - The Outdoor Classroom
Kensico School
Garden project - iPads - Family Reading Nights - Family Writing Project - Sharing creative response to literature w/ ePals & parents - Human/ Environmental Interaction: The Impact of Our Changing Environment -
Kensico Book of the Month” - Power of One” production - 2 saxophones
Valhalla Middle School
Race For Reading” Literacy Night - iPad mobile learning - Portable projector - Revolutionary War reenactment -
iPod docking station for vocal lessons - Weather Bug Achieve - “From Courtyard to Table”
Valhalla High School
Chroma –Key Backdrop studio stand - Pearstone rechargeable batteries and kit - VHS Literacy Night -
High Honors Dinner - Starry Nights photography - Classic chimes.
accomplishments08 Accomplishments 2008-2009
The Valhalla Schools Foundation was pleased to award more than $30,000 in grants in the 2008-2009 school year.
Virginia Road Elementary School
Thematic and Phonetic-based Listening Centers - The 100 Book project: Integrating Literacy into Music class
Kensico School
Family Reading Nights - Robotic Program
Valhalla Middle/High School
Revolutionary War Re-enactment - Laser mouse - Monthly book clubs - Jazz Band Stands -
Geometry Technology Integration - High Honors Dinner - Cooking Club cookware -
Integrating Robotics into the computer science curriculum using Lego Mindstorms NST -
Math in Motion - Lacrosse Equipment - Winter Potter's wheel workshop -
NY State Regents software for Learning Center
accomplishments09 Accomplishments 2009-2010
The Valhalla Schools Foundation awarded thirteen
grants and a total of almost $20,000
for the 2009-2010 school year. Over fifty requests for grants came from faculty and staff at
Virginia Road Elementary School, Kensico School and Valhalla Middle/High School
and from community members.
Virginia Road Elementary School
Growing Readers - Tag School Reading System
Kensico School
Family Reading Nights - Kensico Bookroom and Literacy Project
Valhalla Middle School/High School
Disc Manager - CD/DVD Label Printer - High Honors Dinner - Cooking Club Cookware -
Music Production/Video Production - Gong - Courtyard to Table - Art Display Panels -
Middle School Read-In
Events FOUNDATION EVENTS
A Novel Evening!
Techno-A-GoGo!
Act III – A Valhalla Masterpiece!
A Quest For Knowledge - First Stop a Venetian Carnivale..
Bloodtype: Ragu
A Comedy Night!
A Novel Evening “ A Novel Evening”!
More than 250 generous parents, teachers and administrators turned out on the evening of Saturday, March 8th, to attend the Valhalla Schools Foundation’s breakthrough fundraising event, “A Novel Evening!”
The dinner-dance, held at Marro’s in Rye Brook attracted guests from all three towns in the school district –, Mount Pleasant, North White Plains, and Greenburgh –and most of the guests spent the evening on the dance floor!
Marro’s was decorated for the event with books, flowers and candles, and featured music by DJ Bill Plax. A giant, lighted book cover, titled “A Novel Evening,” looked over the dining room. Guests were treated to a cocktail hour which was followed by a four-course dinner and each guest received a journal and pen to remember the occasion. Remarks were made by Foundation Co-President Patricia Bisesto and Valhalla Superintendent of Schools Dr. Thomas Kelly. Others attending the dinner-dance included Valhalla Board of Education President Grace Stone and Board members Margaret Connors and Gregory Pappalardo; Virginia Road School Principal Ada Parker, and members of the Valhalla district staff.
In the 2002-2003 school year, the Foundation awarded $10,000 in mini-grants to the teaching and library staff at Valhalla’'s four schools. The Foundation plans to announce a new round of grants at the end of the current school year.
Techno-A-G0-Go Techno-A-GoGo”!
More than 250 generous parents, teachers and administrators turned out on the evening of Saturday, March 13th, to attend the Valhalla Schools Foundation’s annual fundraising event, “Techno-A-GoGo!”
The dinner-dance, held at Marro’s in Rye Brook, attracted guests from all three towns in the school district – Mount Pleasant, North White Plains, and Greenburgh – and most of the guests spent the evening on the dance floor!
Proceeds of the dinner-dance will go toward grants that will benefit the Valhalla school district’s technology and science curriculum.
Marro’s was decorated for the event with flowers and candles, and featured music by DJ Bill Plax. Guests were treated to a cocktail hour, which was followed by a four-course dinner and each guest received a journal and pen to remember the occasion. Remarks were made by Foundation Co-President Patricia Bisesto and Valhalla Superintendent of Schools Dr.Thomas Kelly.
In the 2004-2005 school year, the Foundation awarded $32,000 in grants to Valhalla’'s four schools. The Foundation plans to announce a new round of grants at the end of the current school year.
Act III “ Act III – A Valhalla Masterpiece!
More than 200 generous parents, teachers and administrators turned out on the evening of Saturday, March 12th, to attend the Valhalla Schools Foundation’s annual fundraising event, “Act III – A Valhalla Masterpiece”
The dinner-dance, held at The Canyon Club in Armonk, attracted guests from all three towns in the school district – Mount Pleasant, North White Plains, and Greenburgh – and most of the guests spent the evening on the dance floor!
Proceeds of the dinner-dance will go toward grants that will advance the Valhalla school district’s Arts curriculum.
The Canyon Club was decorated for the event with flowers and candles, and featured music by a DJ. Guests were treated to a cocktail hour, which was followed by a four-course dinner, and each guest received a journal and pen, to remember the occasion. Remarks were made by Foundation Co-President Patricia Bisesto and Valhalla Superintendent of Schools Dr. Thomas Kelly.
In the 2005-2006 school year, the Foundation awarded $40,000 in grants. end of the current school year.
A Quest for Knowledge A Quest For Knowledge - First Stop a Venetian Carnivale...
More than 200 generous parents, teachers and administrators turned out on the evening of Saturday, March 11th, to attend the Valhalla Schools Foundation’s annual fundraising event, "A Quest For Knowledge - First Stop a Venetian Carnivale..."
The dinner-dance, held at Graziella's Restaurant in White Plains, attracted guests from all three towns in the school district – Mount Pleasant, North White Plains, and Greenburgh – and most of the guests spent the evening on the dance floor!
Proceeds of the dinner-dance will go toward grants that will advance the Valhalla school district’s curriculum.
In the 2005-2006 school year, the Foundation awarded $40,000 in grants in Valhalla’s four schools.
A Comedy Night A Comedy Night
“A Comedy Night,” the Valhalla Schools Foundation's fifth annual fundraiser was a huge success with more than 300 residents of the community coming out to laugh, eat and drink to support the educational enrichment organization. The Foundation raised nearly $30,000 to be used to award grants to enrich the education of students K-12.
Headlining the evening was Emmy award winning Valhalla alumni Kevin Meaney, who joked that even being 164th out of a class of 165 couldn't stop him from realizing his dream to be an entertainer. He regaled the crowd with stories of growing up in Valhalla and how it shaped who he is today. Meaney brought with him two comedian friends to join in the festivities, Chris Monty and Buddy Fitzgerald, who kept the crowd rolling with their biting humor.
Congresswoman Nita Lowey, Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner, and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Diane Ramos-Kelly attended and congratulated the Foundation on their success. Emcee's for the evening were Valhalla High School Principal Jon Thomas and Alumni Eric Goldrich, both noted for their onstage performances in community theatre.
Donations to the Foundation from teachers, private individuals, local vendors, as well as a complimentary wine tasting by The Wine Professionals, all contributed to the success of the fun-filled evening.
Bloodtype Ragu BLOOD TYPE: RAGU
Valhalla Schools Foundation brought the highly acclaimed BLOOD TYPE: RAGU to the stage at Valhalla’'s High School Theater.
The one-man show, starring Frank Ingrasciotta, is a poignant and humorous story of a Sicilian immigrant family and their cultural struggle in America.
Frank Ingrasciotta is the recipient of the Arts Award presented by the Westchester Arts Council for his outstanding achievements and contributions as a performing artist and arts educator in Westchester County.
You can visit the website: www.bloodtyperagu.com
Buy A Brick 
Valhalla Schools Foundation Bricks
• Honor your child or family members •
Leave a legacy for generations to come!
Buy a brick for the walkway at Valhalla’s Kensico School
Download the order form:
Questions?
Call Angela Valente-Muscolino
(914) 997-6018
or email her at avalente6_aol.com
VSF Brick Order form 2011.pdf
Piria Scholarship Antonia Piria Scholarship
Ms. Antonia Piria was a beloved and highly respected Valhalla elementary teacher for many years, who lost her life to esophageal cancer in October, 2009. Ms. Piria’'s love for our school community cannot be measured. We found it especially significant that Ms. Piria specifically mentioned having donations made to the Valhalla Schools Foundation when helping her family to write her obituary. At a time of overwhelming sadness, they thought of our children and our foundation’'s commitment to our children.
The Valhalla Schools Foundation expresses its continuing gratitude and appreciation for the generosity and consideration of Ms. Antonia Piria and the entire Piria family.
We have established a scholarship in her memory, funded by Piria Family donations as well as donations made by fellow teachers, staff and community members in her name.
Each June, we award a $500 scholarship to a Valhalla High School graduate who will pursue a teaching degree in elementary education. This scholarship was conceived by Ms. Piria as one of her dying wishes. We are proud to honor her while we help future teachers walk in her footsteps.
Donations can be mailed to:
The Valhalla Schools Foundation
PO Box 91
Valhalla, New York 10595
Support Us How you can help!
You can support our foundation in many ways:
-Purchase of bricks on the Kensico School Memory Lane walkway
-Matching corporate gifts
-Business Partners- The Valhalla Schools Foundation is constantly in search of corporate opportunities. If you know about any corporate grants or are interested in developing any proposals for grants, please contact us.
-Appreciated stock or Bequests
-Gifts to honor birthdays and other occasions
-Donations to support VSF fundraising events
-Sweat equity (volunteering your time)
-VSF always needs volunteer help. Whether you are a student, a parent, neighbor or anyone else interested in great schools we could use your help. We have ideas and projects, we cannot get started due to limited help. Come and join us and you will find your time to be very rewarding. Get to know some great people in your community and help our children in the process.
Please support our foundation!
Mail Checks to:
Valhalla Schools Foundation PO Box 91 Valhalla, NY 10595
Contact Us -
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Grants Photo Gallery Where Your Donations Go ~
Some Grant Photos
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A: In the spring a representative from the Valhalla Schools Foundation will visit your school to talk about the grant process in a monthly teachers meeting. Grant forms will be handed out at this time. You can also go to our website and download a grant packet. www.valhallaschoolsfoundation.org
A: Yes, we encourage all teachers from our public schools to take advantage of our grant process.
A: Yes. There have been grants requests from teachers representing entire grades.
A: All the necessary information to apply for a grant will be contained in the grant packet. You will need to attach itemized vendor estimates (not your own handwritten estimates) of the monies that you will need to implement your project. If you have any questions you can email the VSF or call our grant chairperson. Their name and number will be provided at the school meeting.
A: Our website contains all past grant recipients and their grant descriptions.
A: The Valhalla Schools Foundation is most interested in supporting projects that enhance the educational program and encourage innovation, offer supplemental programs, and enrich the curriculum above and beyond that which is provided by the school district budget.TEACHER MINI-GRANT FAQ
A: In the spring a representative from the Valhalla Schools Foundation will visit your school to talk about the grant process in a monthly teachers meeting. Grant forms will be handed out at this time. You can also go to our website and download a grant packet. www.valhallaschoolsfoundation.org
A: Yes, we encourage all teachers from our public schools to take advantage of our grant process.
A: Yes. There have been grants requests from teachers representing entire grades.
A: All the necessary information to apply for a grant will be contained in the grant packet. You will need to attach itemized vendor estimates (not your own handwritten estimates) of the monies that you will need to implement your project. If you have any questions you can email the VSF or call our grant chairperson. Their name and number will be provided at the school meeting.
A: Our website contains all past grant recipients and their grant descriptions.
A: The Valhalla Schools Foundation is most interested in supporting projects that enhance the educational program and encourage innovation, offer supplemental programs, and enrich the curriculum above and beyond that which is provided by the school district budget.
