Lawrence Township Education Foundation funds 22 classroom grants totaling $23,608

Bonnie Giglio, executive director of the Lawrence Township Education Foundation (LTF), told the board the foundation completed its spring grant cycle and funded 22 grants totaling $23,608 to support classroom projects and school programming across the district.

"We just wrapped up our spring grant cycle. And we were able to fund 22 grants for a total of $23,608 this year," Giglio told the board, then read the list of awards and recipients. Grants cover multiple elementary, middle and high school projects, including literacy and STEAM kits for kindergarten students, a bucket-drumming assembly at Lawrence Elementary, flexible seating and televised morning announcements at Lawrence Intermediate, career-oriented equipment purchases at the high school, and student-led anthologies and clubs.

The foundation highlighted examples and amounts on the record: "Tell It Like It Is, K STEAM story retelling kits for all elementary schools for $1,890" and "Cardinal Quest" tabletop gaming club support at the middle school (award amount cited on record). The report named individual educators and student leaders who wrote or will lead the grants and asked recipients to come forward for recognition and a photo. Giglio also thanked corporate sponsors and donors for enabling the awards and reminded attendees of upcoming LTF events, including 'Lawrence Has Talent' on April 4.

Why it matters: The grants are targeted, small-dollar awards intended to fund classroom-level materials, enrichment activities, and student experiences that the district’s operating budget may not cover. Administrators and the board thanked the foundation on the record and noted the awards support district goals for student engagement and career/college readiness.

Board members accepted the recognition on the record; the superintendent and board president publicly thanked Giglio and the foundation. Giglio and staff asked grant recipients to pick up checks with the board for a group photo following the meeting.

A sampling of funded projects and recipients named in the foundation’s presentation (amounts as stated by the presenter): Tell It Like It Is K‑STEAM story retelling kits ($1,890), Playful Pathways math blocks ($658), Bucket Drumming assembly ($985), Hallways of Wisdom signage ($700), flexible seating ($500), 'Weekly Hoot' televised announcements ($2,729), Cooking Around the World ($1,000), Vertical Classroom whiteboards ($700), student anthology ($1,000), Wellness Day ($600), The Great Debate ($1,287), Mapping Our World maps ($962), enhanced video tech for middle school ($450), Printing Design system ($3,275), Cardinal Quest tabletop club (approx. $405), TV studio improvements ($443), Laminator for DECA ($2,250), Thermal Camera for physics ($964), AAPI Year of the Snake programming ($600), Robotics club supplies ($1,385), and other listed awards that collectively total $23,608. Recipients included classroom teachers, specialists and student leaders across Ben Franklin, Lawrence Elementary, Lawrence Intermediate, Lawrence Middle and Lawrence High School.

Giglio said the foundation’s work depends on donations and invited continued support. The board publicly thanked donors and the foundation for the awards and recognized the classroom teachers and students named in the presentation.