North PTSA Grants For Greenhouse Models, Arts Career Info

The Clarkstown North High School PTSA presented almost $2,800 in grants for curricular, extra-curricular or educational support programs or activities at Thursday night’s school board meeting.  The Student Impact Grant Program, now in its fourth year, provided eight grants of between $260 and $400 for initiatives that have a positive and significant impact on student learning, health and wellness, college and career readiness, community involvement and overall high school experience.

PTSA President Dorothy Atzl said the program was developed “to help teachers implement interesting, innovative programs that would enhance our student’s learning.” 

She said the competitive grant process requires teachers complete an application including a detailed budget, description of the proposed program they want funded, and an outline of its objectives and goals, which is then evaluated by a committee. The eight selected activities represent a diverse cross section of interests. 

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Art Department Chair Nancy Diamond received $400 for Visual Arts Career Day, during which guest speakers will give presentations to art students about their educational experience, anecdotes about breaking into the field and job experience pros and cons. Its objectives are to raise student awareness of creativity as a life skill, job opportunities and career paths in the arts and how training in creativity/arts impacts performance in all careers

Science Teacher Liana Gertzer was awarded $300 for the Clarkstown North Greenhouse Project. Biology students will participate in NOAA’s Climate Stewardship Education Project by designing and building model greenhouses based on research they have done in the classroom.  They will then write a proposal to build a geodesic dome greenhouse or energy efficient building on campus, which could be used to grow food and recycle materials through composting.

A proposal to help students learn to accept others and increase tolerance submitted by Student Assistance Counselor Sue Gold and School Psychologist Carol Napier was selected. They received $400 for a program open to all North students to attend the Broadway show, “Kinky Boots,” which depicts hope while overcoming internal issues. 

School Psychologist Ashley Holzel received $200 for a SAIL End of Year Gathering with alumni speakers. SAIL stands for structure, attitude, individuality and learning and is an alternative educational program at North. SAIL alumni will be invited to attend and share their positive post graduation experiences with current students.

World Language Teacher Cecilia Malon received $400 for French class students to attend Journee de la Francophonie at SUNY Albany. The all day program will include interaction with native speakers, French music and dance, a scavenger hunt, and exposure to French cuisine.  

World Language Teacher Michael Ondich received $400 for American Sign Language students to visit the American School for the Deaf in Hartford, CT. They will tour a museum with displays pertaining to deafness, deaf education, American Sign Language and deaf culture and visit classrooms with teachers of the deaf conducting lessons. 

Alternative Education Teacher Adam Shavitz received $400 for a SAIL trip to the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk, CT. Students will visit the Maritime Aquarium and gain a real world educational experience by seeing first-hand the effects of beach erosion, high and low energy tide waves on the makeup of the shoreline and maritime organisms. 

CHSN International Baccalaureate Coordinator Mary Patella received $260 for an IB Learner Profile mural. Members of the IB Visual Arts Class and Senior IB Diploma candidates will design a mural incorporating the 10 characteristics of the IB learner profile into a colorful montage on an interior wall of the high school.

PTSA Officers Denise Crisci, Dan D’Antoni, Jill Halpern, Michelle Kezner, Bonnie Winograd and Atzl participated in the presentation.