The Mamaroneck Schools Foundation is pleased to present the following 2025-26 slate of 10 teacher grants for total funding of $188,597 to the Board of Education.

Weather Station
Grantees: Stefano Cascapera and Jessica Gordon
School: Hommocks Middle School
This grant will fund the purchase of a Vantage Pro2 #6263 Weather Station by Davis Instruments. This “Next Generation” Science equipment will allow Hommocks’ students to engage with and analyze real-time weather data, integrating hands-on learning into the classroom while promoting environmental awareness and scientific inquiry.

HMX Poster Machine Maker
Grantees: Aaron Axelson and Natalie Diamond
School: Hommocks Middle School
This grant will fund a Poster Maker, which will help create visual aids and enhance learning, as well as support students by engaging in multiple learning styles and build a community environment. By having an in-house poster maker that both teachers and students can utilize, hallways and classrooms can be filled with beautiful images that communicate important information and inspirational messages.
*This grant is funded by the The Jatin and Bharti Shah Family Foundation.

Grit Ninja
Grantees: Amanda Babcock and Robert Rinaldi
School: Murray Avenue School
Students at Murray Avenue School will have a real-life Ninja Warrior experience through Grit Ninja, a service provider of ninja warrior programming throughout Westchester County. The program goal is to help students step out of their comfort zones, set achievable goals and build resilience and grit. The project promotes fitness, problem-solving and a growth mindset while providing an alternative to traditional sports. It aims to inspire confidence and perseverance. Grit Ninja coaches will share personal stories of success, failure, and perseverance and support students as they tackle a variety of obstacles like the warped wall, rings, monkey bars, and balance challenges. The program will take place over two days to allow for all students to participate.

AAC Playground Communication Boards
Grantees: Ann Rushe, Aleeza Cohen, Lauren Scharfstein, Kim Hickey, Ashley Huvane
School: All Elementary Schools
This grant provides playground communication boards to each of the district’s four elementary schools. Each board will display picture icons similar to the ones used on student communication devices and will include words in both English and Spanish. The communication boards are designed to support the language development and social interaction of students while on the playground. The boards will help address receptive and expressive communication needs and facilitate socialization for students with limited language development.
*This grant is funded by the The Jatin and Bharti Shah Family Foundation.

Music Belongs to Everyone
Grantees: Nikolas Seger and Erica Zimmerman
School: All Elementary Schools
All four elementary schools will receive adaptive music instruments to help students with diverse needs participate in the district’s music curriculum. Adaptive and varied instruments are crucial to serving students who may experience a range of physical limitations, helping them experience the joy of listening to and creating music with their classmates.
*This grant is funded by the The Jatin and Bharti Shah Family Foundation.

Murray Avenue School Auditorium Upgrade
Grantees: Matt Porricelli
School: Murray Avenue School
This grant kickstarts the planning of a larger renovation of the Murray Avenue auditorium. The grant will fund initial stages including schematic designs, construction plans, building consultations and regulatory approvals. With these plans and approvals in place, Murray Avenue school can begin fundraising for the much-needed renovation, which will enhance the school’s concerts, plays, and community events for years to come.

Literary Magazine at MAS
Grantees: Shreya Mehta and Sandra Zadrima
School: Mamaroneck Avenue School
A literary magazine will be developed and printed for the Mamaroneck Avenue School community. The magazine will feature written submissions from grades 2-5 and artwork from grades K-5. Submissions will be collected through teacher selections as well as student submissions. It will include current events articles written by fourth and fifth graders. A committee of student volunteers will select the featured works. The project aims to boost students' confidence and self-esteem by showcasing their writing and artwork. Goals for the program include fostering a love of writing and reading, inspiring creativity and encouraging students to express themselves.

Tigers Together Day
Grantees: Lauren Scharfstein and Keila Brigandi Reyes
Schools: All Elementary Schools, Hommocks Middle School
All fifth graders will join together for a day of collaborative team building activities meant to improve and support their transition to the Hommocks Middle School. The grant covers all program related costs, consisting of consulting services from Next Level Camps who will lead the Tigers Together program, travel related expenses to bring all four elementary schools together and merchandise / signage to support the event. The program will be engaging, inclusive and tailored to the needs of this age group. The overall objective of this program is for the incoming 6th grade class to build relationships across schools before entering Hommocks Middle School.
*This grant is funded by the The Jatin and Bharti Shah Family Foundation.

Hommocks on Stage: Building Brighter Performances
Grantees: Rachel Heyman and Kate Stocker
School: Hommocks Middle School
This grant will enhance and improve the Hommocks Middle School auditorium through a variety of upgrades. The grant provides for a wireless intercom system to improve backstage communication during all performances, new professional-grade dance floor, new platforms to level staging so that all students are visible when performing in large groups and upgraded lighting equipment to improve the visual quality of all performances.
*This grant is partially funded by the Barbara Bennett-Rones Memorial Endowment.

Beyond the Page: Life Lessons from Rex Ogle
Grantees: Kelsey Cohen and Tabitha Colon
School: Hommocks Middle School
Rex Ogle, an award-winning author, will visit Hommocks in September 2025. His memoirs, which include Free Lunch, Punching Bag, and Four Eyes, have been widely read and recommended by Hommocks students and teachers. During his presentations to all three grades, he will discuss his books and how personal stories offer a powerful way to help readers understand themselves and the world.