Transforming Lives Through Catholic Education

February 2023 E-Newsletter

“Our Catholic Schools are experiencing a renaissance - as evident

by our increase in enrollment. Much of that has been seeded

by Foundations in Education's Innovation and Leadership Grant program

and most especially by our teachers.

It is teachers like you that inspire students’ learning

and I am deeply grateful to all of you for participating in this program

and for implementing these great projects.”

-Most Reverend Frank J. Caggiano

6th Annual Innovation & Leadership

Grants Award Reception

Thursday, February 2, 2023

Sacred Heart University's Discovery Science Center and Planetarium

Foundations in Education is pleased to announce more than $120,000 in grants

awarded to educators in the Catholic schools in the Diocese of Bridgeport

for twenty-one projects, with award amounts ranging from $817 to $15,000.

In its 6th year, this competitive program was the first of its kind in the Diocese of Bridgeport to offer innovation and leadership grants to teachers and administrators.

Featured Exhibits

Former Awardee, Donna Rahtelli, showcased her grant, "Scientific Wonders in Kindergarten," currently being implemented at St. Rose of Lima in Newtown.

Former Awardee, Laura Grover, showcased her grant "Computer-Aided Design: Empowering the Future of STEM," currently being implemented at Kolbe Cathedral High School in Bridgeport.

Our event sponsor,

Milestone C, showcased their classroom program offerings in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence, Engineering and Software and Drones and Aviation.

Promoting Innovation & Leadership

click here for more photos

Grants Made Possible

by Foundations in Education

Board of Trustees

Trustees include Thomas McInerney (Chair), David Cappiello, George Coleman, Lisa Ferraro Martino, Timothy FitzPatrick, Michael Hanlon, Leslie Lopez, Andrea Maldon, Anne McCrory, Thomas McDevitt, Dr. Julia McNamara, Michele Mitola, Joseph Purcell, Geoffrey Raker, Bernard Reidy, Barbara Ripp, Henry Rondon, Jennifer St. Victor-de Pinho, Paula Summa, Sr. Mary Grace Walsh, and Holly Doherty-Lemoine.

Grants Committee

Committee includes Dr. Julia McNamara (Chair), Sr. Mary Grace Walsh, George Coleman, Fraser Randolph, Henry Rondon, Paula Summa, Holly Doherty-Lemoine and ex-officio members, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Steven Cheeseman and Director of Innovation and Instructional Improvement Alan Barnicle.

Donors

“Our donors make this program possible and thanks to their generous support,

we are able to help strengthen and transform Catholic education through these grants.”

-Holly Doherty-Lemoine, Executive Director

2023-2024 Innovation & Leadership Grants

All Saints Catholic School, Norwalk:

It’s Not Just Crayons! Innovation In The Art Room by Katherine Tarczali $7,500

Stem Pilot Training by Eileen D'Andrea $15,000

Tools For Students With Special Needs by Margaret Farrington $6,000

Assumption Catholic School, Fairfield:

Sphero Upgrade by Deb Shea $1,690

Catholic Academy of Bridgeport-St. Ann Academy:

Shaping Future Stem Leaders by Patricia Griffin & Lenise Veenhuis $14,610

Holy Trinity Catholic Academy, Shelton:

Kickin' It With Karaoke by Carmine Rita & Steven Cheeseman $870

Sew Much Fun by Kristina DeSimone $1,742

Immaculate High School, Danbury:

Measuring pH & Spectrophotometry In College-Level Labs by Stephanie Rugg $5,551

Kolbe Cathedral High School, Bridgeport:

Elevating Mathematics Efficiency by Richard Crocco $12,500

Notre Dame High School, Fairfield:

Choice & Voice: Creating A Student-Centered Literary Learning Environment by Joanna Cipriano $3,000

Notre Dame Model United Nations by Charles Rockett $3,000

St. Catherine Academy, Fairfield:

How Does Your Garden Grow: Garden Boxes by Jim Winebrenner $1,242

St. James School, Stratford:

Let's Fly! Drone Technology For Maker Space by Beth Cherico $5,598

St. Joseph High School, Trumbull:

3D Printers-Designs Come To Life by Matthew Kavulich $2,560

Cybersecurity and The Internet Of Things by David Lasecki & Brian Gavin $2,204

Drone Technology And Operation by David Lasecki $7,950

St. Joseph School, Danbury:

Cut It Out! by Joanna Vill $1,600

St. Mark School, Stratford:

VR Headsets: Using Technology To Travel Through Space and Time by Matthew Bonito $11,076

St. Mary School, Ridgefield:

See Little From Afar by Melissa Kennedy $817

SMS Elementary Has Smarts by Rachel Ambrosio and Amy Dowding $7,500

St. Theresa School, Trumbull:

Instruments Are Instrumental In Music Education by Michelle Durkos $9,000

Click here for slide show of all 23-24 Grant Projects.

Click here to read full press release.

We reached 600 followers on LinkedIn!

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Foundations in Education is committed to strengthen and transform the mission of Catholic education

in the Diocese of Bridgeport by supporting innovation in academic and extra-curriculum programs, fostering opportunities for the professional development of school leaders in innovation and leadership

and providing tuition assistance to families in need.

Foundations in Education | 203.416.1405 | www.foundationsineducation.org