The York Education Foundation is pleased to announce the award of 12 grants totaling $21,125 for the 2025/26 school year with 2 grants at VES, 2 at CRES, 5 at YMS, 2 at YHS and 1 for Adult Education.

Adaptive Recorders, Sarajane St. John, Music Teacher, CRES:  Purchase 15 NUVO Recorder + recorders for 3rd and 4th grade music students who find traditional recorders inaccessible.

Sewing with 5th Graders, Suzi Young, 5th grade teacher, YMS:  Purchase sewing supplies for all 5th grade classes to teach sewing and embroidery as part of the Living History Program.

Conversemos, Sarah Bolaños, World Language Dept. Chair, YHS:  150 subscriptions to Speakable, an on-line language learning platform leveraging AI in student instruction and assessment.

Learning in Motion, Amanda Benoit, School Counselor, VES: Following research which indicates that movement facilitates learning in children, her plan is to provide 2 kid sized stationary bikes to be available for Pre-K to Grade 2.

Collaborative Learning & Social Skills (CLASS), Lynn Sheehan, Executive Secretary, YMS:  An effort to provide an environment for  developmentally delayed adults to feel a sense of community, foster their independence, and reduce isolation.

Class Economy, Beth Knight, 6th Grade ELA Teacher, YMS:  An effort to teach students life skills through a virtual class economy run through a website called Class Bank where students earn and spend digital money.

First Green Program, Linda Nichols, Biology Teacher, YHS:  Participation in a hands-on outreach education program through the Golf Course Superintendents Association where students study biology and sustainability.

Advisory Resources for Student Growth, Nancy Lindbom, 7th grade teacher, YMS: This project is focused on developing a full year structured curriculum for the Puma team to promote team building, social-emotional well being and student engagement.

Wicked Good Wildcats Positive Behavior, Kevin Etter, Teacher, YMS:  Strengthen this on-going and successful behavior improvement project by reinforcing positive behavior beyond mere recognition.

Adaptive Resources to Improve Classroom Behavior, Kate Cervenka, Ed Tech, CRES: Improve concentration and engagement, and decrease disruptive behavior with adaptive seating allowing teachers to re-direct children that are unable to focus.

Maple Syrup Project, Michael Harris, Principal, CRES: Create a multi-year “Coastal Ridge Maple Sugaring Program” experiential learning opportunity centered around the traditional practice of maple sugaring.

THESE YEF GRANTS TOTALING $21,125 BRING OUR TOTAL HISTORICAL GIFTS TO $318,000… AND WE ARE JUST GETTING STARTED!