“We were thrilled with the success of the benefit,” commented CSF
President Leslie Pechman Koch. “Despite these difficult times,
Chappaqua rallied behind us. Our work – the grants we make to the
schools – would not be possible without the support of this generous
community, and we are deeply grateful. CSF is truly a community
endeavor, and the funding that we are able to provide to the district
will only become more critical as school budgets continue to face
challenges during these uncertain times.”
Individuals and local businesses alike came out in support of the
schools. Corporate sponsors included Houlihan Lawrence, Sotheby’s
International Realty, The Westchester Bank and ICD Contemporary
Jewelry, and the highest bids at the silent auction were for dinners
generously donated by Crabtree’s Kittle House.
CSF to fund all new technology for the district in 2009-2010
Having approved funding in April for more than $200,000 in grants for
the coming school year, the mood of the evening was celebratory. CSF
has now funded $1 million in grants since its founding in 1993. Grants
awarded for the coming year include a piano lab at Greeley; a
composting program at Bell; a community garden at Seven Bridges that
will be similar in design and function to the highly successful one
funded last year at Bell; retractable basketball backboards for the gym
at Grafflin; new multimedia equipment for Westorchard’s cafetorium; and
a new arts program at Roaring Brook to be done in collaboration with
Lincoln Center.
Perhaps most significantly, CSF is funding all of the new technology
for the district for the upcoming school year. According to Koch, “CSF
cannot fund teacher salaries or benefits, nor can we fund
transportation. But where we can have a significant impact is in
technology, for which zero new investments were made this year by the
district. In addition, with community support, we are able to continue
to fund many of the excellent ideas generated by our teachers and
administrators.”
The district is extremely appreciative of CSF’s past and currents
contributions to the schools. Director of Technology Darleen Nicolosi
commented, “Thanks to our partnership with CSF, the district has been
able to sustain the continued growth of emerging technologies
throughout the K-12 curriculum. We look forward to continuing the
systemic implementation of various technological innovations, including
SMART boards and documents cameras, which offer exciting new ways to
deliver instruction.”
Peter Applebome honored by CSF
At the benefit, the 2009 “It Takes a Village” Award was presented to
Peter Applebome, Chappaqua resident and “Our Towns” columnist for The New York Times.
Applebome was pleased to be honored by CSF. “When I first came to
Chappaqua I was struck by two things – the physical beauty of the place
and how wonderful and important the schools were,” he explained. “And
having seen both of my kids go through the Chappaqua schools, I still
feel that way and salute the people with CSF and elsewhere who work so
hard to make sure subsequent generations of kids in Chappaqua are just
as lucky as mine.”
In addition to friendly competition on the racetrack and at the silent
auction tables, the evening included a showcase of recently funded
grants presented by teachers and their students, including SMART
boards, printmaking, robotics and the learning and growing garden.
