Awarded Grants

"Printmaking Presentations and Workshop"
Grant amount: $930
Number of students impacted: 29

A master printmaker, Pamela Drix, will come to South Seneca High School for two days to do two presentations. The first presentation will focus on her career as an artist and printmaker and present samples of her works. The second presentation will include an introduction to the Ink Shop, a professional printmaking studio and gallery in Ithaca, and a demonstration of Gum Transfer printing. After follow-up discussions and preparation, students will take a field trip to the Ink Shop for a hands-on workshop in Gum Transfer printing, conducted by master printmakers Pamela Drix and Christa Wolf, and to view the fine art prints on display in the gallery.


"Student Selections at the South Seneca Media Center"
Grant amount: $3,339.17
Number of students impacted: 15 media club members/540 students

This grant proposal is for funding to create a collection of books for the media center that have been selected by students of South Seneca Middle and High School. This will be a huge asset to our collection as the current collection has been created and maintained with the goal of supporting the curriculum of the district. While these new books will do the same, they will be student focused with the intent of increasing student interest in recreational reading and lifelong learning. The books will be student selected and student purchased while being labeled with the recommending student as well as local funding information. The books will be marketed using student book talks, online student reviews and bulletin board displays, as well being displayed in a special shelving location in the Media Center that will highlight this collection. Media club members will be trained in the professional process of selecting books, displaying them, and marketing to their audience.


"South Seneca Central and Holland Christian Schools Marching Band Exchange"
Grant amount: $9,825
Number of students impacted: 95

In South Seneca Central Schools, 85% of the 4th, 5th, and 6th graders participate in the band programs. Many students have rarely traveled outside NY or seen other school bands perform. Last year when the Holland Christian School Band visited South Seneca from Michigan, a music-learning exchange began. The South Seneca Elementary Marching Band has been invited to participate in the Tulip Time Kinder Parade in Holland, MI. In this proposal we seek funding to honor the invitation from the Holland Christian School and to continue this beneficial music-learning exchange. One of the main objectives of this project is to teach students that music is a universal language. Another objective is to make it possible for South Seneca students to be able to observe and learn from other marching band students. Participation in instrumental music contributes to improved standardized test scores, higher student retention and attendance. In addition to these lifelong benefits, this marching band exchange offers mentoring between the two schools’ students and the opportunity to perform for over 30,000 people, building self-esteem and pride in their accomplishments.


“Does Race Exist?”
Grant amount: $1,000
Number of students impacted: 75

A study of race through biological, historical, and societal perspectives in a science classroom; students will analyze the concept of race and its impact on science. Experts will come to discuss and interact with students on the topic of evolution and race. Students will analyze various skeletal remains and utilize forensic techniques to determine, sex, height, race (?) and approximate age of each skeleton. The funds were used to purchase skeletal remains and supplies for this unit of study.


“Know the wildlife, aquatics, forests and soils of NYS”
Grant amount: $1,000
Number of students impacted: 15

Envirothon is an extra-curricular activity offered to South Seneca Central School students 9-12. There is no budget for this activity and consequently few materials to create a real hands-on/ inquiry based learning experience. The curriculum is designed to get students to appreciate and understand the importance of human impact on the environment. Funds were used to purchase supplies for hands-on activities in soil studies, water quality testing, and identification of various fauna and flora.