Tag: #ESFInTheNews

In the 2025-26 academic year the Edgemont School Foundation granted funds to both the Seely and Greenville 6th grade science curriculums to purchase LEGO Science Kits to enhance their classrooms. Please read below what Mrs. Adams and Mrs. Lugo had to say about the kits and enjoy pictures from Seely Place students working with them.

“I am very grateful to have received the grant to be able to purchase the LEGO Education Science Kits. They have truly enhanced the science curriculum. They have created hands-on experiences for topics that would not have normally had them in the classroom. For example, when we were learning about tectonic plates, we also discussed earthquakes. Through the Lego kits, the students were able to create an earthquake simulator with a warning system. They then had to reimagine a better warning system, create it, and then explain the improvements they made. This encourages cooperative work, outside the box thinking, and engineering skills, all packaged in a fun Lego experience. We have also completed “Game of Goals” to enhance our Cardboard Carnival experience and “Windy City” to go with our weather unit. I am hoping to get one more in for our Environmental Science Unit called “Save the Salmon.” – Mrs. Adams (Greenville)

“We did three activities with the Lego Science Education Kits this year: Shake Signals (earth science), Windy City (weather), and Save the Salmon (environment). The students followed the directions to create a LEGO build and then had to use engineering to solve a real-world problem. Several students said that the LEGO activities were their favorite part of science this year when we were reminiscing on their time in 6th grade science. Thanks so much for your help with this initiative! Because of its success, I was able to get LEGO Science Education Kits for grades K-5 for STEAM next year.” – Mrs. Lugo (Seely Place)

Please support the ESF with a donation now.

The Edgemont School Foundation is excited to announce that along with the four EHS math classrooms we committed to funding last summer, ESF is now able to fund two additional math classrooms that will be outfitted in the same innovative fashion. All six classrooms will be turned into Math Thinking Labs with flexible seating, movable desks, and rolling whiteboards that will allow students to collaborate more and stay continuously engaged. 

Please support ESF so that we may continue to support our students!

On Wednesday, September 10th, the Edgemont School Foundation (ESF) hosted a ribbon cutting event in the newly renovated and upgraded EHS auditorium for district families and community members. Please enjoy photos from the event and if able, donate to help support future efforts.

The Edgemont School Foundation is proud to have funded a standing desk pilot program in Ms. Lim’s 2nd grade classroom at Seely Place.

Ms. Lim outlines how she plans to incorporate the standing desks in her classroom: “We are using them to create small partnership or group work areas. At the start of independent work, students check in with how they are feeling and have the opportunity to request a standing desk. We maintain a daily checklist to track which students have used the desks, as part of our flexible seating options.

Since we began using the standing desks, we’ve noticed significant improvements in both handwriting quality and overall focus. Students seem more engaged with their work, and the flexibility of the standing desks appears to support their learning and concentration. Students have also taken ownership of their learning and understanding their needs.”

The students have noted the benefits from the new desks as well, stating: “They make me have better handwriting” and “It helps me come closer to the board and see the board better. I am able to focus better.” 

Please help us continue to fund projects like this by donating. DONATE HERE!

The state provides aid under a number of categories, but by far the most important and material bucket is Foundation Aid. The state’s allocations of Foundation Aid to school districts is intended to ensure that all districts in the state have the necessary resources to ensure all students receive a “sound basic education” as required by the state constitution. The formula for calculating Foundation Aid is overly complex; however, what is important to note that the two primary drivers of the differences in aid received amongst schools are: 

1. Expected Minimum Local Contribution (i.e., the relative wealth of the community), based on a computed tax rate or local share formula that utilizes an income wealth index and a local tax factor. 
2. Total Aidable Foundation Pupil Units (i.e., enrollment).

In short, the higher the income wealth index the lower the proportional share of the Foundation Aid pot. Conversely, the lower the enrollment, the lower the proportional share of the Foundation Aid pot. Edgemont has a high income wealth index and a mid to low enrollment total. As a result, we receive less aid than neighboring districts who rate differently on these metrics. 

Up through the 2023-24 academic year, we saw an increase in the percentage of our revenue budget stemming from state aid. Namely, an increase from 6% of the budget in 2014-15 to 12% of the budget in 2023-24. This is most closely attributed to the state’s commitment to fully fund districts based on the approved Foundation Aid formula. As a result, we saw a 56% increase in our Foundation Aid allocations in two years. That was the last significant increase as we are now “fully funded.” As you can see from the table below, we have now dropped to 10% of our yearly operating budget coming from state aid.

Year	Budget	Foundation Aid	Total State Aid	Aid as % of Budget
2026	$ 73, 994,549	$ 5,040,231	$ 7,642,718	10%
2025	$ 72,118,709	$ 4,941,403	$ 7,319,762	10%
2024	$          69,374,373	$      4,869,652	$      8,076,495	12%
2023	$          67,026,024	$      3,541,218	$      6,587,323	10%
2022	$          65,251,389	$      2,546,644	$      5,163,310	8%
2021	$          63,616,332	$      2,103,877	$      4,563,118	7%
2020	$          61,048,737	$      2,104,103	$      4,378,532	7%
2019	$          59,129,371	$      2,078,729	$      4,571,279	8%
2018	$          57,092,835	$      2,028,138	$      4,479,340	8%
2017	$          55,512,470	$      1,960,263	$      4,059,081	7%
2016	$          54,104,349	$      1,960,259	$      3,669,817	7%
2015	$          53,149,102	$      1,944,439	$      3,354,471	6%

Neighboring districts like Ardsley, White Plains, Hastings, and Elmsford receive between 14% and 17.2% of their budget from State Aid. Every dollar counts!

http://WWW.EDGEMONTSCHOOLFOUNDATION.ORG/DONATE

DONATE TODAY!