Randolph receives $15,000 donation from the Bosch Community Fund to support sustainability initiatives for all elementary students
RANDOLPH TOWNSHIP, NJ (Morris County) – Randolph Township School District announced they received a $15,000 donation from the Bosch Community Fund to support Randolph’s Wellness and Sustainability program.
The goal of the new project is to provide hands-on STEAM learning for all students K-5. During this time of hybrid instruction, providing practical problem-based learning opportunities is vital for both social emotional learning and overall academic development. This project was designed intentionally to provide all elementary students with direct access to resources at home. Over the next few weeks, the district will be purchasing and distributing garden and art supplies for all students K-5. Students will be able to explore agriculture as well as other interdisciplinary connections from home. The project will connect to real world learning experiences and provide resources for teachers to connect to curriculum.
Supervisor of Elementary Education, Katherine Thorn, served as one of the chairs of this project. She is excited to see the project unfold districtwide. “The Library Media curriculum writing team as well as the second grade science team worked diligently this past summer to connect this project for short-term and long-term learning within STEAM. In addition to teaching all students about sustainability, the gardens will authentically connect to math instruction as it relates to measurement and volume.” Thorn said. “As an opportunity to make real world connections, students will learn about matter, life cycles, erosion, basic needs, and community building. An added goal has been direct art integration. We hope to accomplish this by utilizing observational drawing techniques to document the progression of growth using various types of medium. We are grateful for the Bosch Community Fund’s overwhelming generosity with this project, as well as past projects. Without their support, programs like these couldn’t be possible.”
Randolph received a grant last year totaling $30,000 to expand upon all of these current initiatives to promote more opportunities for students. Director of Elementary Education Danielle Soldivieri is grateful for the partnership the district has had with the Bosch Community Fund. “During these uncertain times, now more than ever we need innovation in teaching and learning. The Bosch Community Fund has consistently been a long-time proponent of sustainability initiatives, and their support has been instrumental in expanding what we are able to offer,” Soldivieri said. “The funding we have received has increased exposure and enthusiasm around cross-curricular opportunities for both our students and staff. We look forward to continuing to offer authentic learning opportunities for all students in STEAM despite teaching under a hybrid learning model. We cannot thank the Bosch Community Fund enough for their generosity.”
“We’re proud to support the Randolph Township School district and its continued dedication to providing exceptional learning experiences and implementing innovative approaches to education,” said Kathleen Owsley, President of the Bosch Community Fund. “The funding will give more students access to hands-on STEAM learning, critical understanding of various agriculture topics as well as resources to advance their academic experience.”
The district anticipates the project will roll out K-5 prior to the Thanksgiving holiday.
The Bosch Community Fund is the corporate foundation for Bosch in North America. The Fund has awarded more than $32 million in grants to various 501(c)(3) organizations and educational institutions in over 45 Bosch site locations. Established in 2011, the Bosch Community Fund focuses primarily on the enrichment of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education, the advancement of environmental sustainability initiatives and eco+STEM, a cross-section of the two.
