$255K Allocated For Academic Initiatives In Morris School District

MORRISTOWN, NJ — The Morris Educational Foundation (MEF) has announced over $250,000 in grants and programs for the 2023–2024 school year, enhancing support for students, teachers and the entire Morris School District community.

For over 30 years, the MEF has partnered with the Morris School District to foster creative teaching, support student development and strengthen community-school connections. In addition, the foundation has provided financial resources and student scholarships.

This year, the non-profit partnered with the district to secure funding for a range of academic, enrichment and social-emotional wellness initiatives not covered by the school budget or tax dollars.

“The MEF strives to meet the Morris School District students’ needs throughout their educational journey from pre-K through high school,” said Ann Rhines, Morris Educational Foundation grant chair, former teacher and member of the Morris School District Board of Education.

The MEF invested in several key areas: $72,000 for athletics, $60,000 for the arts, $38,000 for literacy, $22,000 for social and emotional programs, $38,000 for STEM and $25,000 for staff professional development.

These funds backed staff-requested resources, donor-designated grants, and initiatives aimed at enriching the curriculum, boosting self-esteem, enhancing enrichment opportunities and providing parent support.

By supporting these programs, the MEF said they are fueling educational innovation and deepening the partnership between schools and the community, thereby cultivating a culture of lifelong learning.

Throughout the 2023–2024 school year, 31 grants were awarded, benefiting all 5,700 students across the ten schools in the district.

These grants funded a wide array of academic and enrichment activities, as shown in the following examples:

Cultural Arts Annual Funding

Grants were provided to all ten Morris School District schools to support cultural arts programming, encouraging the exploration of creativity.

Fifth Grade Author Visit

Funding from a private donor supported an author talk and visit from New York Times bestselling author Wendy Mass. All 5th-grade students attended the assembly and received a signed copy of her book, "BOB," which they read in class.

Mosaic Project

The FMS eighth-grade class undertook the Class of 2024 Mosaic Legacy Project, where students learned about the mosaic process and collaborated on a design to create a piece that reflects the spirit of the FMS house community.

Athletic Gallery of Honor

The Athletic Gallery of Honor hallway at Morristown High School (MHS) was renovated to include vinyl wall coverings, new lighted display cases, and reframed images showcasing the history and achievements of MHS student-athletes. This decade-long vision was brought to life thanks to a leadership gift from the Goryeb family and contributions from alumni and families.

"Thanks to generous donor support and community partners, the MEF was able to provide resources to fund a variety of programs and experiences both inside and outside the classroom," Rhines added. "As the new school year begins, we look forward to supporting more opportunities to help our district community learn, grow, and thrive."