Transforming Lives Through Catholic Education

February 2024 E-Newsletter

7th Annual Innovation & Leadership

Grants Award Reception

Thursday, February 1, 2024

Sacred Heart University's Discovery Science Center and Planetarium

“Celebrating innovative spirit, creativity, and imagination

is very much at the heart of what you and I do as Catholic educators,

but the leadership part really rests with you!

While the beneficiaries tonight are our young people,

I want to say thank you to all of you for the wonderful, faithful, creative,

and imaginative educators that you are!"

-Most Reverend Frank J. Caggiano

Foundations in Education is pleased to announce more than $150,000 in grants

awarded to educators in Diocese of Bridgeport Catholic schools

for twenty-seven projects, with award amounts ranging from $1,102 to $13,000.

In its 7th year, this competitive program was the first of its kind in the Diocese of Bridgeport to offer innovation and leadership grants to teachers and administrators.

Featured Exhibits

Former Awardee, Beth Cherico, showcased her grant "Let's Fly-Drone Technology," currently being implemented at St. James School in Stratford.

Former Awardee, Dr. Stephanie Rugg, showcased her grant, "Measuring pH & Spectrophotometry" currently being implemented at Immaculate High School in Danbury.

Our event sponsor,

Milestone C, showcased their classroom program offerings in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence, Engineering and Software and Drones and Aviation.

Promoting Innovation & Leadership

click here for more photos

Grants Made Possible

by Foundations in Education

Board of Trustees

from left to right: Henry Rondon, George Coleman, Bishop Frank Caggiano, Holly Doherty-Lemoine, Thomas McInerney (Chair), Sr. Mary Grace Walsh, Michele Mitola, Anne McCrory, Michael Hanlon, and Joe Purcell

trustees not in photo: David Cappiello, Lisa Ferraro Martino, Timothy FitzPatrick, Leslie Lopez, Andrea Maldon, Thomas McDevitt, Dr. Julia McNamara, Joseph Rahtelli, Geoffrey Raker, Bernard Reidy, Allison Reiling, Barbara Ripp, Jennifer St. Victor-de Pinho, and Paula Summa

Grants Committee

from left to right: Henry Rondon, Theresa Sciallo, Sr. Mary Grace Walsh, Fraser Randolph, Holly Doherty-Lemoine, and George Coleman

committee members not in photo: Dr. Julia McNamara (Chair), Paula Summa, and Alan Barnicle (ex-officio)

Donors

“Our donors make this program possible and thanks to their generous support,

we are able to help strengthen and transform Catholic education through these grants.”

-Holly Doherty-Lemoine, CFRE - Executive Director

2024-2025 Innovation & Leadership Grants

All Saints Catholic School, Norwalk

Engineers for Tomorrow Creative Classroom by Xavier Guzman $6,000

Lego Spike Essential & Prime by Chanda Goodwin $4,102

Assumption Catholic School, Fairfield

Lego Spike Essential by Jennifer Geaney and Kathy Andrade $4,102

Catholic Academy of Bridgeport-St. Augustine Academy

Drones by Peaches Bernard $6,500

Promoting Hands-On Learning in Middle School Science Classroom by Jennifer Mozdzer $1,919

Cardinal Kung Academy, Stamford

Lego Spike Prime by Grace Connelly and Regan Bradley $5,062

Greenwich Catholic School

Lego Spike Essential by William Thomas $4,102

Holy Trinity Catholic Academy, Shelton

Lego Spike Prime by Brian O'Neill $5,062

St. Gregory the Great School, Danbury

Innovation Zone 2.0: Better and Faster Equals More Fun and Learning! by Teresa Lazzara $8,350

Lego Spike Prime by Emily Jennings $5,062

St. James School, Stratford

Arts for Everyone by Alexander Constantine $4,124

Lego Spike Essential by Tracey Broderick $4,102

St. Joseph High School, Trumbull

Advanced Flight Tech Gear Package by Coleman Daley $5,486

Biotechnology-Biomedical Pathway Development by Lucas Fatsy $7,500

Spectroscopy in the 21st Century by Tim Tallcouch $5,000

Transforming Science Education to Meet Needs of the 21st Century by E. George Marrash $7,302

Vex Robotics: Advanced Vex Robotics & Engineering by Daniel McDonagh $6,178

St. Joseph School, Danbury

Time Travel by Dr. Louis F. Howe, Jr. $10,000

St. Mark School, Stratford

Lego Spike Essential by Sarah Carrano and Alexander Kennedy $4,102

St. Mary School, Bethel

Interacting within the Classroom by Scott Smith $13,000

World Language and Cultures Program Improvement by Sarah E. Herring $1,400

Young Scientist Fun by Rose Schlemmer $1,102

St. Mary School, Ridgefield

PreK Outdoor Sensory Play Center by Carolyn Swan, Jennifer Santangelo, Tricia Misurelli, Taylor Sechi, and Cathleen Curtin $7,500

St. Rose of Lima School, Newtown

Lego Spike Prime by Gina Quinn $5,062

Pottery for People in Need by Meagan Ferriter $2,830

St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School, Fairfield

Lego Spike Prime by Paul Piorek $5,062

Visualizing the Future of Education with Virtual Reality by Marybeth Pirrie $10,000

Click here for slide show of all 24-25 Grant Projects.

Click here to read full press release.

Foundations in Education Inc. is committed to strengthen and transform the mission of Catholic education in the Diocese of Bridgeport by providing tuition assistance to families in need and supporting innovation in academic programs and fostering opportunities for the professional development of school leaders.

Foundations in Education | 203.416.1405 | www.foundationsineducation.org