June 2025

By Philippa Freeman, VP, Public Relations, The Bronxville School Foundation

June 11, 2025:  This year, the Bronxville School Foundation proudly distributed $368,334 in grants aimed at enhancing the educational experience for students from kindergarten through twelfth grade. The funding, generated through a variety of community-driven efforts, supports a wide range of initiatives designed to foster growth, innovation, and learning across the school.

Grant proposals came from a diverse group of the Bronxville School community, including teachers, administrators, parents, coaches, and students. The initiatives funded through these grants are closely aligned with the vision of The Bronxville Promise and include projects that enhance classroom facilities, develop new curriculum, and provide vital professional development. Health and wellness initiatives and new equipment also received significant support this year.

In 2025, the Foundation benefited from the generosity of donors from the Bronxville School and its community, who contributed to the Community Drive. In addition, many supporters contributed to the Alumni Drive, Katie’s Run, and designated funds for areas like Athletics, Elementary School ELA, Performing Arts, History, Science, and Special Education. The Foundation has received nearly $400,000 in Community Drive contributions this year.

Bronxville High School Junior, Quinn Hershberg, was among the students who applied for a Foundation grant.  “Thanks to the generosity of all of our donors, I was able to request a grant that will greatly help the students at Bronxville,” said Hershberg.  “Community donors enabled me to notice a need and take action that wouldn’t have been possible without them.”

Another highlight of the year was the launch of the Technology Innovation Fund at the Winter Fête in January, which alone raised over $900,000! Its success will help launch a variety of technology innovation projects, which will position the school for long-term success and foster a cutting-edge and forward-thinking educational environment where Bronxville students are empowered to become the innovators and leaders of tomorrow. 

Anabella Davis, Vice President of Grants for the Foundation, shared her appreciation, saying, “We are incredibly fortunate to be part of a school community that includes supportive parents, dedicated teachers, and engaged administrators. Their collaborative efforts ensure that the Bronxville Promise thrives. The Foundation is deeply grateful for the continued generosity of our donors, whose contributions have made it possible for us to fund 37 grants this year, totaling $368,334. These grants support a variety of important projects, from the Curriculum Redesign in the Age of A.I.to the Presentation Skills Workshop, and from Elementary School Playground Equipment to Architectural Designs for the E.S. Design Lab. The breadth of these initiatives demonstrates the diversity of ideas and needs within our community, and we are thrilled to see them come to life.”

Wendy Fahy, Chair of the Foundation, also noted, “Since its founding, the Bronxville School Foundation has provided more than $13.7 million in funding, impacting every student in the district. This year’s grants include Data Enhanced Science Learning Tools, Reading Comprehension Texts, a 2nd Grade Innovative Summit, and a Music Enrichment Program. We are truly thankful to our donors and grant writers for their ongoing support, which continues to enrich the tradition of excellence that defines the Bronxville School.”

Following is a complete list of the approved grants for the 2024-2025 school year:

Program and Curriculum Development

Artificial Intelligence Courses in High School

Artificial Intelligence Curriculum Mapping Across District

Civil Discourse Curriculum Design & Updates

Curriculum Redesign in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

Equine Assisted Learning for Special Education – Phase 2

Orchestra & Ear Training Software

Picture House Guest Speakers for High School Film Club & Bronco TV

Presentation Skills Workshop for Grades 9-10

Service Learning and the Heart of the Promise

Student Led Mini Electives

Wall Street Prep Training

Facilities

Air Conditioning for Weight & Cardio Rooms

Architectural Designs for K-5 Stem/Design Lab

Architectural Designs for Elementary School Curiosity Lab & Learning Commons

Elementary School Playground Equipment

Flexible Seating for First Grade Classrooms

Equipment and Materials

Basketball Scorers Table

Brain Boxes

Bronco TV Studio Audio Recording Package & Consultant

Bronxville Promise Logos for Display Cases

Data-Enhanced Science Learning Tools

ETBE Hockey Goaltending Shooter Tutor

Reading Comprehension Texts

SNO Site High School Newspaper Website

Tigeraire Football Cyclone V2 Helmet Fans

Veterans Book for Middle Schoolers

Professional Development

American Association Conference for Spanish & Portuguese Teachers

Conference for Post-Secondary Education Opportunities for Students with Disabilities

Foundation for Critical Thinking Professional Development

Innovative School Summit for Second Grade

Institute for Curriculum Services Workshop

National Art Education Assn Convention

National Convention for Teachers of English

National Science Teacher Assn Conference

Health & Wellness

Automated External Defibrillators

Elementary School Wellness Dog – The Giving Retriever

Mental Performance Coach for Athletes

Pictured: Elementary School students using imagination blocks at recess, courtesy of a Foundation grant.

By Philippa Freeman, Public Relations, Bronxville School Foundation

May 14, 2025: Earlier this year, the Bronxville School Foundation proudly announced the launch of its new Technology Innovation Fund, a dedicated initiative to position the Bronxville School at the forefront of technology integration in education. Officially unveiled during the Foundation’s Winter Fête, the Technology Innovation Fund (the “Tech Fund”) is designed to help the school adapt to the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence, digital learning, and technological advancement—while supporting the social and emotional well-being of students navigating this complex landscape.

The Tech Fund was spearheaded by the Foundation’s Development Chair, Anthony Civale, who, in collaboration with school leadership, laid the groundwork for the fund in the months leading up to the Winter Fête. In advance of the launch, twenty generous Bronxville families seeded the fund, and others joined in with enthusiastic contributions at the Winter Fete. To date, the Tech Fund has raised approximately $900,000—an inspiring start to what is expected to be a transformative initiative for the school community.

“We all know in our own lives how rapidly technology has been advancing,” said Civale. “At the same time, we as parents are navigating a complex time—technology is a powerful tool, but also a potential blocker of human connection and a contributor to social media-related mental health concerns. Getting it right has never been more important for the readiness, competitiveness, and safety of our kids.”

The aim of the Tech Fund is not to increase students’ screen time, but rather to ensure that existing and emerging technologies are used strategically, responsibly, and creatively across all grade levels and subject areas. The Tech Fund’s aim is to place Bronxville at the forefront of technology integration, whilst continuing to ensure a well-rounded, innovative educational environment that cultivates leadership, critical thinking, and collaboration.

Rapid advancements in artificial intelligence and educational technology have touched every aspect of the school—from elementary classrooms to high school theatre productions. The school’s curriculum will be reviewed and redesigned to reflect this changing landscape, with an emphasis on thoughtful integration of technology across all disciplines, including the humanities, arts, and social sciences.

In addition to supporting student learning, the Tech Fund prioritizes faculty development. Teachers will receive training on AI and digital tools, as well as strategies to promote healthy technology habits. Professional development efforts will include workshops on technology’s intersection with student well-being, classroom application of AI tools, and adapting instruction to suit evolving digital norms. The Tech Fund will also expand the school’s digital citizenship program. Updated district-wide guidelines will focus on topics such as internet safety, misinformation, and responsible AI use. To support this initiative, the school may partner with consultants and industry experts.

“We are so grateful to the many donors and other supporters who have helped us to start this new chapter.” said Foundation Executive Director Helena McSherry. “Technology is evolving faster than ever, and our school must evolve with it—not only to keep pace but to lead. This Fund ensures we do just that, in a way that reflects our values and priorities.”

New initiatives may include expanding AI literacy, implementation of adaptive learning tools to support personalized instruction, integrating prompt engineering into existing courses, and enhancing project-based learning across the District. Notable potential projects already in discussion include the creation of a dedicated technology and design makerspace for younger students and enhancements to the successful student entrepreneurship program.

Members of the Bronxville community who are interested in supporting this initiative are encouraged to visit the Foundation’s website at www.bronxvilleschoolfoundation.org/donate or reach out via email to bsfoundation@bronxvilleschool.org to learn more.

As Wendy Fahy, the chair of the Foundation board, remarked, “The pace of change is increasing, the complexity is rising, and the investment needs are growing. The Tech Fund ensures Bronxville is not just prepared for the future—we’re shaping it.”