<![CDATA[THE ROOSEVELT BOROUGH BULLETIN - RPS Education Foundation]]>Mon, 14 Aug 2023 01:57:10 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[​News from the School Garden]]>Wed, 17 Jun 2020 16:32:50 GMThttp://rooseveltboroughbulletin.org/rps-education-foundation/news-from-the-school-gardenby Mary Tulloss
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As you read in the April Bulletin, Roosevelt Public School was awarded a $2,000 Sustainable Jersey for Schools grant that was applied for by the RPS Green Team. The grant funds cover expansion of our school garden and a new deer exclusion fence, among other things. The flower and herb  gardens are usually planted by students on Earth Day and the vegetable gardens are planted, tended and harvested by members of the Garden and Cooking clubs.  Unfortunately, the students were not able to participate in these activities this spring, but a lot of work has taken place and we would like to thank the following volunteers and others who have contributed so much to the garden in spite of our quarantine restrictions.
The following families cleaned up the garden on March 14th and got things ready for the new raised beds and spring planting:
Barrett Family
Biello Family
Leibowitz Family
LeCompte Family
Lopez Family
Petrillo Family
Sheenan Family
 
Steve  Taylor (Garden Guru and head of the RPS Green Team) rototilled the garden, built  and painted the new raised beds, designed the garden plan and installed the fence.  Thanks also to Emily Taylor for building the beds and assisting Steve with all the projects.
Mike Sheenan obtained and delivered donated topsoil and mulch from A&M Farm Markets and equipment from KJD farms (shout out to them).
Home Depot Pro-Desk staff spent a lot of time on calls with us to get the material delivered.
The RPS Education Foundation funds the Garden and Cooking Clubs.
Please stop by and enjoy the garden when you are out walking around town.
 
Submitted by Mary Tulloss on behalf of the RPS Green Team--Natalie Biello, Mary Cohen, Kathy Faunce, Donna Gazzani, Steve Taylor, Mary Tulloss.
]]><![CDATA[RPS at Morven]]>Tue, 09 Jun 2020 13:48:15 GMThttp://rooseveltboroughbulletin.org/rps-education-foundation/rps-at-morvenPicture
On January 14th two school buses pulled up in front of Roosevelt Public School and Kindergarten through fifth grade students got aboard for a trip to the Morven Museum in Princeton to see the exhibit “Dreaming of Utopia: Roosevelt, New Jersey”.  The exhibit includes more than 100 paintings, sculpture and other objects which have never been exhibited together.  The students saw some things that they recognized as being on loan from their school including the aluminum doors that were originally the front doors of the school.  Many other items were new to them including a recreation of a Roosevelt house party from the 1960’s, made by resident Ani Rosskam when she was a teenager. The students also learned about the history of Morven beginning with Richard Stockton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.  This trip was funded by the RPS Education Foundation and the RPS PTA.
              

]]><![CDATA[​Things are Heating up in the New RPS Kitchen]]>Mon, 14 May 2018 17:40:57 GMThttp://rooseveltboroughbulletin.org/rps-education-foundation/things-are-heating-up-in-the-new-rps-kitchenPicture
The Roosevelt Public School Education Foundation is delighted to be able to provide an oven/stove  for use by RPS students.  Third grade teacher, Donna Gazzani, explained in her grant application that there are many occasions  when cooking can supplement and enhance the school curriculum, including:
  • returning from a trip to the cranberry bog to create recipes using one of New Jersey’s most important crops
  • making dishes to share at the school wide Thanksgiving meal
  • being introduced to a lifetime skill
  • learning about cooking healthy meals and incorporating vegetables and herbs grown in the school garden
  • students in kindergarten making foods that are in the regional setting of
books they read
  • finding a real life use for fractions!
  • appreciating the products of their work
An after school  enrichment program called “Cooking with Class” has already begun.  It is thanks to our community’s donations and attendance at fundraisers that we are able to offer programs like these for our children.  Thank you so much for your support.
Mary Tulloss, President
Roosevelt Public School Education Foundation
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]]><![CDATA[March News]]>Wed, 28 Mar 2018 15:10:50 GMThttp://rooseveltboroughbulletin.org/rps-education-foundation/march-28th-2018by Anna Johnson

The Roosevelt Public School Education Foundation (RPSEF) sponsored a free class trip to Liberty Science Center for two adults and all the students in Grades 5 and 6 from Roosevelt Public School, with the help of the New Jersey Education Foundation Partnership (NJEFP).  The school trip took place on January 23. Photos from the trip show happily engaged students. 

RPSEF hopes to sponsor more school activities and projects this year, and has the funding to do so because of donors’ contributions and participants’ support of our fundraising activities.  Generous donations were made during our December Donate-a-thon.  One of those donors, Teresa Skelton, was randomly chosen as the lucky winner of two tickets to a New Jersey Devils hockey game.  Congratulations!

​Thank you very much to the many people who came out to eat at TGI Fridays in East Windsor on January 9.  On that day, RPSEF earned 20% of each meal as a donation from Fridays.

On February 10, the local punk rock band, Disaster House, performed under the Roosevelt mural in the school lobby as a fundraiser for RPSEF.  The band recently won first place in a talent show at Hightstown High School. Thank you to Leo Mena, Gabe Hoffman, and Andrew Abrego for entertaining our audience and adding to the RPSEF fund. 

​It’s not too late to join the Pilates class taught each Wednesday, February 28 through April 4 at 6:45-7:30 PM at RPS.  Certified Pilates instructor and Roosevelt resident Stacey Bonna gives freely of her time to raise money for RPSEF.  The classes are $15 per class ($60 for all 6 sessions).

]]><![CDATA[Roosevelt Education Foundation FAQ]]>Mon, 13 Nov 2017 18:33:56 GMThttp://rooseveltboroughbulletin.org/rps-education-foundation/roosevelt-education-foundation-faqBy Katherine Hamilton
 
The school year has begun and we have many new families to welcome into Roosevelt! It is a good time to explain the Roosevelt Education Foundation’s (RPSEF) role in our community.

Who are we?
The RPSEF is a non-profit organization that provides resources to help the school continue to be innovative and creative beyond what the budget pays for.  We are a 501 (C)(3) charity.

How is that different from the PTA?
The RPSEF and the RPS PTA share many common goals and interests.  Both the RPSEF and the PTA work to support the students, the staff, and the RPS community through fundraisers.  The RPSEF also funds programs, equipment, training, and other resources through the approval of grant requests. The RPSEF only funds what is supportive of the curriculum and the goals of the school.

How do you get grants?
The RPSEF researches grants that are available and that the school may be eligible for.  Teachers at RPS also may submit a request and we help see if there is a grant available for their request, or if we can help fund it.

Where do the donations/grant money go?
Funds are used to support projects that are requested by the staff of RPS and that couldn't be provided within the school budget.  

What has the RPSEF done so far?
The RPSEF’s impact can be seen all over the school.  A kiln funded by the RPSEF fired up the tiles to help the students and staff create the beautiful Mosaic near the entrance of the school.  Right next to the Mosaic you can see the Little Free Library (a give and take book exchange) which was also funded by the Foundation.  If you visit the back of the school grounds and see the beautiful garden that was created and maintained by RPS students and their families, you will see some new additions that the Foundation also helped with.

How can I help?
Be sure to visit us on the web at rpsef.org and check out the “how you can help” pull down at the top of the web page.  We are always in need of volunteers and are looking for assistance with grant writing, legal assistance, computer work, baking, new fundraising ideas, donations of  auction items, accounting, photography, and enthusiasm!  You can support the foundation by participating in one of our fundraisers.  Look for our flyers sent home in your children’s backpacks, read about us in the Bulletin, or visit us/donate on the web.  Lastly, we are always looking for help on our board.  If you are interested, please let us know.  

Thanks for taking the time to read this information! We hope you will join us in supporting RPS.
 ]]><![CDATA[September 10th, 2017]]>Sun, 10 Sep 2017 20:15:07 GMThttp://rooseveltboroughbulletin.org/rps-education-foundation/september-10th-2017New Member of RPS Education Foundation Excited to Start a New School Year
By Katherine (Katy) Hamilton

As the days begin to feel shorter and the stores begin selling Halloween decorations, we all know that this means one thing: the end of summer is near. While this may invoke different feelings for everyone, to me it brings on a feeling of excitement. Not only will my son begin attending Kindergarten in September, but I am proud to say I have been elected as a member of the Roosevelt Public School Education Foundation!

As a graduate of Roosevelt Public School, the memories I hold dearest are the ones in which teachers went above and beyond what felt “normal.”  The creative lesson plans and experiences that energized me as a student are the ones that have stayed with me throughout my life. The RPS Education Foundation is here to provide support to such endeavors. Through teacher grant applications and support from the Roosevelt community, the Foundation has helped provide programs and facilities to the students of RPS--it needs YOUR support to continue to succeed. 
To support the RPS Education Foundation you can participate in one of our upcoming events or visit us at rpsef.org.  Whether the end of summer means needing to exercise or needing to relax (or both), we have the events for you!  We will be offering 6 Weeks of Pilates in the school lobby instructed by Roosevelt resident and certified instructor, Stacey Bonna.  The classes will be held on Tuesdays and will begin October 10th and will go until November 14th.  We will also be hosting our annual Wine, Cheese, and Dessert event at the Menda Home (23 Pine Drive) on October 6th from 7:00pm-9:00pm.  Come out and have some fun with your neighbors and support the Foundation at the same time!
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I am excited to join the discussion and planning of fundraising activities for the upcoming school year. We are enthusiastically coming up with new ideas, and ensuring we implement some of your favorite activities from the past.  Be sure to look for flyers and more updates in future editions of the Bulletin detailing our upcoming events or come visit us at rpsef.org.  We cannot do this without YOU and we thank you for all of your support, and send a special “Thank You” to Bill Felong for all of his help and generosity with creating flyers.  I am amazed at the dedication, passion, and devotion shown by the members of the RPS Education Foundation and I can’t wait to join them and YOU in supporting the children of RPS.  I hope to see you at one of our events soon! 
]]><![CDATA[​Spring Activities of the Roosevelt Public School Education Foundation]]>Tue, 23 May 2017 16:53:32 GMThttp://rooseveltboroughbulletin.org/rps-education-foundation/spring-activities-of-the-roosevelt-public-school-education-foundationBy Maria Del Piano

Roosevelt Public School Education Foundation (RPSEF) has had a busy spring, hosting numerous fundraisers and funding various Roosevelt Public School projects.

Our “Dinner with your Teacher” event was attended by over 65 RPS teachers, students and their family members.  It was a lively event where RPS faculty, students and their families were able to spend additional quality time having dinner together.

With our help, the RPS garden expanded this growing season.  Third grade teacher Donna Gazzani and RPS students have installed a raised bed which will be a “pizza garden.”  Eggplant, tomatoes, onions and basil will be planted there.  This activity is very rewarding and combines STEM activities with a delicious end result.

By the time you read this, we will already have hosted our second “Under the Mural Series” event.  Delta Noir was gracious enough to offer their talent to perform this past Earth Day, April 22.  Music is the universal language.  It has the capacity to break boundaries and forge new acquaintances.  RPSEF provided refreshments, sold wine by the glass and held a silent auction to raise funds for future RPS projects that go above what could be provided in the school budget. 

RPSEF’s fourth Rockville Gym rock climbing event will be held Friday evening between 6 to 8pm on May 19.  Details will be sent home in the students’ backpacks.  For those adventurous types interested in joining us, it is an all-ages event.   The gym provides all the necessary equipment and a safe environment.  It’s good exercise and a great way to stare down your fear of heights.

Our spring 6-week Pilates session, held at the school on Thursday evenings, is at its midpoint.  Roosevelt’s Stacey Bonna generously donates her time and expertise to RPSEF.  From the smiles on their faces, it’s obvious the students benefit from her instruction.  This coming fall Stacey will set aside Tuesday evenings to again provide a Pilates program to accommodate some of her past students’ schedules.

RPSEF has purchased a “Little Free Library” for RPS.  It will soon be a permanent feature in the front lobby of the school.  Students and community members will be able to expand their reading materials with this “take a book, leave a book” library.
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If you have any skills or interests that you can share with your neighbors, please contact us at   609 301-0437 or send an email to foundation@rpsef.org.  We’d appreciate hearing from you. We are a  501(c)3 non-profit,  and our proceeds go to fund projects that enrich our students’ education. ]]><![CDATA[THank You from the RPS Education Foundation]]>Thu, 09 Feb 2017 17:34:14 GMThttp://rooseveltboroughbulletin.org/rps-education-foundation/thank-you-from-the-rps-education-foundation​By Debbie Visconti, RPSEF Treasurer
 
As we reflect on 2016, the Roosevelt Public School Education Foundation (RPSEF) would like to thank everyone for another successful year.  Whether you’ve contributed through a monetary gift, attended an event, volunteered time or simply spread the word that RPSEF is making a difference, we could not have done it without your help.  RPSEF was one of the funders of the school-wide mosaic mural depicting our town that is located in the school lobby.  If you haven’t seen it yet, make sure you do as it looks amazing!  All of the tiles that the students and staff made were fired in the kiln that RPSEF won in 2014.  To ensure the kiln continues to be used on a regular basis, we purchased additional pegs and shelving for the kiln so that students can fire more art work at one time.
 
RPSEF also shared the cost of the StarLab mini planetarium with the PTA.  When each class entered the StarLab planetarium, students learned to locate stars, the Milky Way, and gained an understanding of Greek and Native American mythology used in naming the constellations.  This was an event that engaged the students and enhanced their enthusiasm to learn.  RPSEF didn’t stop with these two projects.  Instead, as the spring approached, RPSEF contributed towards the purchase of herbs for the school garden that all students worked on as they celebrated Earth Day.  Planting and tending to the garden are part of the science curriculum.
 
Once the school doors opened this fall, another grant request hit our desks.  RPSEF approved a grant request for a “Little Free Library” where people can “take a book, leave a book.”  The Student Council at RPS will be responsible for establishing and operating the library which will serve as a learning experience in planning, cooperation, and in carrying out a school and community wide project.  The library will be available to community members during school hours so you can reap the benefits of your own contribution if you’re an RPSEF supporter!
 
In order to continue supporting the school through approval of grant requests, we need funds donated by you or through participation in one of our events to make their dreams come true.  If you’re active or want to become more active, we have a few upcoming events that may be exactly what you're looking for in 2017.  Let’s get our hearts pumping for two upcoming events that will be invigorating and fun.  Pilates classes will be offered by Stacey Bonna, a certified instructor and Roosevelt resident, for 6 weeks beginning April 13 through May 18 in the RPS lobby. If you’re looking for something more physical, show off your skills by attending the well-liked Rockville Climbing Center event, scheduled to take place in May or June of this year and show your support for RPSEF.  We hope that you will join us or share our news with someone you know.  Stay tuned for more events in future editions of the Bulletin or visit us at rpsef.org.   Wishing everyone a healthy and happy New Year!
]]><![CDATA[RPSEF Awards Grant & Upcoming Fundraisers]]>Thu, 27 Oct 2016 16:03:56 GMThttp://rooseveltboroughbulletin.org/rps-education-foundation/rpsef-awards-grant-upcoming-fundraisersBy Mary Tulloss           
RPSEF President
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The Roosevelt Pubic School Education Foundation (RPSEF) is pleased to announce that we have awarded a grant to teachers Katheryn Lawson and Stacey Wolf to establish a “Little Free Library” which will be placed in the Roosevelt Public School lobby. Many communities across the country have implemented small free libraries where adults and children can take a book and leave a book. The purpose of the libraries is “To promote literacy and the love of reading by building free book exchanges worldwide and to build a sense of community as we share skills, creativity and wisdom across generations. There are nearly 40,000 Little Free Library book exchanges around the world, bringing curbside literacy home and sharing millions of books annually.”  The student council at RPS will be responsible for establishing and operating the library which will serve as a learning experience in planning, cooperation, and in carrying out a school and community wide project.  The library will be available to community members during school hours, and also on Mondays and Thursdays from 3:00- 4:00 p.m.  Summer availability will be Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.Upcoming fundraisers include Pilates and building a graham cracker house.  Stacey Bonna has again generously donated her time to teach a six week session of Pilates.  The sessions remaining in November are on November 2nd, 7th and 9th. Classes are held in the gym at RPS from 6:45 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Get your heart pumping in support of RPSEF! 
 
Check our website, www.rpsef.org , for details on the upcoming graham cracker house activity which we expect to take place in early December. Visit our website also to make a donation or volunteer to help with an upcoming event.  Thank you for everyone’s continued support and making our organization a success!]]>