In an effort to help supplement the costs to enhance programs and services at Shenendehowa, the school district submitted a request to Senator Joseph Bruno who provided a $146,115 grant. This money will be used for the following:

¨           $28,000 for Bascom’s Global Chalkboard and Web Library at Orenda. This program enables teachers to find safe internet resources and provides the staff development to help integrate the Internet into standards-based lessons for both classrooms and individualized instruction.

¨           $75,000 to the Shen Foundation for Excellence for the Carillion Restoration Project. Before 1950, the district was made up of 22 one- and two-room school houses, 11 of which still had school bells. These bells were assembled into a carillon paying tribute to the schools and the towns that combined to form Shenendehowa Central Schools. However, age and the elements began to take their toll on the Carillon Bells. They were taken down and are being safely stored in one of the district's storage facilities until they can be refurbished and displayed properly once again.

¨           $35,000 for equipment purchases for the new Math Science Technology (MST) Academy at the high school—an integrated multi-disciplinary program for 50-60 juniors that provides a rich, project-based instructional experience for students.

¨           $2,000 for equipment for the middle school Lego League. The FIRST Lego League Robotics program is a competitive program geared towards students ages 10 to 14.  It is part of the US FIRST Robotics program that began in 1992 as a vehicle to inspire students in the United States to pursue courses and careers in Science, Math, and Technology.  Teams of 10 students build an autonomous robot capable of accomplishing a variety of missions.  In addition, the students perform a research project based on the theme of the season. 

¨           $6,115 for health and wellness initiatives. In the continued attempt to promote lifelong fitness and as part of the efforts towards reducing childhood obesity, the funds will be used to purchase various cardiovascular equipment as well as devices to monitor heart rate and assess body mass index of students. These purchases will help meet the new board of education policy on health and wellness as well as enhance the efforts of the district’s new health and wellness committee.