OCSDF Grants
OCSDF GRANTS - Great ideas supporting the education of Olean students immensely influence their growth. New experiences, projects, and programs expand their minds and broaden their horizons. The Olean City School District Foundation (OCSDF) continues to help bring new ideas to life. The foundation provides funds and in-kind donations to support great ideas such as the Olean Middle School Guitar Grant, the Elementary Percussion Grant, Book Drive, through a grants program.
(Pictured above - Heart Monitor Grant, Guitar Grant Program
The OCSDF encourages extra effort and creativity in order to maintain high standards in all of the Olean Schools. Any teacher, staff member, or Olean resident with a good educational idea, and a solid plan to implement it with proper approvals may apply for a grant. You can pick up a grant application at the Superintendent's office at the Olean High School, by contacting Meme Yanetsko (Class of '86), OCSDF Secretary/Treasurer at (716) 372-4433, by email meme@oleanny.com or by downloading the form below.
Foundation Awards Three Grants - HEALTH, HISTORY, AND FUN
The Olean City School District Foundation (OCSDF) has awarded three grants totaling $1750.00 to the Olean City Schools: Dance Dance Revolution Grant; Having Fun Game Grant; and the Trailblazers Grant.
The Dance Dance Revolution Grant was submitted by OCSD Teacher Jesse Mankowski. The grant provided $800 to purchase a hardware system, the game, 8 pads and 4 heart monitors. The grant will use technology to introduce students to the dance unit by providing a motivational and exciting experience to engage the students. The students will also discuss healthy heart rates by using the heart monitors. “Students through all elementary schools will improve their fitness level through this non-traditional level of exercise,” stated Steve Pancio, OCSDF Board President. 
Having Fun Game Grant was submitted by OCSD Teachers Kathy Grandusky and Juanita Olson. The grant provided $500 of board games that were purchased locally. Students are able to ‘sign out’ games to bring home. The games will also be used at elementary family fun nights. The grant enhances family -- school relations and peer interactions . Students will spend quality time with their family as well as interact with others in the school comunity. “Students will engage in cooperative play and improve social interaction. Now a days, students are playing electronic games alone instead of playing together. The games will also showcase team play and thinking,” added Mr. Pancio.
The Trailblazers Grant was submitted by OCSD Teachers Janine Scholla and Jean Abdo. The grant exposed students in grades 10th and 11th to enrichment level experiences in the curriculum content areas of U.S. and World political and cultural events. The 40 students went on a field trip to Jamestown NY and visited the Robert H. Jackson Center and the Lucille Ball Museum and Playhouse. The students were then asked to complete enrichment projects based on the tour. “This grant will stretch the scope of the upper level students’ knowledge and to encourage them to develop more in-depth critical thinking skills,” stated Mr. Pancio.
The foundation, established in November 2002, was created to provide additional funds and in-kind donations to support special programs, curriculum enrichment and training in all Olean City Schools. Mr. Pancio added, “We encourage teachers in the Olean City School District to send in a grant applications. The foundation exists to support these new experiences and programs. We are continuing to accept donations of any amount. All donations will be greatly appreciated.” Donations for the foundation can be sent to the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation, 120 North Union Street, Olean, NY.
Photo 1 - Students at one of the Olean Elementary Schools using the Dance Dance Revolution grant.
Photo 2 - Steve Pancio, with students from Boardmanville Elementary, during one of the Family Fun Game nights.
Photo 3 - Olean High School students on their trailblazers field trip.
Foundation Awards Fourth Grant OLEAN -- The Olean City School District Foundation has awarded its fourth educational grant to the Olean High School Physical Education class for heart rate monitors to give students an awareness of target heart rate levels, how they vary, and how to monitor one’s heart rate. Maria Brooks, a phys ed teacher at OHS, will have freshmen and sophomores enroll in a fitness unit specifically designed around the use of the heart rate monitors - the students will learn how monitors work, care, and cleaning of these units.
Each class, students will wear a monitor to log their resting heart rate, target heart rate, and recovery heart rate while doing different fitness related activities. Ms. Brooks stated, “Wearing these monitors will help give the students an awareness of how active or inactive they really are during various activities and exercises during the class period.”
David Carucci, OCSDF President stated, “All Olean High School students will be exposed to the heart monitors. It will show the students what sort of effort the students need to put forward in and outside of class in order to work the heart effectively. It’s the grant’s expectation that the long-term benefits would be a healthier lifestyle for the students.” The foundation, established in November 2002, was created to provide additional funds and in-kind donations to support special programs, curriculum enrichment and training in all Olean City Schools. Mr. Carucci added, “We encourage teachers in the Olean City School District to send in a grant applications. The foundation exists to support these new experiences, and programs.
The foundation has several grants in the review process ranging from $700 - 35,000. We are continuing to accept donations of any amount. All donations will be greatly appreciated.” Donations for the foundation can be sent to the Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation, 120 North Union Street, Olean, NY. In other Foundation news, the Foundation board has welcomed Scott Elder, retired OHS Social Studies teacher, to the Board. The OCSDF board meets monthly every first Monday at the high school.