Sixteen Projects Receive Funding to Strengthen Student Culture, Building Security
WATERTOWN — The Safe Schools Endeavor, in partnership with the Northern New York Community Foundation, will award $28,290 in grant support to fund 16 projects in 14 Jefferson and Lewis County school districts for the 2024-2025 school year.
The Safe Schools Endeavor Steering Committee reviewed nearly 20 applications for funding to support programs that empower students, parents, and faculty to create the safest schools possible in Jefferson and Lewis counties. This is the sixth year the fund has awarded grant support. Since its inception, the Safe Schools Endeavor has awarded $129,116 to support 71 school projects in Jefferson and Lewis counties.
“We had a record number of applications this year, and thanks to the incredibly generous businesses, groups, and individuals in our community, were provided close to $30,000 to our local schools to support efforts to keep every child safe while at school,” said Erika Flint, steering committee chairwoman. “Many of our donors have given annually since our efforts began in 2018, which is a testament to their belief in our commitment to the safety of our youth and we are so very grateful. In addition, our Jefferson and Lewis County school projects once again impressed our committee with the vision, scope, and variety of projects that truly embody the mission of the Safe Schools Endeavor.”
Watertown City School District Superintendent Dr. Larry C. Schmiegel expressed gratitude for the Safe Schools Endeavor.
“We are profoundly thankful for the partnership with the Safe Schools Endeavor and its commitment to the safety and well-being of our students. The grants for ‘The Buddy Walk’ project and our human trafficking awareness initiative will significantly enhance our efforts to protect and educate students,” Dr. Schmiegel said. “These initiatives will ensure our youngest learners’ transition safely between locations while also empowering all students with the knowledge to recognize and address critical safety issues. Together, we are creating a safer, more informed school community.”
The Community Foundation Board of Directors unanimously approved the following Safe Schools Endeavor grants:
- Beaver River Central School District, $2,500 to continue installation of window glazing in all building entrances. Window film will be installed at six more of its entrances to deter unauthorized access, slow access to an intruder, and protect against natural disasters and flying debris.
- South Lewis Central School District, $2,090 to help purchase 10 handheld radios. The radios will enhance emergency communication and eliminate potential delays in calling for assistance from school safety or emergency responders.
- Alexandria Central School District, Lyme Central School District, Jefferson-Lewis-Hamilton-Herkimer-Oneida BOCES, General Brown Central School District, and South Jefferson Central School District, $2,000 each to support the Emergency 911 Radio Project, which the Jefferson County Emergency Management Office is leading. The project aims to equip Jefferson County School Resource Officers with direct communication capabilities to law enforcement and emergency services during critical incidents in school buildings. Integrated 911 radios will maintain uninterrupted communication with emergency services, ensuring a swift and coordinated response.
- Augustinian Academy, Carthage, $2,000 to help address the social and emotional needs of an increasing number of students, especially among military families. The school has planned two assemblies focused on anti-bullying and building respect. Grant support will fund presentation speakers and strengthen its resolve meet to the needs of its young student population.
- Adirondack Central School District, $1,900 to help combat the negative effects of social media on children’s social skills and mental wellness. Funding will help the district host a facilitator who will lead a series of four community-wide movie screenings to explore how technology impacts our youth.
- Watertown City School District, $1,500 to launch “The Buddy Walk” project to improve the safety and well-being of pre-k and kindergarten students by reducing instances of elopement and ensuring secure transitions between locations. Funding will support purchase of rope lines with handles for students and reinforce walking routes and expectations.
- Lowville Academy and Central School, $1,500 to help address a growing mental health crisis among students. Funding will help bring Michael DeLeon and Steered Straight to the school to present age-appropriate content regarding the prevention of vaping, substance use and abuse, bullying, suicide, and addiction while also helping to promote healthy life choices.
- South Jefferson Central School District, $1,500 to help South Jefferson Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) enhance school safety and foster a culture of respect, responsible decision-making, and mental wellness. Funding will help implement initiatives that promote safer, healthier interactions in school, including a Community Book Study, a Community Team Trivia and Dinner Event, and Phoneless Fridays. This grant application was submitted by student members.
- Carthage Central School District, $1,500 to support anti-bullying presentations for elementary and middle school students. The district has adopted Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports to promote academic, social and emotional success for students.
- Sackets Harbor Central School District, $1,500 to help provide bullying prevention, suicide prevention, and education on digital citizenship. Grant funding will support a school assembly featuring a father who lost his 13-year-old son to suicide.
- Watertown City School District, $1,300 to help increase student awareness of human and sex trafficking, highlighting both the ease with which individuals can become victims, and the challenges victims face in escaping such situations using posters, speakers at schoolwide assemblies, and short lessons. Grant funding will support speaker fees, and related materials.
- Copenhagen Central School District, $1,000 to help purchase an AED for the elementary school wing, which could also serve the outdoor playground and tennis court areas. Having this equipment close by at the time of a cardiac episode greatly enhances the possibility of survival.
Grants are made possible thanks to the generous gifts of many individuals and businesses in Jefferson and Lewis counties who support the Safe Schools Endeavor and its mission to help keep all children safe while they are at school.
The Safe Schools Endeavor stresses awareness, empowerment, and action within school communities. All grant proposals are evaluated based upon the degree to which they embody these desired outcomes. To stay informed about the Safe Schools Endeavor and its progress in Jefferson and Lewis county schools, like it on Facebook at Facebook.com/SafeSchoolsEndeavor and follow it on Instagram at Instagram.com/safeschoolsendeavor.
About the Safe Schools Endeavor
In the days that followed the Feb. 14, 2018, shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., that left 14 students and three staff members dead, and 17 others wounded, a group of North Country residents were called to act in their own communities in Jefferson and Lewis counties.
While school safety leads many discussions across the country, the Safe Schools Endeavor was created to encourage change at a very local level. Its founding members believe our children are our most precious resource and should never worry for their safety at school.
With generous support from the Northern New York Community Foundation, a $20,000 matching grant for all gifts made in support of the initiative was announced and a focused effort to seek donations soon began. The movement struck a chord with many Northern New Yorkers who quickly gave to the effort, confirming a guiding philosophy that together “A Few Can Make a Difference.”
A 21-member Steering Committee manages the Safe Schools Endeavor. Committee members are parents, school officials, nonprofit executives, retirees, and student representatives.
They include: Erika Flint, executive director, Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Organization, and Safe Schools Endeavor Steering Committee chairwoman; Jessica Bowline, president, Indigo Inkwell; Sarah Colligan, chief human resources officer, Community Action Planning Council of Jefferson County; Andrianna Crawford, counselor, Lowville Academy and Central School; Brittney Fults, teacher, Carthage Central; Brigitte Gillette, counselor, Copenhagen Central; Marjorie LaVere, administrative assistant, Jefferson County Public Defender’s Office; Todd Lighthall, executive director, Camp Oswegatchie, and Beaver River Central School Board of Education member; Angela Matthews, LCSW, behavioral health consultant, Guthrie Ambulatory Health Clinic, Fort Drum; Rebecca Paté-Johnson, Head Start family advocate, Community Action Planning Council of Jefferson County; Officer Shane Ryan, Watertown City Schools school resource officer, Watertown City Police Department; Kylie Simpson, probation officer, Lewis County Probation Department; Stephen Todd, superintendent, Jeff-Lewis BOCES; Skyler Tuttle, school safety officer, Lowville Academy and Central School; and Talitha Workman, preschool teacher and advancement director, Augustinian Academy. Student representatives: Anmolika Bolla, Watertown High School Class of 2022; Hailyn Buker, South Jefferson Class of 2022; Philip Marra, Watertown High School Class of 2021; and Claire Jones, Samantha Stokely, and Peyton Taylor, Copenhagen Central School Class of 2024.
About the Northern New York Community Foundation
Since 1929, the Northern New York Community Foundation has invested in improving and enriching the quality of life for all in communities across Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties.
Through partnerships with businesses and organizations, charitable foundations, and generous families and individual donors, the Community Foundation awards grants and scholarships from an endowment and collection of funds that benefit the region. Its commitment to donors helps individuals achieve their charitable objectives now and for generations to come by preserving and honoring legacies of community philanthropy while inspiring others.
The Community Foundation is a resource for local charitable organizations, donors, professional advisors and nonprofit organizations. It also works to bring people together at its permanent home in the Northern New York Philanthropy Center to discuss challenges our communities face and find creative solutions that strengthen the region and make it a great place to live, work, and play.