News & Updates
- Spring 2026 -
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Save the Date: September 5, 2026
22nd Annual Ossining MATTERS
5K/2M Run-Walk For Education
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Join us for a fun-filled morning that brings the community together in support of Ossining students. Whether you’re running, walking, or cheering from the sidelines, it’s a great way to kick off the school year and make a meaningful impact.
Want to get involved beyond race day? Become a volunteer, sponsor, or donate and help us go even further in supporting innovative programs for the Ossining Schools.
Stay tuned for registration details, and in the meantime, learn more, donate, or sign up to sponsor by clicking the link below.
Let’s move for a great cause, together.
| | Karaoke Fundraiser Raises over $6,000 for Education | | |
The Ossining community showed up in a big way at the 2026 Ossining MATTERS March Mixer, raising more than $6,000 to support local education initiatives.
Held at the cozy and welcoming Sing Sing Kill Brewery, the event brought together neighbors, educators, and supporters for an evening of connection, community, and giving back.
Guests enjoyed great company, local brews, and a lively atmosphere — all in support of Ossining MATTERS’ mission to enrich and expand learning opportunities for all students in the Ossining School District.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended, donated, and helped make the night such a success. Your generosity continues to make a meaningful impact on the lives of Ossining students.
| | | 2025-2026 Grant Spotlight | | |
OHS Science Olympiad
The Science Olympiad program at Ossining High School continues to provide students with hands-on STEM experiences beyond the classroom, supported this year by a $2,454.94 Ossining MATTERS grant. Approximately 30 students participated, working in teams to design, build, and test projects in preparation for invitational and regional competitions.
Through consistent after-school sessions, students strengthened their understanding of scientific concepts while developing teamwork, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills. Their efforts led to measurable growth throughout the season, including improved competition performance and medals in three regional events.
The program’s impact reached beyond competition results, fostering strong student engagement and continued involvement, with participants helping recruit new members and support future seasons. The Science Olympiad experience continues to inspire curiosity, collaboration, and confidence in young learners.
This grant reflects Ossining MATTERS’ commitment to supporting programs that expand access to hands-on STEM learning, encourage collaboration, and equip students with skills that extend outside the classroom.
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AMD Bownet Goals
A $2,000 Ossining MATTERS grant funded the purchase of a variety of new equipment for AMD Physical Education, including Bownet lacrosse and soccer goals, Tachikara Lite volleyballs, juggling scarves, and tabletop scoreboards.
All items are already in active use across multiple PE units.
The Bownet goals now support small-sided games in both handball and soccer, increasing student participation and allowing for play at varying levels of competition and intensity. The lightweight volleyballs are used by all students during volleyball units, providing a safer and more effective tool for skill development. The flip scoreboards allow students to track their own scores while practicing sportsmanship and self-regulation. The juggling scarves are used in adaptive PE to support coordination and cross-body movement skills, adding another layer of support for both traditional and adaptive instruction.
This equipment remains integrated throughout the year across multiple activities, enriching both traditional and adaptive PE instruction.
Ossining MATTERS supports programs that enhance student engagement, promote active learning, and expand opportunities beyond what the school budget can provide.
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Book Binding Machine
Ossining MATTERS supported Roosevelt Elementary School Library through a grant that funded the purchase of a Thermobind TB500 book binding machine and supplies.
The new equipment has made a meaningful impact on keeping books in circulation and students engaged in reading. What once required temporary fixes and days of repair can now be completed quickly and securely, often while students wait. Books are returned to circulation much faster, helping maintain student interest and access to reading materials.
The machine has also allowed the library to quickly restore a recent shipment of popular but damaged books from another district library—repairing them in minutes and immediately placing them into students’ hands.
This grant helps advance the library's ongoing goal to keep students reading.
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Welcoming Jess Reynolds to the Ossining MATTERS Board of Directors
Jess is an award-winning filmmaker and digital strategist who uses storytelling to drive public engagement and social impact. Over more than two decades—including a decade at the Ford Foundation and another as an independent filmmaker—she has led global multimedia campaigns, advanced digital accessibility, and elevated critical issues such as disability inclusion and the high school dropout crisis in the United States. Her work has earned multiple Webby Awards, international film festival awards, and she was named one of the Top 50 Women Leaders in NYC in 2025.
As an Ossining parent of two, Jess has seen firsthand how access to diverse educational programming can transform a student's trajectory — and she's committed to expanding that access for every child in our community. Her strategic mindset and collaborative spirit will be a valuable addition to our board.
We’re excited to have Jess join us and look forward to her contributions as we continue to support innovative programs and enrich learning experiences across Ossining.
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Ossining MATTERS will have several open seats on our Board of Directors beginning in June 2026, and we are actively seeking community members ready to step forward and make an immediate impact.
We have a particular and urgent need for individuals with backgrounds in marketing, accounting, and nonprofit management to help guide our organization’s growth, strengthen our outreach, and ensure our long-term sustainability.
Looking to Make a Difference in Your Community?
Serving on the Board of Ossining MATTERS offers a meaningful opportunity to directly impact students’ lives across our community. You’ll collaborate with a dedicated group committed to educational equity while helping to expand programs, elevate our fundraising efforts, and support innovative grants in our schools.
Your professional expertise plays an essential role in continuing and expanding this work.
If you or someone you know may be interested, we encourage you to contact us soon to learn more.
Be part of something bigger. Your leadership can create lasting change.
| | Proud to support the Village of Ossining in honoring our nation’s 250 years. | |
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| The mission of the Ossining MATTERS Education Foundation is to support and enrich the learning opportunities for all children in the Ossining School District. The goal of the foundation is to generate community awareness and support for the Ossining School District in order to provide an ongoing source of funds, through grants and other fundraising efforts, to augment the programs offered in the Ossining Public Schools. The funds will be used to develop and support programs in accordance with the Ossining School District’s mission statement in the areas of (but not limited to) academics, cultural arts, and athletics to ensure that each student realizes his or her fullest potential. | | | | | | |
