News & Updates

- SUMMER 2026 -

Early Bird Registration is Now Open!

22nd Annual Ossining MATTERS

5K/2M Run-Walk for Education - Sept. 5, 2026

Join us on Saturday, September 5th, for a fun-filled morning in the heart of Ossining, where we bring the community together in support of our students. Whether you run, walk, or cheer from the sidelines, it’s a meaningful way to kick off the school year and make a difference.

Investing in Student Success: Ossining $22,495.65 Awarded in Grants for 2026–27

Ossining MATTERS is excited to announce the 2026–27 Educational Grant recipients! Thanks to the generosity of our donors, sponsors, and community supporters, we are investing $22,495.65 in innovative programs that will enrich learning experiences for students across the Ossining School District.

This year's funded initiatives represent the creativity and dedication of our educators, bringing new opportunities to classrooms through hands-on learning, STEM exploration, literacy, the arts, physical education, and programs that promote student well-being and inclusion. Each grant was selected for its potential to make a meaningful and lasting impact on students throughout the district.

While the Board initially approved the After-School Transition & Regulation Project, the program is not yet ready for implementation during the 2026–27 school year. The project will be revisited as it continues to be developed for future consideration.

We are grateful to every educator who submitted a proposal and to every donor and community partner whose support makes these opportunities possible. Together, we are helping bring innovative ideas to life and expanding educational opportunities for Ossining students.

Visit www.ossiningmatters.org/2026-2027-grants to learn more about this year's funded projects and discover how you can support future grants that inspire learning, creativity, and student success.

2025-26 Grant Spotlight

Ossining Robotics Team Wins IMPACT Award, Heads to Houston

The Ossining Engineering Club/Robotics team capped off an outstanding season this spring. After months of after-school work—five days a week from 2:45 to 6:00 pm—the team's swerve-drive robot was ready for competition, and the results exceeded expectations: the team placed 3rd overall and won the IMPACT Award, the highest honor given at the competition, qualifying them for the FIRST Championship in Houston, Texas.

Ossining MATTERS' grant helped fund the team's Limelight vision systems, a technology that played a critical role in their strong finish. Limelight vision systems give the robot sight on the field so it can detect markers and navigate on its own during the autonomous period.

The club welcomed about 15 new members this year, and its open-door policy continues to draw a wide range of students, from freshmen to seniors, English language learners, and student-athletes who balance robotics with sports and other commitments. Veteran members mentored newcomers throughout the season, reinforcing the collaborative culture that has become a hallmark of the program.

Ossining MATTERS will fund the Engineering Club/Robotics program again for the 2026-27 school year, helping the team gear up for its next season—and its next trip to the podium.

Ossining MATTERS Funds New Rowing Equipment for PE and Athletics

Ossining MATTERS awarded a $4,530 grant to Ossining High School this year, funding four Concept2 RowErgs requested by PE teacher and Strength & Conditioning Coach Luis Iglesias for the school's Physical Education and Strength & Conditioning programs.

While Ossining MATTERS typically awards grants each June for the following school year, this request came in during the fall of 2025 and was finalized this spring.

The rowers will serve the roughly 150 to 200 students who use the weight room and training spaces daily, including PE classes, athletic teams, and Unified PE, a program that brings students with and without disabilities together in the same class.

Rowing engages the majority of the body's major muscle groups, making it an effective full-body cardiovascular workout that's also low-impact. That combination gives students who can't participate in higher-impact activities— whether because of asthma, joint issues, or recovery from injury—a way to build fitness alongside their peers. Each rower's performance monitor also lets students track their own pace, watts, and distance in real time, turning workouts into a chance to practice goal-setting and self-assessment.

The rowers are built to last for years, so this grant will benefit students well beyond the current school year. As Iglesias wrote in his grant application, the rowers are "equipping students with the skills, positive experiences, and tools they need to build a healthy, active life."

JOIN OUR BOARD OR VOLUNTEER

Looking to Make a Difference in Your Community?

Serving on the Board of Ossining MATTERS or one of our volunteer committees offers a powerful way to impact students' lives across our community.

You’ll collaborate with dedicated individuals who share your passion for equity in education. Together, we’ll champion projects that strengthen our schools, from organizing engaging community fundraisers to enhancing vital educational programs.

Be part of something bigger. Your skills and energy can create profound, lasting change.

LEARN MORE

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.

Ossining MATTERS Education Foundation | PO Box 1012 | Ossining, NY 10562

info@ossiningmatters.org | www.ossiningmatters.org