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Cohasset Education Foundation
Spring 2025 Awarded Grants: $81,000
Joseph Osgood School
Playground Communication Board
Lisa Ripley
Amount Awarded: $1,250
This grant funds a Playground Communication Board to be installed at the Osgood School playground. The grant would cover the purchase of a custom board with the school logo, a durable frame, and installation costs. The board is designed to support the growing population of neurodiverse students, as well as those with anxiety or communication challenges, by providing visual tools that foster interaction, inclusion, and self-expression during recess. All students, including those in the Rise program and summer camp attendees, will benefit from the board’s inclusive design.
Deer Hill School
'Ninja Warrior' Equipment for Deer Hill Gym
Brett Youmans
Amount Awarded: $9,000
This grant would fund an upgrade and expansion of the gymnastics unit by integrating an 'American Ninja Warrior'–style course to promote physical strength, confidence, and engagement among students of all ability levels. The updated curriculum will emphasize structured play, independence, teamwork, and personal growth, aiming to develop well-rounded, confident, and physically active students. With new equipment and a refreshed approach, the unit will support mental and physical well-being, offering students diverse pathways to success both in and out of the classroom.
Indoor Recess Supplies
Victoria Cataldo
Amount Awarded: $2,500
This grant seeks to enhance indoor recess by providing updated board games, card games, and art supplies that promote teamwork, creativity, and social interaction. Replacing the current mix of donated items, the new materials will reduce conflicts and foster a more inclusive, engaging environment. The resources will also support “Skipper Play Time,” a weekly initiative encouraging collaborative play between students and staff. Overall, the project aims to build social skills, creativity, and a positive school culture through structured, enjoyable indoor activities.
Cohasset Middle School
Inspiration Speaker and Author: Ed Gerety
Kaitlin McCormick
Amount Awarded: $4,000
This grant would fund a school-wide presentation by Ed Gerety, a nationally recognized speaker specializing in youth leadership, emotional well-being, and personal growth. His dynamic “Catching Waves: Shaping Your Future Today” program aims to inspire middle school students to build self-awareness, resilience, gratitude, and kindness while equipping them with essential life skills for academic and personal success. The presentation, planned for early in the school year, will set a positive tone by encouraging responsibility, respectful behavior, and self-belief. Included in the cost is a one-year subscription to Ed’s online “Lessons in Leadership” curriculum, providing continued support for students and staff throughout the year.
Cameras for CMS Yearbook Club
Catherine Yindra and Andy Ayer
Amount Awarded: $1,100
This grant funds two point-and-shoot cameras and accessories to replace students’ reliance on personal cell phones for photography. The cameras will enhance student focus and productivity during Yearbook Club, improve the quality and efficiency of yearbook production, and potentially spark student interest in photography as a hobby or career path. The equipment will benefit the club for years to come and may also be used by staff for documenting school events.
Washington DC Trip Subsidies (Grades 8-12)
Jenna Blouin and Aleisa Gittens-Carle
Amount Awarded: $14,400
This grant provides subsidies to support a three-day trip to Washington, D.C. The trip will offer students in grades 8–12 immersive educational experiences aligned with the U.S. History, Civics, ELA, and Law curricula. Students will visit national landmarks, museums, and HBCUs, deepening their understanding of American history, government, and higher education pathways. The trip also fosters cross-grade collaboration between Cohasset Middle and High Schools. The grant will provide financial assistance to ensure equitable access, aiming to inspire academic motivation, college readiness, and long-term student excellence.
Cohasset High School
Certified Arborist Presentation
Brian Scott
Amount Awarded: $1,350
This project supports a town-wide collaboration with the Cohasset Conservation Trust and Open Space and Recreation Committee to plant native trees as part of a $20,000 Urban Community and Forestry Grant. Using this grant, a Certified Arborist will be hired to educate students on the environmental benefits of native trees and proper planting techniques. Centered around Earth Day, this initiative promotes interdisciplinary learning, civic engagement, and environmental stewardship, empowering students through hands-on experience and community collaboration.
CMHS Courtyard Outdoor Wellness Classroom
Ron Ford
Amount Awarded: $47,500
This project will create an outdoor Wellness Classroom and Recreation Space in the courtyard between the Middle and High School, featuring commercial-grade table tennis, foosball, and chess tables, along with portable outdoor desk-chairs and an ADA-compliant surface. The space will serve as a flexible outdoor classroom and safe recreation area for use during classes, lunch, breaks, and before or after school. It supports physical activity, social interaction, and alternative learning environments, contributing to student wellness and engagement. The grant will fund equipment, installation, and site preparation.
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