WHAT WE DO

HEF encourages excellence in education by generating and distributing private funds for curriculum enrichment programs to benefit the students of the Harrison Central School District. Scroll below to learn more about how we make a difference in our community.

GRANTS

2024-2025

Molding for Design for 7th & 8th graders
- Funded materials to expand modeling capabilities for students in the Design Tech classes at LMK. This was an expansion of the HHS Design Tech program in order to offer to middle school students.
HHS Skate in School
- HEF partially funded a new inline skating program at the high school after the success of the program at LMK.
Expanding Access to Calculators at HHS
- Funded an update of the current calculator inventory at Harrison High School to accommodate the evolving needs of high school math students.
Live Audio Recording Set up at HHS
- Purchased live audio recording equipment for the expansion of the technical theatre program, and for live audio recordings of theatre productions.

2023-2024

General Music 6th & 7th grades & Skylarks/Songwriter’s Circle
- HEF funded the addition of ukuleles to the LMK General Music Program curriculum to provide a more modern, relevant experience in General Music classes.
HHS PE Archery Program
- HEF funded the implementation of a new, yearly Archery Program at HHS. Research shows that Archery helps guide students to appreciate and respect the ideas of others and develop effective collaboration and communication skills, which correlate well with the IB learner profile.
Classroom Library Enhancement
- HEF supports the HCSD’s IB Primary Years Program certification with a grant contributing to the implementation of new and updated books for each classroom within the four elementary schools.
HHS Technology Education Program
- HEF funded the purchase of new equipment which helped to expand the HHS Design Program’s modeling capabilities.
TRX Suspension Trainers in PE
- HEF funded the addition of TRX Suspension trainers to the LMK PE program to give students an early start on strength training and to build stronger fitness foundations.
Thinking Classrooms for Chemistry
- Uses whiteboards and other materials amongst small groups within the classroom to create a more visual and transparent learning experience in high school chemistry
Flexible Seating in the Classroom
- HEF funded flexible seating at the elementary school level to improve attention, motivation, and engagement of students during both instructional and independent work times.

2022-2023

Integrating PYP: Training Elementary Teachers in the IB Primary Years Program
- HEF supports the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (IB PYP) roll-out by contributing funds towards training elementary teachers, a required first step in the IB authorization process. This training develops teachers’ understanding of the philosophy and theory behind the curricular framework, and how to bring the elementary IB curriculum to life within the classroom.
HHS Guidance Tours for Fall 2022/Spring 2023
- Families who require more financial assistance typically visit far less college campuses. The Guidance Department’s College Tours Program helps students and their families benefit from both Fall and Spring college tours, as visits to college campuses have the potential to be a great motivator for more of these students to apply to college. This is HEF’s second time supporting this important and well attended program.
Student Led Writing Center (HHS)
- The newly created Student Led Writing Center is a place where students can go to receive support on their writing from their peers. It creates a welcoming culture that supports student relationships, a writer’s process, and student voices.
IB Design Technology SL/HL Large Format Wireless Printer
- HEF supported the purchase of a state-of-the-art printer and equipment, which allows students to print full size blueprints to make for easier and better house models to be built, as well as visual aid posters.
Air filtration System for Six HCSD Schools
- During the pandemic, HEF supported the purchase of state-of-the-art air filtration technology in all school instructional spaces and classrooms for students and faculty. The units utilize three filtration systems to remove and kill viruses in the air.

2020-2021

Expanding Access to Literature During Remote Learning (E-library)
- With HEF’s financial support, each of our 4 elementary schools was given the opportunity to pick out over 200 titles to add to their online library collection during the pandemic, to ensure that students could continue to have access to a variety of books.
K-2 Wilson FUNdations Take-Home Kits for Early Readers
- The purpose of this grant was to provide each student from grades K-2 with a FUNdations Take Home Kit to increase time and practice in foundational reading and spelling skills.
Harrison High School Fitness Center Upgrade
- During the pandemic, HEF provided funding to support the purchase of new, easily portable cardio equipment for the Harrison High School Fitness Center. This equipment assisted the PE staff, as well as the strength and conditioning and athletic coaches, achieve their goal of improving all students' fitness levels, athletic performances and overall well-being.

2019-2020

8th Grade Robotics Design
- This Grant provided a state-of-the-art upgrade to the existing 8th Grade International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program (IB MYP). These newly purchased robots are student friendly, up to date, and allow students to use computer programming/codes or remote controls to operate their built robot.

2018-2019

Enhancing Co-Teaching with Technology
- This grant supported the HCSD Technology, Special Education and ENL programs in grades K-12 by providing technical equipment in co-teach classrooms throughout the district and supported over 60 teachers and approximately 500 students.
Guidance Department College Tours
- Families who require more financial assistance typically visit far less college campuses. The Guidance Department’s College Tours program helps students and their families benefit from both Fall and Spring college tours, as visits to college campuses have the potential to be a great motivator for more of these students to apply to college. This is HEF’s first time supporting this important, well received, and well-attended program.
Dreambox Learning – 3rd Grade Math
- This grant funded the Dreambox Learning Program, an adaptive online program which is used as a complementary resource for the HCSD's 3rd grade mathematics program. It offers a lively and interactive interface and provides opportunities for students to explore complex math concepts in a low risk environment.
Family Literacy Program – College Visits
- The purpose of this grant is to expose bilingual families and students to different post-secondary educational options. The grant funded 1-3 visits to Westchester schools and was made available to students and parents of LMK and HHS.
3D printers for design and engineering
- This grant funded a state-of-the-art upgrade to the district’s existing 3D printers, which are an integral part of the IB Design and Digital Engineering Program in grades 6-12 as well as STEM courses - including Math, Art and Science Research.
Skate in School
- HEF funded this entertaining and fun in-line skating program for grades 6-8 at LMK. Skate In School teaches students how to rollerblade safely and offers an alternative to traditional team sports in Physical Education classes. The program is a great success and student feedback has been overwhelmingly positive since the program’s implementation.