APPLICATION GUIDELINES FOR SCHOOL GRANT COMPETITION

SPONSORED BY RENY/WESTERN ZONE/NEW YORK STATE RETIRED TEACHERS ASSOCIATION

While there is no application form as such, the following information is required to be submitted AS YOUR GRANT APPLICATION---

Cover Sheet including:

•TITLE OF PROJECT OR PRESENTATION with indication of whether it is intended as Category A--a classroom-related activity, or Category B—a cultural presentation. (See accompanying grant competition description)

• SCHOOL NAME

• SCHOOL ADDRESS

• CONTACT PERSON

• TELEPHONE AND E-MAIL ADDRESS

Description:

1) Grade level(s) of student participants

2) Goals/objectives

 a) What do you hope to accomplish?

 b) How does this project enrich the curriculum?

3) Plan of action:

 a )How will you address the stated goals/objectives?

 b) How will the project/presentation supplement classroom instruction?

4) Assessment plan:

 a) How will you know whether the goals/objectives were achieved?

 b) What impact will the project/presentation have on students, school and community?

5) Budget:

 a) How will the $500 grant be used to accomplish your goal(s)?

 b) Roughly itemize or estimate the cost of your project/presentation.

APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY FRIDAY JULY 1, 2022 TO:

Maria Hager

898 Geer Road

Arcade, NY 14009

Robert R. DeCormier was the first president of RENY, and a dedicated advocate for retired educators.  In memory of his service and to honor his commitment to past, present, and future colleagues, the Robert R. DeCormier Memorial Trust Fund was established.  This fund provides monetary assistance to retired educators who are in financial need.

The DeCormier Memorial Fund offers two different grants to assist RENY members:

The Monthly Stipend sends a check to the grant recipient each month as long as there is a need shown. (click on the appropriate link at the bottom of the screen to access a printable application form)

The DeCormier Special Grant is a lump sum grant that can be used to pay for an unexpected, un-reimbursed emergency expense, such as a necessary furnace replacement, dental or medical bills, a fire or natural disaster, etc. The check is sent directly to the designated payee or provider of services.(click on the appropriate link at the bottom of the screen to access a printable application form)

You may also request an application via email at anneflanswz@aol.com or by phone (716-863-3631).  It may also be requested from a DeCormier Trustee, as well as a Zone or Unit Friendly Service Chair.

To be eligible to apply for either of these grants, the applicant must:

1. be a current member of RENY with a minimum of three years of immediate prior membership
   
2. be at least 55 years of age
   
3. have (or member’s spouse have) a minimum of fifteen years as a New York State school employee
   
4. complete and submit an application.
   

Both applications require information about the applicant’s assets (such as cash, checking, stocks, insurances, pensions, social security, etc.), debts, and financial obligations, as well as other information that may help the Trustees to fully understand the circumstances of the situation.  All application information is held in strict confidence.  Each grant request is investigated to determine that there is a legitimate need. After a thorough discussion of the application, the Trustee Board renders its decision of whether or not to accept, or possibly modify the request.  The applicant is then notified of the Trustee Board’s decision.

A review of the needs of the monthly stipend recipients is done every two years and is sent to the recipients by the chair.

We encourage you to apply for a monthly stipend grant or a special needs grant if you need help.  We also ask that you forward this information to a fellow retiree who may be experiencing financial difficulty.   For additional information regarding the Robert R. DeCormier Memorial Trust Fund, please contact: Anne Flansburg (716-863-3631) or anneflanswz@aol.com.

Truly, the memory of our first RENY President Robert DeCormier is kept alive through the financial help that RENY members, through the DeCormier Trust Fund are able to give to fellow retirees in need.  Donations are welcome, and may also be made in memory of or in honor of an individual.  All donations are tax deductible, and acknowledgments are sent to the donor.  A letter is also sent to the person being honored, or to the family of the individual who is being memorialized.  To make a donation, please make check or money order payable to:  DeCormier Memorial Trust Fund and mail to  R DeCormier Memorial Trust, Mary Lou Davis, Treasurer   125 Andrews Road   LaGrangeville NY 12540.

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TEACHER GRANT COMMITTEE

In early 2019, the Western Zone Teacher Grant Committee conducted for our zone the New York State Retired Teachers’ Association Hudson/Kramer Memorial Grant competition.

The $1000 grant is awarded to a full-time public school teacher or administrator judged to have submitted a program/project proposal which best addresses student achievement, self-esteem or behavior—including current issues such as teen pregnancy, drug use, health concerns, bullying, etc.; such program/project to be carried out in the 2019-20 school year.

The winner of this year’s competition is Michelle Schroeder, a City of Buffalo teacher who proposes to create a club—POSITIVELY PRINTING—by which she would intend to draw in the “fringe kids,” the more introverted among her art students.

Ms. Schroeder’s entry was one of 32 that were submitted from throughout the five counties of Western Zone, 12 of which came from Chautauqua County, 10 from Erie County, six from Niagara County, and three and one respectively from Genesee and Cattaraugus Counties.

Therese Clarke, Maria Hager, Stanley Nowak, Irine Denis Zinter

Ronals Czapla, Chairman