Educational grants help support Monticello Schools’ student programs

December 2008

At the November 6, Board of Education meeting, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Patrick Michel, on behalf of the Monticello Central School District, officially accepted a $2,500 ExxonMobil Educational Alliance grant award. The money is allocated in $500 denominations for Emma C. Chase, Kenneth L. Rutherford, Cornelius Duggan and George L. Cooke Elementary Schools and Robert J. Kaiser Middle School to use for their various student programs.

At Chase Elementary School, Principal Susan Gottlieb plans to purchase materials and supplies for her students’ science laboratory experiments. Duggan Elementary School Principal Patti Sonnenschein plans to buy books to support the school’s new International Baccalaureate program. RJK Middle School Principal Deborah Wood said her school’s grant money would go towards a Student of the Month trip, which is a program the school created to help build student self-esteem by recognizing their accomplishments.

The money was procured through the efforts of Van Etten Oil Company executive Alyce Van Etten, with the support of the VEO Express Lanes in Monticello, Rock Hill and Wurtsboro, along with 786 Mart in Kiamesha. The company’s continuing efforts have helped secure thousands of dollars for local school programs for more than a decade.

Ms. Van Etten was ecstatic to once again present the district with the funds. “The ExxonMobil Educational Alliance provides retailers like me with an opportunity to invest in the future of our communities by supporting the various programs of the local schools,” stated Van Etten, who is also the Monticello Board of Education Vice President. “As part of a family business established in 1964, we are committed to serving the needs of our local students, and as the School Board vice president, I know that every dollar counts.”

All the school administrators were grateful for the continued support of the quality educational programs in their schools.

Photo: from left, Monticello Schools Superintendent Dr. Patrick Michel, Cooke Elementary School Principal Sandra Johnson-Fields, 2nd grade students Desiree Edwards, Jenna Cammerino and Daquan Maxwell greeted Van Etten Oil Company executive Alyce Van Etten who presented them with a copy of their $500 grant check. Johnson-Fields plans to use the money to buy some new books for her school’s library.