LEAF (Ledyard Education Advancement Foundation)

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LEAF (Ledyard Education Advancement Foundation)

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Founded in 2003, LEAF is a non-profit, non-partisan, tax-exempt organization. LEAF grants encourage creativity and innovation.

The mission of LEAF is to marshal the community’s resources in support of educational programs that promote excellence and enhance student achievement in Ledyard Public Schools. LEAF solicits donations from individuals, businesses, foundations, and organizations. LEAF disburses grants to Ledyard Public Schools and teachers for targeted programs that promote excellence and enhance student achievement. LEAF distributed over $600,000 in grants since 2003.

11/04/2026

Thank You, Ledyard and Mystic! 💚

LEAF extends a heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported reusable bag sales at the Big Y Mystic location. Thanks to your participation and commitment to reducing waste, we received $87 from reusable bag sales.

Every reusable bag purchased helps support LEAF's mission while encouraging sustainable choices in our community. We are grateful to Big Y and all the shoppers who chose to make a difference, one bag at a time.

Together, we're creating a greener future for Mystic, Ledyard and beyond!

💚🌎

10/31/2026

Happy Halloween from your friends at LEAF!

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our trustees for hosting a splendid trunk or treat event in Ledyard last night. Such community engagement is vital for fostering supportive educational environments. We encourage attendees to share their thoughts on the event and the swag provided, as your feedback is invaluable in shaping future initiatives. Let’s continue to empower our educators and students through collaboration.

10/07/2026

🌟 A heartfelt thank you to Mrs. Fagan and the entire LHS community! 🌟

The LEAF Trustees extend our deepest appreciation to Mrs. Fagan, LHS principal, for inviting us to such a special evening. The sneak preview of this fall’s musical, the marching band’s dynamic show, and the in‑depth classroom experiences were truly time well spent.

Your dedication as a principal shines through every student we met — their enthusiasm, pride, and talent reflect the leadership guiding them each day.

We are grateful to the students and faculty for offering us a wonderful window into the high school community. It was inspiring, energizing, and a reminder of how proud we are to partner with you.

💙 Thank you, LHS — we are honored to support your incredible work.

10/06/2026

Grant Spotlight:
Kathryn Lyon
Ledyard High School
Rebounding into Fitness

"I find the LEAF Grant process to be very user-friendly, and I am extremely grateful for the support that LEAF has provided to my students. This is the second LEAF grant I have been awarded, and I always encourage my colleagues to apply.

Last year, I began introducing the rebounders to my smaller classes and Unified PE class. This year, I hope to implement them as a recurring fitness station in my PE classes once we move inside for the winter."

LHS’s performance on the CT State Fitness Test (CFT) has declined significantly over the past several years, indicating that students are becoming more sedentary and less physically fit. Statewide scores have dropped from 50.1% (2017–2018) to 47.2% (2023–2024), but LHS’s decline is far more dramatic — from 57.8% to 34.2% over the same period. These results, documented in the Next Generation Accountability Report on ct.gov, highlight an urgent need for engaging, effective fitness interventions.

This project purchases 12 rebounders to support cardiovascular training for all students in PE classes. Rebounding offers a fun, low‑impact, high‑engagement method for improving cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, bone health, balance, coordination, lymphatic function, and stress reduction. Because rebounders are accessible, enjoyable, and adaptable, they provide an appealing alternative for students who struggle with traditional running‑based fitness activities.

The rebounders are shared among all four physical education teachers and incorporated into every PE course offered at LHS. Stored centrally and accessible daily, they would become a consistent tool for improving student fitness and helping raise CFT scores across the entire student population.

Long‑term goal: improve both overall student health and LHS’s performance on the CT State Fitness Test, while making cardiovascular training more enjoyable and sustainable for all learners.

09/30/2026

Grant spotlight

Ledyard High School

Melanie Cometa: Reflecting on a Bright Future: Rehearsal Mirrors

These portable rehearsal mirrors would allow us to transform our spaces into choreography studios to support our marching band, theater, and choir programs. Portable rehearsal mirrors will allow students to self-assess and adjust during lessons and rehearsals.

This will help them achieve their goals in dance, posture, expression, and other artistic work.

Here is what Mrs. Cometa had to say after using them:

1. What was the process of applying for a grant like? "The process is easy! The LEAF board is helpful, and the application process is simple. All of the information is easily found on their website, and the application itself is well-aligned with our existing vision plans and goals at Ledyard High school."

2. What gap were you trying to address for your students? If not a gap, what was the "margin of excellence" you were hoping to provide? "Our students move and dance all year long, whether in a drama production, choir, or marching band. We do not have any mirrors, and so many students struggle to see the instruction, are unable to assess if they are performing choreography as instructed, and teachers are unable to model while observing for feedback. Now we can turn our stage or rehearsal area into a dance studio!"
3. Did you try to get this by other means? And what made you think of LEAF? "We were able to fund this request through the superintendent's budget several years ago, but the approved vendor closed their business before the mirrors could be delivered. When we learned this, the money was no longer available, but the need was still there. We are thankful to LEAF for helping us dream beyond our yearly budget."
4. What kind of results did you get from this project? "We are excited to start using these mirrors as we prepare for our annual POPS Concert. I predict that they will make an enormous difference in instruction."
5. Do you have more ideas or advice for your colleagues? "Dream big and apply! You will be hard-pressed to find a grant organization as accessible as LEAF."

09/26/2026

PARENTS & FAMILIES — WE NEED YOUR VOICE!

LEAF is seeking teacher applications for classroom grants,
and we want to hear directly from the people who matter most:
your students.

Ask them this week:
• What would make your classroom even better?
• What tools or materials would help you learn?
• What inspires you — and what could inspire you more?

Your conversations spark ideas.
Those ideas become LEAF grants.
And those grants become real improvements in Ledyard classrooms.

Let’s dream big together.
💛📚✨

09/23/2026

Grant Spotlight:

Emily Lehet & Mike Serricchio: Strength & Conditioning Equipment Update

1. What was the process of applying for a grant like?

Once I had a clear idea of what I was looking for, applying for the grant was really easy. The form was concise and made me feel like my request was perfect for this opportunity.

2. What gap were you trying to address for your students? If not a gap, what was the "margin of excellence" you were hoping to provide?

When I applied for the grant, we were introducing a new strength and conditioning course to the catalog. We had much of the basic equipment we needed to launch the program, but it was ideal to expand so we could offer more personalized learning experiences for our students. With the equipment we got from the grant we have the ability to have students plan for their own fitness plans and see improvement as they practice.

3. Did you try to get this by other means? And what made you think of LEAF?

I did look into other grant opportunities, but PE grants are often restricted to less affluent areas. The LEAF grant was a perfect opportunity to build up our resources in a way that would immediately improve our PE classes. Exercise equipment is expensive, so it usually takes time to make an impact which is why LEAF’s help was perfect for this equipment.

4. What kind of results did you get from this project?

This grant has allowed for more flexibility when planning activities with classes. When we are inside for the semester it can be hard if two classes that happen during the same block are looking to use the fitness equipment because there is only room for so many students to use the fitness center space. With the equipment we were given, we have been able to expand the downstairs fitness center to make it more accessible to varying levels of fitness and experience. We also have been able to incorporate learning about recovery techniques. Finally students feel more comfortable planning and participating in their own personalized fitness plans.

5. Do you have more ideas or advice for your colleagues?

Just apply because you never know what kind of impact it can make on your classroom and your teaching!

09/21/2026

Grant spotlight:

Ledyard High School
Sarah Champ: Extempore — Language Lab Learning
The World Language Department is piloting Extempore, an online platform designed to enhance the capabilities of the high school Language Lab by supporting practice and assessment in all four domains of language learning: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Extempore integrates meaningful, targeted practice into Spanish and French instruction and fills a critical gap in interpersonal speaking practice—an essential skill for success on the AP and AAPPL exams.
Extempore allows students who are not seated together to be paired for practice conversations, enabling multiple interpersonal exchanges within a single class period. Teachers can record conversations for formative or summative assessments, and students are highly motivated to participate knowing their final conversation will be reviewed. The platform also provides access to activities aligned with specific communication modes, grammar skills, and state standards, along with templates for creating original assignments.
By offering controlled, authentic opportunities for students to communicate with classmates and receive targeted feedback, Extempore strengthens preparation for AP French, AP Spanish, and the Seal of Biliteracy exams. Long-term, the department aims to deepen the use of the fully equipped Language Lab by incorporating Extempore into high-stakes exam preparation and expanding the types of activities available to students. The pilot will help determine whether Extempore meets student needs for future budgeting.

1. What was the process of applying for a grant like?
a teacher inservice day, I sat down and wrote for about an hour. My colleagues gave me input before and after writing, and I edited for a little more. It was a collective effort and easy because I have great colleagues that wanted to support the effort.

2. What gap were you trying to address for your students? If not a gap, what was the "margin of excellence" you were hoping to provide?
Our department wanted to give students more opportunity to speak and the program we bought with the LEAF grant gave us a great tool to use.

3. Did you try to get this by other means? No And what made you think of LEAF?
A representative from LEAF came in and talked about the program

4. What kind of results did you get from this project?
Kids are speaking more! We can give listening assessments and speaking assessments in 15 minutes instead of doing them all "Live" and taking up an entire block. Huge time saver and the students like the privacy of speaking only to me.

5. Do you have more ideas or advice for your colleagues?
Nothing gained if you don't try!

09/20/2026

We had a great raffle at the Back 2 School Bash last month, and here is one of our amazing prizes in action! Thank you Ledyard Police Department for providing this amazing prize and for always supporting our students.

09/19/2026

Grant spotlight: Shelley Spohr
Ledyard Middle School
LCD Digital Microscope

"The process of applying for a LEAF grant was extremely easy, straight-forward, and not overly time-consuming. In applying for the digital microscope, I was trying to fill a gap for students who have impaired vision as well as students who have difficulty putting their eye against an eye piece. The digital microscope allows those students to see what everyone else is observing. It also allows me the opportunity to not only display the magnified image on our classroom whiteboard but also take photos and videos.

Each year a LEAF rep comes to one of our faculty meetings and stresses that they 'want to fund us!'. It was because of this that I applied for a LEAF grant before trying other sources. I highly recommend applying for a LEAF grant if there is anything you need or want to perfect your classroom or curriculum. The first LEAF grant I received was gravity wells for 8th grade astronomy - my students absolutely loved them and wanted to use them as much as possible. We will be using the digital microscope in 7th grade in the upcoming weeks, and I know it will be extremely helpful as we discover plant cells, photosynthesis, and microscopic predator/prey interactions. "

Address

Ledyard, CT
06339

Website

http://www.LedyardEducation.org/

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