Cultural Arts Annual Funding – $32,000
Students at Lafayette Learning Center enjoyed a week filled with enriching and diverse experiences that brought learning to life in exciting ways. From Taekwondo and Yoga to Hip Hop dancing, storytelling from different cultures, and even creating a school globe art project, each activity celebrated the vibrant and diverse community.
Students also had the chance to meet local heroes, including the Sheriff’s Department K-9 unit and the Ambulance Squad, and explore the wonders of nature through a special Insect Presentation. The week concluded with a heartwarming Cultural Parade, where students proudly displayed their heritage by waving their flags.
Alexander Hamilton hosted a series of enriching assemblies that celebrated learning, culture, and character funded by the MEF. Highlights included Hip Hop Fundamentals, Taste of Spain, Arithmetickles, and a powerful performance by Jubilee Children’s Entertainment, whose uplifting blend of music, storytelling, and motivation encouraged students to embrace perseverance, kindness, and a growth mindset. With full participation from approximately 250 students and 40 staff, these dynamic programs supported the school’s mission to foster curiosity, confidence, and a strong sense of community.
Alfred Vail 2nd-graders journeyed across cultures in their annual dance residency with Mayo Performing Arts Center where they learned traditional folk dances from around the globe. Dances ranged from Chinese Ribbon Dance and Russian Trepak to French Minuet. Through this MEF-funded program, students also learned about history, geography, and music, culminating in a school-wide cultural celebration of movement, music and storytelling.
For the second consecutive year, the entire Hillcrest School community – consisting of over 248 students and 50 staff members – visited the Morristown Performing Arts Center for a cultural arts field trip to see Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical!
The performance, based on Mo Willems’ beloved book series, reinforced values such as teamwork, problem-solving, and creative expression, making a lasting impact on the entire Hillcrest community. This joyful event exposed Kindergarten through 2nd-graders to the power of live theater, igniting their imagination, creativity, and love of learning.
Staff members also benefited, enjoying a unique opportunity to connect with students outside the classroom and strengthen a school culture built on collaboration and joy. As Principal Lisa Fischman shared, this experience was “a truly inclusive experience for our school community,” highlighting the far-reaching impact of MEF’s commitment to providing enriching educational opportunities.
Normandy Park students enjoyed participating in a 10-session historical drama program from MPAC where they explored American history and folktales through theater. Students also developed performance skills and built confidence through this residency, which culminated in a final stage performance.
Sussex Avenue 3rd-graders brought stories to life through Reader’s Theatre with Mayo Performing Arts Center, building reading skills, confidence, and teamwork, all leading up to a fantastic live performance for family and friends!
Ninety-one 5th-grade Thomas Jefferson students participated in a 5-day poetry residency with award-winning poet, Mr. BJ Ward. This introductory engagement with literature allowed students to enjoy learning about and creating their own poems. At the end of the program, the school produced an anthology of the student’s poetry, a tradition TJ has proudly maintained for over ten years.
Students from Woodland experienced two powerful cultural assemblies this year through Young Audiences. For Hispanic Heritage Day, students explored the rich traditions of food, music, and dance in an engaging, interactive celebration. During Black History Month, they learned about gumboot dancing and its cultural roots, deepening their understanding through live performance and guided study. Over 250 students participated, gaining meaningful insights into diverse cultures through these vibrant experiences!
On October 8th and 9th, Frelinghuysen Middle School welcomed Youth Empowerment Speaker Chris Romulo for his powerful “Champ Up” keynote, presented to all 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade students. In these interactive sessions, students explored “The 7 Dictators” - internal barriers like fear and self-doubt - and learned tools to build resilience and prioritize mental well-being. Many were brought on stage to practice strategies live, making the experience even more engaging. Follow-up EX-SEL lessons helped students reflect on self-talk and apply what they learned. Thanks to Chris Romulo for inspiring our students to face challenges with strength, empathy, and confidence!
Nearly 100 Morristown High School students gathered with anticipation to view "Captain America: Brave New World." Students enjoyed the experience and were noticeably impressed with the number of people of color in this new Marvel film.
After the film, students and adults engaged in small group conversations about the impact the casting of the film had on their perception of it. Students were simply delighted to see a man of African descent portrayed as a clear-cut hero - a bona fide good guy - Captain America! The film also included many other characters played by actors of color and all genders, who were cast in the most positive of lights. As this has not always been how Hollywood has traditionally operated, these students were the first to approve of such a refreshing change in casting.
Tanya Cepada, MHS US1 History Teacher and Melanin Minds Advisor, stated this, "After the movie, students of color walked out of the theatre standing even straighter, embracing a pride they may not have overtly recognized, but had definitely seeped into their subconscious minds. Seeing this display of people of color in such positive roles further inoculates ALL students of ALL ethnicities against the more negative impressions media feeds them of different ethnic groups. Representation is truly important to young people growing up in the United States of America. Thank you, MEF, for making this event a reality!"
