The USREF Grant Program objective is to promote creativity and excellence in the Upper Saddle River Schools by supporting and enhancing the curriculum of Pre K-8th grades while benefiting the broadest number of children.  

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The teacher-authored grant application process takes place in the fall.  Teachers submit grant applications to their principals, and each school's grant package is compiled and forwarded to the superintendent for final submission to the USREF Grant Committee.  The budget for approved grants is established ahead of the Grant Committee decision, and is based on the success of fundraising at the spring Gala, major investment goals, and anticipated operating expenses.  

The grant applications are reviewed by the committee, and the approved grants are announced at the December Board of Education meeting, allowing grant projects to be implemented during the second half of the school year.  There is an opportunity in the spring for teachers to submit grant requests that need earlier funding for fall and requests for recurring grant funding.