A Bronxville School Foundation Grant Supports Service Learning at the Bronxville School

Fourth grade students make “Bracelets of Hope” for patients undergoing chemotherapy at two area hospitals.

By Katie Shah, Public Relations, Bronxville School Foundation

March 19, 2026: Project-based service learning has expanded at the Bronxville School with the support of a grant from the Bronxville School Foundation, “Service Learning and the Heart of the Promise.”

“The goal of service learning is to implement a reflective process with students, asking them to think about the benefits that service activities have both for themselves and others,” said Alyssa Dioguardi, who authored the grant last winter. Dioguardi teaches Humanities and Literature at Bronxville High School and serves as the school’s Dean of Service Learning and Community Engagement.

Service learning is designed to deepen students’ critical thinking, civic engagement, and connections to classroom units of study through a three-step process: action, reflection, and a demonstration of learning. Project goals are vertically aligned across grades.

The grant was designed to “help teachers grow service projects throughout their curricula in ways that make sense for each grade level,” said Dioguardi.

Fourth graders will complete three service learning projects this year: “Thanksgiving in a Box” for Family Services of Westchester in Yonkers; “Bracelets of Hope” for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy in two area hospitals; and “Bundles of Joy” toiletry essentials for area children in partnership with Bronxville-based nonprofit Bundles of Joy.

Students assemble “Thanksgiving in a Box” for Family Services of Westchester, Inc. in Yonkers.

“Even small acts of kindness can create a mindset of empathy and gratitude,” said fourth grade teacher and team leader Lauren Wright. “These projects reinforce how students can be impacted by giving.” In-class activities include recording personal reflections and participating in classroom discussions. Lessons also connect with the C.A.R.E. (Community, Awareness, Relationships, and Empathy) curriculum led by elementary school psychologist Dr. Joyce Vastola.

Other service learning projects include second grade outreach with Paws Crossed Animal Rescue Center in Elmsford; a World Read Aloud Day initiative for third graders and members of the Bronxville Senior Citizen Council and Gramatan Village; and the “Be the Change” project in fifth grade. In upper grades, students conduct Bronx River research, connect with area seniors at the Reformed Church of Bronxville, and engage with U.S. veterans on Memorial Day.

Each year, the Bronxville School Foundation accepts grant requests from faculty, staff, students, and community members. Since its inception, the Foundation has awarded more than $13.7 million in grants that focus on piloting new programs, pursuing creative ideas, and providing equipment and facilities in the areas of science, the arts, athletics, technology, and curriculum development. For more information, or to give to the 2026 annual campaign, please visit bronxvilleschoolfoundation.org.

 

 

 

 

Community Service Organizations Directory

Community Service Organizations

HOME & GARDEN

Bronxville Beautification Council

Organized in 1982, the Bronxville Beautification Council (BBC) is a not-for-profit organization administered by a volunteer Board of Directors. The mission of the BBC is to enhance and maintain the natural and man-made beauty of the village of Bronxville, with an emphasis on the downtown business district.

Click here to learn more 

Boulder Ledge Garden Club

Founded in 1966, the Boulder Ledge Garden Club is rooted in a mission to inspire a deeper appreciation and love for gardening and flower arranging. The club is dedicated to fostering and promoting interest and knowledge in gardening. 

The Club maintains Bronxville’s Bicentennial Park and other civic gardens. In 2019–2020 the club raised $18,000 to replace trees in the village, reflecting its active role in community beautification. It also holds garden therapy projects and educational garden trips for members. 

Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.m or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Bronxville Giving Garden

The Bronxville Giving Garden is a community-centered garden that donates organic produce to Eastchester Community Action Partnership in Tuckahoe and Community Service Associates in Mount Vernon. The garden is also a gathering place where school children and volunteers can discover the joy of tending plants and growing food.

Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Bronxville Green Committee

The Bronxville Green Committee is a volunteer organization that is part of the Village of Bronxville. It proposes and implements environmentally sustainable programs in our community. 

You can contact them HERE.

SCOUTING

Bronxville Boy Scouts

The village of Bronxville has a long tradition of scouting. “The troops and packs of Bronxville have maintained the finest scouting organizations and have taught the boys of the Bronxville area to be leaders and outstanding members of the local, national and global communities.”

Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information 

Bronxville Girls Scouts

The Girls Scouts is “the world’s preeminent organization dedicated solely to girls where, in an accepting and nurturing environment, girls build character and skills for success in the real world.” In Girl Scouts, “girls discover the fun, friendship and power of girls together. Through the many enriching experiences provided by Girl Scouts, they can grow courageous and strong.”

Here is more information about girl scouts.

HISTORY

Bronxville Historical Conservancy

Inspired by the highly successful Bronxville Centennial Celebration in 1998, the Bronxville Historical Conservancy was founded to record and preserve Bronxville's history and life in the village today.

Website

BRONXVILLE SCHOOL

Bronxville School Foundation

The Bronxville School Foundation, founded in 1991, is a non-profit organization independent from the school with the sole purpose of supporting the school. 

The mission of the Bronxville School Foundation is to enhance the quality of public education in our community by engaging the support and energies of educators, citizens, parents, students and alumni.

The Foundation awards grants for projects

CLICK HERE to learn more.

LECTURES, EXHIBITS, CONCERTS

Bronxville Women's Club

The Bronxville Women’s Club offers lectures, exhibits and concerts. It also has a beautiful clubhouse which is available for rental for events.

135 Midland Avenue
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-3252

website

Concordia Conservatory

Concordia Conservatory, a preeminent center for music education in Westchester and Fairfield Counties, is a welcoming community where children and adults find lifelong inspiration and joy through learning, performing, listening to, and participating with others in music.

The Conservatory’s mission is to inspire, instruct, and enrich lives through music offering excellence in education and performance.

CLICK HERE for more information.

COUNSELING

Counseling Center

Founded in 1971, the mission of the Counseling Center “is to provide a wide range of psychotherapeutic and counseling services to individuals, couples and families by a staff of highly trained, experience and dedicated psychotherapists. 

The Counseling Center
180 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-793-3388
www.counselingcenter.org

SERVICE & VOLUNTEERISM

Community Fund of Bronxville, Eastchester & Tuckahoe

The mission of the Community Fund is “to support broad social services in Bronxville 10708, Eastchester and Tuckahoe through grants and technical support to local agencies and community projects. All money raised here in our community stays here in our community.” 

15 Park Place
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-8808
www.thecommunityfund.org

Junior League of Bronxville

The Junior League of Bronxville is “an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and to improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.”

www.jlbronxville.org

Rotary Club of Bronxville

The Rotary Club of Bronxville is part of a national network of 1.25 million problem-solvers. They see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves. 

For more than 115 years, Rotary's "people of action" have used their passion, energy, and intelligence to execute sustainable projects. From literacy and peace to water and health, we are always working to better our world, and we stay committed to the end.
 
CLICK HERE to learn more.

READING & LEARNING

Friends of the Bronxville Library

The Friends of the Bronxville Library is a not-for-profit membership association whose mission is to focus attention on the “Library’s services, facilities and needs” as well as sponsor projects and provide materials that are beyond the reach of the Library's regular budget and perform other services.  

website

SENIORS

Gramatan Village

Gramatan Village

Gramatan Village is a unique community model offering programs, services and social connections that help members continue to live independently in their homes as they age. In addition, GV offers one-on-one consultations and counseling with our experienced staff to guide members through life’s transitions.

website

Senior Citizens of Bronxville

Senior Citizens of Bronxville is a not-for-profit organization that provides services and programs to seniors within the 10708 zip code area. “Programs cover a wide range of activities from educational seminars and cultural enrichment to community services, bridge classes and exercise.”

https://www.bronxvilleseniors.org/

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