Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: Universal Education Institute, Inc.
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As: Universal School
Mailing Address: 1957 Genesee Street
City: Buffalo
State: New York
Postal Code: 14211
Main Phone: (716) 597-0102
Main Fax: (716) 954-2253
Organization Website: https://www.myuniversalschool.org
Employer ID Number: 01-0709661
Organization Tax Status: 501(c)(3)

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: March 30, 2023
Requested Amount: $10,000

Project Title: Media Center/Library Project
Project Description:

To support creation of a dedicated Media Center/Library at Universal School for K-12th grade students.

Universal School currently has small, in classroom libraries and some outdated technolog for students’ use, with no dedicated space for research and study. The Media Center/Library will provide a dedicated resource area where students can learn to research, perform research for assignments and projects, study, and borrow books.
Most of our students are Muslim and people of color. Over 75% meet financial hardship standards, live in high need zip codes, and receive financial aid to attend the school. Many live in non-English speaking homes and require ESL support.
Requested funds will help Universal School, located in one of the highest crime, highest poverty rate zip codes in Western New York, give more than 200 K-12 students access to relevant educational tools, addressing educational inequities for some of the areas most underserved, underrepresented students. According to a 2022 Bay Atlantic University Study, use of digital learning tools “boost student engagement, assist teachers in improving lesson plans, and enable personalized learning. It also helps students to develop critical thinking skills.”
Use of technology in the schools sharpens students’ critical thinking skills, increases collaboration, improves communication, and offers personalized learning opportunities. Furthermore, students exhibit better comprehension, improved classroom engagement, greater facility for exploring complex matters, and more effective learning (https://bau.edu/blog/technology-impact-on-learning/ ).
As a result of the new Media Center/Library we anticipate:
• Students will understand and use technology more effectively, and expience icreased future opportunities and success
• Improved academic performance which will lead to future student success and opportunity
• 65% improvement in student proficiency with technology
• 25% improvement in academic performance
• 25% increase in self-directed learning and classroom engagement.

Total Project Budget: $69,507.90

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): AXA XL Regional Grant Program – $49,687 – Request Pending

Project Duration: June 2023 through May 2024
Geographical Area Served: Western, New York with the majority of our students living in the 14211, 14215, and 14218 zip codes.
Age Group To Be Served: Kindergarten through grade 12 students

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Sister
Contact First Name: Terjuana
Contact Last Name: Teruel
Contact Title: Principal
Contact Phone: (716) 597-0102
Contact Email: ateruel@myuniversalschool.org