1 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.980 Regina Fontanelli: Olivia Flores, not Regina. 2 00:00:04.320 --> 00:00:09.709 Regina Fontanelli: And I am… presently, I am the Director of the Extended Day Program. 3 00:00:09.790 --> 00:00:26.300 Regina Fontanelli: In Pskill City School Districts, but my experience, really, in the past has been full-service community schools, which is that conceptual, theoretical model, and that is my love. That is what I think works. 4 00:00:26.650 --> 00:00:28.090 Regina Fontanelli: in our system. 5 00:00:28.940 --> 00:00:42.619 Regina Fontanelli: And I'm not sure if everybody understands, like, the power of community schools, and the power of accessing resources outside of the district, and really supporting, academic. 6 00:00:42.830 --> 00:00:53.610 Regina Fontanelli: supports, social-emotional supports for the families, for the community. It really is just, a holistic view of what we need to do. 7 00:00:53.700 --> 00:01:02.979 Regina Fontanelli: So I'm gonna try to answer, and if I am not answering your question, Ryan, jump in and say, Maria, I want more specifics, all right? Because I really want to be able to… 8 00:01:03.230 --> 00:01:05.600 Regina Fontanelli: To hone in on the answers you want. 9 00:01:05.600 --> 00:01:07.249 Ryan Rodriguez: I appreciate that, thank you so much. 10 00:01:07.250 --> 00:01:08.329 Regina Fontanelli: So… 11 00:01:08.330 --> 00:01:12.590 Ryan Rodriguez: Setup questions, too, if you, after you wanna say… 12 00:01:13.320 --> 00:01:22.110 Regina Fontanelli: So, how do we get grants? I've always get grants is, like, people know that I'm always looking for grants, so I would get, like, 13 00:01:22.220 --> 00:01:32.019 Regina Fontanelli: a counterpart from United Way say, Maria, check this grant out. It looks like it fits in your district. So, in the past, it's always been that, kind of… 14 00:01:33.720 --> 00:01:35.539 Regina Fontanelli: informal. 15 00:01:36.010 --> 00:01:36.400 Ryan Rodriguez: Professional. 16 00:01:36.400 --> 00:01:37.890 Regina Fontanelli: sharing. 17 00:01:38.050 --> 00:01:53.390 Regina Fontanelli: of, you know, the RFP came out, and it's something that might fit your district. And then we have to go in, I usually send it to the superintendent, and to the deputy super, whoever it goes, and they'll make the decision, does this align, does it not? 18 00:01:54.430 --> 00:01:57.780 Regina Fontanelli: But what I am hearing, your AI, 19 00:01:58.250 --> 00:02:13.470 Regina Fontanelli: a project would already have fit all those things in, would say, yes, peak skills, demographics, peak skill needs, already aligned to this RFP, so I would be skipping 2 or 3 steps. 20 00:02:13.470 --> 00:02:14.150 Ryan Rodriguez: Yeah. 21 00:02:14.410 --> 00:02:19.179 Regina Fontanelli: And that is amazing, because a lot of the times, I'm just sending the grants out, like. 22 00:02:19.650 --> 00:02:34.939 Regina Fontanelli: check this one out, check this one out, check this one out. And sometimes it works, and then sometimes we read it, and it's like, no, you know, we need to have this sort of demographic, or we need to have this sort of need, or we need… it's not for our schools, but it is for CBO. 23 00:02:35.010 --> 00:02:45.200 Regina Fontanelli: So, you know, it's a long process. But going back to your initial question, how do I find out? I usually just find out through looking at RFPs. 24 00:02:45.200 --> 00:02:51.359 Ryan Rodriguez: Or people sharing with me that there are grants out there that would be beneficial for our district. Okay. 25 00:02:52.070 --> 00:03:00.279 Ryan Rodriguez: Amazing. Thank you so much. So, my first, like, official question is gonna focus on time and effort. 26 00:03:00.590 --> 00:03:14.190 Ryan Rodriguez: This is, like, a bit of a loaded question, so, like, I'll break it up into, like, two parts. So, in a typical year, how many community schools or after-school or SEL grants do you, like, touch end-to-end? 27 00:03:14.670 --> 00:03:16.410 Ryan Rodriguez: In a typical school year. 28 00:03:16.620 --> 00:03:20.769 Regina Fontanelli: Define touch end-to-end. Is that right? Is that participate in? 29 00:03:20.770 --> 00:03:40.230 Ryan Rodriguez: Yeah, so it's like, like you just mentioned, like, you'll find, and you'll send this to the superintendent, so, like, let's say that that grant gets approved, and then, like, you go through the whole process, and then you get approved for that. How many times is that happening in a typical school district for, grants, or, like, the, funding that you're touching, if that makes sense? 30 00:03:40.480 --> 00:03:41.510 Regina Fontanelli: Yes, it does. 31 00:03:41.640 --> 00:03:43.839 Regina Fontanelli: I would say about 2 to 3 a year. 32 00:03:44.000 --> 00:03:46.800 Ryan Rodriguez: Okay. That we get. 33 00:03:46.800 --> 00:04:03.360 Regina Fontanelli: we might write 5 or 6, and I'm talking mini-grants, and I'm talking bigger RFP. So I have, like, a mini-grant that I wrote for Columbia Presbyterian Hospital for the summer. Actually, I think your mom helped me write a chunk of it, for my summer program. We didn't get it. 34 00:04:03.360 --> 00:04:07.350 Regina Fontanelli: But somebody sent me this, it was for summer, 35 00:04:07.860 --> 00:04:21.010 Regina Fontanelli: summer academic laws, and I went crazy. I had, like, 2 weeks, we started writing it, and, I sent chunks to everybody, please help me write it, please help me write it, please. And I found out that one of my counterparts in Peekskill. 36 00:04:21.220 --> 00:04:22.260 Regina Fontanelli: Got it. 37 00:04:22.450 --> 00:04:25.529 Regina Fontanelli: And I heard that Peekskill got it, so I thought it was me. 38 00:04:26.110 --> 00:04:37.290 Regina Fontanelli: Then I was emailing the guy, hey, where's my money? And it was a counterpart, one of the community-based organizations, which was fine. It was the first time that I had applied for that, so, 39 00:04:38.390 --> 00:04:44.820 Regina Fontanelli: Yeah, I would say 5 or 6, including mini and bigger RFPs. 40 00:04:45.470 --> 00:04:47.129 Regina Fontanelli: And then we would get, like, 3. 41 00:04:47.130 --> 00:04:48.350 Ryan Rodriguez: Yeah, two or three, okay. 42 00:04:48.350 --> 00:04:49.199 Regina Fontanelli: 2 or 3. 43 00:04:49.550 --> 00:04:50.480 Ryan Rodriguez: That makes sense. 44 00:04:51.040 --> 00:04:57.950 Ryan Rodriguez: So my next couple of questions are gonna be on the grant search process. 45 00:04:58.120 --> 00:05:03.130 Ryan Rodriguez: So, you already commented on this, so if you could also just go into more depth 46 00:05:03.140 --> 00:05:21.550 Ryan Rodriguez: If you know the people that are, telling you about the grants. So, like, which sources for those people, or even you if you've done, like, searching on your own, which sources are often yielding, like, very viable funding for, like, community schools, like, on average, if that makes sense? 47 00:05:21.790 --> 00:05:27.270 Regina Fontanelli: Yes, I can tell you straight up. I have a good friend of mine who is the grant writer. 48 00:05:27.270 --> 00:05:29.809 Ryan Rodriguez: For a big CBO? 49 00:05:30.040 --> 00:05:32.800 Regina Fontanelli: he's my… He's my chain. 50 00:05:32.800 --> 00:05:33.480 Ryan Rodriguez: What'd do. 51 00:05:33.480 --> 00:05:38.669 Regina Fontanelli: He's my chain. When I get an email or a text from Maria, check this out. 52 00:05:38.670 --> 00:05:39.280 Ryan Rodriguez: Yeah. 53 00:05:39.280 --> 00:05:44.649 Regina Fontanelli: He's on the money. I'm also part of the community schools, coalition. 54 00:05:45.650 --> 00:05:50.849 Regina Fontanelli: So when they send out grants, I follow through with that. 55 00:05:50.990 --> 00:05:54.629 Regina Fontanelli: I am part of the extended day program right now. 56 00:05:54.750 --> 00:06:00.340 Regina Fontanelli: And I am constantly telling them, look, I… give me grants. The money you're giving me is not enough. 57 00:06:00.550 --> 00:06:04.959 Regina Fontanelli: It's not. I can, like, barely pay salaries and then some. 58 00:06:05.220 --> 00:06:07.450 Regina Fontanelli: With this, so… 59 00:06:08.170 --> 00:06:25.449 Regina Fontanelli: I think they get tired of me asking, so I get those things, you know, I get grants being, shared with me. I'm also very vocal with some of the CBOs in the community. Columbia Presbyterian is one. They… they're good, they give me mini-grants, and I'll… I take them. 60 00:06:25.660 --> 00:06:28.339 Ryan Rodriguez: When you say CBO, what is that. 61 00:06:28.340 --> 00:06:30.660 Regina Fontanelli: Community-based organizations. 62 00:06:30.770 --> 00:06:32.400 Ryan Rodriguez: I'm so sorry. 63 00:06:32.850 --> 00:06:33.510 Regina Fontanelli: Yeah. 64 00:06:34.770 --> 00:06:48.859 Regina Fontanelli: So, I, when I'm out in the community talking to different partners, I'm always saying, I need money, I, you know, this is… and I've been doing this for a very long time. I've been a disciple of community schools for almost 15, 20 years. 65 00:06:49.230 --> 00:06:54.769 Regina Fontanelli: So I understand that as a school district, we have finite resources. 66 00:06:54.990 --> 00:06:57.040 Regina Fontanelli: Right? We cannot do it alone. 67 00:06:57.320 --> 00:07:07.210 Regina Fontanelli: That whole idea. If we want… we could do some things, but if we really want to do the best of the best for our kids, we have to look for funding elsewhere. 68 00:07:09.420 --> 00:07:19.199 Regina Fontanelli: So, I can go for those mini grants, I can go for those medium-sized state grants, and then for the larger grants. In Peak School, we've written 69 00:07:19.360 --> 00:07:37.680 Regina Fontanelli: 3 or 4 times for the community school grants, and oh my god, I put my heart and soul to it, and I think they've been such strong grants. I don't think we've gotten it because we're a smaller district, not because of the strength of the grant, and not because we don't have the foundation in order to build the 70 00:07:38.400 --> 00:07:40.860 Regina Fontanelli: Right? We have… we have everything set up. 71 00:07:41.160 --> 00:07:48.600 Regina Fontanelli: But I think the size of our district compared to that money going to a bigger district, I think they feel that that is, 72 00:07:49.360 --> 00:07:52.419 Regina Fontanelli: Financially prudent to give it to a bigger district. 73 00:07:52.420 --> 00:07:52.740 Ryan Rodriguez: Yeah. 74 00:07:52.740 --> 00:08:01.069 Regina Fontanelli: than a little mini peak skill. But we have written some really strong grants, and we've gotten feedback that they have been strong. 75 00:08:01.360 --> 00:08:05.119 Regina Fontanelli: But we haven't made the cut for other reasons. 76 00:08:05.120 --> 00:08:05.600 Ryan Rodriguez: Okay. 77 00:08:07.350 --> 00:08:11.390 Ryan Rodriguez: Yeah. That does answer my question. Thank you so much. 78 00:08:13.600 --> 00:08:30.589 Ryan Rodriguez: So this next question, I don't know if you'd be able to answer it, but maybe this would be, like, more of a question for, like, one of your CBOs, like you said, that, like, are constantly tracking these opportunities. But how do you track opportunities across multiple… I'm so sorry, my washer's going off. 79 00:08:31.560 --> 00:08:32.490 Regina Fontanelli: No worries. 80 00:08:36.460 --> 00:08:38.099 Ryan Rodriguez: So annoying. Jesus. 81 00:08:40.159 --> 00:08:49.940 Ryan Rodriguez: I'm so sorry, okay, so how do you track opportunities across multiple schools slash partners? So is it, like, are you using spreadsheets, or calendars, or, like, alerts? 82 00:08:50.190 --> 00:08:53.419 Ryan Rodriguez: If that… is that, like, a… 83 00:08:53.550 --> 00:08:54.930 Ryan Rodriguez: Does that make sense, or no? 84 00:08:54.930 --> 00:09:03.100 Regina Fontanelli: It does make sense. I am not that, electronically, oh, in order to… 85 00:09:03.370 --> 00:09:10.270 Regina Fontanelli: am I using spreadsheets to, like, write how many partners, or how do I get the word out that I need… that I need? 86 00:09:10.270 --> 00:09:20.069 Ryan Rodriguez: Back to, like, the grants that you're trying to find, or the… or the funding, or is that something that, like, a CBO, like you were saying, was doing that, where they're, like, the grant writers are doing that? 87 00:09:20.070 --> 00:09:24.329 Regina Fontanelli: the grant writers, I think that would be more of a grant writing job. I think they do have, 88 00:09:24.590 --> 00:09:32.859 Regina Fontanelli: We did have a grant writer in the past, and she did have a spreadsheet of all the grants in there. Now, I do have… 89 00:09:33.400 --> 00:09:43.909 Regina Fontanelli: in my Google Drive, like my, my extended day 21st Century Community Grant, I have that grant on my drive. So I have… 90 00:09:44.160 --> 00:09:50.539 Regina Fontanelli: all of my evaluations, everything I have to do, or my mandates, so I can pull it up and tell you 91 00:09:50.710 --> 00:09:58.550 Regina Fontanelli: my parent engagement, my funding, my FS10, everything aligned to that. But that is because it happens to be my grant. 92 00:09:58.700 --> 00:10:04.010 Regina Fontanelli: I would think that would be the role of the grant writer, to do that. 93 00:10:05.360 --> 00:10:12.650 Ryan Rodriguez: So the next couple of questions are gonna be, like, workflow and stages, so could you walk me through… 94 00:10:12.870 --> 00:10:25.509 Ryan Rodriguez: the, like, full end-to-end workflow, of, like, a full grant process. So, like, you said, okay, I got this grant, I sent it to the superintendent. What happens after that? And then, approval and everything. 95 00:10:25.920 --> 00:10:31.870 Regina Fontanelli: Perfect, so get the grant, send it to Dr. M. He looks at it, and he sees if it's something that he wants to do. 96 00:10:32.190 --> 00:10:34.749 Regina Fontanelli: He shares with the grant writer. 97 00:10:35.030 --> 00:10:40.690 Regina Fontanelli: They look at the details to see if it's something that, one, we can, we qualify for. 98 00:10:41.090 --> 00:10:44.210 Regina Fontanelli: Is it, you know, something that we can implement? 99 00:10:45.060 --> 00:10:46.550 Regina Fontanelli: within the school. 100 00:10:47.160 --> 00:10:57.799 Regina Fontanelli: once those two decisions, and we get the go-ahead, what Dr. Mauricio usually does is he sets up a team. He invites different people to look at the grant. So, I'm going to give you an example. 101 00:10:58.240 --> 00:11:04.780 Regina Fontanelli: of the past grant. So, my friend did send me that there was a high school extended day grant. 102 00:11:05.230 --> 00:11:08.340 Regina Fontanelli: Available, that he thought Peekskill would be a good match. 103 00:11:08.850 --> 00:11:13.309 Regina Fontanelli: We have extended day programs in… 104 00:11:13.420 --> 00:11:28.380 Regina Fontanelli: in all the others, but not in the high school. So what he did is he set up a committee. So it was the deputy superintendent for the high school, the principal, the math director. So he set up a committee, and everybody looks at the grant. So you take a chunk of the grant. 105 00:11:28.650 --> 00:11:40.120 Regina Fontanelli: So, if you're looking at, you know, if we need to design, an academic component, that gets assigned to somebody. For me, I usually get assigned that community school 106 00:11:41.020 --> 00:11:42.520 Regina Fontanelli: kind of narrative. 107 00:11:43.610 --> 00:11:44.490 Regina Fontanelli: you know. 108 00:11:44.920 --> 00:11:59.740 Regina Fontanelli: and looking at the foundation we have in order to build. So that would be where he might bring me in and say, Marie, okay, so let's… and he's really good at that, too. That's his… how his brain works, too. So we'll look at, you know. 109 00:11:59.740 --> 00:12:08.429 Regina Fontanelli: all… everything that we have already established, so we're not starting from square one. We want to let the grand riders know. We've got a foundation, we even got the first floor done. 110 00:12:08.670 --> 00:12:18.810 Regina Fontanelli: So your money's just gonna help us build the second floor, and really maybe rearrange the first floor to really align to the needs of our students. 111 00:12:19.120 --> 00:12:22.409 Ryan Rodriguez: So he will do that, we will all come back together. 112 00:12:22.830 --> 00:12:29.029 Regina Fontanelli: Look at our pieces, then the grant writer will either meet with us individually. 113 00:12:30.200 --> 00:12:39.440 Regina Fontanelli: and look at all the components, and once I write it, she'll say, Maria, okay, expand on this, take this out. They really want to know more about 114 00:12:40.150 --> 00:12:53.250 Regina Fontanelli: you know, how are you gonna spend the money? Focus more on parent engagement, and less on this. You have too many partners, you put 7 partners, bring down to 5 partners, and talk about how those 5 partners will… 115 00:12:53.250 --> 00:13:01.479 Regina Fontanelli: align the work. Do we have letters of commitment from those 5 partners? Because we write them in the grant, then I have to go to the partners and get their, 116 00:13:01.560 --> 00:13:14.619 Regina Fontanelli: They're executive directors to write letter of commitments. Yes, they're going to be on ours. So, you have all of these pieces that the grant is having us write. We all kind of become, do it independently, then we come together. 117 00:13:16.490 --> 00:13:18.730 Regina Fontanelli: And we work on the grant together. 118 00:13:19.570 --> 00:13:22.080 Regina Fontanelli: The grant writer is obviously the lead. 119 00:13:22.670 --> 00:13:33.450 Regina Fontanelli: they edit, they take out, they… they will… I used to get emails, won't expand on this more. What do you mean by this? Till it's… till the grant is at a place that 120 00:13:33.580 --> 00:13:35.699 Regina Fontanelli: They feel is strong enough. 121 00:13:36.510 --> 00:13:44.470 Regina Fontanelli: And you know that all the grants have, like, the points aligned to it, right? So this chunk has these points aligned, so, 122 00:13:45.600 --> 00:13:50.219 Regina Fontanelli: We want to get as many points per section, so we can get the grant. 123 00:13:51.100 --> 00:13:55.399 Ryan Rodriguez: When you say, you're a grant writer, who is the grant writer for… 124 00:13:55.400 --> 00:13:58.209 Regina Fontanelli: She's no longer there, but it was Ahuna. 125 00:13:58.500 --> 00:14:01.929 Ryan Rodriguez: Yeah, I interviewed a coma, like, 2 days ago. 126 00:14:02.130 --> 00:14:03.720 Regina Fontanelli: Yeah, yeah. 127 00:14:04.230 --> 00:14:04.799 Ryan Rodriguez: Just making sure. 128 00:14:04.800 --> 00:14:05.940 Regina Fontanelli: She's a good egg. 129 00:14:07.470 --> 00:14:21.789 Ryan Rodriguez: Okay. So that was very, very thorough. Thank you so much. When you're… when you get these opportunities sent to you, or these, RFPs, or these, like, grant descriptions, what is, like, very, 130 00:14:22.000 --> 00:14:32.529 Ryan Rodriguez: very basic, like, go-no-go criteria if, like, you see that, oh, okay, like, this does fit PeakScale, this could help PeakScale, this isn't gonna help PeakScale. 131 00:14:33.340 --> 00:14:37.430 Regina Fontanelli: Okay, it's always alignment to our vision, right? 132 00:14:37.530 --> 00:14:42.230 Regina Fontanelli: You can have a partner knock on your door, but if they're giving you a service that you don't need. 133 00:14:43.170 --> 00:14:49.610 Regina Fontanelli: then it's a no-go. If they're giving you a service that you can't provide, That's a no-go. 134 00:14:49.730 --> 00:14:56.079 Regina Fontanelli: So it's always looking at, one, will it… will it… 135 00:14:56.380 --> 00:15:01.529 Regina Fontanelli: Provide support for our students, our families, our teachers. 136 00:15:02.010 --> 00:15:06.359 Regina Fontanelli: You know, is it aligned to our vision as a district? 137 00:15:07.910 --> 00:15:09.259 Regina Fontanelli: And is it something… 138 00:15:09.970 --> 00:15:10.850 Ryan Rodriguez: I'm sorry, go ahead. 139 00:15:11.070 --> 00:15:13.019 Regina Fontanelli: And is it something that we can do? 140 00:15:13.130 --> 00:15:21.879 Regina Fontanelli: One of the biggest, biggest… I think failures in grants is that people write this beautiful grant. 141 00:15:22.040 --> 00:15:26.360 Regina Fontanelli: And then when it's time to implement, we can't do this. 142 00:15:27.280 --> 00:15:30.860 Regina Fontanelli: When we got the 21st Century Grant, 143 00:15:31.790 --> 00:15:40.259 Regina Fontanelli: there was about 30% of people that got it that just… they wrote it beautifully, and it sounded good. So it has to be doable. 144 00:15:40.510 --> 00:15:55.620 Regina Fontanelli: You have to have the manpower, the hardware, the vision, the structure to make this happen. When I got my 21st century grant, I had to, year one, I had to make some amendments, because this, 145 00:15:55.670 --> 00:16:07.110 Regina Fontanelli: the amazing Dan Callahan wrote this grant. I wasn't part of the grant writing process, but it did land on me. So I had to, once it was in my lap, year one. 146 00:16:07.380 --> 00:16:13.460 Regina Fontanelli: was really like a rollercoaster ride without a seatbelt, because they had written things that… 147 00:16:14.470 --> 00:16:29.500 Regina Fontanelli: Couldn't. So my year one was saying, okay, I need to sit with the state and make amendments, and say, yes, I can do this really well, and I can also, like, bring it up this notch. But this, I… we don't have the viability to do. 148 00:16:30.040 --> 00:16:36.629 Regina Fontanelli: And the state will allow you to make those amendments. So, going back to your first question, what will make a grant fail? 149 00:16:36.910 --> 00:16:39.989 Regina Fontanelli: If you promise things that you cannot provide. 150 00:16:41.200 --> 00:16:47.799 Regina Fontanelli: It has to be aligned. Or, if you're working towards something that's not part of your district's vision. 151 00:16:50.120 --> 00:16:50.750 Ryan Rodriguez: Okay. 152 00:16:51.330 --> 00:16:53.350 Ryan Rodriguez: When you say… 153 00:16:53.740 --> 00:17:01.329 Ryan Rodriguez: can provide in, like, the specifics of that. Do you mean… I mean, it's probably, like, multiple of these, but do you mean, like. 154 00:17:01.460 --> 00:17:09.279 Ryan Rodriguez: staffing, like, capacity and, like, things like that, like, the data on your district, like, you mean things like that, right? 155 00:17:09.630 --> 00:17:18.030 Regina Fontanelli: All of the above. Staffing. Are you going to be able to provide staffing that does the work with integrity? 156 00:17:18.500 --> 00:17:22.020 Regina Fontanelli: And, and as it should be said. 157 00:17:23.890 --> 00:17:26.509 Regina Fontanelli: Do you have the space to provide? 158 00:17:26.700 --> 00:17:34.849 Regina Fontanelli: What's needed, right? Safety. Do you have the population that needs the service? 159 00:17:35.020 --> 00:17:38.119 Regina Fontanelli: Right? I could provide a beautiful service if nobody comes. 160 00:17:38.640 --> 00:17:40.700 Ryan Rodriguez: I provide a beautiful service. 161 00:17:41.080 --> 00:17:49.410 Regina Fontanelli: So it's looking at all those things in tandem. You're looking at sustainability, too, right? I'm providing this. When the money leaves, what's gonna happen? 162 00:17:50.200 --> 00:18:01.970 Regina Fontanelli: Do I let the house become abandoned? Or do I have a sustainability plan? Always thinking ahead, a year, two years. How am I going to make this funding go? Where do I get money from? 163 00:18:02.100 --> 00:18:08.219 Regina Fontanelli: So you're constantly doing that, with grant writing. 164 00:18:08.820 --> 00:18:10.040 Regina Fontanelli: and grants. 165 00:18:11.530 --> 00:18:12.989 Ryan Rodriguez: Perfect, thank you so much. 166 00:18:14.130 --> 00:18:19.019 Ryan Rodriguez: So I have, like, one question on, like, the data and documentation. 167 00:18:19.330 --> 00:18:34.129 Ryan Rodriguez: of these grants. So, like, you say, okay, I'm gonna do this grant, Dr. M approved it, now I'm gonna move to collect all of the data for that. What would you say is the longest part apart, about… for the whole entire process? 168 00:18:34.180 --> 00:18:40.280 Ryan Rodriguez: Would you say it's the data collection and gathering all those materials, or would you say it's the writing? 169 00:18:42.260 --> 00:18:45.069 Regina Fontanelli: For the grant itself, or once we get the grant? 170 00:18:45.780 --> 00:18:47.050 Ryan Rodriguez: Both. 171 00:18:47.480 --> 00:18:53.509 Regina Fontanelli: Okay, so for the grant, I think, Ahuna, and I think everybody there is pretty good with data. 172 00:18:54.230 --> 00:18:57.669 Regina Fontanelli: So I think it was just gathering the data and gathering the right data. 173 00:18:58.210 --> 00:19:01.869 Regina Fontanelli: There's some wonderful, sources, 174 00:19:02.510 --> 00:19:11.150 Regina Fontanelli: agencies like in Westchester, there's an agency that has great data on, schools, local schools, and I can't… 175 00:19:11.520 --> 00:19:28.190 Regina Fontanelli: think of that data website, but I use it all the time. It's in my computer. So you put in the school district, and it tells you, like, demographics. It tells you about, Peekskill community. So I pull data from there, from that particular website. 176 00:19:29.900 --> 00:19:31.290 Regina Fontanelli: I think we're… 177 00:19:31.890 --> 00:19:47.310 Regina Fontanelli: Pixel is good at collecting data and having the data. I think sometimes what's most challenging is aligning the data to meet the needs of the grant. So the grant is asking this, I don't want to give them this other data that kind of says, you want the data to really just say, yeah, this is why we need it. 178 00:19:47.380 --> 00:20:03.479 Regina Fontanelli: You know, we have 76% of our beautiful students are, are Latino. That's why we need, you know, dual language programs. That is why we need da-da-da-da. Our children are, Title I funding. You know, we have a lot of students who 179 00:20:03.480 --> 00:20:11.229 Regina Fontanelli: who are, below the poverty level. That is the why we need Title I. That is the why. But our data has to be aligned to the need. 180 00:20:14.330 --> 00:20:15.939 Regina Fontanelli: And gathering that 181 00:20:16.600 --> 00:20:25.769 Regina Fontanelli: is hard sometimes, because, you know, data changes, as you know. Demographics change, data changes, so you want to be able to get accurate data. 182 00:20:25.890 --> 00:20:29.380 Regina Fontanelli: That… that sets a foundation 183 00:20:29.670 --> 00:20:34.660 Regina Fontanelli: And they can tell the state or the federal government there's a real need in this community. 184 00:20:38.760 --> 00:20:39.430 Ryan Rodriguez: Perfect. 185 00:20:39.850 --> 00:20:55.220 Regina Fontanelli: And if you want to talk about data once the grant is done, I can give you a 2-minute spiel, because that, I have the scars to show for that. When I got the 21st Century Grant, there was this program called Easy Report, which is the biggest misnomer that you will ever hear. 186 00:20:55.370 --> 00:21:02.070 Regina Fontanelli: So they hand you this grant, they say that all the data has to be inputted in easy reports. No training for easy reports. 187 00:21:02.070 --> 00:21:03.980 Ryan Rodriguez: Till… 188 00:21:04.040 --> 00:21:06.550 Regina Fontanelli: November, and we got the grant in July. 189 00:21:07.010 --> 00:21:09.869 Ryan Rodriguez: It was all, attendance-based. 190 00:21:12.090 --> 00:21:28.109 Regina Fontanelli: so many glitches in this particular database. I was meeting with the state on a weekly basis. They were so sick of… they grew to love Peakskill, but they got sick of Peekskill. But my… my answer to them is, like, you want me to do the work, you have to train me. 191 00:21:28.270 --> 00:21:28.950 Ryan Rodriguez: Yep. 192 00:21:28.950 --> 00:21:30.940 Regina Fontanelli: It's… the onus is on you. 193 00:21:31.460 --> 00:21:32.689 Ryan Rodriguez: It's not on me. 194 00:21:33.180 --> 00:21:48.249 Regina Fontanelli: And actually, what they did after… I was literally with my data manager, and my data manager is brilliant beyond words. She's a data brain, that is not how my brain works. My brain is big picture, she's this, which is the perfect marriage. 195 00:21:48.440 --> 00:21:56.179 Regina Fontanelli: So, she, we were literally meeting with the state for hours at a time. 196 00:21:56.500 --> 00:22:01.739 Regina Fontanelli: Saying, you know, Your grant is saying this, but this is… 197 00:22:01.840 --> 00:22:10.739 Regina Fontanelli: Not happening. We spent a whole year getting to know easy reports, literally, on weekends, on snow days. How does this work? How do we get this, program? 198 00:22:10.740 --> 00:22:21.919 Regina Fontanelli: How do we gather this data? They're asking us for this. Where do we get it from? We need access. So it was a really long process in getting clean data. I'm not just going to give you data and give you numbers. 199 00:22:21.920 --> 00:22:26.360 Regina Fontanelli: It has to be real, because that's… the outcome is gonna help me. 200 00:22:27.020 --> 00:22:29.959 Regina Fontanelli: So garbage, what is it? Garbage in, garbage out? 201 00:22:30.230 --> 00:22:47.549 Regina Fontanelli: I don't… I don't believe in that. It has to be real, it has to be consistent, and it has to be what you're asking me for. There was a young man, Paul, who helped us along the way so much, helped us hone in the data. So, after year one, we were able to, like, yes, yes, yes, the data was used in helping me 202 00:22:49.850 --> 00:22:56.910 Regina Fontanelli: change and align. So I went to the state in year two and said, look, the grant says this, but my data's saying we don't need this. 203 00:22:57.310 --> 00:22:59.779 Regina Fontanelli: They, they, they made my amendments. 204 00:23:00.070 --> 00:23:07.040 Regina Fontanelli: They were like, okay, Maria, that makes sense, because I had the strong data that your database is telling me. 205 00:23:07.350 --> 00:23:20.210 Regina Fontanelli: of, yes, the grant was rooting 3 years ago, it looked beautiful then, but right now it's not one of our needs. Our needs is this. I'll give you an example. We found that, our middle school had the largest number of newcomers, based on our data. 206 00:23:20.470 --> 00:23:23.799 Regina Fontanelli: So we needed to shift and do a Newcomers Academy there. 207 00:23:24.540 --> 00:23:27.420 Regina Fontanelli: For a longer time than they're allowing us to. 208 00:23:27.920 --> 00:23:37.750 Regina Fontanelli: we had all our ducks in a row, I had my numbers of the amount of newcomers, I had my numbers of supports that they needed. I saw how it would align and help support the daytime. 209 00:23:38.340 --> 00:23:45.789 Regina Fontanelli: And the state approved the amendment right away, which was different than what the core of the grant initially said. 210 00:23:47.700 --> 00:23:49.250 Ryan Rodriguez: Possible through that data. 211 00:23:49.560 --> 00:23:58.329 Regina Fontanelli: It was made 100% possible because of that data. 100%. Had I not had the data, and had I said, I think. 212 00:23:58.680 --> 00:24:11.860 Regina Fontanelli: I see a lot of, you know, newcomers, but I was able to say how many newcomers I had in 6th grade, 7th grade, 8th grade. I had percentages, I had numbers, I had, when they came in, everything. 213 00:24:11.960 --> 00:24:13.019 Regina Fontanelli: Bam, bam, bam. 214 00:24:14.460 --> 00:24:19.130 Regina Fontanelli: And they were like, okay, do what you need to do to support them. 215 00:24:20.280 --> 00:24:37.430 Regina Fontanelli: Which was amending the grant. And, so the data is… is useful, is… it's pivotal, but you need somebody who understands data. You need somebody who can work with the data. And, Roshin, who's my data manager, will sit there and says, Maria, this doesn't make sense. 216 00:24:37.770 --> 00:24:43.680 Regina Fontanelli: Like, they're asking me this, but this is this. Right now, we're doing this huge, middle school report. 217 00:24:44.340 --> 00:24:46.889 Regina Fontanelli: Huge. It takes us about 4 weeks to do. 218 00:24:47.140 --> 00:25:00.799 Regina Fontanelli: And she's called the state twice because some of the data they're asking for makes no sense. And how we're going to amend it is we're going to do the report, but we're also going to put our views, based on our data, this is why some of this happened. 219 00:25:01.700 --> 00:25:04.429 Regina Fontanelli: Like, there's no way you're going to tell me, like. 220 00:25:04.730 --> 00:25:08.180 Regina Fontanelli: You're gonna give me a template 221 00:25:09.180 --> 00:25:14.109 Regina Fontanelli: That might be good for a different district, but is not aligned to my demographic. 222 00:25:15.250 --> 00:25:20.499 Regina Fontanelli: And… and square it away. That's not gonna happen. So, we're in the process of writing that. 223 00:25:21.510 --> 00:25:25.549 Ryan Rodriguez: I completely see what you're saying. That was, like, very, helpful. 224 00:25:26.130 --> 00:25:32.979 Ryan Rodriguez: I just… Okay, I think we talked about data a lot now, so… 225 00:25:32.980 --> 00:25:33.710 Regina Fontanelli: Yeah. 226 00:25:34.840 --> 00:25:43.039 Ryan Rodriguez: So I know that we're very short on time now, but, the last, couple questions… 227 00:25:43.090 --> 00:25:50.409 Ryan Rodriguez: I just wanted to talk a little about… a little bit about external factors that are affecting funding for schools. 228 00:25:50.410 --> 00:26:03.520 Ryan Rodriguez: So, what recent policy or, like, funding shifts have you seen from, like, the state or local level, or even, like, with the new administration? I'm sure that you've seen a lot. So, like, if you could talk about if that has affected your, 229 00:26:03.550 --> 00:26:07.219 Ryan Rodriguez: Strategy when you go about the processes that you talked about? 230 00:26:07.450 --> 00:26:10.029 Regina Fontanelli: Absolutely, 200%. So, as you know, 231 00:26:10.590 --> 00:26:15.719 Regina Fontanelli: There's a lot of cuts. There's money being shifted from one place to another. 232 00:26:15.980 --> 00:26:20.119 Regina Fontanelli: So July 1st, I was supposed to have my funding. 233 00:26:20.360 --> 00:26:24.880 Regina Fontanelli: And I was told that it was being held, it was being audited, not just me, straight wide. 234 00:26:25.140 --> 00:26:29.290 Regina Fontanelli: 21st Century Funding. So, 235 00:26:30.000 --> 00:26:35.599 Regina Fontanelli: Normally, by July 15th, I have all my contracts, I have everything done, I have my budget approved by the state. 236 00:26:35.760 --> 00:26:39.669 Regina Fontanelli: Nothing of that happened, because my funding was not released till the end of July. 237 00:26:40.350 --> 00:26:51.479 Regina Fontanelli: And I actually had to have conversations, and your mom was one of them, like, what are we gonna do if I have to tell 575 parents that they will no longer have an extended day program because they depend on us? 238 00:26:52.080 --> 00:27:00.720 Regina Fontanelli: And there's no place we can find $1.2 million out of the district budget and just say, oh, we'll just replace it. So it was a very harsh, harsh 239 00:27:03.570 --> 00:27:07.940 Regina Fontanelli: reality. Suffice it to say, I lost a lot of sleep. 240 00:27:08.170 --> 00:27:16.799 Regina Fontanelli: Excuse me one minute, Ryan, my son is leaving, huh? My keys, sorry. My keys, should be in my handbag. For my car, my handbag is upstairs. 241 00:27:17.910 --> 00:27:19.480 Regina Fontanelli: I'm sorry. 242 00:27:20.020 --> 00:27:21.190 Ryan Rodriguez: No, it's totally okay. 243 00:27:21.190 --> 00:27:29.249 Regina Fontanelli: Okay, he's heading out, so they need my car. So… It was hard, because… 244 00:27:29.670 --> 00:27:43.029 Regina Fontanelli: we didn't have leeway. Like, if you're taking the money away, give us a year. Say, by next year, you're not gonna have funding. So it was the timing of it. They did release the money, because they had been approved by the Congress prior, so they couldn't take it away. 245 00:27:43.140 --> 00:27:46.400 Regina Fontanelli: We stayed with the same amount, the $1.2 million. 246 00:27:47.170 --> 00:27:57.099 Regina Fontanelli: But I'm also finding that there were some sources of funding streams that, when I did my FS10, 247 00:27:58.150 --> 00:28:14.579 Regina Fontanelli: In May, I have been promised money, because the district is really good. When I go asking for money, they're… they're like, Maria, I have a little bucket, I'm gonna give you this. They're really, really good at that. Those little buckets that they thought they have, I just found out that I don't have. 248 00:28:14.750 --> 00:28:18.859 Regina Fontanelli: So these last… next week, my goal is gonna be 249 00:28:19.910 --> 00:28:31.679 Regina Fontanelli: streaming and seeing… I had to cut some partners. I had to send hard emails on Friday and say to really great partners, I can't have them. It's $35,000 that I don't have. 250 00:28:32.050 --> 00:28:44.789 Regina Fontanelli: So I have to make those decisions. And I'm also looking at… I met with Dr. M, and he gave me some ideas, and to ask some other people to see if they had that money for me. So I'm gonna do that Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. 251 00:28:44.900 --> 00:28:50.839 Regina Fontanelli: But it is, I think, and I think these cuts are going to be coming… 252 00:28:51.800 --> 00:28:53.820 Regina Fontanelli: As quickly as this? 253 00:28:54.080 --> 00:28:57.319 Regina Fontanelli: I think they're gonna be here for the next few years. 254 00:28:57.370 --> 00:28:58.350 Ryan Rodriguez: Oh, yeah. 255 00:28:58.370 --> 00:29:02.369 Regina Fontanelli: Oh, yeah. I think right now what we have to look for is private funding. 256 00:29:02.480 --> 00:29:06.050 Regina Fontanelli: private organizations. 257 00:29:06.200 --> 00:29:13.089 Regina Fontanelli: I think looking for the state and the federal government for RFPs and for money coming from them, I think that's gonna be dried up. 258 00:29:13.460 --> 00:29:18.000 Ryan Rodriguez: And if they come, it's gonna be very specific for a very specific population. 259 00:29:18.360 --> 00:29:24.200 Regina Fontanelli: And I do not feel that the population that I am involved in We'll be one of those. 260 00:29:24.520 --> 00:29:26.990 Regina Fontanelli: So the onus is on me. 261 00:29:27.170 --> 00:29:36.320 Regina Fontanelli: to be looking at private funders, and putting that in their ear, and saying, guys, I'm gonna need you, I know I don't have you this year, but you gotta start thinking about me for next year. 262 00:29:36.650 --> 00:29:37.310 Ryan Rodriguez: Hmm. 263 00:29:37.590 --> 00:29:41.099 Regina Fontanelli: And, I need for you to get your resources out there to help me. 264 00:29:41.340 --> 00:29:46.689 Regina Fontanelli: So I think, I think the next 2 or 3 years are going to be a… 265 00:29:46.970 --> 00:29:49.959 Regina Fontanelli: Again, it's gonna be a roller coaster without the seatbelt on. 266 00:29:50.440 --> 00:29:56.959 Regina Fontanelli: For this sort of programs, I think that's a reality. 267 00:29:57.420 --> 00:29:58.060 Ryan Rodriguez: Okay. 268 00:29:59.200 --> 00:30:05.039 Regina Fontanelli: God, I sounded dismal, and I don't mean to be, but I think that is… that is… it's just a harsh reality. 269 00:30:05.280 --> 00:30:11.949 Ryan Rodriguez: I would've… I'm not even in that space, and I would also agree with everything that you say. 270 00:30:12.060 --> 00:30:16.690 Ryan Rodriguez: I'm watching the news all the time, and I'm seeing constant stuff like that, so it's… 271 00:30:16.690 --> 00:30:25.739 Regina Fontanelli: Yeah. So, going back to Ryan, too, if you are able to to facilitate an AI tool? 272 00:30:26.040 --> 00:30:31.940 Regina Fontanelli: That can help somebody like me align, so I am not going up 20 mountains. 273 00:30:31.940 --> 00:30:33.380 Ryan Rodriguez: To find a peak. 274 00:30:33.380 --> 00:30:39.940 Regina Fontanelli: I can go up 5 mountains to find a peak, That would be immensely valuable. 275 00:30:40.400 --> 00:30:50.179 Ryan Rodriguez: Yeah, so that were… that was, my last, final question, or my last two final questions. Wait, yeah, last… last one final question. 276 00:30:50.400 --> 00:30:58.290 Ryan Rodriguez: If you had to say, for you and your workflow, and then I'll ask for a separate workflow, like the grant writer. 277 00:30:58.740 --> 00:31:01.639 Ryan Rodriguez: What is one thing that you would want 278 00:31:01.850 --> 00:31:05.219 Ryan Rodriguez: To be done for you extremely well in a tool like that. 279 00:31:07.160 --> 00:31:09.800 Regina Fontanelli: Find me… find me the grants? 280 00:31:11.430 --> 00:31:14.059 Regina Fontanelli: That align to the district need and vision. 281 00:31:16.540 --> 00:31:19.509 Regina Fontanelli: And I always feel that I am touching 282 00:31:22.290 --> 00:31:24.869 Regina Fontanelli: pieces, I'm not touching the whole package. 283 00:31:25.720 --> 00:31:28.860 Regina Fontanelli: Right? If somebody can help me put more grants. 284 00:31:29.390 --> 00:31:35.110 Regina Fontanelli: And whether it's federal, state, or mini, grants. 285 00:31:35.350 --> 00:31:40.320 Regina Fontanelli: It's fine, because minis can be… Can be put together? 286 00:31:40.860 --> 00:31:42.620 Regina Fontanelli: To help out. 287 00:31:45.270 --> 00:31:49.020 Regina Fontanelli: Two, facilitate the grant writing process. 288 00:31:49.860 --> 00:31:58.350 Regina Fontanelli: I think there has to be a portion of it that has to be creative. 289 00:31:58.480 --> 00:32:14.700 Regina Fontanelli: and aligned to the district, but then I think there are portions that AI or a program can do, or a template can be devised that we can just add personalization and add alignment to the needs of the grant. 290 00:32:15.810 --> 00:32:20.110 Regina Fontanelli: So it's finding the grant, it's developing a template. 291 00:32:21.420 --> 00:32:23.980 Regina Fontanelli: That we can just add to. 292 00:32:25.450 --> 00:32:34.679 Regina Fontanelli: And the last part… would be… Once the grant is received. 293 00:32:35.310 --> 00:32:39.720 Regina Fontanelli: Helping set up action plans for the implementation of the grant. 294 00:32:39.940 --> 00:32:45.620 Regina Fontanelli: So, it's not… Grants are paper tigers, right? It's the words. 295 00:32:45.880 --> 00:32:52.599 Regina Fontanelli: It's the vision of whoever wrote it that comes to life, and it's the person implementing the grant that brings it to life. 296 00:32:53.150 --> 00:33:02.789 Regina Fontanelli: So, before you get a grant, there has to be an action plan. We have to look at the grant in chunks, in pieces, and say. 297 00:33:03.650 --> 00:33:07.249 Regina Fontanelli: This is the skeleton, how do we add the meat? 298 00:33:07.870 --> 00:33:12.090 Ryan Rodriguez: I'm sorry to interrupt you, when you say action plan for implementation. 299 00:33:13.000 --> 00:33:32.469 Ryan Rodriguez: Is that… I'm just trying to get a better idea. Is that post-writing the grant? So, you write the grant, and then, okay, now I need to develop an action plan to, to let this play out in my district? So that's just, like, a plan for… to give, like, I don't know, school principals, or whatever. 300 00:33:32.600 --> 00:33:33.410 Ryan Rodriguez: It's not to give… 301 00:33:33.410 --> 00:33:34.340 Regina Fontanelli: That's Leah. 302 00:33:34.570 --> 00:33:39.189 Regina Fontanelli: It's post-receiving the grant. Once we have the grant. 303 00:33:39.790 --> 00:33:43.640 Regina Fontanelli: How are we gonna implement it? And that's, again, that's where a lot of people fail, too. 304 00:33:43.830 --> 00:33:45.770 Ryan Rodriguez: Because it becomes overwhelming. 305 00:33:45.950 --> 00:33:54.030 Regina Fontanelli: Right? And you start doing this because this is your vision. That grant has to become your Bible for the first 6 months. I kept on going back to it. 306 00:33:54.130 --> 00:33:57.210 Regina Fontanelli: Every time I did something, I'm like, is this what the grant says? 307 00:33:57.550 --> 00:34:02.500 Regina Fontanelli: Is this what the grant wants? When I did my summer program, in the grant. 308 00:34:02.610 --> 00:34:07.649 Regina Fontanelli: There were 3 sections that had 3 different visions, and it was approved by the state, by the way. 309 00:34:07.900 --> 00:34:15.119 Regina Fontanelli: So it said that my summer program had to be 72 hours, it said my summer program had to be 48 hours, it said my, like… 310 00:34:15.500 --> 00:34:17.260 Regina Fontanelli: In 3 different parts of the grant. 311 00:34:17.800 --> 00:34:20.300 Regina Fontanelli: So before I started my summer program, I kept on 312 00:34:20.460 --> 00:34:32.169 Regina Fontanelli: Googling and looking at… and I said, okay, you're telling me to do three, so I had to meet with the state, that was another amendment, and say, okay, you guys approved this, but I'm coming to you, I can't do 3 things. 313 00:34:32.460 --> 00:34:34.749 Ryan Rodriguez: This is the one that I think is gonna work. 314 00:34:35.050 --> 00:34:37.529 Regina Fontanelli: So that, going back to the grant. 315 00:34:37.639 --> 00:34:51.370 Regina Fontanelli: And re-reading it. My Saturday mornings was, like, highlighting in different colors, oh my god. And I'm gonna tell you, I miss things, even in the highlighting and me and Roshin doing it, you miss nuances. 316 00:34:52.050 --> 00:34:59.259 Regina Fontanelli: Also, each of the grants have a, evaluator. We had something that's called an SMB. 317 00:34:59.990 --> 00:35:08.289 Regina Fontanelli: That was this, like, 3-sheet document that kind of broke down the expectations of the federal government for the grant. 318 00:35:09.460 --> 00:35:13.700 Regina Fontanelli: used… the SMB became, again, my Bible. 319 00:35:15.570 --> 00:35:23.950 Regina Fontanelli: And I'm gonna tell you, Ryan, as much as I am, I… we miss things. There were things that, like, year one and a half, I'm like, how did we miss this? 320 00:35:24.810 --> 00:35:29.040 Regina Fontanelli: How do we miss this? Now, I would go back to the state during the conferences. 321 00:35:29.150 --> 00:35:32.619 Regina Fontanelli: And I happen to feel if I missed it, other districts missed it. 322 00:35:33.760 --> 00:35:38.509 Regina Fontanelli: And I was like, guys, you gotta do a better job at training us for the grant. 323 00:35:39.690 --> 00:35:44.479 Regina Fontanelli: Because your job is to make sure you give us all the tools to make this grant successful. 324 00:35:44.630 --> 00:35:53.160 Regina Fontanelli: My job is once in the district to make it successful, but I can't do that if you throw me this paper thing and throw all these nebulous expectations. 325 00:35:53.470 --> 00:35:55.289 Regina Fontanelli: And don't give me the guidance. 326 00:35:55.760 --> 00:35:56.719 Regina Fontanelli: To do that. 327 00:35:56.950 --> 00:36:01.030 Regina Fontanelli: Now, most of the grants have rocks, like resource center supports. 328 00:36:01.510 --> 00:36:03.519 Regina Fontanelli: So I always get to know my rock. 329 00:36:04.470 --> 00:36:11.949 Regina Fontanelli: And my people there. And I have no qualm in asking a million questions. I'd rather be obnoxious and do it right than not do it right, and then lose the money. 330 00:36:13.180 --> 00:36:17.420 Regina Fontanelli: And I've made great relationships with my rocks. Like, I adore them. 331 00:36:18.710 --> 00:36:27.430 Regina Fontanelli: And they're like, oh my god, Maria, or Roshin, we didn't think about this, okay? And they'll send out. And not just me, I have other districts that do that. 332 00:36:28.600 --> 00:36:37.959 Regina Fontanelli: I have other districts that have the same grant that are doing it well. I'll tap into their director, I'm like, guys, like, like, what are you doing for this? Because I'm… I'm stuck. 333 00:36:38.740 --> 00:36:45.839 Regina Fontanelli: So it is. It's, it's, it's bringing things to life, so you have the grant writing, you have finding the grants. 334 00:36:46.070 --> 00:36:57.459 Regina Fontanelli: I could see a visual being made out of this, by the way, like a timeline? Like, that would be so cool. Like, from beginning to end, right? Like, that would be so cool, of… 335 00:36:58.030 --> 00:37:06.699 Regina Fontanelli: Aligning the grants to the district, the process of writing the grant, and then the process of, once you get the grant, it being successful. 336 00:37:07.510 --> 00:37:15.259 Regina Fontanelli: Because districts get grants and it falls through, they get cited, they don't get the money. And that's just as sad as not getting the grant in the beginning. 337 00:37:16.200 --> 00:37:21.080 Regina Fontanelli: And how do we provide support system and scaffolding for there to be success in the long run? 338 00:37:21.270 --> 00:37:34.020 Regina Fontanelli: And then the last piece is the data gathering, like, why did this grant work? And the sustainability plan, right? Not depending on the grant, but looking at other resources to keep the work going. 339 00:37:35.110 --> 00:37:35.780 Ryan Rodriguez: Perfect. 340 00:37:35.980 --> 00:37:37.980 Regina Fontanelli: Oh, God, that would be a great visual. 341 00:37:38.430 --> 00:37:50.610 Ryan Rodriguez: Yeah, I… it's like, the more and more I talk to people, it's like, I just really want to make a tool for you guys, because it's just like… it's just pain point after pain point after pain point, it's just… there's just a blaring. 342 00:37:52.760 --> 00:37:55.420 Ryan Rodriguez: I have two more questions. If… 343 00:37:55.680 --> 00:38:00.229 Ryan Rodriguez: there… I know we're a little, strapped on, time. 344 00:38:00.230 --> 00:38:02.930 Regina Fontanelli: I'm good till about 11 o'clock, if that works. 345 00:38:02.930 --> 00:38:06.230 Ryan Rodriguez: Yeah, so it would just be super quick. 346 00:38:07.470 --> 00:38:11.709 Ryan Rodriguez: Could you talk a bit about… because, 347 00:38:12.130 --> 00:38:21.389 Ryan Rodriguez: You mentioned something that, Akoma didn't, mention to me, where she would give… you said that people go off and… 348 00:38:21.560 --> 00:38:32.029 Ryan Rodriguez: like, you convene as a team for a grant, but then there's certain other people that are writing their little portion, and then you're reconvening. Can you talk a little bit more about that, what that process looks like? 349 00:38:32.300 --> 00:38:34.110 Regina Fontanelli: Sure, so, 350 00:38:34.540 --> 00:38:39.790 Regina Fontanelli: I'm gonna talk to you about, like, the summer. I'll give you an example, the summer, the small mini-grant. 351 00:38:39.820 --> 00:38:47.839 Regina Fontanelli: So, it had different sections. It had an academic proportion, an academic section. How's the summer program? What are we going to do academically? 352 00:38:47.840 --> 00:39:04.120 Regina Fontanelli: So, I asked your mom to help me with that, because she is, you know, she knows elementary school, she knew, you know, what learning loss is like. She had the data, she had the program. You're gonna focus on this and… so she wrote my three paragraphs. There was a component for SEL. 353 00:39:04.310 --> 00:39:22.559 Regina Fontanelli: So I had, one of my coworkers, who I think is just prime. Okay, how do we do SEL in a 4-week period? Because I'm not going to promise you the world. Again, you have to be accurate, right? I have 4 weeks, I have 48 hours, that's what my grant says. How can I implement SEL program that is… 354 00:39:24.560 --> 00:39:33.290 Regina Fontanelli: doable. It can be done with fidelity, and it works in these, like, 4 days a week, this time frame, during the summer when the kids don't want to be there, because that's a reality. 355 00:39:33.820 --> 00:39:38.460 Regina Fontanelli: So I had that person. So they did all the grants, they shared it with me. 356 00:39:39.130 --> 00:39:46.220 Regina Fontanelli: And then we, ahuna and I read it. Ahuna did her portion, she did the demographics, and she did the need. 357 00:39:47.330 --> 00:39:51.499 Regina Fontanelli: So, what happens is everybody, based on their expertise. 358 00:39:52.330 --> 00:40:06.340 Regina Fontanelli: writes the portion of the grant, but there has to be dialogue there, because before you start the grant writing process, you have to be able to speak to the need. The person has to understand why I'm writing this chunk, what are the parameters? 359 00:40:06.530 --> 00:40:11.549 Regina Fontanelli: Right? So I will meet with them for this one, for the SEL, and I said, look, think about… 360 00:40:11.740 --> 00:40:16.849 Regina Fontanelli: Our kids who are doing, credit recovery, they… they don't want to be there. 361 00:40:17.450 --> 00:40:20.270 Regina Fontanelli: For those 4 weeks. That's not a fun place to be. 362 00:40:20.640 --> 00:40:27.749 Regina Fontanelli: During the summer. So, how do we do SCL with them? Is it in the classroom? Is it a one-to-one? 363 00:40:27.750 --> 00:40:28.680 Ryan Rodriguez: Is it… 364 00:40:28.680 --> 00:40:33.829 Regina Fontanelli: A check and connect when they come in. Is it mini check and connects during the day? 365 00:40:34.740 --> 00:40:38.089 Regina Fontanelli: So, I used that person's expertise on that. 366 00:40:38.430 --> 00:40:40.510 Regina Fontanelli: To align to the needs of the grant. 367 00:40:40.860 --> 00:40:41.370 Ryan Rodriguez: Hmm. 368 00:40:41.370 --> 00:40:54.530 Regina Fontanelli: So, how we did it for the community schools grant is everybody went out, and everybody just took their piece. How would parent engagement help? What does parent engagement in a community school vision look like? 369 00:40:55.710 --> 00:41:00.700 Regina Fontanelli: So the person that's involved in parent engagement wrote that component. 370 00:41:01.110 --> 00:41:03.570 Regina Fontanelli: You know, does it mean providing, 371 00:41:03.730 --> 00:41:08.879 Regina Fontanelli: workshops for parents? Does it mean, 372 00:41:09.990 --> 00:41:18.969 Regina Fontanelli: doing it in a school, doing it in, in, religious institutions, like on a Sunday. You know, what does that look like? So… 373 00:41:19.480 --> 00:41:25.670 Regina Fontanelli: You're utilizing people's expertise on the subject that the grant is asking. 374 00:41:25.800 --> 00:41:35.139 Regina Fontanelli: and asking them to align their expertise to what the grant is writing, and be able to write on that. Again, always keeping the vision of the district. 375 00:41:36.520 --> 00:41:37.410 Ryan Rodriguez: I don't mind. 376 00:41:37.410 --> 00:41:39.220 Regina Fontanelli: As… at mind, as your framework. 377 00:41:42.910 --> 00:41:51.970 Ryan Rodriguez: Thank you so much. This meeting has probably been the most helpful to me in my questions, because you're very, detailed in your responses. Thank you so much. 378 00:41:51.970 --> 00:41:54.730 Regina Fontanelli: Can you tell it's my passion? It's… I love to do. 379 00:41:54.730 --> 00:41:55.320 Ryan Rodriguez: I really… 380 00:41:55.320 --> 00:41:57.870 Regina Fontanelli: I've done this for so many years. 381 00:41:58.290 --> 00:42:00.410 Ryan Rodriguez: I really can tell it's your passion, so thank you so much. 382 00:42:00.410 --> 00:42:10.510 Regina Fontanelli: I love it, and, thank God that I have people that surround me that allow me to build on my passion. They don't stop me, they let me do my thing. 383 00:42:10.620 --> 00:42:11.739 Ryan Rodriguez: And I love it. 384 00:42:13.870 --> 00:42:25.810 Ryan Rodriguez: So, those are all my questions. I did want to ask, because it seems like you know an insane amount of people in terms of the grant process, would you be able to connect me with any other grant writers you know? 385 00:42:26.040 --> 00:42:28.519 Ryan Rodriguez: Or people that would be able to… 386 00:42:28.780 --> 00:42:38.129 Ryan Rodriguez: answer questions… the similar questions that I was asking you, but more tailored to how they find, those grants and opportunities. Would you know anybody? 387 00:42:38.430 --> 00:42:41.369 Regina Fontanelli: I do know somebody. I'm gonna give them a buzz on Monday. 388 00:42:41.770 --> 00:42:44.520 Regina Fontanelli: Thank you so much. And choose that he is brilliant. 389 00:42:45.170 --> 00:43:00.009 Regina Fontanelli: He, he just… and he… he's already thinking about, like, next year. Maria, this is… we're not on… the 21st century is not in the big picture next year. He keeps me… he keeps his agency, 390 00:43:01.240 --> 00:43:10.429 Regina Fontanelli: informed, and he also always blindly sees me, so I'm aware. And that's what it should be, right? Because we're all meeting the same population. It's all about the students and the families. 391 00:43:10.910 --> 00:43:13.990 Regina Fontanelli: And, and keeping us, so I will ask him. 392 00:43:14.150 --> 00:43:18.220 Regina Fontanelli: If he's willing to meet, and then I'll just make an introduction, and you guys take it from there. 393 00:43:18.700 --> 00:43:19.710 Ryan Rodriguez: That would be amazing. 394 00:43:19.710 --> 00:43:24.500 Regina Fontanelli: That is one person… if I think of anybody else, Ryan, of my… of my people. 395 00:43:26.790 --> 00:43:28.270 Regina Fontanelli: I would definitely make that connection. 396 00:43:28.270 --> 00:43:34.919 Ryan Rodriguez: flexible, too, like, it doesn't, matter to me when I will, make time. So, thank you so much. 397 00:43:34.920 --> 00:43:38.539 Regina Fontanelli: Kinda know that if this tool, 398 00:43:39.340 --> 00:43:46.589 Regina Fontanelli: This tool would be amazing, particularly for districts like ours that I think are going to be cut severely. 399 00:43:47.380 --> 00:43:50.359 Regina Fontanelli: But this tool will allow us to continue the work. 400 00:43:51.670 --> 00:43:55.890 Regina Fontanelli: in a different fashion. So, no pressure on your young… 401 00:43:56.220 --> 00:44:01.290 Regina Fontanelli: shoulders, but know that, anything that can be done, I think, you know what? 402 00:44:02.600 --> 00:44:07.300 Regina Fontanelli: That would benefit our students and family, that's… that's what… that's what education is about. 403 00:44:08.090 --> 00:44:15.339 Ryan Rodriguez: That's also, what I'm passionate about. You can imagine the types of conversations I've constantly heard at my dinner table. 404 00:44:16.970 --> 00:44:22.149 Ryan Rodriguez: My mom and my dad, so, I completely understand, where you're coming from. 405 00:44:22.620 --> 00:44:23.420 Regina Fontanelli: Yeah. 406 00:44:23.660 --> 00:44:29.860 Ryan Rodriguez: Anyway, thank you so much for this, have an amazing weekend, you really helped me out. Yeah. 407 00:44:29.860 --> 00:44:32.199 Regina Fontanelli: Have follow-up questions, have confianza? 408 00:44:32.600 --> 00:44:33.480 Regina Fontanelli: Call me? 409 00:44:33.940 --> 00:44:49.619 Regina Fontanelli: Of course. Text me, alright? And I will buy, I think by Tuesday, I'll send him an email. He has little nuggets, so I don't want to, like, text him on the weekend. He has little babies, I want him to enjoy his family life. But Monday or Tuesday, I'll text him, and I'll try to connect you. 410 00:44:49.860 --> 00:44:52.320 Ryan Rodriguez: Amazing. Thank you so much, Maria, I really appreciate it. 411 00:44:52.320 --> 00:44:54.960 Regina Fontanelli: Blessings to you, Ryan, may all this work out. 412 00:44:55.270 --> 00:44:57.430 Ryan Rodriguez: Yes. Have a good weekend, thanks. 413 00:44:57.430 --> 00:44:58.999 Regina Fontanelli: You too, my friend. Bye-bye.