April 2, 2026- Beachwood Elementary School has received a grant from Sustainable Jersey for Schools to fund much-needed outdoor tables for recess and to provide education near its garden. But the project — titled Stable, Sustainable Tables That Enable — is quite unique in how it will reach this goal.

Students within High School South’s Project SPEAR-IT construction courses will build the tables, with help from Beachwood fourth and fifth graders during an all-day mentorship opportunity at the elementary school.

“A relatively simple though pressing need — outdoor tables for learning — has, because of this opportunity and the support of Sustainable Jersey for Schools, turned into a project that promises mentorship, hands-on skills, and environmental education, and which has the potential to direct and define students’ futures,” said Beachwood Principal Kim Sierotowicz.

The project was kickstarted by Beachwood Supervisor Kathryn Quacquarini, who undertook the mission to locate funding for outdoor tables. While the vision originally involved two standard, metal outdoor tables commonly seen on school grounds, the idea expanded to involve SPEAR lead instructor Tim O’Leary and the prospect of his students participating.

“Heck yea!” was O’Leary’s immediate response, unsurprisingly. “We are always game for something like that. All in. Love it.”

The goal is for O’Leary’s SPEAR students to build — with the assistance of some handy Beachwood Bears — up to five custom-made wooden tables which will meet SusNJ’s “Education for Sustainability” action item. The project will introduce students to the man-made materials required for physical infrastructure, but within a natural setting that will establish the inextricable link between the two systems.

“Talk about putting everything on the table!” said Sierotowicz. “We’re beyond excited about seeing this project through here at Beachwood Elementary, and we are immensely grateful to Sustainable Jersey and the NJEA for providing us the chance to do so.”

Principal Sierotowicz took the opportunity to thank those agencies herself (above) during a grant awards luncheon held March 30 in Pennington, NJ. She was accompanied by Toms River Education Association President Scott Campbell and joined by representatives from 38 other public schools that were awarded during the NJEA-supported cycle, which amounted to $180,000 in project funding. 

“These grants support innovative projects that connect classroom learning with real-world impact,” said Sustainable Jersey Executive Director Randall Solomon. “We appreciate the New Jersey Education Association’s ongoing partnership in advancing sustainability in schools across the state.”

In addition to $2.75 million in grant funding and program assistance, NJEA supports Sustainable Jersey for Schools as a program underwriter. An independent Blue-Ribbon Selection Committee evaluated the grant proposals.