MASSENA -- The Board of Education at their Thursday, Nov. 14 meeting voted to accept just over $11,000 in donations to the school district.

They are getting $5,000 from Sen. Patty Richie, R-Heuvelton, through the Seeds for Success Agricultural program. The funding will be used to create growing beds in the courtyards for outside gardening. They also plan to use some of the money for a collaboration with Massena Electric Department and North Raquette Greenery to add gardens to the courtyard.

The St Lawrence County Youth Bureau gave $3,750. The money will pay for professional development on restorative justice and practice that took place on Nov. 12, contracted through the University of San Diego.

Swamp's Performance Automotive, Akwesasne, gave $500 to the Environmental Club. Last year, sophomore Sophia Mitchell applied for the the scholarship for the club and her application was selected. The money will buy supplies for the growing racks and towers in the garden Room.

Alcoa gave $2,000 total. Of that, $1,500 came through their Eco-Schools program. High school science teacher Jody LaGary applied for this grant to begin a composting project through the Environmental Club. The other $500 is from the Alcoa W3 Seed Grant for the 2019-2020 year at Madison Elementary.

This project is funded by the National Wildlife Federation and will be used by the Madison Environmental Club to explore a water, energy or recycling issue at the school.