The Weston Education Foundation (WEF) is celebrating its 20th year of grants to our community since the Foundation launched in 1994.
“We have a great deal to be proud of,” said Lois Guberman, Chair, Grants Committee. “Our grants continue to grow in areas of excellence that are deeply beneficial to our students and other members of our Weston community.”
WEF’s most recent grant highlights include some of those made since September of 2013.
Circle Social Skills Curriculum Grant: Targeted to Weston Middle School and High School students with special needs, this grant provided a curriculum that focuses on social boundaries and behavioral relationships. The unique curriculum also supports the teachers who help these students.
Expert in Residence Music Composition Grant: The funds awarded allowed Weston Middle School students who participate in the band and chorus to work with renowned professional, Barbara Schottenfeld, to create an original piece of music. The composition was performed at the 8th grade concert on May 15th.
Weston Girl Scout Troop 50456 Bronze Award Project: This grant provided funds to a troop of 5th graders to create and air a public service announcement (PSA). The topic of the PSA is cyberbullying and will use animation to educate local 5th and 6th graders about its dangers and tools for standing up to this kind of bullying.
New Yorker Series: WEF was one of the groups that helped to fund our Public Library’s New Yorker speaker series. This series provides a unique platform for the discussion of interesting topics that the entire community can enjoy.
Expert in Residence Grant to Hurlbutt Elementary School Music Program: Music has long been recognized as a powerful educational tool. Funds from this grant support the use of music to encourage academic development. “The project started as a pilot to focus on students with special needs and may be expanded to the rest of the school,” Guberman explained. “It uses a variety of musical experiences to impact problem solving, social-emotional, self-awareness, confidence and cognitive skills.”
Community Education Grant: The Norfield Children’s Center was recently awarded grant monies to purchase materials to develop STEM (Science, Engineering, Technology and Math) problem solving skills. The Norfield Children’s Center is an independent, non-profit organization that provides pre-school education and after school care that is available to all Weston residents. In addition, they have three high school student interns who will utilize the materials as they work with the children.
“We continue to receive and fund additional grants,” Guberman noted. “A call for new Community Education Grants will go out in the fall.”