Record Number of Hosts Step-Up to Entertain for Education

Westwood, MA,  November 28, 2011 --  For the fifth straight year, Westwood residents joined together to show support for the Westwood Educational Foundation (WEF) by spending the month of October Entertaining for Education.  Throughout the month twenty-four parties were hosted, with themes ranging from Family Game Night and a “Top This” Pasta Party, to 80’s Dancing and Dessert and a Halloween celebration at the German Club, all to raise money for WEF.  Members of over 1,000 families took part and were asked by their hosts to consider making a donation to the foundation.  Through their generosity, over $30,000 was raised.

The mission of WEF is to promote community spirit through lifelong enrichment opportunities for all members of the Westwood community, by raising funds and returning them to the community in the form of educational grants.  In the past month, WEF has awarded mini-grants to fund a wide variety of programs, including a World War II history lecture series to be held at the Westwood Senior Center, audio tours at the annual Encounter with the Arts program at the High School, and observational drawing in nature for elementary school students at the old Holbrook Farm, a parcel of land recently acquired by the Westwood Land Trust and managed by Hale Reservation.   

The WEF board is grateful for the support shown across town during the Entertaining for Education initiative.  Special thanks for notable donations go to Roche Bros, Norwood Liquors, and the Boylston Schul-Verein Club of Westwood, and also to the many raffle donors and others who aided the events.  “The community has been very enthusiastic and generous in helping Westwood Educational Foundation to reach its goals this year,” stated Andrea Yanoff, Chair of the Entertaining for Education Committee.  “Reaching our goals has helped support our efforts in funding unique and innovative programs throughout our community.  The Entertaining for Education (E4E) parties provided the residents a chance to come together and share in community spirit while enjoying each other's company.  Every year we have more families participate in our E4E events, enabling WEF to continue to fund additional programs to benefit our community.  We greatly appreciate the generosity of the Westwood residents.”

If you are interested in hosting an Entertaining for Education party in 2012, please contact Andrea Yanoff at ayanoff@diametric.com.

WESTWOOD EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION

Promoting community spirit through lifelong enrichment

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WEF Community Grant Information Workshop

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

In keeping with our mission to promote community spirit through lifelong enrichment opportunities for all members of the Westwood community, WEF hosted a Community Grant Information Workshop on Tuesday, April 26, 2011, in the Little Theater at Westwood High School.

The guests had an opportunity to hear from members of our community who have received WEF grants in the past and have put their creativity into action. Novice grant writers to those experienced with the WEF grant writing process were able to get helpful tips.

If you have questions or are interested in attending, please contact Jane O'Donnell, Grant Outreach Chairperson, at janeod@comcast.net

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WEF Annual Awards Banquet

May 25, 2011

7:00 PM

Westwood High School Cafeteria

 

Dr. Avalin Green, recipient of 2011

Barbara Friedman Award

 

 

 

 

As WEF founder Barbara Friedman looked on, the Westwood Educational Foundation recently presented at its annual awards ceremony the 2011 Barbara Friedman Award for Excellence in Education to Dr. Avalin Green, K-12 Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Professional Development for the Westwood Public Schools.  The Barbara Friedman Award is bestowed annually upon a member of the Westwood community who actively engages in promoting education and whose efforts best embody the mission of WEF:  to promote community spirit though lifelong enrichment opportunities for all members of the Westwood community.  Dr. Green was selected for her remarkable ability during her twelve years in Westwood to develop innovative educational programs that strengthen teaching and learning.  Among her noteworthy contributions are revising the professional development program for Westwood teachers, introducing extensive curriculum review cycles for all subjects and creating a mentoring program for new teachers.  Dr. Green is quite familiar with the WEF grant process having approached the organization several years ago to help fund the pilot of the K-5 Engineering curriculum which has now been incorporated into the elementary schools and helps distinguish Westwood among other school districts.

 

 

The WEF Annual Awards Ceremony also celebrated the awarding of annual grants which will leave lasting impacts on members of the community.  Grant recipients include the Hale Reservation Floating Classroom Program for Westwood High School, which will provide real examples at Hale Reservation to help make the high school biology curriculum come alive;  Bullying Prevention Theater for Westwood Middle and High Schools, assisting middle school students in dealing with bullying by using high school mentors;  “The Power of One” a Bully Proofing Program for Elementary School Children for the Martha Jones School;  Supporting Quality in Early Childhood Education Programs for the Westwood Early Childhood Council, a professional development program for early childhood educators; and Adding a New Dimension to Learning in Westwood for the Westwood High School,  funding a three dimensional printer for use in the high school math and engineering curriculum.  Throughout the grant year $14,000 was also awarded to fund 21 individual mini-grants each of $1000 or less.

A past award recipient, James Giurleo, conductor of Westwood Winds,  presented his successful grant idea to establish a community concert band.  Comprised of former and current Westwood High School students and adult members of the Westwood community, musicians of all ages collaborated during several rehearsals, culminating in an August 2010 performance.  WEF’s funding of this venture is an example of upholding the original vision of the organization to foster school and community relationships.

After over twenty years of service to the Westwood community, WEF has awarded 352 grants totaling over $792,000.  Annual fundraising activities include a written appeal to residents, Children’s Spelling Bee and Entertaining for Education, being held throughout the month of October 2011.  Innovative grant ideas in keeping with the WEF mission are always welcome.  Information can be obtained on the organization’s website, www.wefwestwood.org.   

 

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