MCPE Spring Fling Raises Over $60K for Medfield Schools

It has been a successful year for the Medfield Coalition for Public Education – awarding over $90,000 in grants to in 2011-2012.

And the year became even more successful after MCPE's Spring Fling fundraiser at the Endicott Estate in Dedham on April 27 raised over $60,000.

"It was a great turnout," said Medfield selectman Mark Fisher, who attended the event. "I spoke with [Medfield Superintendent of Schools] Bob Maguire and he said they think about 400 people came so it was a terrific turnout."

Supporters met under blue and white lanterns – Medfield's school colors – to converse, celebrate and donate funds to Medfield Public Schools. The night began with a performance by the Medfield fifth and sixth grade Ngoma Dzakanaka Marimba Ensemble – providing lively music to set the scene for a fun night.

Appropriately, the marimba instruments played at the April 27 event were purchased through an MCPE support grant, giving the performance added meaning. Other musical entertainment came from students from as those in attendance mingled and placed bids on items in the event's silent auction.

One of the night's biggest highlights came from students Chris Fennell and Michelle Thomas. The duo provided the crowd with a ballroom dancing demonstration. is now part of the high school's wellness curriculum because of a 2010 MCPE grant to fund the program. Fennell and Thomas represented the excitement of all of the students involved in the program – showcasing their cha-cha.

Medfield resident Shonda Schilling hosted the live auction portion of the event, which created a lot of buzz and bids for the great items available to help raise funds for Medfield Public Schools. The auction items included a "courtside kids" Celtics package and a private baseball instruction with Medfield resident and former Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling.

"[Shonda Schilling] was great, she did a terrific job," Fisher said.

The MCPE Board thanks all of the members of the Medfield community who attended its Spring Fling event, calling the evening a "huge success." The over $60,000 raised, according to the MCPE Board, was possible because of the "dedication" the community has to the town's public schools as well as the generosity of many sponsors and advertisers.

"It was a good fundraiser to see for the schools, it really worked out nicely," Fisher said.

The over $90,000 in grants awarded to Medfield Public Schools this year has funded initiatives like new technology in the classrooms, literacy support, speaker performances and performing arts, curriculum enrichment, equipment purchases and teacher professional development.

The additional money will ensure further success and enrichment in the Medfield Public Schools. For more information about the grants approved in the 2011-2012 school year and to get more information about making an additional contribution, visit the MCPE website: www.medfieldcoalition.org.

MCPE Annual Meeting Scheduled for May 16

On Wednesday, May 16, the Medfield Coalition for Public Education will hold its Annual Meeting, open to the public. The meeting will be held at the starting at 7 p.m. MCPE is expected to distribute the 2011-2012 Annual Report, elect new Board members and officers for the 2012-2013 year, and present the Thomas Reis Award, an annual award, which recognizes a specific grant, which the MCPE Board feels embodies the mission of the Coalition. You will also have the chance to view grants funded from the past year through informal exhibits.