Show Westborough Teachers That You C.A.R.E.

Westborough Education Foundation is accepting donations for its C.A.R.E (Celebrate and Appreciate Remarkable Educators) program. These donations support creative programs that would not otherwise be funded. Typically each year, about 90 teachers are honored in the fall and 90 in the spring.

This spring, the C.A.R.E. form was sent out through the Virtual Backpack rather than on paper. According to WEF board member Maureen Johnson, this caused a lower response than normal.

"There is still plenty of time to make a contribution in honor of your favorite teachers! You don’t even have to leave your home to buy a year-end gift. Just print the form that's here on Patch, and send it with your donation," Maureen said.

For the past 16 years, dedicated volunteers have raised funds through the WEF to support numerous grants. This year $27,879.83 was awarded to 14 recipients (see list below).

On Wednesday night, June 15, new board president Lisa Edinberg led her first meeting. Under the fluorescent lights in the Forbes Municipal Building, she demonstrated efficiency and thoroughness.

According to Edinberg, "This organization is all uplifting." She continued, "I find that the people who come to these meetings are dedicated and committed to improving the quality of education in Westborough through the foundation."

Board members Norah Xenos (outgoing treasurer), Kathy Senie, Hiral Warner, Maureen and Lisa joined together to discuss the C.A.R.E. program, treasurer's report, and the Trivia Bee, the group's largest fundraising effort. Several board members were unable to attend (Christine Gilman, Judy Martin, Linda Townsend, Margot Walthall, Maria Homberg).

This year's Trivia Bee will be held on October 17 at the Double Tree Hotel. Last year there were 36 teams and $13,000 was raised, according to Xenos. Donna Driscoll, teller supervisor at the Marlborough Savings Bank joined the part of the meeting dedicated to the Bee. According to Donna, "We’ve had so much fun participating in the Trivia Bee that we wanted to get more involved in actually helping out with the event. We do a lot of community service."

Trivia Bee co-chairs Maureen Johnson and Linda Townsend are actively planning the event. They are looking for help with publicity, food, an auction, and raffle.

Edinberg said, "Kudos goes out to these teachers who are applying for grants to do more with their curriculum rather than accepting things just as they are. There is only positive that comes from this type of organization where we raise money for teachers who will be teaching creative programs."

The WEF is seeking new members, as well as a treasurer and a clerk. For more information,  contact the WEF at: westborougheducationfoundation@gmail.com

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Here's a list of the 14 recipients of  year's WEF grant awards.

• Backyard Birding - Patricia Gallo ()
• The Family Book Club - Cindy Hodgdon, Sheila Plifka, Eileen Harvey, Lauren Kennedy (Hastings)
• Reading in the Content Area of Mathematics - Andrea Weber (Hastings)
• Video Announcers Club - Jill Mayne, Steve Masciarelli  ()
• Ipads and Apps for Students with Autism - Joan LaBossier-Follett, Ashley Orlando ()
• Bright Link to Bright Writers - Joan Sanders ()
• Click Away! - Colleen Thomas, Amy D’Avia ()
• Using Assistments in the Mathematics Classroom - Sandy Denny ()
• CSI Gibbons 2011 – “Your Day in Court” - Denise Casale, Sandy Denny ()
• Reading in the Curriculum through Rick Riordan - Mark McNeil, Linda Kimball ()
• iEarn, International Education and Research Network, Teddy Bear Exchange program - Marie Hopkinson, Santina Carr ()
• Alternative Energy Unit—ecoSTEM House Collection - Rick Hebert, Bill Parsons ()
• Final Frontier: FRC FIRST Robotics at Westborough HS - Maria Homberg, Louis Lung ()
• “Sun”sational Summer Learning Camp Resource Library, Summer 2011 - Michele Mercurio, Megan Rosenfield  (Westborough Summer Services)

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