The Westerville Education Foundation (WEF) is thrilled to announce an unprecedented funding opportunity for district staff to pursue innovative programming in Westerville City Schools this summer. This program is made possible thanks, in part, to the incredible community response for An Artful Affair gala, presented by Education First Credit Union and Mount Carmel St. Ann’s.
Each year, in December, the WEF awards grants to district staff for innovative educational programming. The foundation also has an online funding module that district staff can utilize throughout the year to solicit community support for programming needs that arise outside of this annual grant cycle. This summer funding opportunity combines these two programs in a new way to fund exciting programming that will benefit students in Westerville Schools in the 2018-2019 school year. On July 20, the WEF Board will review and vote on all active projects on their Fund-a-Project Module. Chosen projects will be awarded additional WEF funding.
One project currently seeking funding is a proposal by Westerville South High School English teacher Jen Baker, for a Diverse Library that reflects the diversity in her classroom. Her project description states, “Roughly 48 percent of Westerville South’s student body is a racial or ethnic minority. Twelve percent of the student body has a disability and 37 percent is economically disadvantaged. Unfortunately, these students do not often see themselves in the books they read in school. I would like to change this.”
Another active project seeking funding is a school wide afterschool homework club, started by Tracy Price at Fouse Elementary. This program gives ESL students with no computer, internet or parent support (due to language), an opportunity to complete homework with teacher direction and encouragement. Price said this about the program, which was successful this past year: “Students feel a sense of pride for being able to complete their homework correctly and build relationships with the individuals helping them. They feel more a part of the school community because they are able to take part in the same educational activities as their peers.”
“Community contributions to these projects will factor into our decisions about which projects to grant additional WEF funding this summer,” said WEF Executive Director, Colleen Moidu. “You can financially support a program you care about and cast a vote for additional funding with your donation.”
There are currently 14 projects seeking funding including those that support poetry and creative writing, resources for AP statistics students, culture celebrations and innovative elementary classroom collaboration and redesign. To view the details for active projects that will be considered for additional WEF funding, please visit the WEF website at: https://www.westervilleeducationfoundation.com/p/61/fund-a-project-module#.WwelfYanFhE
This funding opportunity is available thanks to generous community support for the WEF. Their most recent event, An Artful Affair, was a success thanks to more than 50 sponsors, including: Education First Credit Union; Mount Carmel St. Ann’s; Alliance Data; DCTS - Dayton Cincinnati Technology Solutions; TRIAD Architects/ TRIAD Facility Solutions; Henry Painting; Robert E. Woodruff; the Garland Company; the UPS Stores of Westerville; WASA - Westerville Amateur Soccer Association; Elford, Inc.; GCI - Geotechnical Consultants, Inc; Ketchum and Walton Company; Maggie Neely, Area VP Gallagher Benefits; Mill Tech, LLC, Rich & Gillis Law Group; Staples Advantage; Thoughtexchange; Andrew Insurance Associates; BDO; Cardinal Bus Sales & Service; Hutta & Hutta Orthodontics; Jericho Financial; Midwest Sports Professional Photographic Lab; Northstar Family Dental; RSFi Office Furniture, Shirk & O’Donovan Consulting Engineers; The Carter Family; The Collins Family; the Motz Group; the Revolution Group and Todd and Nancy McFarland.
For more information, contact Colleen Moidu at ExecutiveDirector@WestervilleEducationFoundation.com