Articles
Swampscott Education Foundation to Celebrate 20th Anniversary — with Checks
By George Derringer / swampscott@cnc.comTue Oct 20, 2009, 04:48 PM EDT
SWAMPSCOTT - At a time when local school districts are fighting for every dollar, a local volunteer organization in Swampscott is lending a hand.
The Swampscott Education Foundation will be present the principals of Stanley Elementary, Hadley Elementary, Clarke Elementary, Swampscott Middle School and Swampscott High School with a combined $20,000 of discretionary funding.
“The Swampscott Education Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the educational experience for local students and we are helping to enrich the curriculum and provide enhancements which are beyond the scope of public funding,” said SEF President Kristen Vogel. “We think this is a great opportunity for the principals to apply funds where they see the greatest need, rather than having to follow a regulated guideline.”
Actually, the Education Foundation is the new name for the organization formerly known as SUCCESS, an acronym for the unwieldy name “Swampscott United Community Coalition for the Enhancement of the Swampscott Schools.”
Vogel says the organization has changed in many ways in its 20-year history.
“First of all, obviously, it’s a much clearer name,” she says. “We did a lot of work — starting last spring — to look at the organization, develop a clearer mission statement and adopt some new written bylaws.”
She says the new organization remains independent and registered as a charity so donations remain tax-deductible.
And it’s already giving out grants. Last week, a $2,000 check from SEF went to the High School to purchase new globes with the correct current names of nations on them but the distribution of checks to all five schools is scheduled at 3:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, in the lobby of Swampscott High School.