Doyle_LivelyLetters_2016-17
Erin Schermerhorn, pre-school teacher at the Doyle School, received a 2016-17 grant to purchase Lively Letters, a reading program that turns abstract letters and sounds into lively, colorful characters.
How we help
WEF’s annual grant cycle strives to create balance and equity among the student populations in the Wakefield Public Schools district, given the grant requests that are submitted.
Each fall, the WEF grant team reviews grant applications submitted by school administration, staff and PTO members. Each grant request is reviewed in detail against WEF’s mission and grant guidelines. The WEF grant team then partners with district leadership to validate that the grant request will not be funded under the WPS’ current school-year budget, and to discuss any overlaps, barriers, or additional opportunities.
Once the entirety of grant money is linked to grant requests, recipients are notified, generally in late November.
NAO (pronounced Now) is the autonomous, programmable humanoid robot being used in middle schools around the world. The Galvin Middle School has this cutting-edge robot, thanks in part to a $3000 grant WEF awarded Galvin Middle School’s Digital Learning Specialist, Katy Williams in 2019.
Grant Dollars Requested & Awarded to WPS by Year Since 2014
Dollars Awarded by School for 2024-2025 School Year
“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.”
PLUTARCH | C. 100 AD
How we raise grant dollars
WEF Partners
WEF Partners create security for our mission. By partnering with many amazing businesses in our community to underwrite costs for running its fundraisers, WEF is able to direct close to 100% of funds raised towards the grant process. WEF Partners are featured in the annual WEF Calendar and in the media.
We also have an amazing set of not-for-profit partners, that regularly and generously donate to WEF. Our non-profit heroes include:
Greenwood Elementary School PTO - The annual Gator Gallop, held in the spring, is a core fundraiser.
FUNDRAISING
We work as a team to identify win-win fundraisers, those which support the camaraderie within the community while also providing key funding to the WEF grant program. Grass roots fundraisers have included:
Adult Spelling Bee
Annual Auction
S.T.A.R.S. Program (December and May)
grant aWARDs
We seek out educational grants that we can apply to, to bolster what we can give back to the Wakefield Public Schools. Do you know of a grant that we should pursue? Please let us know!
In 2023 WEF received a grant for $105k from the Cummings Foundation for the development of a comprehensive behavioral and mental health services program for the Wakefield Public Schools. This follows an earlier Cummings Foundation grant in 2016 for $100k for health & wellness in Wakefield Public Schools. With this much needed suport, Wakefield strives to improve that state of health and wellness for all its students through tailored curricula, programs and activities for its students.
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Rose_Winners_2017
2017 winners of the chocolate rose fundraiser.
Woodville_RobBMX_2016-17
The Woodville PTO was awarded $1,400 for performer Kevin Robinson, known as K-Rob, to entertain and inspire students and staff with his T.R.I.C.K. (Teamwork, Respect, Inspiration, Confidence, and Kindness) program.
Woodville_OutdoorClasroom_2016-17
Robin Litwalk, Occupational Therapist, and four first-grade teachers at the Woodville Elementary School received grant funds to implement an outdoor science program.
WPS_25K_2019-20
In response to an environment created by COVID-19, WEF granted $25,000 to Wakefield Public Schools for the purchase of 40 portable Video Collaboration Systems, which teachers can use at home or in the classroom to improve video and audio capabilities and enhance students' engagement in remote learning.
Galvin_Chicks_2018-19
6th grade science teacher, Elizabeth Doucette. captivated her students with her egg incubation - hatching chick project.
Greenwood_Mindfulness_2018-19
Greenwood School Principal Tiffany Back was awarded $2100 for the “Mindfulness in the Classroom” project, providing staff with professional development and students with connected instruction.
