AEF Save the Date: Champions for Our Schools 2018! on March 17 at UMass Student Union Ballroom

Join Amherst Education Foundation for an evening of celebration, fun, and food as we honor the 9 principals of the Amherst Regional Public School District and community champion Florence Bank.

Principal honorees are Mark Jackson, Patty Bode, Diane Chamberlain, Derek Shea, Lisa Desjarlais, David Slovin, Margot Lacey, Jackie Mendonsa, and Nick Yaffe.

Doors open at 6:00pm with a cash bar followed by dinner and entertainment, including music and trivia.

Proceeds support AEF-funded grants in our public schools. If you are interested in sponsoring the event or being a Table Ambassador, please email AEF at amherstedfound@gmail.com. 

AEF Stars in our Schools Honoring Your Child's Teachers

As the holidays approach and you are looking for ways to celebrate the wonderful teachers and administrators in our schools, AEF announces its holiday Stars in Our Schools!  Make a donation in an educator’s honor, and they will receive a card from AEF indicating that you supported AEF in their honor. Stars in Our Schools is a great way to give a gift that contributes to the schools and that is in compliance with the law that forbids public employees from receiving gifts valued at more than $50.00. Here’s what educators say about Stars in Our Schools: “Receiving a star is one of the most meaningful gifts to get. I love receiving these because I feel truly appreciated as a teacher, and I know that the donation people make is going back to a great organization that really supports our schools.”  - ARMS Co-Assistant Principal and ELL Teacher Alicia Lopez  “I was really moved when I received some Stars in Our Schools cards in my mailbox indicating that the parents of some of my students had donated to AEF in my honor. AEF does very important work to support teachers and programs at ARMS, so a monetary gift is like thanking a teacher twice!”  - ARMS Science Teacher Jennifer Welborn “I have had the good fortune to be honored by parents and members of the Amherst community through their 'Stars in our Schools' donations to AEF. When making their donations, parents and relatives have commented specifically that they see their children singing with joy and self-confidence and that they have an appreciation for music of different world cultures. It is deeply satisfying to know that what we do in the schools gets carried out into the community.”  - Fort River Elementary School Music Teacher Anne Louise White (retired 6/2017) To make a gift, click here: www.amhersteducationfoundation.org/stars-in-our-schools Please make your gift by December 18 to ensure pre-holiday delivery. As always, thank you for supporting public education and AEF.

Giving Tuesday is November 28 - So Many Ways to Give

#GivingTuesday is a global giving movement that has been built by individuals, families, organizations, businesses and communities in all 50 states and in countries around the world. Millions of people come together to support and champion the causes they believe in and the communities in which they live.

Random acts of kindness are a great way to teach young children about giving and supporting each other. Helping a neighbor with yard work or donating clothes and books are easy ways to get kids involved. The Fort River Student Council is currently organizing a toy and necessities drive for victims of Hurricane Maria. The Amherst Survival Center and local religious groups have ongoing opportunities to donate or volunteer locally. The Amherst Education Foundation provides grants to ARPS teachers allowing students to tangibly see their families' donations at work.

The Fort River PGO also depends on generous giving from our community so that we can continue to support the work of our incredible teachers and staff. The Annual Fund needs to cover about 30% of the annual budget. Please consider joining the Fort River community on Tuesday, November 28, 2017 by including the PGO in your end-of-year giving. If you are able to help, please click here to donate using PayPal or send a check into the Main Office made out to "Fort River PGO." Thanks!

Thank Teachers with a Gift to AEF

a message from Amherst Education Foundation:

The school year is almost over, and now is the time we begin thinking about how to thank our teachers for a terrific year. What better way to thank them than to give a gift in their name to the Amherst Education Foundation? AEF has provided more than $400,000 in grants to our public schools over the last 24 years.

“I have had the good fortune to be honored by parents and members of the Amherst community through their “STARS in our Schools” donations to AEF.  When making their donations, parents and relatives have commented specifically that they see their children singing with joy and self confidence and that they have an appreciation for music of different world cultures. It is deeply satisfying to know that what we do in the schools gets carried out into the community.”

- Fort River Music Teacher Anne Louise White

AEF provides an easy way for you to make a meaningful donation to your child’s teacher(s) by going to www.amhersteducationfoundation.org and clicking on “Stars in Our Schools.”  You can donate to more than one teacher in one easy transaction! Or send a check with a note identifying the teacher(s), the school, and who is giving the donation to our mailing address at: PO Box 1363, Amherst, MA 01004.

In order for your teacher to receive a star, please make your donation by June 15.

View: AEF Stars flyer 2017

Support Amherst Education Foundation

"My fourth grade students love learning about what has come before them and finding similarities in what is around them now. I think of Ralph Waldo Emerson's statement, ‘Of the works of our mind, history is the record.’ It's certainly true that the teaching of history allows students to not only learn about the importance of the past but offers them the opportunity to learn from our mistakes." 

- John Keins, Fourth Grade Teacher, Fort River Elementary School

We love this quote from Mr. Keins that was published in a recent outreach email from the Amherst Education Foundation! If you aren't familiar with their work please check them out at https://www.amhersteducationfoundation.org/

AEF: Thank a Teacher Campaign

Did you know that when asked what type of gift would make them feel most appreciated, the majority of teachers polled by the National Education Association last year said "a simple thank you" was all.

Why not send them a meaningful thank you and support Amherst Education Foundation's mission to strengthen our schools at the same time? AEF will deliver a personalized Thank You card to the person you wish to honor during the last week of school and your contribution will be used for grants to schools next year.

Visit www.amhersteducationfoundation.org before June 10 to make a donation and thank the special teachers in your life!

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Amherst Education Foundation Challenge

BREAKING NEWS: The Amherst Education Foundation has been challenged! Please join your community in support of our schools and help AEF meet an exciting challenge. We are trying to raise $10,000 by midnight on Monday, March 15 in order to qualify for a $5,000 matching challenge grant.

We are about half way towards meeting our goal. Please make a gift of any amount before midnight on Monday!!

You can get more information about the great projects your donation will help support in 2010 at AEF’s website and you can give online there, too! But don't put it off--we need your help TODAY to meet the challenge. Thank you!

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Meet the AEF Challenge!

The Amherst Education Foundation is excited to announce a great opportunity to support our students, teachers and schools!

There's much more info and an opportunity to donate at www.amhersteducationfoundation.org.

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