AEF Trivia Bee Results

The Amherst Regional Middle School auditorium was "abuzz" with contestants and spectators at the Amherst Education Foundation's 15th Annual Trivia Bee on Thursday, October 29.  120 contestants, many in costumes, competed for bragging rights to the title of Amherst area trivia champion. Hosted by AEF President Katie Allan Zobel and emceed by State Representative Ellen Story, the evening of challenge, wit and fun netted a record $6,150.00 for the benefit of Amherst, Pelham, Leverett and Shutesbury schools.

While area schools are the big winners from the event, bragging rights belong to the team of bee champion Jones Group Realtors, comprised of Doug Albertson, Tim McGee, Maureen Porter and Micki Sanderson, who won an exciting sudden death playoff against competitors New England Finishing and the Amherst College Center for Community Engagement.  Winning prizes for best costume were the teams from Atkinson Family Practice (Slum"doc" Millionaires), Attorney David Noonan (the Harry Potters) and Minuteman Pest Control (the H1N1 Swine Patrol.)  Awards for best team spirit went to the Amherst Club, New England Greenscape and the Amherst College Center for Community Engagement.   The audience contest, themed Amherst 250th, offered a unique glimpse into Amherst's past and was won by Jackie Churchill.

The trivia bee marks AEF's first fundraising event since the organization completed its strategic plan last year, and launches what promises to be a new era in AEF history.  AEF's mission is to provide significant and consistent support for area teachers and students by awarding grants, funding district-wide projects, and encouraging teacher innovation and academic excellence.

The event was underwritten by Northampton Cooperative Bank and made possible by the local businesses who provided sponsorships for the teams, donated prizes and/or helped with publicity.  The Amherst Education Foundation is profoundly grateful to these businesses for their support, and is already looking forward to another successful Trivia Bee in 2010.   For more information, or to make a tax-deductible gift to the schools via AEF, please visit our website at www.amhersteducationfoundation.org.

Fort River Receives Grant from Amherst Education Foundation

The Amherst Education Foundation has just announced a gift of $20,000 to the Amherst Regional Schools! Thanks to hundreds of donors this year, AEF is putting donor generosity to work, helping assuage a few of the most urgent needs and providing support for important programs. As a result of recent conversations with the principals, this grant is intended to support the schools and our kids in the following areas: -ARHS: to support the restoration of funds to underwrite stipends for club advisors -ARMS: for professional development in the area of differentiated instruction -Fort River: to provide stipends to staff members who will be developing and implementing a new project with the UMass Amherst Commonwealth College & Office of Community Service Learning to support students with enrichment programming -Wildwood: to support further professional development in the Lucy Calkins Workshop Model for the Language Arts program -Crocker Farm: to support the school’s Wednesday afternoon enrichment clubs -Marks Meadow: for after school clubs and enrichment activities, and to expand the repertoire of materials to be used by our Intervention teachers in math and reading. -Pelham: for library books. -Leverett/Shutesbury: to enrich programming AEF continues their fundraising efforts and looks forward to working with Superintendent Rodriguez, the principals and teachers next year to make the most effective use of future grants. http://www.amhersteducationfoundation.org Also, you can still make an end-of-year gift in honor of a teacher or staff member by making a donation to the AEF. They'll 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. Click on image to enlarge and print form.

End of the Year Gift for Teachers

Honor a teacher or staff member by making a donation to the Amherst Education Foundation (AEF). They'll 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. Click image for form.

Amherst Education Foundation (AEF) Teacher Appreciation

Let your teacher know how much you appreciate all their hard work, care, expertise, and dedication! Make a gift to the Amherst Education Foundation (AEF) in honor of a teacher, and AEF will deliver a shining star with note of appreciation to that teacher. Your tax-deductible gift will go toward supporting important work in our schools next year. Gifts must be received by April 30th in order for stars to be delivered on May 5, Teacher Appreciation Day. www.amhersteducationfoundation.org

AEF Three Cheers for Our Teachers

Amherst Education FOUNDATION (AEF) Development committee introduces: Three Cheers For Our Teachers

Sure, there are a thousand reasons to thank a teacher this holiday season, but here are three to get you started: If you make a gift in honor of a teacher (or up to three) by December 31, AEF will: 1) match all contributions from new donors, 2) notify teachers of your generosity in their honor, and 3) send you a receipt for your tax-deductible contribution to the Amherst Education Foundation, Inc. You can log onto AEF's website or simply mail your donation to AEF P.O. Box 2237. Amherst, MA 01004. Thanks MM Blogger and AEF Board member, Tracy Hightower.