History

In 2005 a small group of parents decided to form the Gloucester Education Foundation (GEF) to supplement the Gloucester Public School District (GPSD) budget in order to help students become successful, engaged, life-long learners. Since then, GEF has raised more than $1.5 million in donations and grants, has sponsored new and innovative programs as well as providing support for programs that had been eliminated or significantly curtailed due to financial cutbacks.

YEAR 1 2006-2007

• GEF raised $100,000 in donations and grants
• For the first time in decades, elementary and middle school students were able to learn string instrument. Elementary band school children had the opportunity to take district-wide music lessons together.
• Students in grades 6-8 were able to study Italian, German and Spanish after school.
• GEF sponsored the 5th Grade ballroom dance program that helps build social and movement skills.
• At O’Maley Middle School, students became involved in a hands-on robotics program where they applied their math, science and technology lessons.
• At the High School, an expanded robotics program culminated in Gloucester’s first entry into the prestigious US FIRST Robotics Competition.
• Advisors stipends were provided for many extended-day programs including music, drama and school magazines

YEAR 2 2007-2008

• Donations from individuals, families and local businesses comprised more than $120,000 of the $400,000 raised.
• Programs sponsored in Year 1 were funded again.
• Funding from an anonymous Foundation enabled the Sea Initiative, a collaboration between Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), GPSD and GEF. Focusing on the marine environment in Gloucester, the initiative proposed to develop a curriculum in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) which could be exportable to other schools across the country.
• A full-time Science, Technology and Engineering Specialist was hired.
• Math program Investigations upgrades and math books with Internet links for 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders.
• Hands-on science programs expanded: a 5th grade Robotics fair was held as well as a continuation of the programs sponsored during Year 1.
• We were excited that the GHS Robotics program won the prestigious Judges’ Award at the US FIRST competition.

YEAR 3 2008-2009

• Annual Appeal generated approximately $130,000
• Most of the programs from previous years were funded.
• Funding for the Sea Initiative program was secured for the remainder of the three-year proposal. This will provide a total of more than $1 million for the partnership between MIT, GPSD and GEF. Teachers and students participated in several programs at MIT.
• GEF began to focus on expanding the Arts Programs; May 2008 saw a GEF-sponsored GPSD Arts Festival in several downtown locations and the initiation of an Arts Video program at the Middle School.
• Robotics – from extended day programs to the curriculum. GEF, via an anonymous donation, has enabled the use of robotics to teach physics in the High School.

YEAR 4 2009-2010

• The Birdseye Hammond Science, Technology and Engineering Center opened in the O'Maley Middle School.
• A volunteer coordinator was hired.
• Annual Appeal generated approximately the same amount as in 2008-2009
• The 2009 Arts Festival was a huge success with much increased visibility in the community. The presence of a Downtown GHS Art Gallery during the Arts Festival brought more admiration for the arts programs in the GPSD.
• With funds from the Sea Initiative grant the number of Middle School students (40) attending the Summer Science program was doubled.
• A Summer Reading pilot program for elementary school students provided basic reading skills.

YEAR 5 2010-2011

• The Summer Literacy program was expanded to include all elementary schools
• The 2010 Arts Festival took place on May 8th and was a huge success.
• Middle school students (40) participated in the summer MIT/GHMC summer science program.
• A grant writer was hired.