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 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.