| October 2005 | EDUCATION FOUNDATION CELEBRATES ANOTHER BANNER YEAR On October 5th, The Shamong Foundation for Educational Excellence held its annual Donor Reception at Valenzano's Winery. This event recognizes those individuals and businesses that made contributions to our Annual Donor Campaign. Also recognized were teachers and staff members who were awarded small grants and who facilitated implementation of large projects during the past school year. Special mention was made of Commerce Bank whose most generous support has made clear their commitment to excellence in education. Large projects completed and funded by the Foundation last year were the Orff Instrumental Ensemble at approximately $9,000 and the Distance Learning Lab at approximately $31,000. Six small Grants were awarded ranging from $428 to $1,550 each. Numerous new projects and grants are being planned for implementation this current school year. The Foundation would like to thank the Valenzano Family for again hosting this event at their beautiful Valenzano Winery as well as donating all tasting of their award winning wines. We also would like to thank our local Wawa for their excellent provisioning of food and soft drinks. Once again, our very own seventh grade harpist, Audrey Green, graced the evening with her lovely renditions from the gazebo. As a highlight, Shamong's own Orff Ensemble, with instruments funded by the Foundation, gave their first-ever-public performance. Under the direction of IMS's Ms. Martin, these very talented 3rd and 4th graders gave a memorable demonstration of what our donors' contributions can make possible. The Foundation and the educational community in general most sincerely thank all the contributors to the Third Annual Donor Campaign: Gold Level:
Founders' Society Thomas & Donna Brooks Founders' Club
Anne & Ken BrownFriends of Education
The Barclay Group & J.S. Braddock Agency - Matt ThomasContributors
Tom & Maureen Basehore
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| September 2005 | Shamong Foundation Participating in The Wine and Music Festival at Valenzano's Winery The Shamong Foundation for Educational Excellence has announced they will be participating in The Wine and Music Festival at Valenzano's Winery on Saturday and Sunday, September 17th and 18th. Visit http://www.valenzanowine.com/ Nancy Thomas, the Foundation's chairperson, said that this is a popular event, held in our own town, that will afford us exposure to both promote our own organization and to participate in an event sponsored by one of our benefactors. The Valenzano Family generously donates the use of their beautiful facility and award winning wines for our Annual Donor and Grant Winner Recognition Reception. The Foundation will offer a chance to win 6 exciting gift baskets. Representatives will be available to answer questions and take comments. The Trustees look forward to seeing other members of the community at this event. A fun time will be had by all! Go to Top |
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| May 2005 | COMMERCE BANK & FOUNDATION FOR EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE... WORKING TOGETHER
Commerce Bank made an official presentation of the first of a two part donation to the Shamong Foundation for Educational Excellence. A replica check in the amount of $5,000 was presented to Foundation Chairperson, Nancy Thomas. Also present were Thomas Christensen (Superintendent), Diane Tallaksen (BOE President), and Commerce Representatives, John Hall and Lisa Bosley. According to Mrs. Thomas, Commerce Bank was quite impressed with the Foundation's unique structure and mission. The bank is interested in being an active supporter of innovative and creative projects that will enable children to explore exciting educational possibilities. Commerce Bank funds will be allocated specifically to the small grant program. Mrs. Thomas would like to thank all Foundation Trustees, Superintendent Thomas Christensen, and, in particular, former Trustee Irene Kelso, for their efforts. We are most grateful to Commerce Bank for their partnership and support of the children of Shamong Township. Go to Top |
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| November 2004 | EDUCATION FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES FIRST LARGE SCALE PROJECT At a reception held to honor this year's Annual Campaign Donors, the Shamong Foundation for Educational Excellence unveiled their plans for their first large scale project: a Distance Learning Project. "We've just come out of another wonderfully successful Donor Campaign, and we're very excited to share the good news of this ambitious project" said Foundation Chairperson Nancy Thomas. "The Distance Learning Project will allow students to take high school level courses in our Middle School, interact with students around the country and around the globe, or collaborate with scientists on a research project." continued Thomas. The Education Foundation has committed to funding over $30,000 in the coming year for the Distance Learning project, made possible solely by the community contributions received during this year's Donor Campaign. During the Donor Reception, the larger contributors were recognized as members of the: Gold Founders' Society: Jon & Maggie Shevelew of ASL Group LLC Silver Founders' Society: Irene & Brian Kelso of Professional Recovery Services, Kathy & Rich Tyrrell of Licata & Tyrrell P.C. Founders' Society: Ron Murphy of Murphy's Martketplace, Kirk Pratt of Liberty Bell Realty, Bill & Joyce Greeeberg, Tom & Lisa O'Neill, Ann & John Pickens, Keith & Alaine Portner of Portner Leasing, Mario & Corinne Magasic, Woody & Becky Browne of Building Q LLC, Tom & Donna Brooks of A. Brooks Roofing, Inc., Marty & Linda Reynolds, Terri & Gary Long, Jacqueline & Paul Mastrokyriakos, Jeffrey & Linda Siedlecki of Majestic Aquatics, LLC, David & Gail Yeager Founders' Club: Bill & Tina Leach, Tom & Deb Dupnik, Caroline & Robert Graham, Kenneth & Lori Long, Alan & Julie Lesky, Joe & Kim Lattanzi, Ken & Kelly Nilson, Edward & Lorraine Banes, Michael & Carla McGlone, Ken & Anne Brown, Henry & Marlene Robbins of Robbins Water Service, Guy & Donna Baptiste of Guy Baptiste Inc., Chris & Al O'Keefe, Terri & Joseph Rosales, Design Collaborative, Lance Siano, Wawa Inc., Canon Business Systems The Foundation would like to thank the Valenzano Family for hosting this year's Donor Reception at their Valenzano Winery facilities in Shamong. Also, the Foundation also wishes to thank the following local businesses who very thoughtfully supported this year's reception: Wawa, located in Shamong, and Our Sweet Place, located in Medford. Lastly, the reception was made very special by the donor tokens that were beautifully hand-painted by Ms. Amanda Kohler, and by the wonderful music provided by a local harpist, Ms. Audrey Green. Thanks go their thoughtful contribution to the evening. The Foundation is a non-profit organization created to encourage and enable private and corporate contributions for the benefit of local school children. All donations are applied to teacher-developed projects designed to bring new, innovative, and creative features to the classroom that otherwise would not be possible. Go to Top |
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| August 2004 | SHAMONG FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES NEW OFFICERS The Shamong Foundation for Educational Excellence has elected this year's slate of officers: Chairperson Nancy Thomas; Vice Chair Thomas O'Neill; Secretary Kathy Tyrrell; and Treasurer Jackie Mastrokyriakos. Chairperson Thomas said,"All of the Foundation Trustees are very excited as we enter our third year of support for the students of Shamong, and I personally look forward to doing my part to foster the positive recognition and continued growth of the Foundation". In particular, she plans on setting up and refining procedures and processes to facilitate an easy adjustment as new Trustees join the Fundation and assume positions of responsibility. Thomas also expressed her thanks to outgoing officers Tom Dupnik and Ken Nilson for their past efforts. Other business concerned ironing out the details for the Foundation's annual Donor Reception, which will be held on Wednesday, October 6, at Valenzano's Winery. Again this year, the Donor Campaign was extremely successful, and the reception is the Foundation's way of saying "thanks" to those individuals and businesses in and around the community who have made a commitment to supporting the Foundation's vision of enriching the education of Shamong's youth. Staff members who were awarded grants will also be recognized. The Foundation is a non-profit organization created to encourage and enable private and corporate contributions for the benefit of local school children. All donations are applied to teacher-developed projects designed to bring new innovative and creative features to the classroom that otherwise would not be possible. Go to Top |
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| May 2004 | Foundation Gift Turns Words Into Stories The Shamong Foundation for Educational Excellence, a non-profit organization set up to solicit and distribute private funds for the benefit of Shamong area schools, has purchased Voice-to-Text Software for Indian Mills Memorial School. This specialized software assists students with language-based learning disabilities by easing the frustration of getting their thoughts written down properly. When the students see their spoken words transcribed instantly onto paper as written text, their stories come to life and they begin to develop more confidence in their overall communication abilities. Such enabling tools are shown to improve writing and vocabulary skills. This software, granted to IMS/IMMS teachers Dee Alspach and Rich Peloso, is but one of the numerous grants funded by the Shamong Education Foundation. All grant ideas come straight from the teachers as they promote creative and innovative projects that they feel would benefit the school children. The Foundation is entering its second Annual Donor Campaign, and will soon be turning to the community for contributions to continue their efforts. From Tom Dupnik, chairperson for the Foundation, "Last year was our first year for the Foundation, and the donations from our friends and neighbors throughout Shamong were really amazing. Now, one year into it, we"ve got so much to be proud of with all the varied and important grants that we've already funded. As we embark on some larger scale projects, we're looking forward to even more generosity from a larger pool of caring and involved people." Go to Top |
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| May 2004 | Foundation Scores High With Fifth Grade Science Students The Shamong Foundation for Educational Excellence, a non-profit organization set up to solicit and distribute private funds for the benefit of Shamong area schools, has purchased a Rive Ray Box for Mrs. Poole's 5th Grade students of Indian Mills Memorial School. This specialized learning tool is a package of various mirrors and convex and concave lenses which offers a hands-on appreciation of the way light rays can be manipulated through reflection and refraction. Most impressive to the teachers was the obvious positive impact it had on test scores for that particular chapter of study - all credited to this new capability that lets the students "learn-by-doing". Go to Top |
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| February 2004 | THE COLLEGE OF NEW JERSEY WIND ENSEMBLE IS COMING TO TOWN Taking advantage of a chance meeting at his daughter's high school music concert, David Stow, a Trustee of the Shamong Foundation for Educational Excellence, was able to get the ball rolling on what's shaping up to be a very busy day for The College of New Jersey Wind Ensemble. On Tuesday, March 16th, the group has very graciously planned a full day's worth of events structured to entertain and educate local children and adults alike. The day starts off with a performance at the Indian Mills Memorial School, affording the middle school children a wonderful opportunity to experience and learn from the State's premier Wind and Percussion Ensemble. Next, it's on to Cherokee High School, at the Lenape Performing Arts Center, where music students from all four Lenape Regional High Schools will be treated to a workshop offering local budding artists some insights and techniques from one of the nation's finest undergraduate wind bands. The day's events will culminate in an evening concert at the Lenape Performing Arts Center. Surely the highlight of the concert will be a joint performance of the high school bands and the Wind Ensemble. This performance is open to the public and will take place at 7 pm. Tickets are free and are required for entry - contact David Stow at the Bradley & Stow Funeral Home (609-953-7600). The day's events are being sponsored by the Shamong Foundation for Educational Excellence, a non-profit organization dedicated to gathering public and private donations and using them to enhance the quality of education for the students of the Shamong Township School District. Says Shamong Foundation Chairperson Tom Dupnik, "We're very excited - and honored - that The College of New Jersey has offered to participate in our Foundation's Arts Immersion Program and that we're able involve so many people, young and old, from our community. We hope that everyone with an appreciation for fine music comes out to join us on March 16th for the evening concert." Go to Top |
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| October 2003 | EDUCATION FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES ITS MAJOR PROJECTS At a reception held for donors last week, the Shamong Foundation for Educational Excellence unveiled their plans for funding large-scale projects in the coming years. "We've had an extremely successful Charter Donor Campaign, and we're excited that the overwhelming support from our community has placed us in a position to fund three very ambitious and innovative projects that will enhance learning opportunities for all of our students" said Foundation Chairperson Tom Dupnik. The first project is a Distance Learning and Video Studio. This new technology will allow students to attend classes and collaborate with local and remote students, teachers, business, industry, community, and other experts in an efficient and cost-effective manner. Also, students can record their own school performances and compile a video portfolio of their scholastic growth over time. The second project is an Arts Immersion Program. This on-going program will provide experiences in the fine and performing arts that will enhance existing programs, promote greater student participation, and lay the groundwork for a lifelong appreciation of the arts. In all, the Education Foundation has committed to funding well over $50,000 in the coming year for these projects, made possible solely by the community contributions received during the Charter Donor Campaign. The larger contributors were permanently registered as members of the: Gold Founders Society: Woody & Becky Browne of Building Q L.L.C. Silver Founders Society: Jon & Maggie Shevelew, Kathy & Rich Tyrrell of Licata & Tyrrell P.C. Founders Society: Joseph Webb, Bob Carp of Nuss Construction, Bill & Joyce Greenberg, Tom & Lisa O'Neill, Fleet Bank, Ann & John Pickens, Henry & Marlene Robbins of Robbins Water Service, Richard & Barbara Miller, Chris & Al O'Keefe, Terry & Gary Long, Keith & Alaine Portner of Portner Leasing, Irene & Brian Kelso, Robert & Mary Dunlop, ARH Associates, Inc., John L. McCusker, Lynn & Tom Snyder, Ken & Kelly Nilson, Jacqueline & Paul Mastrokyriakos, and Jeffrey & Cheryl Felt of J&S Lawnman |
Shamong Foundation
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