Dedham Education Foundation Brings Scientific Fun to Avery Students

Through funding from the Dedham Education Foundation, the Avery School was able to invite Kinetic Katie to teach a variety of science-based activities.

  During the fall, the 5th grade teachers at the Avery Elementary School applied for a grant from the Dedham Education Foundation. The teachers asked for funding to provide a special science program for their students. Through the funding, the school was able to bring Kinetic Katie from Hightouch Hightech New England on April 10.  The program involved a variety of hands-on activities for the 5th grade class. "Kinetic Katie taught students all about the food chain, the food web, primary producers, primary consumers and various animal adaptations," Michelle Luongo said. "Students had a blast and thought the program was both informative and fun; they even got a change to dissect owl pellets."

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Dedham Students Vote in Mock Caldecott Election

By participating in the “mock election,” Dedham elementary school students not only learned about the Caldecott election, but gained perspective on how an illustrator's work.

  The Caldecott Medal is awarded annually, to the artist of the most distinguished picture book for children, published in the U.S. Now in it's 75th year, the Caldecott Medal is named in honor of the famous nineteenth-century English illustrator, Randolph Caldecott.  Thanks to a generous grant from the Dedham Education Foundation, almost 1,100 students from the town's four elementary schools, got to participate in a “mock” Caldecott election recently. Maureen Tannetta (Greenlodge), Wendy Garland (Avery), Meghan Nels (Oakdale), and Ingrid Mayyasi (Riverdale), got together and chose 5 books for their students to review. During their regularly scheduled school library times, the students were encouraged to consider “what made the books …

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Dedham Education Foundation, Senator Rush Recognizes Community's Public School Teachers

Grants Awards announced in 3rd Annual Teacher Recognition Ceremony.

  The Dedham Education Foundation formally announced its grant recipients for the 2012-2013 school year in a ceremony today recognizing the talents and accomplishments of the teachers in the Dedham schools. The Dedham Education Foundation awarded $18,162 in grants this year funding all or part of 34 requests made by teachers and staff from all grade levels.  The 59 grant requests received by the Dedham Education Foundation once again topped the previous year’s record. The ceremony included an appearance by Senator Mike Rush ((D-Norfolk & Suffolk District) as the featured speaker. "I am honored to take part in the 2012-2013 school year ceremony which recognizes some our outstanding educators here in the town of Dedham," said Senator Rush…

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Tales of a Tireless Mom

The Dreaded School Fundraiser

While necessary and beneficial, it doesn't mean you have to love them all.

  As parents of school age children, there are many things that frighten us. We worry about their studies, and hope that they soak in as much knowledge as they can. We fear that they might be picked last in gym class and wonder if it will affect their confidence as they grow older. Even simple things like school lunches can lead to sleepless nights over whether or not they actually eat the fruits and vegetable that are given to them. But nothing strikes terror into the heart of an elementary school parent as the day when their child comes home and announces, “I have to sell something for a school fundraiser.” As you read this, I can almost hear a collective groan from parents across town. You know exactly what I mean: that plastic bag …

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Youth Wordsmiths to Show Skills for DEF Spelling Bee

Cheer on students in grades three through eight Friday night.

  The annual Dedham Education Foundation Spelling Bee comes to Dedham Middle School Friday at 6 p.m., and raffle tickets are on sale for the event. Cheer on students in grades three through eight as they decide who is the town's top speller. Audience members can enter into a raffle for as little as $5 with prizes that include a personalized message on the marque of the Dedham Community Theatre. All funds raised benefit the DEF and their mission. See the attached document for raffle tickets, and drop them off at a school by Friday, or bring them to the Spelling Bee.

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DEF Doles Out Grants for Teachers

The 20-year-old non-profit eclipsed the $300,000 level for contributions to Dedham teachers.

Teachers in the Dedham Public Schools system received a big boost last week at the American Legion from the Dedham Education Foundation to the tune of $21,000 - the most given out in the organization's 20-year history. The money will help fund projects, buy equipment and supplies and allow students to take field trips to enhance their education. Requests funded this year included student trips to the Museum of Science, Museum of Fine Arts, Minuteman National Park, and the Institute of Contemporary Art, familiar programs such as “Read-Write-Win,” the Lowell Mill Girls presentation at the Tsongas Industrial Center in Lowell, the Birds of Prey at the Trailside Museum, presentations on bullying, health and social skills, and books, materials …

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