Wallingford Education Foundation

Raeshelle Percival, Highland Elementary School's library media specialist, received funding to purchase book bins for the school library. These bins will provide "faced out" storage that can be easily browsed by young students. This will greatly improve students' access to books, encourage literacy, and engage them in making better book selections. The WEF thanks Ms. Percival for putting a focus on the needs of her students.

Meaghan Hartmann, Cook Hill Elementary School's speech-language pathologist, will be attending The Hanen Centre’s Learning Language and Loving It Program thanks to a professional development grant from the Wallingford Education Foundation. This program will provide her with practical, research-based strategies for facilitating language-learning in pretend play and fostering emergent literacy skills.

Members of the Wallingford community are invited to submit nominations for the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award. Details are provided on the nomination form available on the Distinguished Alumni Award page of the WEF website, www.wallingfordeducationfoundation.org. The WEF looks forward to receiving your nomination no later than September 30. (Pictured L to R: 2024 Distinguished Alumni Ronnell Higgins, Stacey McPherson-Ranciato, Dominic Ferrie, Jane Haffner, and Henry Cadett)

An educational impact grant allowed Highland Elementary School educators Ilana Rashba and Emily Banach to secure additional funding ($2,000.00) for their school beautification project, which involves creating murals connected to the school’s mascot on the hallway walls. Multiple research studies have shown that a school’s physical environment has an impact on academic achievement and social-emotional well-being. The WEF hopes that these murals will have a positive influence on the school environment by showcasing the culture of the school, creating a sense of community, and making students and parents feel more welcomed, which will lead to greater academic and personal success. (Pictured L to R: Emily Banach, Ilana Rashba)

Wallingford Adult Education teacher, Darlene Kirychuk, was successful in securing funding ($1,295.00) to purchase an electrocardiogram machine for the medical assistant program. The WEF recognizes the importance of providing students with training on all types of point-of-care testing to enhance their employability in physician offices and clinics and is pleased to be able to fund this request.

The Wallingford Education Foundation congratulates the 2024 Food for Thought Raffle winners and thanks all those who participated. The proceeds from ticket sales benefit the Wallingford Public Schools' staff and students.

The Wallingford Education Foundation is pleased to present Lyman Hall social worker, Kristina Jensen, with two grant awards. The first is an educational impact grant to establish a no cost thrift shop at the school. This will not only offer students easy access to clothing, but will also promote sustainability education through the re-use of clothing items and responsible consumption. Ms. Jensen also received a professional development grant to pay the registration fee to attend the School Mental Health: Treating Students K - 12 Conference sponsored by the Cambridge Health Alliance and Harvard Medical School, which she will attend virtually. Participation in this conference will help her stay current with the latest knowledge and skills that will enhance the emotional well-being of students. She looks forward to applying the new strategies she learns and sharing these interventions with her colleagues.

LAST CHANCE, WEF RAFFLE TICKET SALES END THIS SATURDAY, JULY 13 ! WEF's "FOOD FOR THOUGHT " Raffle proceeds go to support the Wallingford School System and has 5 prizes, including the top prize, a $1,000 Stop & Shop Gift Card. Only 1,000 tickets are to be sold. To purchase a ticket, click on the link:
https://go.eventgroovefundraising.com/f0e7c8/Campaign/Details

Moses Y. Beach social worker, Gina Hunn, received an educational impact grant to implement a therapy dog program in her school. Research supports the positive role animals play in child development in educational settings. It is hoped that this initiative will have a beneficial impact on the social and emotional wellness of students by enhancing empathy and prosocial behaviors.
You can help support the work of the WEF by purchasing a Food for Thought raffle ticket. Your $10 ticket raises funds to support grant opportunities for educators and scholarships for students. Don't miss out on the chance to win a gift card to a local grocery store through a donation to a good cause. Purchase a ticket at our website, www.wallingfordeducationfoundation.org. Ticket sales end this week ,July 13.

Fritz Elementary School's library media specialist, Laura McCall, received over $1,000 from the Wallingford Education Foundation, which will allow her to enhance the science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM)- based offerings in the school’s makerspace, The Studio. This collaborative learning space promotes students’ higher-order thinking and investigative skills while also sparking creativity. Congratulations, Laura. WEF is happy to support your efforts.
You can help support the WEF's work by purchasing a Food for Thought raffle ticket. Your $10 ticket raises funds to support grant opportunities for educators and scholarships for students. Donating to a good cause will also give you the chance to win one of five gift cards, including the top $1,000 prize, to a local grocery store. Purchase a ticket at our website, www.wallingfordeducationfoundation.org. Ticket sales end July 13.

Cook Hill teacher Julia Evola received full funding ($1,195.00) for her literacy based grant proposal titled Books Like Us. The goal is to purchase texts that will introduce students to various cultural communities found both locally and abroad. “Window” books will introduce students to experiences they may not normally have, while “mirror” books will present children with a reflection of themselves and their cultural identity. The Wallingford Education Foundation applauds her efforts and hopes all our followers have the opportunity to read a book (or two) this summer.

E.C. Stevens Elementary School teacher Sara Fallahi received a matching grant in the amount of $1,500.00 for this year’s International Celebration. This district-wide event, held in partnership with SCOW, provides students with a forum to share perspectives and expertise with the Wallingford community. It also fosters an awareness and appreciation for diversity in language, culture, ethnicity, and traditions.

Wallingford Adult Education instructor Maria Benitez received full funding to purchase phlebotomy practice arm kits and related materials that will enhance instruction for the students in the phlebotomy program particularly as it relates to hand veins. Mannequin arms provide a controlled environment for students to practice venipuncture techniques repeatedly thus providing ample practice time before moving on to clinical practice with patients. The Wallingford Education Foundation is pleased that it was able to financially support this purchase through an Educational Impact Grant.

The Wallingford Education Foundation extends congratulations to all Wallingford high school graduates and wish them continued success in their future endeavors. (Image by rawpixel.com on Freepik)

WEF's "FOOD FOR THOUGHT " Raffle proceeds go to support the Wallingford School System and has 5 prizes, including the top prize, a $1,000 Stop & Shop Gift Card. Only 1,000 tickets are to be sold. To purchase a $10 ticket, click on
https://go.eventgroovefundraising.com/f0e7c8/Campaign/Details

The Wallingford Education Foundation (WEF) is pleased to announce that Lyman Hall senior Payton Kyle is this year's recipient of the WEF Scholarship. The scholarship is presented annually and is based on the demonstrated passion for the student's chosen career field and a personal interview with the selection committee. Payton plans to attend Quinnipiac University this fall with the goal of becoming an elementary teacher. The Wallingford Education Foundation wishes her continued success. Pictured are Payton Kyle and Kevin O'Rourke, WEF Scholarship Committee Chairperson.

Members of the Wallingford community are invited to submit nominations for the Distinguished Alumni Award that will be presented in May 2025. Details, along with submission deadline, are provided on the nomination form available on the Distinguished Alumni Award page of the WEF website, www.wallingfordeducationfoundation.org. This award was established to honor and showcase individuals whose deeds and character exemplify outstanding accomplishments, leadership, and/or service to their community. The WEF looks forward to receiving your nomination.

There’s still time to place an ad in the WEF Spelling Bee program. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to connect with the local community while also supporting a great cause. To learn more, visit the Spelling Bee Team Challenge page of our website, www.wallingfordeducationfoundation.org.

On this Memorial Day, please remember and honor the men and women who have died in service to our country by joining the National Moment of Remembrance. Pause and observe a minute of silence at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, May 27. (Photo: Bart Ros on Unsplash)

Educators Katherine Barrows and Suzanne Sullivan received full funding through a WEF Educational Impact Grant to implement a composting program at Highland Elementary School. This initiative is designed to reduce food waste, typically thought of as garbage, by converting it to humus that can be used in the school and local communities. This program will also teach students about sustainability and the environment. (Pictured L to R: K. Barrows, S. Sullivan)

Thanks to a professional development grant from the Wallingford Education Foundation, Lyman Hall teacher Victoria Bright received full funding to attend the Summer Institute for Educators held at Landmark College, Vermont. This conference will provide her with information on current research and practical strategies to improve the success of her students, many of whom are neurodivergent, have learning disabilities, and/or autism, as well as improve her ability to teach them successfully. She is excited to attend this conference, implement what she learns, and share new strategies with her colleagues.

Don't miss out on the chance to attend this year’s Distinguished Alumni Dinner at which the following individuals will be honored: Henry Cadett III, Dominic Ferrie, Jane Haffner, Ronnell Higgins, and Stacey McPherson-Ranciato. The event will be held at the Farms Country Club, Wallingford, on Thursday, May 16, 2024, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are priced at $75 per person and are available for purchase here https://square.link/u/TwAztxjs through May 12.

During National Teacher Appreciation Week, the Wallingford Education Foundation joins others in saluting our educators, both active and retired. Being a teacher is not just a job, it is a labor of love. The WEF is thankful for your commitment to preparing students not only for academic challenges, but also for life beyond the classroom. You make a difference in shaping students' lives. That is why the WEF is proud to support the work you do through educational impact and professional development grant opportunities.

Find out what all the buzz is about. Participate in this year's Spelling Bee Team Challenge. There are multiple ways to do so: register a team to compete in the event, sponsor a team, or place an ad in the event program. Learn more by visiting our website, www.wallingfordeducationfoundation.org.

Assistant principals play a crucial role in our schools, and this week, the Wallingford Education Foundation is proud to recognize them for their hard work and commitment to our students. Please join us in celebrating these incredible school leaders.

The Wallingford Education Foundation cordially invites you to attend this year’s Distinguished Alumni Dinner at which the following individuals will be honored: Henry Cadett III, Dominic Ferrie, Jane Haffner, Ronnell Higgins, and Stacey McPherson-Ranciato. The event will be held at the Farms Country Club, Wallingford, on Thursday, May 16, 2024, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are priced at $75 per person. Tickets may be purchased here: https://square.link/u/TwAztxjs. Ticket sales close on Monday, May 6. Pictured on the top row are Henry Cadett III & Dominic Ferrie and on the second row are Jane Haffner, Ronnell Higgins, & Stacey McPherson-Ranciato.

The Wallingford Education Foundation is pleased to announce that it is currently accepting applications for its $2,000 scholarship. Lyman Hall and Sheehan seniors who will be attending a two- or four-year college or university in the fall are eligible to apply. Further information, including scholarship qualifications and application, is available on each school's Naviance site. The submission deadline is April 1, 2024. (Photo by Freepik.)

The Wallingford Education Foundation salutes all professionals who counsel our students and provide them assistance with academic concerns, exploring career options, and navigating social/emotional situations. Thank you for the role you play in helping our students become responsible and contributing members of society.

Don't Miss Out! The Wallingford Education Foundation is hosting A Night of Fashion on Thursday, February 8, 2024 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. @ Wheeler Family Traditions Country Club, Wallingford. This event features the designs and jewelry of Wallingford's finest. Tickets are $35 per person and can be purchased online at our website, www.wallingfordeducationfoundation.org. Proceeds from the fashion show go directly to the WEF to fund grants and scholarships for Wallingford Public Schools educators, staff, and students. We hope you are able to join us.

The Wallingford Education Foundation is pleased to announce the 2024 inductees to the Wallingford Distinguished Alumni Honor Roll: Henry Cadett III, Dominic Ferrie, Jane Haffner, Ronnell Higgins, and Stacey McPherson-Ranciato. The induction ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 16, 2024. Further details including ticket information will be posted this March. We hope you can join us at the awards dinner when we honor these remarkable individuals.