Win a 2016 Chevy Cruze and support the students of the Berea City School District. Click on the image below to buy a ticket and learn more!

by Sage Verdi, Intern for the Education Foundation

Irene Joyce (wearing blue in the photo) describes herself as an artist, choral singer, bowling alley worker-drone, and mother of three successful children. Her husband Jim is a retired Fairview Park police officer. She also has an identical twin sister Ingrid Dickson (wearing pink in the photo). Together the two of them go on adventures, make art, and volunteer, which includes going to The Education Foundation meetings.

Irene thinks the best part about being a trustee is working with intelligent, articulate, and thoughtful people, who who care about their communities, the schools, and--most importantly--other people's kids. She is proud to be part of an organization that advances enrichment opportunities for children, families, and educational professionals. 

Serving on the Scholarship Committee of The Education Foundation is Irene's most significant duty because she presents scholarships to the deserving students of the Berea City School District. She believes seeing the tangible results of all the work the Foundation does is truly gratifying. She also serves on the Auction Committee, which she says is just plain fun!
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Irene's passion for The Education Foundation is derived by touching the lives of future generations of world citizens who need to contribute to a civil, informed, and culturally rich society. Her work, along with her fellow trustees, provides research and encouragement to the educators who are charged with the monumental task of nurturing future members of our global society. 

The Education Foundation is fortunate to have Irene as a Trustee!

BY SALLY KING
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Big Creek Elementary School’s third grade teachers, Heidi Demaline, Alison Berger, Jennifer Ditz, Cindy Frontczak, and Megan Peters, were the recipients of a $4,660 Berea Education Foundation Enrichment Grant for the 2015-16 school year.  Their grant was used to implement “One School, One Book,” a literacy program from Read to Them, a non-profit organization that promotes family literacy. 

​​“One School, One Book” was introduced to the school’s students and all certified as well as classified employees at a “Kick Off” assembly at the end of February.  It continued until spring break.  Big Creek’s entire school population of approximately 650 students was involved.

The Enrichment Grant enabled the teachers to provide each Big Creek student and staff member a copy of The World According to Humphrey, an introductory letter, reading schedule, and tips for reading aloud to children. Although The World According to Humphrey is written at a third grade level, all Big Creek students, families, and staff read the same book. Parents and staff were asked to read it aloud to students as well as read it silently with them. The interactive reading provided Kindergarten-2nd grade as well as IEP students an opportunity to enjoy and understand the story just as those reading at a higher level.  In addition to “One School, One Book”, Read to Them also has a “One District, One Book” program as well as two and three book programs.  Having several choices better provided the individual schools the opportunity to address their school’s needs.
              
The project’s primary goals as set by the third grade teachers was to increase family involvement and time spent reading at home, interest and positive attitudes towards reading, and reading achievement.  Assessment of these primary goals was done through the use of a survey sent home prior to the program’s introduction and again at its conclusion. 

To create a whole school connection, a wide variety of coordinating activities were planned to take place at school, at home, and throughout the community.  During the one month schedule from February to March, parents were asked to read and complete activities at home with their children and coordinating activities were done at the school.  To foster school pride and a stronger sense of community the school’s PTA media parent discussed the program through Big Creek’s Facebook page and Big Creek’s administrative intern used the school’s Twitter page to get additional information to the community.

​Big Creek’s teachers are optimistically hopeful that in the future this program will become district-wide so each of the Berea City School District’s elementary schools can benefit from this program.

The Education Foundation for Berea City School District is pleased to announce that applications for Enrichment Grants for the 2016-17 school year are currently available.  The mission of the Education Foundation is investing in our students.  Each year we invest in our students through our Enrichment Grant program.  

This year we have over $25,000 available to award for programs that enhance the educational opportunities for BCSD students.  All BCSD staff members are invited to apply.

To apply for a grant click on the GRANT button below

EDUCATION FOUNDATION ENRICHMENT GRANT  ($20,000 available)
The goal of the Education Foundation Grants is to fund programs/projects which support innovative, imaginative, and enriching experiences for students in the Berea School District.
•    These grants are available to BCSD staff members, schools, groups of schools, or groups of staff members.

​IMAGINE!  EXPLORE THE ARTS GRANT – In memory of Joanna Pusti  ($1,400 available)
The goal of the Imagine! Explore the Arts Grant is to provide opportunities for students to nurture their imagination and curiosity, develop creativity, and promote learning through the exploration of the arts.  This grant is for supplemental classroom support and does not fund programs or supplies covered by the District.
•    Eligible opportunities include, but are not limited to: programs, art shows/displays, field trips, artists in schools, and library books that explore the arts and directly impact students (i.e. teacher training is not eligible).  This includes:  Architecture, Art Explorations, Art History, Art inclusion for special needs students, Ceramics, Drama, Drawing, Enameling, Music, Painting, Photography, and Visual Effects.  
•    This grant is available to all District teaching staff and is not limited to art teachers.

BHS CLASS of 1972 ENRICHMENT GRANT ($500 available)
The goal of the BHS Class of 1972 Enrichment Grant is to enrich students academically and professionally, to provide students with challenging and rewarding learning experiences, and to enable teachers to prepare and present relevant and meaningful learning opportunities for students in the Berea School District.
The grant should support one or more of the following criteria:
•    An experiential learning opportunity for students (Shadowing or Mentoring programs, Guest Speakers, Workshops, Internships, etc.).
•    Equipment, materials, and/or supplies for a special educational program when normal funding streams are limited or not available.
•    To augment or support community service and volunteerism.
•    To celebrate the diversity within our local community.
•    To improve and enhance academic achievement for students.
•    To support the Arts, Music, Sciences, Mathematics, History, and Reading, when possible.
The grant is for the benefit of Junior High and High School (grades 7-12) classes or student groups, and can be awarded to classroom teachers and/or student group advisors.

Tonight's the night for the Education Foundation Auction! It's not to late to join in the fun and support a bright future for the students and educators in the Berea City School District! Please join us this evening at 6:30 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza. Tickets are only $45 each and the food, wine, and fellowship is included! Hope to see you there!

The 16th annual Education Foundation Auction will take place tomorrow, March 10, 2016 at the Crowne Plaza in Middleburg Heights.  Tickets are $45 per person and are available by calling Executive Director Kim Dettmer at 216-898-8270 or at the door.  Visit the Education Foundation website http://www.educationfoundationberea.org for more information.
One more teaser...
Spend the Day at Crocker Park   Enjoy shopping at Trader Joe’s and your favorite boutique and catch a movie at Regal cinemas. Then, your evening begins with a drink at Burntwood Tavern, dinner at Yard House and finally, dessert at the Cheesecake Factory. Donated by Jim and Peggy Connell.  Value: $350

Ohio Statehouse Tour with Representative Mike Dovilla   One lucky couple or family will experience a personal tour of the Statehouse in Columbus guided by Rep Dovilla.  Included in this package is a basket of items from the Statehouse Museum Shop. The tour is to be on a mutually agreed upon date.  Donated by Representative Mike Dovilla.  Value: Priceless
The 16th annual Education Foundation Auction will take place on March 10, 2016 at the Crowne Plaza in Middleburg Heights.  Tickets are $45 per person and are available by calling Executive Director Kim Dettmer at 216-898-8270 or at the door.  Visit the Education Foundation website http://www.educationfoundationberea.org for more information.

The 16th annual Education Foundation Auction will take place on March 10, 2016 at the Crowne Plaza in Middleburg Heights.  Tickets are $45 per person and are available by calling Executive Director Kim Dettmer at 216-898-8270.  Visit the Education Foundation website http://www.educationfoundationberea.org for more information. Or you can purchase tickets at the door!

You made need this to relax after all the excitement:
Floating Beverage Cooler Filled to the brim with thirst-quenching beer!  Donated by Herold Family Auto Care.  Value:  $50