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Press Archive
Brookfield
Education Foundation Receives State Honor
10/05/06
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At the annual Connecticut Consortium of Education Foundations (CTCEF) conference, John Goetz (Superintendent of Schools) and Carol Dores (President of the Brookfield Education Foundation) accepted an award for the outstanding education foundation for 2006. Over 100 attendees from throughout Connecticut and from as far away as Cape Ann, Maine, and Cohasset, MA. were on hand for the award presentation With 77 such foundations operational statewide and another 22 in start up phase, the Brookfield organization was the only group so honored this year. Joe Erardi, CTCEF Board member and Superintendent of Watertown Schools said, “ The choice of Brookfield this year for this award was based on the fact that this foundation has touched so many different groups within the community.”
With Connecticut Education Commissioner George Coleman providing opening remarks the award presented read: "For Creating Outstanding Educational Opportunities Within Their Local Community".
In her remarks, Foundation President Carol Dores commented, “Education is the cornerstone of a town’s culture. Our continuously expanding Parks and Recreation program and the vitality of the Brookfield Library demonstrate that Brookfield residents value learning for all ages. So does the Brookfield Education Foundation. Moving lifelong learning opportunities from good to great takes more than our town’s funding. Since the higher the value of the school system, the higher the property values, everyone in a community benefits from a solid educational system and from lifelong education being raised to a core value throughout the community.”'
One of the first projects with the BEF involved helping the Brookfield Library Director apply for a Praxair Library Grant. That successful application garnered $25,000 worth of computers and printers for the Library. This year, the Library Director contacted former members of our Board of Directors for assistance in applying for another Praxair grant. As a result, the Library soon will have $10,000 worth of audible books.
Another example of new initiatives supported by the Brookfield Education Foundation mentioned by Ms. Dores in her remarks was the seed money provided for the “Capturing Kids Hearts” program at Brookfield High School. This program provides training for teachers to instruct students in social skills which are as necessary as knowledge of history and math. Social skills help students develop their ability to lead and their self-esteem. Several teachers have gone through the training thus far. If the program is successful, the school may decide to implement it on a broader scale.
She also commented on the commitment of the Brookfield Education Foundation to fund the electronics and other equipment for the video production studio being built as part of the renovation of the high school remains strong.
Following Ms. Dores remarks, Jason DiStasio and Kate Lapham, teachers at BHS spoke about Capturing Kids Hearts, followed by Samantha Schueschner and Christina Preville, BHS students answering questions from the audience.
Ms Dores and Mr. Goetz will be working with First Selectman Jerry Murphy to find an appropriate place in Town Hall to display the award. “It is most appropriate that it be displayed there, as the programs supported by the Brookfield Education Foundation are for lifelong learning of residents of all ages.” explained Ms. Dores.
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