WCEF Announces Professional Development Grants

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WCEF is proud to announce recent grants awarded to Woburn Educators through its new program to support professional development. The goal of this program is to encourage and support the pursuit of ongoing training and professional development during out of school time by helping to defray some of the out-of-pocket costs associated with such pursuits. Grants were awarded for trainings, conferences, and graduate level courses relevant to each educator’s focus and role, that would not be reimbursed by the Woburn Public Schools. In total, $2,974.65 in grants were awarded. Congratulations and thank you to these educators for inviting us to support their ongoing learning and development. 

 

Here’s Your Sneak Peek at the Gourmet Gala Live Auction!

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We’ve put together a great collection of items ready for your HIGH BID as part of the live portion of our Auction at our Gourmet Gala! Tickets must be purchased or reserved by Sunday, March 19th to reserve your seat at this fabulous new event!  All proceeds from the Gourmet Gala support WCEF’s Educator Grants Program, funding new programs and educational initiatives in the Woburn Public Schools.

Ticket information can be found here. 

Check out the great items up for bid, yours to win but only if you join us on March 25th at our Gourmet Gala:

WCEF Announces 2023 Educator Grant Awards

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The Woburn Community Educational Foundation (WCEF) recently awarded 24 grants to Woburn Educators that support a diverse portfolio of exciting new programs, educational initiatives and proven learning enhancements across multiple disciplines at every grade level. This year’s program gifted a total of $20,676 to the Woburn Public Schools.  

These Educator Grants will purchase hands-on learning tools, deliver interactive classroom technology, increase access to music instruction and the performing arts, connect students with local history and celebrate the diversity of our community. We are proud to invest in these projects that create excitement in learning and support the academic success of all students.

“This year we were pleased to receive grant proposals from almost every school in the district, representing the diverse interests and needs of the students at each grade level. These Educator Grants directly support school and classroom based programs and represent our shared commitment to the educational experience and academic achievement of today’s students,” noted WCEF Executive Director Maureen Willis. “Since our founding in 2014 and the opening of our Grant Program in 2015, WCEF has awarded almost $200,000 directly to our schools as Educator Grants and has secured a total of more than $600,000 in new funding to support instructional enhancements and new projects. Working together we have brought some very exciting programs to our schools.”

Special thanks to the Cummings Foundation for its leadership support of WCEF and to the Winning Home Foundation for its continued partnership support and commitment to Woburn’s children as demonstrated by a 3-year grant to bring the Caring School Community program to the district’s middle schools.

WCEF is a nonprofit organization formed to increase private investment and community involvement in the Woburn Public Schools.  We invest in new programs and projects that cannot be funded by the regular school budget. To learn more about WCEF and to get involved, visit us online at www.woburnedfoundation.org.    

Our 2023 Winter Raffle was a Great Success!

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Thanks to the outstanding support of our community, WCEF’s 3rd Annual Winter Raffle was a tremendous success! This year’s Raffle featured 6 high-end and designer purses, 3 Gift Certificate packages, and a Lottery Tree, all sponsored or donated by the local community. The event raised more than $5,000 to support WCEF’s Educator Grants Program, which funds new innovative projects and programs in the Woburn Public Schools. 

Special thanks to the Winter Raffle sponsors:  Drawing Sponsors: Rick Metters & Maura Embler and Northern Bank & Trust; Item Sponsors Little Folks Day School, Robert E. & Karen Maguire, Don & Janet Queenin, Rockland Trust and Winchester Savings Bank.  Item donors were East Cambridge Savings Bank, Joe & Audrey Crowley, Gingerbread Construction Company, Lord Hobo Brewing, Sogno Italian Restaurant and the Woburn Teachers Association.   

Community interest in the Winter Raffle remained strong this year, with more than 900 raffle tickets sold! The Event Program, as well as the full list of Winter Raffle winners can be viewed on the event website at www.woburnedfoundation.org/winter-raffle

All proceeds from the Winter Raffle support the Woburn Community Educational Foundation, funding new projects that drive innovation in our schools beyond that which is possible with public dollars. 

Special Thanks to our Winter Raffle Supporters:

2023 Winter Raffle Sneak Peek #3

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Presenting the Kate Spade Payton Medium Dome Satchel!

 

What’s not to love about this fabulous Kate Spade bag? Crafted of Saffiano leather in white dove, the Payton is full of style and versatility, with a removable and adjustable long strap with drop of approximately 22″ to wear crossbody, over the shoulder or carry by hand with handle drop of 5″. This bag features top zip closure; exterior front and back slip pockets; kate spade pinmount logo. Interior features two way spade jacquard lining with one zip pocket and one slip pocket.

Timeless, Season-Spanning Style.  A must-have addition to your stylish wardrobe!

Approximate dimensions: 9.45″h x 11.8″w x 5.3″d

This purse is sponsored by Rockland Trust. 

About the Winter Raffle

This year’s Raffle features an amazing collection of high end and designer purses, gift certificate packages and other items which promise to improve your chances of winning big!

Raffle ticket sales begin Monday, January 23, 2023. Tickets can be purchased online or by mail.  Raffle ticket stubs will be returned by mail.  Raffle Tickets: $5 each or 6 for $20

Bookmark this page to be ready to take a chance to win big while supporting Woburn Schools:

https://woburnedfoundation.org/winter-raffle/

All proceeds from the Winter Raffle directly support new programs and initiatives in the Woburn Public Schools.  Since 2014, WCEF has secured almost $600,000 in new funding for Woburn Schools, supporting projects that have made a difference for every student in the district. 

2023 Winter Raffle Sneak Peek #2

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Presenting the Collina Leather Satchel from the Patricia Nash Discovery Signature Collection

Check out this stunningly unique leather satchel from the Patricia Nash Discovery Signature Collection. Crafted in full Aniline leather, this bag’s exterior is adorned with an antique postcard print and features antique brass hardware and a metal frame top with double side latches. The interior includes one zip and 2 slip pockets. A timeless conversation piece and a fabulous addition to your wardrobe!

Dimensions: 13″(W) x 9″(H) x 6″(D)

This purse is sponsored by Robert E. & Karen Maguire

About the Winter Raffle

This year’s Raffle features an amazing collection of high end and designer purses, gift certificate packages and other items which promise to improve your chances of winning big!

Raffle ticket sales begin Monday, January 23, 2023. Tickets can be purchased online or by mail.  Raffle ticket stubs will be returned by mail.  Raffle Tickets: $5 each or 6 for $20

Bookmark this page to be ready to take a chance to win big while supporting Woburn Schools:

https://woburnedfoundation.org/winter-raffle/

All proceeds from the Winter Raffle directly support new programs and initiatives in the Woburn Public Schools.  Since 2014, WCEF has secured almost $600,000 in new funding for Woburn Schools, supporting projects that have made a difference for every student in the district. 

2023 Winter Raffle Sneak Peek #1

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Presenting the Kate Spade Margareta “Flutter Hearts” Tote!

This fun and versatile tote is full of function with Kate Spade style! Black textured PVC with pink hearts, and Kate spade signature gold tone hardware logo plate. A zip-top keeps everything secure.

Inside, a classic Kate Spade fabric interior includes 1 zip and 2 open pockets. This tote has a flat bottom and a slightly trapezoid shape: 19” W at top, 13” at bottom; 11”H x 6” D.
Double straps with 9” drop.

The perfect Valentine’s Day gift, especially for you!

This purse is sponsored by Little Folks Day School.

About the Winter Raffle

This year’s Raffle features an amazing collection of high end and designer purses, gift certificate packages and other items which promise to improve your chances of winning big!

Raffle ticket sales begin Monday, January 23, 2023. Tickets can be purchased online or by mail.  Raffle ticket stubs will be returned by mail.  Raffle Tickets: $5 each or 6 for $20

Bookmark this page to be ready to take a chance to win big while supporting Woburn Schools:

https://woburnedfoundation.org/winter-raffle/

All proceeds from the Winter Raffle directly support new programs and initiatives in the Woburn Public Schools.  Since 2014, WCEF has secured almost $600,000 in new funding for Woburn Schools, supporting projects that have made a difference for every student in the district. 

 

Winning Home Foundation Partners with WCEF to Build Caring School Communities

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Winning Home Foundation, Inc. recently awarded WCEF a 3-year, $60,000 grant to support a new initiative in the district’s middle schools: Caring School Community. This generous gift brings the total investment from Winning Home, Inc. in Woburn Public Schools to $120,000 in just 7 years; WCEF is proud to partner with Winning Home through our shared commitment to serving the needs of Woburn children.

Caring School Community is a comprehensive, research-based social and emotional learning (SEL) program that builds assets in young people that lead to stronger relationships and overall achievement in school, family and community life. This program will be implemented at both the Joyce and Kennedy Middle Schools to help foster a positive learning environment at each school, one in which students feel heard, known and cared for; a Caring School Community.


“Today, many students are struggling with more anxiety, depression, grief, uncertainty, and loneliness. These emotions get in the way of students being able to process and learn new information,” states Woburn Public Schools Superintendent Matt Crowley. “In addition, our schools are increasingly multicultural and multilingual with students from diverse social and economic backgrounds. Educators, especially in our Middle Schools, need additional supports in order to address their students’ academic and social emotional needs”.

“This important investment by Winning Home will help address the mental health needs of Woburn students at an integral point in their development”, explains WCEF Executive Director Maureen Willis. “By helping our middle schools build Caring School Communities, Winning Home will be supporting the overall health, wellness and success of a generation of Woburn students. We are grateful to the board of Winning Home for its interest and investment in this important program.”

About Winning Home: The Winning Home Foundation was formed through the sale of land assets of what was locally known as “Winning Farm for Children”. The sale process produced cash assets for long-term investment, and preserved approximately 50 acres of the farmland as permanent open space. Winning Home, Inc. remains true to the spirit and intent of its benefactor by working “for the benefit of children who are economically, socially, physically, emotionally or mentally handicapped or disadvantaged and their families.” Since its conversion from a landowner to a charitable trust, Winning Home has made grants over $5 million to area charitable organizations. Learn more at www.winninghome.org

Photo Caption: Members of the Winning Home and WCEF Boards at the recent check presentation. Pictured are (l-r): WPS Superintendent of Schools Matt Crowley, Winning Home Board Member Ellen Hamilton, Winning Home Treasurer Chip Curran, Winning Home Board Chair Robert E. Maguire, WCEF Board Chair Joe Crowley, Winning Home Board Member Eileen Doherty, WCEF Executive Director Maureen Willis, WCEF Board Member Colleen Cormier.

Presenting our 2022 Woburn’s Awesome Teachers!

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WCEF is proud to present the list of Woburn Educators honored this year with a Woburn’s Awesome Teacher Tribute.  This year we received a record number of tributes, with 295 tributes received, 202 individual educators honored, and more than $5,000 raised to support WCEF’s Educator Grants Program. We are grateful to our community and to these Awesome Teachers for inspiring this wonderful support!

This year, tributes were delivered in person to each school by members of the WCEF Board of Directors. View the photo gallery online at https://bit.ly/WCEFWATT.      

Since 2014, WCEF has raised and invested more than $500,000 in the capacity of Woburn Schools to offer innovative programs that meet the educational needs of today’s students. WCEF supports educational projects and initiatives that empower teacher creativity and drive student achievement beyond that which is possible with public dollars.  We are a volunteer organization which works to bring new resources to our schools.  To learn more about WCEF visit www.woburnedfoundation.org.