Author: Maureen Willis

“It’s hard to believe a city with such civic pride and high achievement has gone without a formal Hall of Fame for this long.” So opened the first-ever Woburn Hall of Fame Induction event, held on Saturday, June 15, 2019 at the Hilton Boston/Woburn.  A collaborative effort by the Woburn Community Educational Foundation and Woburn Memorial High School set out to change that, and establish an institution to honor and recognize those individuals whose integrity, achievements, sportsmanship and character have enhanced the overall educational experience of our youth and inspired pride in our schools and community.

The inaugural induction event attracted almost 300 Woburn alumni and community members for this reunion and celebration of Tanner Pride.  Emceed by Alex Thomas, the event, through video interviews, captured the spirit of teamwork, talent, hard work, and community and that is the at the heart of Woburn High. 

In her opening comments, Woburn Memorial High School Principal Jessica Callanan commended her fellow committee members who worked to bring the program to fruition: WMHS Vice Principals Ed Maguire and Meg Patrissi, Athletic Director Jim Duran, WCEF Board Members Mike Martini, Don Queenin, Brian Teague, Maureen Willis, Maria Zeqo, and community members Paul Andrews and Bob Norton. 

A highlight of the evening was a video of interviews, during which each inductee, their families and team mates reflected on their fondest memories and the meaning of Tanner Pride.  Produced by Brian Ouellette and Woburn Public Media, the presentation was timed to each inductee announcement and in its entirety showcases the talent, integrity and sportsmanship of this year’s inductees. 

Special thanks to the event sponsors, whose investment set a foundation upon which to build on for the future Woburn Hall of Fame:  North Suburban Transportation, Rick Metters & Maura Embler, J. Mulkerin Realty, Northern Bank & Trust and Winchester Cooperative Bank.  Sales of ad space in the commemorative program also contributed much to this founding effort.    

In closing the Woburn Hall of Fame event, the committee announced that there will be an induction event in 2020.  Nominations are now being accepted for the 2^nd class of inductees through December 1, 2019.  Community members are also being sought to join the committee to support the success of the 20202 Event.  Those interested should call Maureen at 781-281-9589.

The induction event was filmed by Woburn Public Media.  For a link to the video, to view the Woburn Hall of Fame Event Program, order copies of the inductee interview video or to download nomination forms for the 2020 Woburn Hall of Fame event, please visit the Woburn Hall of Fame website at https://bit.ly/2CYX1S8.

Woburn students and teachers love the Lexia Program!  In 2016, after receiving multiple requests for Lexia through the Educator Grants Program, the Woburn Community Educational Foundation (WCEF) applied for and was awarded funding through Cummings Foundation’s “100k for 100” program.  The grant supports a 5-year pilot project to provide the Lexia Core 5 Reading Program as a district-wide initiative to improve reading skills for the lowest performing students in kindergarten through grade 3 in the Woburn Public Schools. 

The success of the pilot to date has been impressive, and has caught the attention of Lexia, which published a case study to highlight the impact the program has had in the schools.  The report notes that of the 1,166 students using Core5 during the 2017-2018 school year, 53% met their usage targets and 70% of these students met their end of year reading benchmark.  As a result of Woburn students high use of Lexia, the percentage of students working below their grade level reduced from 47 percent to only 4 percent.  Studies have shown that students who read at grade level by grade 4 enjoy greater success throughout their academic careers.

As use of the program expands in each elementary school, Core5 is also helping the district move towards a more student-centered educational environment—where learners can move up the learning scale based on their individual capabilities. 

Wendy Sprague, assistant superintendent explains: “Following our district’s new strategic plan, Lexia is a tool that is creating equity amongst our schools while providing students with opportunities and support we have not previously been able to provide.”

“Thanks to the support of the Cummings Foundation, this project has the potential to ensure the future achievement of an entire class of Woburn High School graduates,” states WCEF Executive Director Maureen Willis.  Read the Lexia Core5 Report here.    

Woburn-based Cummings Foundation, Inc. was established in 1986 by Joyce and Bill Cummings of Winchester.  With assets exceeding $1 billion, it is one of the largest foundations in New England.  Additional information is available at www.cummingsfoundation.org.

Photo:  Ms. Connolly’s students at the Goodyear Elementary School Love Lexia!

The Woburn Community Educational Foundation is pleased to announce our 2019 grant awards to support exciting new projects and educational initiatives in the Woburn Public Schools.  Through the generosity of our community, $18,786 was granted to support 25 diverse classroom-based, whole-school and district-wide programs designed to engage students in interactive learning.  These funds will purchase innovative learning tools, provide professional development opportunities for teachers, deliver classroom technology enhancements and new educational enrichment programs, all to support the academic success of today’s students.     

Special thanks to the Winning Home Foundation for its continued investment in the potential of Woburn students; this partnership support will fund six of the grants awarded this year.

WCEF is a nonprofit organization formed to increase private investment and community involvement in the Woburn Public Schools.  Grant funds support new projects that cannot be funded by the regular school budget. WCEF raises funds in the community through our Awesome Teacher Tribute Program and the Woburn Hall of Fame and Women’s Forum events.  To help make a difference in our schools, contact WCEF at 781-281-9589 or email us at contactus@woburnedfoundation.org.   

The Woburn Community Educational Foundation is pleased to make available to the public a report on the Foundation’s operations for fiscal year 2018. This report can be found online at www.woburnedfoundation.org/about.

WCEF officially incorporated as a nonprofit on January 2, 2014 and granted tax-exempt status as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.  This Annual Report provides a comprehensive narrative on all activities, a Donor Honor Roll, an update on this year’s Educator Grants and a complete account of all finances for the fiscal year.

The WCEF board wishes to thank the Greater Woburn Community for its growing support of our mission to bring new resources to the Woburn Public Schools.  Hard copies of this Annual Report will be mailed upon request.  Please call 781-281-9589 or email contactus@woburnedfoundation.org.

Big thanks to our awesome Woburn community for making this year’s Women’s Forum & Purse Raffle another great success!  Your support helps to fund this year’s Educator Grants, which provides resources for creative classroom-based programs and educational initiatives that support student achievement and that cannot be funded by the regular school budget.

A very special thanks to our featured keynote speaker, Candy O’Terry, who was charming and so very fun!  She spent time at almost every table at the event, and shared with us not only her story, but her “16 Life Lessons” as well.  It is no wonder that so many women turn to her for motivation, support and inspiration.  Thank you, Candy, for donating your time to support our schools!

We appreciate the continued support of our sponsors, whose leadership support ensure our success.  These leaders include our Presenting Sponsor J. Mulkerin Realty, Keynote Sponsors Rick Metters & Maura Embler, and Salem Five Charitable Foundation.  Special thanks also goes to Joe Cuozzo of Bay State Tee Shirt Supply, who donates a Woburn sweatshirt each year for our keynote speaker.

This year’s Purse Raffle was our most successful yet, due to the generous support of our Purse Donors and Sponsors, to include:  Peggy Adams, Joe & Audrey Crowley, G.W. Gately, Little Folks Day School, Robert E & Karen Maguire, the Malcolm White Elementary School Educators and Staff, Michael Martini, Donald & Janet Queenin, Judith Scott, Stanton & Company, CPA’s, Nancy Whalen, Woburn Teachers Association, and Woburn Travel.  Thank you all for this outstanding support!

And a special thank you to all in attendance, for your support of WCEF and the Woburn Public Schools!

View the Photo Gallery on our Women’s Forum Event Page.

See you next year!