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Schools

SFES Will Sow the Seeds of Education

Suffield Foundation for Excellent Schools recently elected its new Board Officers, as well as the theme for the year and the annual auction set for March.

At a board meeting last month, Suffield Foundation for Excellent Schools elected officers for the 2012-13 school year. They are: President, Christine Mercadante; Vice President Deb Pileika; Treasurer, Chelen Kost; and Secretary, Kim Masi. 

“All of us on the board are excited for the new year,” said Mercadante. “Between the new grant initiatives and the auction, it’s going to be busy.”

This year’s auction will be at the Bradley Airport Sheraton on March 23, 2013.  Cost is $100 per person with open bar.  Ticket information and other detailed information will become available in the next few weeks.

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As is tradition, the board created a theme around the new year, choosing “Sow the Seeds of Education.”

“I was inspired by The Giving Tree story that SFES had at the Suffield on the Green fundraiser,” said Pileika, vice president and auction chair. “I realized that most growth in nature begins with a seed. SFES, as an organization, encourages growth and advancement within our schools by purchasing books, tools and technology to enhance our educational environment, much like planting the seeds of possibility.”

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The organization is excited for its second year of awarding mini-grants, along with the traditional yearly grants of up to $20,000 each. 

SFES takes mini-grant applications each month from teachers, students, community members and staff in order to help fund smaller educational initiatives. The mini-grant maximum is $500 with a total of $5,000 awarded for the school year, said Mercadante.

“We’ll award mini-grants until the $5,000 runs out,” she said. “We strongly encourage those interested to apply!” 

Mercadante also hopes to see more participation from the community on the SFES board and committees. 

“We can really use the extra help and would love to get some new faces involved in the organization,” she said.

SFES is a non-profit organization providing opportunities and activities for Suffield Public School teachers, students, administrators, staff, residents and other organizations. For more information, visit sfes.org.

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