GLOUCESTER , MASS. – Gloucester Education Foundation has made a gift of $7,500 to the GHS class of 2021 to support the production costs of Senior Award Night, Senior Prom and Graduation.

“This grant is a departure from the type of projects that GEF normally funds in our schools,” said Aria McElhenny, GEF’s Executive Director, “but this year has been anything but normal, and thanks to our generous community, GEF can be flexible and step up to provide this one-time support where it is needed most. We’re so proud of these kids and the remarkable resilience and strength they’ve shown this past year. They deserve to be celebrated.”

Due to COVID-19 restrictions in the schools this year, opportunities for students to fundraise were limited. According to Dan Fleury, GHS Senior class advisor, the students’ best efforts fell short:
“They raised 2/3 of their goal, but still faced a shortfall. GEF’s willingness to be flexible in what they fund this year has been a tremendous support to the students and teachers of Gloucester Public Schools.”

GEF’s gift will enable every member of the Class of 2021 to attend Prom for free.

“Without an entry fee to prom, we hope to have full participation from our students, which is what this is all about,” said Dan Fleury. “We’d like to see all students break free from the burden and stress of this school year and finally enjoy the celebrations, commendations, and adulations that are synonymous with graduation season. GEF is helping us make that a reality.”

Gloucester Education Foundation (GEF), along with volunteers from Gloucester Parent Teacher Organizations are showing their appreciation for all teachers and staff members in the Gloucester Public School district with visits to each school by the Whoo(pie) Wagon to deliver individually wrapped whoopie pies, courtesy of GEF.

“Our teachers, administration and staff members have worked incredibly hard this year and we wanted to do something fun and lighthearted to show how much we appreciate them,” said Aria McElhenny, Executive Director of Gloucester Education Foundation. “The whoopie pies are a token of our gratitude for the time, effort and heart that the entire team at Gloucester Public Schools has put into teaching and caring for our kids during this challenging year.”

The Whoo(pie) Wagon along with PTO volunteers and Gloucester Education Foundation board members will be on hand to deliver whoopie pies at the following locations and times:

Monday, May 3-         10:30- 11:30 Gloucester High School, 32 Leslie O Johnson Rd

                                    11:45-12:30 East Gloucester Elementary, 8 Davis Street

                                    12:30-1:00 Veterans Memorial Elementary, 11 Webster Street

                                    1:15 Gloucester Public School Admin Office and Gloucester Preschool, 2 Blackburn Drive

Tuesday, May 4-         11:00-11:45 West Parish Elementary School, 10 Concord Street

                                    12:15-1:00 Plum Cove Elementary, 15 Hickory Street

                                    1:15-2:00 Beeman Memorial Elementary, 138 Cherry Street

                                    2:15 O’Maley Middle School, 32 Cherry Street

“It’s safe for kids to do a lot. This is not a pandemic of children. It’s not a dangerous illness for kids this age.” -Dr. Brian Orr

To hear more encouraging news from Dr. Orr and panelists, Lisa LaBella of West Parish and Ben Lummis, Superintendent of Gloucester Public Schools, watch Gloucester Education Foundation’s “Parenting Elementary School Children During a Pandemic” discussion below.

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GLOUCESTER , MASS. – Gloucester Education Foundation has partnered with the Gloucester Police Department to fund school-based activity of “Ace” the Department’s new Community Resource Dog. 

With support from the Dusky Fund and other local donors, Gloucester Education Foundation has awarded $5,000 to the Community Resource Dog program. This funding will make it possible for Ace the dog to spend additional time in classrooms helping students cope with social-emotional needs and challenges presented by the pandemic. 

“Supporting our kids’ mental health and well-being during this incredibly challenging year is a priority for us at Gloucester Education Foundation” said Aria McElhenny, Executive Director of the local nonprofit. “Ace brings joy, smiles and comfort to our students, and,  we’re thrilled to partner with the Police to help make sure as many kids as possible will benefit from this wonderful program.” 

In addition to more classroom time for Ace, the grant from Gloucester Education Foundation also provides funds for a new interactive storybook about Ace that will be gifted to local classrooms, along with “Ace” golden retriever stuffed animals that will remain with students as a continued source of comfort when Ace is not able to be with them in person. 

“The Community Impact Units’ Kops-n-Kids program is proud to collaborate with the Gloucester Education Foundation to support “Ace” and our Community Resource Dog Initiative,” said Lieutenant Jeremiah Nicastro. “With our new partnership, Ace will be able to visit all elementary classrooms in the Gloucester School system where his handler, Officer Sutera, will read the interactive book to the children and leave a book and a stuffed animal in each class.” 

In addition to the therapeutic benefits that Ace brings to kids, his presence in schools helps to establish positive relationships among kids and the Gloucester Police.

November 3, 2020
Cape Ann Savings Bank of Gloucester, MA has awarded $60,000 to the Gloucester Education Foundation (GEF). The donation will support GEF’s endowment fund as well as programs in the Gloucester Public Schools.

Gloucester Education Foundation Executive Director Aria McElhenny commented, “Cape Ann Savings Bank has been a longtime friend and supporter of GEF in many ways. We are deeply grateful for this generous gift and for the Bank’s ongoing partnership. By investing in Gloucester Education Foundation’s infrastructure, Cape Ann Savings is helping to pave the way for innovative and creative programs in Gloucester’s schools for years to come.”

The Lyon-Waugh Auto Group met with students and teachers at Gloucester High School today, Thursday, October 29, to award the second installment of a three-year commitment of $150,000 ($50,000 a year) to the Gloucester Education Foundation in support of the Automotive Technology Program at Gloucester High School.  This gift supports an additional educator for this program to meet the needs of a growing student enrollment.  With this support, additional students wishing to pursue careers in the growing auto technology field have been given the opportunity to enter the popular program.

            Mr. Waugh has also provided state-of-the art equipment for use in the program, and automobiles for students’ use in the shop to apply classroom learning.  The program fosters a close connection with the Lyon Waugh Auto Group for visits to various dealership service departments, as well as classroom visits from Lyon-Waugh auto technicians to share state-of-the art trends and knowledge with students.

Warren Waugh, a resident of Gloucester, stated, “Lyon Waugh Auto Group is committed to sharing our success with our workplace communities and the towns we live in.  The students that come from local towns like Gloucester are the foundation for businesses like ours. We consider it a privilege to be able to give back to our schools and help students prepare for entering the workforce through projects like this.”

Gloucester Education Foundation Executive Director Aria McElhenny commented, “We are so fortunate to have the generous support of Lyon-Waugh Auto Group. The high school’s automotive vocational program has grown and flourished thanks to Warren’s commitment to our students. There is a lot of interest in auto tech and that need is being met in a very high-level way through this generous donation.”