ASHBURNHAM — The Ashburnham Westminster Foundation for Academic Excellence recently distributed a record amount of grant funding to the Ashburnham Westminster Regional School District. Grant awards totaling $55,582 were distributed to the teachers in the district by Grants Committee Chair Dave Uminski and President Chris Wells.
“Our previous record was $32,353 awarded during the 2018-2019 school year — however our average since the inception of the foundation in 2009 is just over $15,000 per year. This year was by far the most money we have awarded to the schools,” said Wells.
Uminski added that this year’s grant requests from the staff were among the best the foundation has ever received.
“The teachers really put a lot of thought into these grant requests, and we are very excited to see these funds go towards great programs that will help better prepare the students in the district for future success,” Uminski stated.
Founded in 2009 by a group of parents and town residents with the goal of raising private money to fund grant requests for the school district, the AWFAE has raised over $400,000 and funded more than 120 grants totaling $270,000.
AWRSD Superintendent Todd Stewart added, “The pressure on public schools is as high as it has ever been. Many towns surrounding us have been trying to pass overrides and are struggling to maintain the quality of education that is required. We are very lucky to have such a dedicated group of volunteers here in Ashburnham and Westminster who work hard to raise the money and work directly with our staff to fund programs that enhance academic excellence. We are truly investing in the future of our community.”
Jeff Boudreau, vice president and fundraising chair for the foundation stressed the importance of community support.
“The majority of our fundraising takes place at our annual event A Night for Excellence — which is held the Friday before Thanksgiving at the Colonial Hotel in Gardner or Wachusett Mountain Ski Area in Westminster/Princeton. We have a generous community that supports us,” Boudreau said.
Grants
• Natalie Breen and Ann Banning of Westminster Elementary and Meetinghouse School
– Family Cardboard Challenge, $5,570.00
– Prime Time Innovation: LEGO Learning for All, $5,629.06
– Little Robot/Big Thinking, $1,999,98
• Terry Miller of Westminster Elementary
– Wonderbooks $5,629.06
• Jon Pack of Overlook Middle School
– From CAD to Reality, Expanding Student Fabrication, $7,905.43
• Katrina Bunting, Overlook Middle School
– VEX Robotics, $7,066.15
• Greg Secino, Peter Jones and Alex Thibeault of Oakmont Regional High School
– Laser Engraver, $12,109.00
• Jon Lorden of Overlook Middle School
– From Strings to Studio, $6,704.00
The AWFAE’s mission is to raise private funds to support teaching and learning through gifts and grants to implement innovative ideas that will enhance the lives of children who attend public schools in the towns of Ashburnham and Westminster. To learn more about the AWFAE, the grants awarded, and to support the foundation, visit www.ashwestfoundation.org.
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