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2018 Annual Awards & Corporate Recognition Reception

Honoring the Innovations of Ewing Teachers. Recognizing the Support of our Corporate Partners.

Tuesday, May 8, 2018 at 5:30
Mountain View Golf Course
850 Bear Tavern Road
Ewing Township, NJ 08628

Individual Ticket: $40.00

You can pay online at www.epef.org
or mail your check to:
P.O. Box 7033
Ewing, NJ 08628
(PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS)

For sponsorship information, click here.

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Community News Events Press Releases

ETS Recognized For Supporting Local Schools

Chris Ingram, left, Dynell Kellyman and Laurie Russell represented ETS at the awards ceremony.

Thanking ETS for its commitment to, and support of, local education, the Ewing Public Education Foundation (EPEF) recently awarded ETS with a certificate of recognition. At the same time, at an annual awards ceremony, ETS continued its 20-year-plus tradition of supporting Ewing, N.J., schools by announcing two new teacher grants, one for literacy and one for math.

Staff from the ETS Center for Advocacy and Philanthropy (CAAP) attended the event, as did ETSers who live in Ewing, a community where ETS has a call center and warehouse facilities.

As a founding and sustaining partner of EPEF for more than 20 years, ETS funds teacher grants awarded by EPEF to teachers in the Ewing Public Schools in a variety of academic areas. Teacher grants support the design and creation of innovative programs and range from $100 to several thousand dollars. They support literacy, community/leadership, math, science, technology and creative arts projects.

“There’s no question that working together with EPEF and the superintendent, we are making a difference in Ewing Public Schools,” says Lenora Green, Executive Director of CAAP. “We are truly partners in education.”

At this year’s awards event, Laurie Russell, Manager of Community Relations for CAAP, presented two teacher awards. One was for a Parkway Elementary School online literacy program to help second-grade students who are below-grade-level readers. The other was for a new Lore Elementary School physical education program that will incorporate the development of skills in mathematics, geography, physical fitness, health, science, personal safety and music.

Past grants have supported community and leadership programs that foster community service such as a kids’ voting program. Math, science and technology grants have supported programs like a hands-on science night. Creative arts grants have been used to design programs to help foster art appreciation.

CAAP supports Ewing Schools in a number of ways. Other grants have supported the improved use of assessment data, discussions and presentations on achievement gap initiatives, in-house professional development programs related to closing achievement gaps, and teacher- and staff-recognition programs.

CAAP also hosts EPEF’s annual board retreat and sponsors the annual awards banquet to recognize the Ewing High School football team. ETS also prints the annual Ewing Public School Calendar and Parent Handbook, which is distributed to more than 5,000 parents, public school staff and administrators.

“By allowing EPEF, the Board of Education and the schools to use our facilities for strategic planning meetings, retreats and other events, we have made a significant impact on their ability to collaborate and work toward building better schools,” says Karl Clark, ETS Test Security Supervisor and Vice President of the EPEF board of trustees. Clark will become president of the Foundation in August.

EPEF works closely with Superintendent of Schools Michael Nitti and members of the Ewing Township Board of Education to achieve its goals. “The continual support of ETS allows both the EPEF and the district to participate in programs and support endeavors that otherwise would not be possible,” says Nitti.

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Press Releases

Grand Opening for the Education and Technology Resource Center at Hollowbrook Community Center

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Ewing, NJ (December 16, 2015) –

Representatives from Educational Testing Service (ETS), Ewing Public Education Foundation (EPEF), Ewing Township and others gathered today to officially open the new Education and Technology Resource Center located in Ewing Township’s Hollowbrook Community Center.  The facility houses state-of-the-art computers, wireless Internet access, audio-visual equipment, computer/web based learning applications for children and adults, and upgraded classroom space for new and ongoing programs.

The new facility is the culmination of several years of development, which began in 2013 when the employees of ETS, through the ETS Employees’ Community Action Fund, dedicated contributions for this particular project.  Funds totaling $62,000 were used to purchase and install the equipment and infrastructure related to the project, while the Township handled renovations and improvements to the Hollowbrook Community Center needed to house the new facility.  EPEF provided ongoing financial management to the project.

EPEF President, Steven K. Szmutko commended all partners in the endeavor for their collaborative efforts in bringing this project to fruition.  “This is a wonderful project which truly reflects the importance of education as a lifelong journey for all in Ewing Township.  Special thanks go to ETS and its employees, not just for their financial support in making this unique resource center a reality, but also for their invaluable support of the Ewing Public Education Foundation since it was established more than 20 years ago.  Not only have they supported EPEF with their financial contributions, but they have provided their insight, wisdom and expertise in helping us grow in our work with the Ewing Public School District to support innovative and creative programs to engage and inspire students.  As we support education in its broadest sense to all members of Ewing Township, we look forward to our continued collaboration with this valued partner and those at ETS who have worked with us in various capacities throughout the years.”

Mayor Bert Steinmann stated, “This is exactly the kind of cooperative project that makes Ewing a unique and wonderful place to live.”

The Ewing Township Superintendent, Michael Nitti, added, “It has been an honor to be involved in this exciting project from the planning stages to culmination,” stated Mike Nitti, Superintendent of the Ewing Schools. 

“We believe deeply in community-embedded education, and this project is an excellent example of a best practice,” Nitti added. “It was wonderful to see so many stakeholders come together and create something that will be truly beneficial to an entire community of learners.”

The Hollowbrook Community Center’s Director, Raquel Ince, stated, “The Computer Learning Center at Hollowbrook will provide the Township of Ewing community access to computers by offering computer classes, open lab hours and free public wifi.  It is a state of the art facility with 20 Chrome OS computer stations, printing capabilities, a teacher station and 2 projector/whiteboards.  It is our mission to enrich our community members’ lives with technology and learning opportunities.  The Learning Center will be used by the in house day care centers to give preschoolers an introduction to computers.  We will also offer computer courses to teach computer skills such as Intro to Word Processing, Skype, or Ipad basics.  The lab will have open hours which will allow the community to job search, complete homework, check email, and much more.”

ABOUT ETS 

            At ETS, we advance quality and equity in education for people worldwide by creating assessments based on rigorous research. ETS serves individuals, educational institutions and government agencies by providing customized solutions for teacher certification, English language learning, and elementary, secondary and postsecondary education, and by conducting education research, analysis and policy studies. Founded as a nonprofit in 1947, ETS develops, administers and scores more than 60 million tests annually — including the TOEFL® and TOEIC® tests, the GRE® tests and The Praxis Series® assessments — in more than 180 countries, at over 9,000 locations worldwide. For more information, go to: www.ets.org.

ABOUT EPEF 

            The Ewing Public Education Foundation (EPEF) is an independent, not-for-profit citizens’ organization whose mission is to build community support and acquire supplementary resources for innovative educational programs, experiences and technology that enhance teaching and learning, and that reward student achievement through scholarships.  EPEF continues to celebrate its 20th Anniversary with its $20 for 20 Capital Campaign.  For additional information about the Foundation and to make your tax-deductible contribution, go to www.epef.org.

EPEF Board Members:  Steven K. Szmutko, President; Karl Clark, Vice President; Laura Canavera, Treasurer; Barbara Puca, Secretary; Lisa Stewart Albright, Esq.; Marc Celentana, PhD.; Diane Romanello Glover; Roomana Khan; Lynn S. Lowe; Amy Otey; Wayne Staub; Joan Zuckerman

Executive Director:  Heather Kearns-Latini

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Events Press Releases

Parent Recognition Program

Smart Kids Rule in Ewing!

 

You’re cordially invited to attend

A Parent Recognition Program

to celebrate the families of Fisher Middle School’s

Honor Roll Students

 

Monday, June 8, 2015

6:30 pm

Fisher Middle School Auditorium


This event is sponsored by the Credit Union of New Jersey & Ewing Public Education Foundation.

Please rsvp with Erika Freeman at efreeman@ewingboe.org before 6/1/15.

Smart Kids Rule in Ewing Invite
Click for .pdf of invitation
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Press Releases

Record Number of Grants Benefit Ewing Students

(Ewing, NJ)   This academic year Ewing students will benefit from a record number of grants.  From public invitation to attend the ever popular “Hands-On Science with a Dash of Math” night hosted by Antheil Elementary School to Ewing High School’s “Graphic Novels Supporting Literacy for the Media Center” every student in the Ewing Public Schools stands to benefit from grants awarded by the The Ewing Public Education Foundation.   Each of the five schools in the district was awarded grants submitted by teachers which were presented at last May’s EPEF annual reception totaling a record amount of $38,772. Each year grant awards have been increasing, and for the past thirteen years 251 grants totaling nearly $388,000 have helped teachers in all Ewing Public Schools to engage and inspire students.

The Ewing Public Education Foundation begins its 20th Anniversary Celebration with its $20 for 20 Capital Fundraising Campaign. The goal is to encourage each family in Ewing to make a tax-deducible donation of at least $20 to the campaign this year. Capital raised from the community and corporate partners will help to support ongoing grants programming as well as strengthen long-term sustainability for the Foundation. EPEF will host an information table at each of the upcoming back-to-school nights.

Established in 1994, EPEF is an independent, not-for-profit citizens’ organization whose mission is to build community support and acquire supplementary resources for innovative educational programs, experiences and technology that enhance teaching and learning, and that reward student achievement through scholarships. In his presentation at the May awards reception EPEF President Steve Szmutko summarized, “The goal of EPEF is to provide that additional, yet critical level of support so that students can grow to be good citizens, ethical and inspiring leaders and critical thinkers sorely needed in a rapidly changing society.” These sentiments were echoed by Ewing Public Schools Superintendent, Mike Nitti: “The Board and administration are greatly appreciative of all that the EPEF does to support our students and promote innovative instructional programs. It is also wonderful to have the opportunity to thank our corporate partners in learning who do so much for our students. A special thanks and congratulations to all the teacher grant award winners.”

For additional information about the Foundation and to make your tax-deductible contribution, visit EPEF’s website at www.epef.org.

Contact: Heather Kearns-Latini
EPEF Executive Director
Heather@EPEF.org
cell 609.610.8772

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Press Releases

NJ School Receives 50k Grant For Music Programs

A gift of $50,000 was made today to the Ewing Education Foundation, earmarked for the Ewing High School Music department, made possible by the Carter Rowe Charitable Trust.

Presentation of this donation was made at Ewing High School auditorium by GRAMMY® Nominated Recording Artist Miss Amy, who played a key role in bringing together the donor and the school. “As parents, teachers, administrators and a community, we support this music program. We understand the potential that studying music can bring forth in kids. There is power in music!” Miss Amy explained. “It is our hope that this will inspire all of the other schools who did not place, to not give up, but to encourage organizations in the position to help to step-up and take action.”

School music programs need funding, but the story of how this grant emerged is an interesting one. In November a team of Ewing High School (EHS) students produced a video submission for the Glee Give-A-Note contest that awarded prizes to schools across the country for the best videos geared toward saving music education in schools. Many in the school started posting the contest entry to Facebook for visibility. The video caught the attention of Miss Amy, and she connected with folks who were also moved by it. Then, Miss Amy called Wayne Staub, President, and Heather Kerns Latini, Executive Director of the Ewing Public Education Foundation (EPEF), and organized a time for them all to see the music program in action, to observe the orchestra and choirs.

There were interviews with the student video producers about the music program and some of the other submissions to the contest. The students were asked about their experiences in the Ewing district elementary schools and Fisher Middle School, and asked why music is important. Responses ranged from, “music teaches about different cultures and languages” to “it teaches about history, and helps us understand other subjects like math.” Another replied, “Music is life – it’s everything!” When asked what the music department needed, the students collectively explained there is need for repair, replacement of instruments, newer tools and technology, such as sound equipment. When asked what they would spend the Glee money on if they won, the reply was that, although the need is great in the high school, it would be best spent on the feeder music programs in the elementary and middle schools in the district.

On December 15th the students were disappointed to find out they did not place in the Glee contest. However, a generous organization stepped forward to provide a consolation prize of equal magnitude to first place. The grant is to be allocated to the Ewing Schools Music Program by a committee of high school music students, Mr. Olson, EHS Instrumental Music Director and Mrs. Forness, EHS Vocal Music Director. “We at EPEF are so proud and honored to be part of such a wonderful donation,” said Executive Director Heather Kearns-Latini. “We work very hard every day to raise funds to give out grants which ultimately help our children in the Ewing Public School System. With donors like the Carter Rowe Charitable Trust and people like Miss Amy, it makes our job that much easier.” President Wayne Staub said, “We hope this shows other donors that we can direct donations to meet their giving needs.”

Contact: Anne Leighton 718-881-8183
LeightonMedia@aol.com
http://www.missamykids.com