"Reach for the Stars" auction and wine & spirits sampling tickets on sale! Click here for details!

Media Release
October 26, 2004
Groton Dunstable Education Foundation

Groton Dunstable Education Foundation Welcomes Riggert to Board of Directors; Announces November 1 Fall Grant Deadline

Following the successful conclusion of its second major fundraiser, the Groton Dunstable Education Foundation (GDEF) will soon begin reviewing grant applications for 2005.  The October 8th Antique Preview Party, Auction and Dance, hosted by Jos. Kilbridge Antiques, raised $55,000, which will allow the Foundation to pursue its primary goal of providing funding to boost programs in the Groton Dunstable public schools and help children “Reach for the Stars.”  Karen Riggert, of Groton, recently joined the Board and will collaborate with Kate McNierney as Co-Director of Grant Disbursements.  McNierney has been serving as Grant Disbursement Director for the past year.  A former School Committee member, Riggert says she is “energized by the opportunity to add spark to the strong programs and services the district has in place.”

During the two 2004 grant cycles, GDEF committed full or partial funding for many innovative programs in the Groton Dunstable schools including:

• Writers’ Workshop with Author Amy MacDonald
• Immersed in Poetry Program
• Mindstorm Lego Robotics
• Graphing Calculator Projection Technology
• Fitness, Fun and Friendships Program
• Teacher Leaders for Investigations Math Program
• Groton Dunstable Community Reading Day
• Nashua River Watershed’s Wildlife Adaptations Program

Grant applications for the Fall 2004 cycle must be mailed and postmarked no later than November 1, 2004. Applications received will be subjected to a thorough review process and vote by the GDEF Board of Directors.

As a non-profit organization, one of the GDEF’s goals is to provide opportunities for every child in the public school system to acquire the skills, knowledge, and confidence required to develop to his/her potential both as a student and as a community member.  While the Foundation's vision focuses on academic- and arts-oriented programs, GDEF will consider any proposal which seeks to engage a student's curiosity, encourage a love of learning and desire to strive for excellence, and foster the overall development of the student.  Funded programs are intended to supplement the Groton Dunstable Regional School District budget, not supplant it.  Grants provide the seed money necessary to pilot programs which would not otherwise be possible.  GDEF discourages dependence upon grants for on-going programming.

Priority is placed on programs that have a direct impact on students, present opportunities across the student population, and ensure continuity between the elementary, middle, and high school curricula.  GDEF considers each grant request, without regard to precedence, based on its own merits.

In addition to faculty and administration of the Groton Dunstable Regional School District, students, parents, Groton and Dunstable community members and organizations may apply for a GDEF grant with the support of a GDRSD faculty or administrative sponsor.  GDEF believes this sponsorship is necessary to ensure coordination within the schools and the ultimate success of each grant effort.

Applicants will be notified the second week of December 2004 as to whether their grant will be funded.  For more information on the grants application and a complete list of funded grants, visit the GDEF website at www.gdefinc.org.