Thank you to everyone who welcomed us at the 2003 Back-to-School nights and to those who continue to be involved with our organization in so many different ways!

Since the Somerset Hills Education Foundation (SHEF) began in 1996, it has consistently helped enhance education for all students at Bedwell Elementary School, Bernardsville Middle School, and Bernards High School. Each Fall and Spring, we receive grant proposals from teachers, administrators and students for wonderfully innovative projects and programs that make learning more fun and more relevant. With increasing support from our community, SHEF has been able to fund an increasing number of grants, with a record $14,358.25 being awarded to 12 deserving proposals last month.

Chairperson
Keith Kebel

Vice-Chairperson
Maggie Walsh

Secretary
Katherine Woodfield

Treasurer
Jim Stadtmueller

Trustees
Suzanne Baum
Marilyn Clendenny
Jeff Hammond
Howard Lemberg
Laura Neff
Kim Norris
Meera Singh
Kim Steinfeldt
Beverly Webb
Debra Wilkins

HSA Representatives
Donna Coons
Laura Ruggeri
Laure Sears

Superintendent
Peter Miller

The Fall 2003 grant cycle garnered 17 proposals - with so many worthy and interesting ideas, it was tough to pare the list down to the final 12! Thanks to all the teachers (+ parent) who took the time to complete the application, and congratulations to those who did receive grants. And, of course, thanks to Dr. Lynn Caravello, Dr. Lynn Kratz and Glen Lampa for their continued support of this process.

The Anita Codey Tribute (Lorrie Lane, Judi Martin, Debra Wilkins) - Upon the retirement of BMS principal Anita Codey, 25 parents made contributions to SHEF in her name. We are pleased to announce the awarding of two grants that reflect Anita's love of literature, art and innovative learning overall: a collection of selected picture books to extend the understanding of literary skills and devices, and Electronic Classroom Jeopardy! For BMS and BHS.

Bedwell Elementary School
Games Kids Play (Emily Pike) - a variety of games for Grade 2 classes, and for new Gifted and Talented Enrichment programs.

Moment in Time (Jim McCarron) - all students will make personal clocks and one large community clock, integrating math and art to teach the concepts of time.

Invention Convention (Judi Jensen, Lauriann Swadba) - materials to enable application of the Problem Solving Design Loop at the elementary school level.

Bernardsville Middle School
Photojournalism Club (Kelly Wells, Kathy Lacotta) - materials to display work from participating students annually at the Bernardsville Public Library and at BMS.

Bedwell and BMS Shared Programs
Seussentennial Celebration (Sue Crowley, Kathy George) - performances and parent/teacher workshops on reading using the beloved works of Dr. Seuss.

Listening Literacy (Sue Crowley, Kathy George) - audio books to enhance enjoyment of books and reading comprehension.

Bernards High School
Bernardian (Jason Potzer) - Equipment and supplies for a more sophisticated yearbook and for use in photography contest submissions.

Celebrating the Seniors in Somerset Hills (Lynn Caravello) - an intergenerational project involving students and senior citizens in the community.

Ultra Portable Projectors (Courter Smith, Jay Hogge, Paula Gray) - enable student and teacher presentations from the computer and internet, integrating technology into the classroom and curriculum.

Current Grant Cycle
Spring/Winter proposals due February 6. Grants awarded February 12.

Giving Is As Easy As 22-344-6481
SHEF contributions can be made through the annual United Way appeals. All your family has to do is fill in our office name (Somerset Hills Education Foundation) and our Tax Identification number (22-344-6481) as a specific agency choice for the United Way to which you'd like to contribute.