LTEF NEWS

LTEF Goes Hollywood Gala
Photo Album from April 12, 2008

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Reserve April 12 for the LTEF Goes Hollywood Gala »

LTEF Goes Hollywood Gala Logo

DancingOn April 12, 2008 at the Chauncey Center on the ETS campus, the Foundation celebrated education at its first ever black-tie Gala as part of its 15th anniversary. The event raised over $100,000 for Lawrence Township Public School programs.

WHAT'S THE BUZZ? A Community-Wide Spelling Bee »

Spellabration
NOTICE: The March 8th Spelling Bee has been POSTPONED indefinitely. Read more...

Over 200 Apples Served »

School Mascots at Community Day

Over 200 Lawrence Township Public School teachers have received apples from their students. And their teachers were thrilled! That's because these were very special apples - not your ordinary variety of fruit! Each of these apples represented a donation made to the local education foundation in honor of individual teachers.

Kids Invited to Join in as LTEF Goes High School Musical »

School Mascots at Community Day

LTEF Kicked off its 15th anniversary celebration at Lawrence Community Day at Village Park on Sunday, October 7. The LTEF booth offered kids popcorn and a chance to have their photos taken with a life-size cut-out actors from Disney's popluar movie, High School Musical.

Quilts on Display in Memory of Rotarian William C. Nester »

Quilt made by LIS Students

The first recipient of the Lawrence Township Education Foundation (LTEF) Service above Self Grant has completed its project and the results are on display at the Mercer County Library in Lawrence . This award, given in memory of local community volunteer William C. Nester, rewards programs in the Lawrence Township Public Schools that encourage young people to recognize the value of service to their community. This past school year, the award was given to the H.O.O.T program at Lawrence Intermediate School. The fourth grade students, in conjunction with the guidance department and parent volunteers, spearheaded the service-learning project, Helping Out Others Together (HOOT), with involvement from the whole school.

Education Foundation Evaluates Impact of Grants »

Thanks LTEF

As the school year came to an end, trustees of the Lawrence Township Education Foundation (LTEF) met to evaluate the impact their funding had on Lawrence's public schools. This year the foundation contributed $146, 928 to the schools to make 31 programs possible. But the numbers do not tell the whole story.

Guitars Now Available for LIS Students

Folk Guitar

Thanks to a grant written by music teachers Sharin Rello and Ron Taglairino, Lawrence Intermediate School students will be learning how to play folk guitar in their music classes. LTEF has purchased a set of 30 guitars and music books to make this project possible. Each sixth grader will spend twelve weeks learning how to play melody, harmony and create an original score using their guitars. As Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote, "Music is the universal language of mankind."

LHS Students Attend Woodrow Wilson Public Affairs Seminar »

Photo of Woodrow Wilson School

Rider University LogoOver 200 Central Jersey high school students and their teachers, including 20 sponsored by LTEF, had the unique opportunity to attend Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School for Public and International Affairs on for a day-long forum on American democracy and global affairs.

LTEF Awards Grants to Help Young Readers »

Guided Reading

If it is true that, "reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body," then the minds of hundreds of Lawrence Township students are getting plenty of additional mental exercise, thanks to several grants recently awarded by the Lawrence Township Education Foundation. These grants, which total nearly $18,000, will help encourage elementary students in Lawrence Schools to read more and help them to build the skills to enjoy reading.

Education Foundation Links Authors to Lawrence Students »

Wendy Pfeffer

Several recent grants from Lawrence Township Education Foundation (LTEF) to the Lawrence schools will enhance the reading and writing skills of young Lawrence students by exposing them to the work of experienced authors such as Leo Lionni and Wendy Pfeffer, the latter of whom lives in Pennington and will visit with students as part of the grant.

LTEF Brings Rachel's Challenge to Lawrence »

Photo of Rachel Scott

Lawrence Township Education Foundation (LTEF) is sponsoring a series of presentations of a nationally-known character education program in Lawrence Township on Wednesday, February 21, 2007. The program, called Rachel's Challenge, calls students and community members to embrace values of kindness and compassion.

"Rider Presents" Performing Arts Workshop »

Attendeeds of Rider Presents

Rider University LogoRider University's renowned Performing Arts Department shared a behind-the-scenes look with 200 students from high schools throughout central New Jersey for the first "Rider Presents" program. The program was jointly sponsored by Rider University and the Central New Jersey Education Foundation Partnership.

Merrill Lynch Supports Math Education in Lawrence »

Photo of Merrill Lynch Sponsorship

Merrill Lynch LogoKids love math in Lawrence Township! And as Lawrence Intermediate School fourth grader Marifred Evans tell us, it has a lot to do with the "Math Out of the Box" and "My Math Closet" programs. Merrill Lynch recently contributed $5,000 to the Lawrence Township Education Foundation (LTEF) to support this innovative approach to math education.

First high school-based Holocaust study center »

Nancy Hendrickson

The Lawrence Township High School is home to the new Center for Humanities and Affective Instruction (CHAI) - the first Holocaust/genocide educational resource center ever established at a New Jersey high school. The center is an initiative of school psychologist Nancy Hendrickson, who created it with the help of a $3,500 grant from the LTEF.

Teachers Honored at ETS for LTEF Partnership »

Teacher Reception

Lawrence Township Education Foundation celebrated the partnership between the foundation and the faculty and staff of the local public schools at ETS on May 9, 2006. The partnership has helped to bring over 270 programs into local classrooms since 1992. The Teacher Recognition Event is an annual affair and all Lawrence teachers and staff are invited to attend.

Starlab Comes to LIS »

Starlab Portable Planetarium

The inflatable StarLab, built by MIT and run by super-charged "John the Astronomer," earned favorable reviews from Lawrence Intermediate School students at the first LIS Science Night on May 4th.

Foundation Supports Schools with Grants »

Science Kit Books

LTEF awards over $100,000 in grants to bring innovative programs and worthwhile projects into district classrooms. The funds support programs sponsored by Lawrence teachers such as Jessica Heller, who proposed "Linking Science & Literature" and was awarded $42,000 to purchase science-themed books that complement the district's elementary school inquiry-based science program.

Harriet Tubman Visits Students at LES »

Harriet Tubman Portrayal

The entire student body of the Lawrenceville Elementary School was transported back to the 19th century when LES received a visit from a great American hero, Harriet Tubman. The visit was made possible through a grant written by Eva Bostick Fuller and funded by the LTEF.

Meet the Kellys: Friends of the Foundation »

Greg & Michelle Kelly

Greg and Michele Kelly have five children and know the importance of a good education. This year the Kellys have agreed to serve as the Annual Giving Chairs for LTEF’s Friends of the Foundation drive.

LTEFNJ.org Recognized as an Outstanding Site »

LTEF

The Mid-Atlantic Consortium of Education Foundations (MACEF) has recognized the LTEF web site for excellence amongst hundreds of its peers. MACEF recognizes foundations, individuals and projects for outstanding levels of achievement and describes LTEFnj.org as a model for other foundations to follow.

New Trustees Join Foundation, Long Time Trustees Depart »

LTEF Trustees

This spring, two long-time trustees are leaving the Foundation Board of Trustees as five local residents join. After ten years of service each, Jim Ham and Rick Babick are leaving the board. Carla Cheifetz, Patricia "Pepper" Evans, Jennifer Gerlach, Bruce McGraw and Romy Toussaint are joining.

Merrill Lynch Sponsors Math Grant »

Math Grant

The Lawrence Township Education Foundation was pleased to receive a $5,000 contribution from Merrill Lynch in support of one of its programs. "My Math Closet" will create a lending library of mathematics games and learning aids for use by Slackwood Elementary School students.

LTEF Announces Spring 2005 Grant Recipients »

2005 Spring Grants

LTEF is always on the lookout for good ideas. And the teachers in Lawrence public schools just keep coming up with them. This Spring, LTEF is funding twelve of those ideas for a total contribution of just over $50,000.

Amalfi's Kicks Off LTEF Community Business Campaign »

Amalfi's Donates to LTEF

LTEF is partnering with local businesses to make Lawrence Township schools the best that they can be. Amalfi's, an italian restaurant in Lawrence, was one of the first businesses to step up and support the LTEF as it launched its Community Business Campaign.

Students Commemorate Veteran's Day »

Veteran's Day Ceremony

The students of Lawrence Middle School commemorated Veteran's Day on November 11 in a ceremony that culminated at the school's flagpole garden which was funded by the LTEF. The students learned the importance of honoring veterans, and planted miniature American flags in the garden.

LTEF Announces Fall 2004 Grant Recipients »

2004 Fall Grants

This Fall, Lawrence teachers brought their creative ideas to the Lawrence Township Education Foundation and LTEF responded with funding for all seven district schools in most curriculum areas. The trustees of LTEF approved funding for thirteen of the sixteen proposed projects and awarded a total of $53,500.

Education Foundation Partnership Hosts Global Issues Seminar »

Princeton Presenter

The Central New Jersey Education Foundation Partnership, a consortium of fifteen area foundations, joined on May 7th with the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs of Princeton University to provide area high school students an opportunity to explore the most pressing issues of the day.

A Favorite Book Comes Alive Through Song »

Living Bookshelf Grant

In collaboration with professional artists and musicians, all 320 fifth graders created a series of Broadway-style songs that explored the feelings and thoughts of characters drawn from the book. The songs were ultimately presented in a final dramatic performance by professional singers from New York City.

Adding A Little Extra to the Education Pot »

New York Times

Education Foundations, including LTEF, are featured in this NY Times article for their efforts in easing the budget woes of local townships. In fact, LTEF is working with other NJ Foundations as part of the Central Jersey Education Foundation Partnership.

LTEF Announces Summer 2004 Grants »

Professional Development

LTEF has granted $24,000 in professional development funds for Lawrence teachers seeking to enhance their skills this summer. More than 110 Lawrence teachers will be attending workshops as a result of the grants.

2004 Spring Grants Announced »

Spring Grants 2004

LTEF is pleased to announce that approximately $57,000 in funding was awarded on March 5, 2004 for 13 grants covering Lawrence Township elementary, intermediate, middle, and high schools. Congratulations to the grantees!

Rider University Supports Education Foundation »

Rider University Logo

Rider University President Dr. Mordechai Rozanski recently met with LTEF trustees to demonstrate the University's support of its mission. President Rozanski provided a generous donation from the University to further LTEF's mission of providing extraordinary learning opportunities for Lawrence Township's public school children.

Local Attorney to Serve as Campaign Chair for 2004 LTEF Campaign »

Dan Haggerty

Local attorney Dan Haggerty has agreed to serve as the campaign chair for LTEF's Friends of the Foundation fundraising initiative for 2004. He urges all community members to join the LTEF to provide financial support to help teachers and school administrators give the township's children the best possible education.

MOMS Club Proceeds Benefit LTEF »

MOMS Club Logo

The Lawrenceville MOMS Club recently contributed the proceeds of its annual Preschool Options Fair to the Lawrence Township Education Foundation The MOMS are Moms Offering Support to Moms. Event chairperson Deborah Dauer noted that the moms view the donation as another way to "support our teachers, our schools, our children."

LTEF Grant Fosters Character Education »

Character through Art

Recently Slackwood students gathered for an assembly that kicked off Golden Heart Week as part of a year-long grant to promote the six pillars of character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship. The pillars will be fostered through a variety of activities taking place at all the schools.

2003 Fall Grants Announced »

2003 Fall Grants

LTEF is pleased to announce that approximately $50,000 in funding was awarded on October 31, 2003 for 11 grants covering Lawrence Township elementary, intermediate, middle, and high schools. Congratulations to the grantees!

Local Author Part of 'Write Across America' Grant »

Lisa Willever Visit

Lisa Willever, a former teacher, led writing workshops at our Elementary and Intermediate Schools. She has written eleven children's books and is a partner in the Franklin Mason Publishing Company, which was named Best New Business in 2000. The visit was funded by the money raised in LTEF's Million Penny Challenge.

The Lawrenceville School Invests in Public Education »

TLS Donation

The Lawrence Township Education Foundation (LTEF) received its annual donation from The Lawrenceville School this month in the amount of $65,000. The very generous donation is an indication of the private school's commitment to public education in Lawrence Township.

LTEF Funded Freshman Agenda a Success »

Teenagers climbing walls? Swinging from ropes? These were just a couple of the activities that helped incoming Lawrence High School freshmen get ready for their four years at the high school during a recent weekend at Rider University.

Hands-on Learning at Centennial Lake »

Colonial Lake

How often have you heard a child say (or have you wondered yourself), "What's the point in the stuff you learn at school?" Lawrence Middle School science teachers Dave O'Neal and Betsy Conboy, in cooperation with Rider University, and with support of a grant from the Lawrence Township Education Foundation (LTEF), have found a way to demonstrate to every student in the seventh grade how their science lessons can be applied in the real world.

New trustees bring talents to enrich public education »

New Trustees

People who live in Lawrence Township take public education seriously. In the past fiscal year, $107,000 in donations from individuals and companies went directly to enrichment programs in the Lawrence Township public schools.

Lawrence Township Education Foundation Funds Summer Workshops

Those lazy, hazy days of summer were a beehive of activity for Lawrence public school's teachers and administrators. And one of the reasons was the generous support of the Lawrence Township Education Foundation (LTEF). The community-based group funded staff participation in a wide variety of professional development activities throughout the summer.

LTEF Funds School Group to Fight Substance Abuse »

TIGS 2002

The Lawrence Township Education Foundation recently awarded $5,000 to Lawrence High School to support a program, the Teen Institute of the Garden State (TIGS), that encourages students to make positive life choices without resorting to the use of alcohol, tobacco or other drugs.

Thanks To You - We Collected 1,000,000 Pennies! »

Counting Pennies

In March of 2002, the LTEF began to collect pennies to commemorate the organization’s tenth anniversary and to celebrate one million dollars in contributions to the township’s public schools. And by the end of the year, WE MADE IT!

Education Foundation gets its million pennies »

By: Lea Kahn , Staff Writer, Lawrence Ledger
Business donation pushes fund past mark. The Million Penny Challenge was stalled. For weeks, the tally of pennies collected by the Lawrence Township Education Foundation stood at more than 900,000 copper coins — until a donation by the owner of Simply Radishing put it over the top.

High School Students Serve as Early Literacy Tutors »

A grant funded by the LTEF and ETS is providing high school students with the opportunity to take courses in child development, and put their knowledge to use as literacy tutors for pre-school children under the direction of Donna Porwancher, a Lawrence Township school psychologist.

Education Foundation Awards $31,000 to Lawrence Schools »

In the second funding cycle of the school year, the Lawrence Township Education Foundation (LTEF) awarded $31,000 to the Lawrence Township Public Schools to fund five new programs. The five newly-funded programs affect students at all seven of the district schools and touch all areas of the curriculum. This brings the number of foundation-sponsored programs to one hundred and ninety five.

Students Encouraged to Tell Tall Tales »

Johnny Appleseed

Fifth-graders in Jane Fetter's class at the Lawrence Intermediate School are telling tall tales in the frontier tradition about America's westward expansion. In the process, they practice their writing and drawing skills, do historical research, acquire technical expertise and have more fun than you can imagine.

LIS 5th Graders Use the Arts as a Means of Global Understanding »

Fifth grade students at Lawrence Intermediate School have been learning how poetry, music and art can be used to understand their own culture as well as to communicate with and appreciate the customs of people in other countries, thanks to a grant written by 5th grade teacher Jane Fetter and funded by the Lawrence Township Education Foundation.