Dear Supporter,
In December 2002, the West Bloomfield Educational Foundation (WBEF) was formed as a partnership between a group of concerned parents and school administration. Since our inception over $1 million has been raised to distribute throughout the West Bloomfield School District. Due to the diminishing of state funding for public education and significant budget cuts over the past ten years, it has been difficult for the school district to fund many of the special projects, activities and technologies that help make our school district one of the best in the state. The WBEF provides a way to offset the effects of lower budgets and helps maintain excellence in the education our children receive in West Bloomfield.
Throughout the past 18 years, the WBEF has been committed to awarding grants to our teachers for important classroom projects and technology directly impacting our students. Hundreds of grants have been funded by the WBEF to provide creative, educational experiences that keep our students excited about learning. This year alone, the WBEF awarded grants totaling over $30,000 that support elementary reading and writing, the Literary Garden and solar array at West Bloomfield High School, our iCenters and the district’s STEAM initiative at all levels. We are also supporting programs such as “Capturing Kids Hearts”, “Kids in Charge”, “Religious Diversity Journeys” and the WBHS F.I.R.S.T. Robotics team.
Past grants were awarded for the purchase of Interactive White boards, tablets, textbooks, science kits, iPads, eReaders, documentation projection systems, Netbooks, Flip cameras, licenses for on-line schoolwork websites, Mentor Texts that support common core curriculum, science curriculum, arts, district STEAM initiatives at all levels and much more.
The foundation raises money by collecting donations from parents, alumni, corporations and the community, along with organizing and hosting special fundraising events. All members of the West Bloomfield community and surrounding areas are encouraged to join us for a night of WB Fun. Be sure to visit the WBEF’s website, www.wbef.org for more information regarding past and future fundraisers.
Donations are the key to the WBEF’s success. I strongly urge you to support the foundation’s mission. Generous contributions from community members, local businesses, alumni and parents will continue to enrich the lives of West Bloomfield students and maintain the high quality of education we have come to expect in our school district.
Sincerely,
Cristina Elsen, Chairperson