Foundation awards three teacher grants for 2011-12 school year
August, 2011 The Darien District 61 Educational Foundation has awarded three educational grants worth a total of more than $5,400 to teams of teachers at Mark DeLay School and Lace School, all designed to help students learn to read and love to read. Funds will be used to purchase books, educational toolkits and other resources to support the programs... Read more
Community Awareness Week begins March 13
March, 2011 Darien District 61 Educational Foundation is celebrating its 2nd annual Community Awareness Week from March 13-19. Look for signs throughout the area inviting our neighbors to join us and S.E.E.—Support Educational Excellence.
“The past year has been rewarding,” says Foundation Chairperson Barbara Finnegan. “From our introduction to the community to the awarding of our first educational grants, the Foundation’s board members, together with the community, have worked hard to benefit children. Not necessarily their children, but our children. It is that support for our kids that makes me proud.” … Read more
Foundation Establishes Memorial Fund to Honor Miss Kelly
December, 2010 The Darien District 61 Educational Foundation has established a special fund in memory of Maureen Kelly, longtime teacher and principal at Mark DeLay School. She was best known as Miss Kelly to students and parents in the District 61 community. Miss Kelly, who retired in 2009, passed away in November....Read more
Darien District 61 Educational Foundation Awards First Grants
September, 2010 It was an extra exciting start to the school year for three District 61 teachers. At the kickoff of the Teachers’ Institute held Aug. 26 at Eisenhower Junior High, the Darien District 61 Educational Foundation announced the recipients of its first educational grants--two $500 awards for the 2010-11 school year.
The first grant was awarded to Cheryl Halla, Reading Specialist at Mark DeLay School, for her Guided Reading Support project -- a Leveled Library for Guided Reading in grades K-2. The second grant went to Hollie Hickey and Ashley Burg, ELL (English Language Learner) teachers at Lace Elementary School, for their Enhanced Learning by iTouch project -- Enhanced Instruction for English Language Learnersin grades 3-5....Read more
Foundation Welcomes Five New Board Members
September, 2010 At the Aug. 19 board meeting of the Darien District 61 Educational Foundation, Chairperson Barbara Finnegan welcomed five new members to help forward the Foundation’s mission: To provide supplemental funding for programs and initiatives to enhance the quality of education for students in District 61. The August meeting kicked off the Foundation’s second year of operation.
The new board members are: Asma Akhras, Andrew Blumenfeld, Cindie Hagen, Dave Hagen,and Krishan Sant, who will serve as treasurer. The new members join existing board members Finnegan; Cyndi Dahl, vice-chairperson; David May, secretary; Mare Chiaro; Valerie Karpeck; Bonnie Kucera; Amy Robertson and Ex-Officio Dr. Bob Carlo, superintendent of District 61....Read more
