The Glencoe Educational Foundation (GEF) enriches the lives of children from under-resourced areas in and around Chicagoland, while also funding the gap in the Glencoe school district's budget by providing cutting-edge technologies that enhance the learning experience for our children.
The Glencoe Educational Foundation (GEF) is a non-profit organization founded in 1996 by parents seeking to enhance the rich tradition of educational excellence in Glencoe School District 35. The GEF sponsors projects that sharpen the classroom experience and funds these projects through a variety of programs and events (such as the Glencoe Grand Prix) that benefit all of Glencoe. The GEF also works with school district officials to teach students the value of giving back not only to their community, but also to those outside of Glencoe that need assistance.
Glencoe School District 35 is housed in three age-centered facilities: South School, grades K-2, with approximately 450 students; West School, grades 3 and 4, with approximately 300 students; and Central School, grades 5-8, housing approximately 650 students. Glencoe School District’s underlying goal is to prepare students for the next step in their academic lives at New Trier Township High School.
Grades: K - 2nd
Students: ~450
Grades: 3rd - 4th
Students: ~300
Grades: 5th - 8th
Students: ~650
Through its Sister School program, The Glencoe Educational Foundation (GEF) enriches the lives of many children from under-resourced areas in Chicago. These sister schools collectively educate over 1500 students in ages from Pre-K through 8th grade and include the Ronald O'Neal Elementary School, the Nicholoson Stem Academy and the Deneen School of Excellence.
A key initiative for the GEF has been providing SMART Boards for classrooms across the schools. A SMART Board is a large, high-tech, interactive white board. By using their own hands, students can manipulate the Board like a touch screen.
You will find a SMART Board in all instructional spaces. This includes special education settings and speech & language rooms.
The Tap-It is a high-quality, interactive screen designed to bring learning to all students. It has an interactive display that minimizes barriers and maximizes flexibility for students with special needs. A Tap-It can recognize the difference between an arming resting upon the screen and a finger or assistive device intentionally tapping on an image.
Thanks to the generosity of the Aronson family of Glencoe, we were able to begin, in 2011, the purchase interactive Tap-Its and laptops.
"The Tap-It is an invaluable classroom and teaching tool. It allows students with disabilities access to SMART technology and interactive lessons. My students are engaged, interested and participating so much more than with traditional classroom tools. Thank you GEF for giving my students and me such a wonderful gift!"
Mrs. Maggie Schmieder, ELS teacher at South School
Central School received a technology lab. Video production and tv station components are used to produce the school’s weekly video announcements. An elective course in video production takes advantage of these tools to create and capture news for the Central School community.
Since 2011, GEF has funded more than 80 laptops. Laptop use is a priority for the District. The District encourages the use of technology to focus on academic content, increase instructional collaboration and optimize the learning experience.
There is an ongoing need for laptops. More teachers are requesting them. And soon, we will enter a replacement cycle for those purchased in 2011.
This is a key initiative for GEF.
In honor of Jay Mirasol - GEF supporter, avid cyclist and photographer - new video cameras, tripods and memory cards were donated. Jay's love of documenting life will be shared with many students in the district who partake in video production and technology courses.
Photo copyright © 2010 Jay Mirasol
Canadian champion David Veilleux (Kelly Benefit Strategies) wins the AT&T USA Cycling Professional Criterium National Championships at the Glencoe Grand Prix, Glencoe, IL, Saturday 14 August 2010.
Leave your mark. Honor a new or graduating child, a special teacher or a school with a personalized, engraved brick, paver, tree or bench.
Donations directly fund District 35 schools. Download PDF order form.
Schools prepare students for the real world. Technology is a part of that. But school budgets can't do it all. Your support is needed now.
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| Title | First Name | Last Name |
|---|---|---|
| President GEF & GGP | David | Metrick |
| Vice President | Lou | Rubin |
| Treasurer | Scott | Ritchie |
| Treasurer | Eran | Klein |
| Secretary | Audrey | West |
| Director of Communications | Dara | Zweig |
| Race Director of GGP | Matthew | Giedt |
| Media Director of GGP | Jon | Kerr |
| Director | Catherine | Wang |
| Director | Gary | Hazan |
| Kenneth | Ali | |
| Michael | Chiang | |
| Scott | Eisen | |
| Dan | Goldstein | |
| Mitch | Goltz | |
| Michael | Kelber | |
| Jon | Knouse | |
| Kevin | Kustra | |
| Harry | Maisel | |
| Ben | Riefe | |
| Jason | Knauff | |
| Lauren | Rosen | |
| Kristin | Klein |
