Public Schools Foundation kicks into high gear for ailing schools
written by Bill Donovan
Stoneham Sun
Wed Apr 09, 2008

Stoneham - It’s been an eventful year for the Stoneham Public Schools Foundation. Recently the organization donated $3,600 to the School Department. A student Web site created by SPSF is now being made available to Stoneham alumni. This group is also planning three community events for May and September: a rock concert, road race, and mini-golf tournament in support of Stoneham schools.

“We’re all excited about what we’ve accomplished as a team effort this past school year,” explained Chris Willard, President of SPSF. “We’re hoping to make as big an impact with the next. Our success is based on help from the community and local businesses.”

Willard, a resident of Stoneham since 1996 who works in IT staffing, leads a group of seven in the Foundation. SPSF is a local charity which began in 2004 in response to budget cuts within the school system. “They eliminated after school activities and made substantial cuts in teaching,” said Willard. “In the past years, we’ve tried to maintain these programs, which also includes academics, music, and arts.”

Primarily a parent-run non-profit organization, the Foundation gives the community an ability to contribute to school programs in need of aid. According to Willard, each year since 2004 the SPSF has presented $2,000-2,500 to Stoneham schools for furniture and computer equipment.

“We’ve provided Stoneham High with computer monitors and furniture,” said Willard. “At the middle school, we’ve added white boards to classrooms.” Willard explained that the SPSF focuses on the entire school system rather than individual class grades and smaller grants. The SPSF works with school officials to decide what is beneficial to the system.

The $3,600 SPSF check went towards Stoneham Middle School winter intramural sports. This program hadn’t been available to students since 2005. SPSF plans to also fund the oncoming spring and fall seasons. As a result, three activities have been made available for each season over the course of nine weeks. Students are scheduled to meet for these three days a week.

“We’re hoping to expand intramural sports in the coming year depending on the school’s budget,” added Willard. The after school activity Jump, UP and Go received some support from the Foundation as well.

At the high school, SPSF has also supported the Pep Band and Math Team over the past school year. Instrumental programs at Stoneham elementary schools were funded by the Foundation during the first half of the year.

“We’re starting to look at next year’s goals. It all depends on these fundraisers we’re working on,” said Willard. “This spring and early summer we will be sending out our mailing appeal and asking for donations from the community. Residents will have the choice of contributing to the music, arts, and athletics programs or towards a general fund.”

SPSF will hold its second annual rock concert at the Stoneham High Auditorium Friday, May 9 with doors opening at 6:30. Tickets are $10 at the door and $8 through the SPSF official site. Proceeds will go towards the music and art fund. Local student bands such as Aeons, The Euphony Project, Transit and more are scheduled to perform. A few months after, in September, SPSF hosts its second annual road race and mini-golf tournament.

Willard also spoke of the new Stoneham alumni Web site (www.stonehamalumni.com). It enables students to get back in touch with old classmates, share success stories, and stay updated on school news. Graduates will be granted full access to this free social network.

“This new Web site will serve as a great way for alumni to get back in touch and possibly coordinate future reunions,” explained Willard. “At the moment, it is being maintained and redesigned by the Foundation. Hopefully, over time alumni will get involved with the site and run it themselves.”

The Foundation welcomes volunteers from the community to help out with these upcoming events. For more information, visit www.stonehampublicschoolsfoundation.org.