We are proud of what this group, with the support of our district’s community, has been able to accomplish. Below you will find some of those projects.
- Southwestern Central School District
- Projects and Initiatives
SSEF
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Projects & Initiatives
Foundation funding is granted to enhance the educational programs, initiatives, and capital projects of the SWCS District that could not be initiated or maintained without private sector funding and charitable giving. These programs include:
- Academic Enrichment and Support
- Core subject areas, books, supplies, lab equipment, and field trips
- Technology, software, hardware, and training
- Facilities
- Buildings and grounds
- Outdoor Areas
- Extracurricular Activities
- Sports
- Music
- Clubs and Associations
Gifts and Grants the Foundation Have Made the Following Possible:
- The installation of the new athletic complex sound system – $7400
- Elementary School Fine Arts Project – $ 1500
- DECA Club travel expenses for state competition – $ 200
- Elementary School Science Lab – $ 1500
- New portable bleachers for the off campus athletic fields – $ 9000
- New Baseball Field – $100,000
- Wireless computer laptops for Middle School and High School – $ 6000
- Music department sound and audio mixing equipment – $15,000
- SWCS Soccer, Football and Track Sports Complex and Girl’s Softball Field – $590,000
Current Foundation Awards:
- Annual Scholarships – Beginning in 2008, the SSEF awards two scholarships a year, in the amount of $250 each, to two graduating seniors who have made an outstanding contribution to a positive school atmosphere during their years at SWCS.
- Annual Teacher Innovation Grant – In 2009, the SSEF awarded its first annual Teacher Innovation Grant for $1,000. The Foundation will award one grant annually, for up to $1,000, to a current Southwestern School District teacher for a creative and innovative program that supports their area of teaching and enhances the students’ learning experiences. All teachers are welcome to apply each year.
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Past Projects
Since 2004, when The Southwestern Schools Education Foundation (SSEF) was established,this organization has been raising funds for the purpose of enhancing the educational programs, initiatives and capital projects of the district and for additional support of items in the annual school budget that could not be initiated or maintained without private sector funding and charitable giving.The Trojan Sports ComplexThe Foundation raised $590,000 to build the new field.
Thanks to the support and generosity of the Southwestern School District community, the Foundation raised $590,000 to build the new field.
The Foundation raised money to provide a new Football/Soccer Field and Track on campus. Photos by Cheri Burk.Technology Rocks!When the Southwestern Schools Education Foundation and the Board of Education reached out to alumni, business leaders, other foundations and our Southwestern community members to ask for support in making the Athletic Complex a reality. Our request was gratefully answered with tax deductible donations totaling over a half a million dollars!This success story only reinforced the need for creative, alternative funding sources in times of tight school budgets. Inadequate state funding has left many New York State schools struggling to meet the educational needs of the students. Southwestern is no different, but we were determined not let this obstacle keep us from properly preparing our students for a successful life beyond the school walls.
Each of our three schools presented a list of necessary upgrades to existing equipment as well as new, advanced technology to replace outdated equipment. These new tools will allow Southwestern students to become more competitive, equipped and prepared for the demands of a constantly changing technological world, regardless of their chosen path.
The first installment of a total award of $20,000 given
to the school for new computers and Smart Boards.Currently New York State technology aid provides Southwestern with $17.77 per student for hardware needs and $14.98 per student for software needs. As careful and economical as our BOE has been with our school budget, there is no way that amount of aid will even maintain our outdated computers and laptops.
We have explored educational technology grants to fill the void, unfortunately however, factors such as Southwestern’s poverty level and number of free and reduced lunch participants excludes us from the needs based criteria.
We are proposed a $50,000 goal which wsa to be shared between the three schools to address their needs.
This very attainable goal will bring us up to expected standards, however, any amount received over the goal will only help to insure that we continue to upgrade as technology advances over the next few years.
Our 2011 fundraiser will provided funding for 25 desktops for the Elementary school, 25 desktops for the Middle School, and 9 complete SmartBoard Systems for the High School, along with accompanying software. Each and every student in the Southwestern School system will benefit from this venture. Teachers will be able to engage students in more challenging and exciting curriculum.2014 Cycle Chautauqua Bike Tour Fundraiser
2014 Cycle Chautauqua Bike Tour fundraiser -Despite the lack of sunshine we had a terrific turnout of dedicated cyclists for this year’s bike tour. Thank you to all the repeat riders that we look forward to seeing every year. And welcome to all the new riders who joined us to tour our beautiful lake and help raise funds for our students and teachers. Thank you sponsors: Dr. David Todd, Jamestown Cycle Shop, Jock Shop, Hartman Independent, Jamestown Macadam, Quick Solutions, Tri-James Services, Jamestown Container and Tim Horton’s. Enjoy the pictures and we’ll see you in 2015 on July 18th! Watch this site for more news or visit www.cyclechautauqua.com. Cycle On!!The Cycle Chautauqua Bike Tour Fundraiser is an annual event. If you are interested riding in the next Bike Tour please visit www.cyclechautauqua.com to register online or download a mail in registration form. All proceeds from this fundraiser are housed in our non-endowment fund for unrestricted use.
Drive 4 UR SchoolThanks to Shults Auto Group for this great opportunity to raise funds to assist with several current school initiatives in need of financial support. Each test drive earns $20 for these projects.It is also sure to be fun. Each test driver will receive a gift bag for participating along with many other give-aways.
Superintendent Maureen Donahue took a test drive!
Commemorative Brick Garden at the Athletic Complex
When the old Lakewood Elementary School was torn down, members of the SSEF salvaged numerous, original bricks that have been incorporated into a landscaped brick garden at the entrance of the new SWCS Sports Complex.
Also, incorporated into the design are personalized, engraved new bricks that can be purchased for a minimum donation of $50.00 each. Engraved bricks have been purchased to honor former teachers, remember old friends, congratulate graduating seniors or commemorate your own years as a Southwestern student.
The plaque listing the major donors for the Athletic Complex project.Bricks are still available as our walkway continues to grow. Anyone can purchase an engraved brick to be included in the walkway. The circle is now full, so we’re filling the path.
Bricks are $50 each, have 3 lines of 15 spaces each for engraving.
>> Click here to download a copy of the brick order form. All proceeds from the sale of the bricks are housed in a our non-endowment fund for unrestricted use.
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Scholarships and Awards
Annual Scholarships
Beginning in 2008, the SSEF awards two scholarships a year, in the amount of $250 each, to two graduating seniors who have made an outstanding contribution to a positive school atmosphere during their years at SWCS.Annual Teacher Innovation Grant
In 2009, the SSEF awarded its first annual Teacher Innovation Grant for $1,000. The Foundation will award one grant annually, for up to $1,000, to a current Southwestern School District teacher for a creative and innovative program that supports their area of teaching and enhances the students’ learning experiences. All teachers are welcome to apply each year.Patrick Mogenhan, 2015 Spirit Scholarship Recipient
Patrick Mogenhan, son of Ann and Mike Mogenhan of Jamestown, will be attending the University of Buffalo majoring in Biomedical Sciences.
The Southwestern Schools Education Foundation offers two $250.00 scholarships to two graduating seniors who have demonstrated our mission of contributing to a positive school atmosphere through their leadership and through the spirit of giving back to the school that has helped shaped them during their years at SWCS. Congratulations Patrick as you continue your educational journey.
Kara Schutte, 2015 Spirit Scholarship Recipient
Kara Schutte, daughter of Lisa and Doug Schutte of Lakewood. She will be attending Miami University of Ohio in Oxford. She was accepted into the College of Creative Arts at the school and will be majoring in Graphic Design.
The Southwestern Schools Education Foundation offers two $250.00 scholarships to two graduating seniors who have demonstrated our mission of contributing to a positive school atmosphere through their leadership and through the spirit of giving back to the school that has helped shaped them during their years at SWCS. Congratulations Kara as you continue your educational journey.
Past Spirit Scholarship Winners
The following list represents the outstanding past recipients of the SSEF Spirit Scholarship awards. Each year since 2008 we have awarded two graduating seniors each $250.00 in recognition of their efforts to exemplify the mission of our foundation by giving back to their alma mater and leaving the school a better place for having attended.2008 Alexis Peterson and Rachel Wellman
2009 Lauren Smith and Molly Woodfield
2010 Alex Peterson and Casey Wright
2011 Vincent Gerace and Emily Smith
2012 Sara Elifritz and Nicole Ingersoll
2013 Skye Smith and Rebecca Josephson
2014 Megan Gutzmer and Lindsey HernCongratulations!
Lindsey Hern, 2014 Spirit Scholarship Recipient
Lindsey Hern, one of two recipients of this year’s 2014 Spirit Scholarship from the Foundation, is the daughter of Jennifer & Eric Hern of Lakewood and Marsha Hern of Lakewood. She is attending the University of Pittsburgh pursuing a Master of Social Work.
The Southwestern Schools Education Foundation offers two $250.00 scholarships to two graduating seniors who have demonstrated our mission of contributing to a positive school atmosphere through their leadership and through the spirit of giving back to the school that has helped shaped them during their years at SWCS. Congratulations Lindsey as you continue your educational journey.
Megan Gutzmer, 2014 Spirit Scholarship Recipient
Megan Gutzmer, one of two recipients of this year’s 2014 Spirit Scholarship from the Foundation, is the daughter of Paul and Laura Gutzmer of Lakewood, and is currently studying Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
The Southwestern Schools Education Foundation offers two $250.00 scholarships to two graduating seniors who have demonstrated our mission of contributing to a positive school atmosphere through their leadership and through the spirit of giving back to the school that has helped shaped them during their years at SWCS. Congratulations Megan as you continue your educational journey.