On October 4, Leslie Tillotson, NEF co-president, was personally handed a gift of $10,000 from the estate of a woman with special ties to the NEF. The late Margaret Forrant was a 1939 Needham High School graduate who with her classmates, Ralph and Barbara Leader, helped found the NEF with a 50th class reunion gift of $3,000. Mrs. Forrant willed the gift to the NEF in honor of her 6th grade teacher at Emily Grover School, Gladys Howarth Mayo.

The Needham Education Foundation has awarded 20 grants totaling nearly $45,000 in its autumn small grants cycle. Needham students will learn from visiting authors and dancers in residence, historical reenactments, a program pairing high school students with senior citizens, and even a course in cryogenics. These are among the programs that will receive support, reaching across all Needham public schools and all grade levels. 

Innovative pilot program connects traditional disciplines – a key for 21st century learning and problem-solving

November 14, 2012 — Needham, MA. The Needham Education Foundation is awarding a start-up grant of $111,500 to fund a pilot program in interdisciplinary learning at Needham High School, including an innovative course planned for fall 2013. The grant was announced at this evening’s meeting of the Needham School Committee.

1. Grace Lin: Multicultural Author and Illustrator – Broadmeadow
   Geisel Honor and Newbery Honor recipient Grace Lin visits K-5 students to enhance the reading and writing curricula. Known for her authentic voice as a first generation Chinese-American, this multicultural author makes the immigration unit come alive.

Needham, Mass. — December 8, 2011. The Needham Education Foundation (NEF) announced the recipients of its 2011 fall small grants cycle at a recent meeting of the Needham School Committee. Nineteen grants totaling almost $60,000 were awarded to all Needham public schools—supporting physical and social wellness, academics, the arts, service learning, bullying prevention and the environment.