About the Andover Fund for Education
Founded in 1991, the Andover Fund for Education (AFE) promotes educational excellence in the public schools of Andover, Massachusetts by supporting teacher innovation in the classroom. Twice a year, AFE awards mini-grants to local educators who are implementing new and creative projects designed to reinforce and supplement the core curriculum of the Andover Public Schools. Through its direct-to-teacher grants, AFE encourages instructional innovation that enriches the curriculum, inspires students and staff, and expands the community’s involvement in public education. AFE is an independent, 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.
15th Annual Andover Bee Draws an Enthusiastic Crowd 
West El's "Spellementary" Team Wins with "Subboreal"!
"Subboreal," which means "very cold, nearly frigid," was the winning word at the Andover Fund for Education's 15th Annual Andover Spelling Bee on March 22nd, a contest that crowned West Elementary School's "West Spellementary" team as the 2013 champions. Spellementary team members Kelly Doherty, Tracy Galat, Viji Menon, and Martha Tubinis won the championship round after a lively and light-hearted contest in which they competed against ten other school teams as well as seven community teams.
Other winners included Sanborn Elementary School, which was awarded the Spirit Trophy, given to the school supported by the most enthusiastic fans, and a second West Elementary School team, "The Sting," which won the trophy for Best Team Costume.
Above, the 2013 Spelling Bee Champions, West Elementary School's "West Spellementary," celebrate their victory. Pictured, from left to right, are Martha Tubinis, Kelly Doherty, Tracy Galat, and Viji Menon.
Above, the 2013 Best Team Costume Winners, West Elementary School's "The Sting," strike a pose. Pictured, from left to right, are Alia Mohammed, Margo Spinale, E.J. Perry, and Deanna Taxiarhos.
As always, the AFE Bee drew a crowd of intrepid spellers and spirited supporters, this time to Wood Hill Middle School, for an evening of entertainment and friendly competition. A popular annual fund-raiser, the Bee offers local schools and community organizations an opportunity to support educational innovation in the Andover Public Schools by entering teams of four adult spellers in a contest that attracts many local students eager to watch the competition and cheer on their favorite teachers.
A highlight of the evening came just before the championship round, as supporters of the elementary school teams marched around the auditorium in a freewheeling and exuberant "Spirit Parade." Live music was provided by Left Hand Blue, a local rock band featuring current and former Andover High School students.
A number of school and town officials added their energy and enthusiasm to the evening. Patrick Bucco, Principal of Wood Hill Middle School, welcomed the audience, and Master of Ceremonies Alex Vispoli, an Andover Selectman, presided over the boisterous crowd. Other school and town officials served as round moderators and word pronouncers: Dr. Colleen McBride (Principal, South Elementary School); Dr. Christopher Lord (Principal, Andover High School); Steve Murray (Principal, West Middle School); Malcolm Forsman (Principal, Bancroft Elementary School); and David Birnbach (Andover School Committee). Judges included Dr. Eileen Woods, former principal of South Elementary School, Neil Fater, editor of the Andover Townsman, and Andover Selectman Brian Major. School Superintendent Dr. Marinal McGrath was on hand as well to present awards to the winners.
All proceeds from the Spelling Bee support AFE's innovation mini-grants to Andover Public School educators who propose creative classroom projects designed to reinforce and supplement the core curriculum.
Our Thanks to all Eighteen 2013 Teams!
Bancroft Elementary School: "Bancroft Builders." Pictured, from left to right, are team members Claire Touseau, Abby Clark, Laura DuBois, and Samantha Rodrigues.
High Plain Elementary School: "High Plain Hawks." Pictured, from left to right, are team members Terry Stone, Jess Newcomb, and Gerry Fegan.
Sanborn Elementary School: "Alphabet Souper Spellers." Team members include, from left to right, Jordan McCann, Hillary Pickard, Judith Berger, and Christine Baldwin.
Shawsheen Elementary School: "The Spelling Stars." Team members include, from left to right, Claire Shaby, Nicole Hayes, Gretchen Curtis, and Pat Calley.
South Elementary School: "Beastly Spellers." Pictured, from left to right, are team members Julianne Toomey-Kautz, Emily Babb, and Jessica Randolph.
West Elementary School Team 1: "West Spellementary." Pictured, from left to right, are team members Viji Menon, Kelly Doherty, Martha Tubinis, and Tracy Galat.
West Elementary School Team 2: "The Sting." Pictured, from left to right, are team members Alia Mohammed, Margo Spinale, E.J. Perry, and Deanne Taxiarhos.
Doherty Middle School: "Doherty Dictionaries." Pictured, from left to right, are team members Doug Nebel, Brian Reilly, Robin Wilson, and Mary O'Neill.
West Middle School: "Westwords." Pictured, from left to right, are team members Cherilyn Barry, Tracy Layne, Marj Andresen, and Sherry Lundquist.
Wood Hill Middle School: "Spelltorians." Pictured, from left to right, are team members Linda Croteau, Candy Barnes, Cheryl Marfleet, and Kerri O'Dea.
Andover High School: "Word Warriors." Pictured, from left to right, are Laura Jordan, Laurie Francis-Wright, Sarah Fisher, and Ellen Gaudiano.
Andover Historical Society: "Speakeasy Spellers." Pictured, from left to right, are team members Bill Schneller, Elaine Clements, Don Robb, and Tom Deso.
AVIS: "Treesaurus." Team members, from left to right, are Matt Dallett, Cathy Vrountas, and Chris Vrountas.
Kiwanis Club: "Killer Bees." Pictured, from left to right, are team members Geoff O'Donoghue, Mary O'Donoghue, Kristen Hollenbeck, and Michael Helman.
League of Women Voters: "LexicolLeagues." Pictured, from left to right, are team members Joan Duff, Stefani Traina, Ann Cobleigh, and Peggy Kruse.
Book Group: "Reading Between the Wines." Pictured, from left to right, are team members Amy Hauser, Ruth Galvin, and Pam Drouin.
Rotary Club Team 1: "The Dummies." Pictured, from left to right, are adult team members Howard Perkins, Al Getler, and Mark Spencer.
Rotary Club Team 2: "Russell's Ringers." Pictured, from left to right, are team members Paul Russell, Ken Feyl, Jan McClure Brown, and Chuck Humphrey.
See photos from previous Bees.
AFE Treasurer Barbara Neal (1942-2012)
It is with enormous regret that we acknowledge the passing of Barbara (Gerry) Neal, a woman dedicated to education and to students throughout her admirable life. We knew her best in her capacity as Treasurer and long-standing board member of the Andover Fund for Education, one of numerous roles in which she served her passion and our community.
As so often happens, we thank Barbara too late for her dedication, wisdom, kindness, and good humor both as a proponent of good education for our kids and as a much missed colleague.
Our deepest sympathy goes to Dick Neal and to the many family members, friends, and students whose lives Barbara touched so deeply.
Joan Cohen, Co-chair, AFE
Spring 2013 Innovation Mini-Grants Awarded
Congratulations to our Spring 2013 grant recipients! In February 2013, AFE awarded innovation mini-grants to Andover educators Minda Reidy and Dave Garibaldi. Minda Reidy's project, "Hands-On Electricity," will use Elenco Snap Circuits Pro kits to provide AHS engineering students with hands-on experience building and using electronic circuits, including the impact of resistors, amplifiers, and capacitors, to emphasize the importance of electrical engineering. Dave Garibaldi, an educator at South Elementary School, will use "Sport Stacking Cups" to improve hand-eye coordination in elementary school students, a skill that contributes to academic success.
Fall 2013 Grant Applications Due October 15th
TEACHERS: Bright ideas wanted! Want to try something new in your classroom? Apply for an innovation mini-grant to put your great ideas to work for our Andover students.
We are looking for new and creative projects that make learning exciting. Applying for a grant is easy--just tell us what you want to do! Projects should stimulate interest and learning in math, science, language, reading, writing, social studies, history, or other core curriculum fields. The deadline for submitting Fall 2013 grant applications is October 15th.
For more information, please see Grants Program and FAQ.
For grant applications and guidelines, see below.
Fall 2012 Innovation Mini-Grants Recipients
Congratulations to our Fall 2012 grant recipients! In October 2012, AFE awarded innovation mini-grants to Andover educators Kevin Tiller and Crystal Martell, both teachers at Shawsheen School.
Crystal Martell of Shawsheen School, left, with Cynthia Bogatka of AFE. Ms. Martell's project, "Literacy Through e-Books," will explore the use of e-books to improve the literacy and technology skills of preschool students. Kevin Tiller of Shawsheen School, right, with Cynthia Bogatka of AFE. Mr. Tiller's project, "Sport Stacking for Second-Grade Success," will support the development of hand-eye coordination in second-grade students.
Looking for a Unique Teacher Appreciation Gift?
Honor a Teacher and Support AFE! The Andover Fund for Education invites you to recognize that outstanding Andover Public School educator through its unique "Honor a Teacher" initiative. More...
2012 Fred Fitzgerald Award Announced
Each spring, AFE honors one Andover High School graduating senior with the Fred Fitzgerald Award. Named for AFE's founder, the Fred Fitzgerald Award is made to a student whose behavior exemplifies honor and principle, whose mind is characterized by intellectual curiosity and excellence in scholarship, and whose conduct is respectful of our world.
AFE is delighted to announce this year's recipient: Sam Malakhousky. Sam will attend college at Brown University.
2011-2012 Innovation Mini-Grant Recipients
Congratulations to our Fall 2011 and Spring 2012 grant recipients! In October 2011, AFE awarded innovation mini-grants to eleven educators: Jane Anthony (Wood Hill Middle School); Dolores Dunning and Hector Rodriguez (Andover High School); Kathryn Price (West Elementary School); Leela Scanlon (Doherty Middle School); and Ashlee Lefebvre, Kristen Mitchell, Hillary Brooks, Maria Hamilton, Lisa Spataro, and Colleen Billings (Wood Hill Middle School). In February 2012, AFE awarded an innovation grant to Sharon Faulkner, an educator at Shawsheen Elementary School.
Spring 2012 Grant Recipient |
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Sharon Faulkner of Shawsheen School, center, with Barbara Neal of AFE, left, and Shannon Hartnett. Ms. Faulkner will use her AFE grant to increase K-2 students' exposure to and understanding of non-fiction by introducing read-aloud kits that give students guided practice in employing graphic organizers to support text comprehension. |
Fall 2011 Grant Recipients |
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Jane Anthony of Wood Hill Middle School, right, with AFE board member Sue McLellan. "Deer? Oh Dear!" is a multi-year scientific study requested by the Conservation Commission; it will assess the impact of deer on forest vegetation. |
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Ashley Lefebvre, center, and Hillary Brooks, right, of Wood Hill Middle School, with Sue McLellan of AFE. Not pictured: Mitchell, Hamilton, Spataro, and Billings. Their project, "iPad Applications," will study small-group use of iPad apps to explore content-based curriculum. |
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Kathryn Price of West Elementary School, right, with Sue McLellan of AFE. Price will use her grant to procure and use emergent-level non-fiction books addressing topics ranging from airports and astronauts to mammals, rivers, and seasons. |
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Leela Scanlon of Doherty Middle School, right, with Sue McLellan of AFE. Scanlon's eighth-graders will investigate a musician, singer, or group from each of the Spanish-speaking countries and create a video and audio montage of their findings. |
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Dolores Dunning of Andover High School, right, with Sue McLellan of AFE. Not pictured: Hector Rodriguez. Dunning and Rodriguez's collaborative project introduces high schoolers to the Mexican holiday El Dia de los Muertos and guides them in the creation of traditional ceramic skull masks. |
Read more about our most recent grant awards here.
View photos of projects funded by AFE in our Photo Gallery.
Andover High School Wins 2011 AFE Spelling Bee
Congratulations to the AHS "Word Warriors," winners of the 14th Annual Andover Community Spelling Bee! The winning word was "hebetate," which means "to make dull." Pictured below, from left to right, are 2011 AHS team members Laurie Francis-Wright, Jen Percival, John Kosartes, and Scott Aubrey.
AFE Grants Are Making a Difference
"Thank you so much for supporting the Exploring Engineering class....I will work on ordering the kits within the next few weeks. Thanks again for the opportunity to give our students some hands-on comprehension of the role of Electrical Engineering in today's world." - Ms. Minda Reidy, Andover High School, March 2013.
"Thank you so much for deciding to fund my proposal for Literacy through E-books for my preschoolers! I just know that the students are going to find these books fun and educational as it increases their literacy and technology skills." - Ms. Crystal Martell, Shawsheen School, October 2012.
"[L]et me say a big THANK YOU for this opportunity. I know this project will benefit so many here at Shawsheen." - Mr. Kevin Tiller, Shawsheen School, October 2012.
"This is WONDERFUL news! My students are going to be over the moon - as I certainly am. I wish you could see first hand what this will mean to them. I appreciate this so much!! THANK YOU!!!" - Ms. Kathryn Price, West Elementary School, November 3, 2011
"Many thanks for your consideration and funding of this project! This is an idea that began last school year that was often followed by thought of "if only I could provide all these supplies." I greatly appreciate the Andover Fund for Education enabling educators to reach out to the students in meaningful ways with engaging activities that enrich their experiences in our programs. I'm certain that research and multimedia presentations will be a big part of any workplace for these kids as they move on to multiple careers that we've likely never even heard of. . . .Muchas Gracias a todos!" - Ms. Leela Scanlon, Doherty Middle School, October 27, 2011
"Thank you so much. . . .This grant is much appreciated and will help many students!" - Ms. Ashlee Lefebvre, Wood Hill Middle School, November 3, 2011
"My thanks to everyone at AFE for all of the good work that you do for all of us. I can say that a very substantial part of the learning, experience, and excitement that students seem to value in their Engineering classes at West Middle School was directly enabled by AFE support in the last few years. That's a wonderful gift to those hundreds of students (and their teacher!) and is very much appreciated." - Mr. Daniel Miley, West Middle School, March 11, 2011
"It was a very interesting experience for everyone! The students learned a great deal about the law, and the process of presenting to a judge, as well as the normal procedures that occur with a trial." Read an account of Ms. Minda Reidy's "Proofs are all around us" project that combines mathematical proofs, drama, and the legal system done at Andover High School in the fall of 2007 (includes student comments). 11/7/07
Photo Gallery
See our Photo Gallery for pictures of AFE grants and events.
Page Last Modified Wed 04-03-2013 18:29
© 2006 Andover Fund for Education, Inc.
36 Bartlet Street, Andover, MA 01810