grant

Weymouth Public Schools and South Shore YMCA Awarded Grant to Pursue Farm to School Initiatives

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Weymouth Public Schools
111 Middle St.
Weymouth, MA 02189

For Immediate Release

Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: [email protected]

Weymouth Public Schools and South Shore YMCA Awarded Grant to Pursue Farm to School Initiatives

WEYMOUTH — Superintendent Jennifer Curtis-Whipple is pleased to announce that the South Shore YMCA and Weymouth Public Schools were awarded the USDA Farm to School Implementation Grant in the amount of $92,778.

The Farm to School Grant, distributed by the United States Department of Agriculture, funds efforts to support schools’ abilities to pursue farm to school initiatives through projects like increasing local foods served through child nutrition programs and providing educational opportunities to teach children about food and agriculture.

Grant funds can be used for training, supporting operations, planning, purchasing equipment, developing school gardens, developing partnerships and implementing farm to school programs.

The grant, which covers a period of one year, was awarded to the South Shore YMCA who will collaborate with Holly Hill Farms and the Weymouth Public Schools food service provider Chartwells to pursue farm to school projects in Weymouth.

“Farm to school is an excellent initiative that helps students learn about and appreciate local agriculture,” Superintendent Curtis-Whipple said. “I’d like to recognize Mary Ann Bryan of Weymouth Schools and John Galluzzo of the South Shore Young Men’s Christian Association for engaging in and pursuing this collaborative opportunity. This is another great achievement to make Weymouth proud.”

Weymouth Career and Technical Education (CTE) students will be building wooden planting beds at Weymouth High School to begin farming projects at the school. In addition, WeyCare students will be working directly with the Old Colony YMCA and Holly Hill Farm on farming lessons and field trips to the farm.

The ultimate goal will be to eventually use the fruits and vegetables grown by students in food services process at the Weymouth Public Schools.

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Raymond Reach High Scholars Program Receives $5,000 Grant from New Hampshire Electric Co-op Foundation

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Raymond School District
Tina McCoy, Superintendent
43 Harriman Hill Road
Raymond, NH 03077

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2019

Media Contact: Kelsey Bode
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Raymond Reach High Scholars Program Receives $5,000 Grant from New Hampshire Electric Co-op Foundation

Back row, left to right: Academic Approach Instructor Eric Misiano, Member of the New Hamsphire Electric Co-op (NHEC) Board of Directors Ed French, NHEC Foundation Executive Director Sara Thielbar, Chairman of the Reach High Scholars Program John McDaniels, sophomore Mason Lord and sophomore Vicky Chen. Front row, from left: Sophomore Wyatt Cramer, junior Brynna Hone, junior Anya Cunningham, junior Madison Robinson, sophomore Helene Cote, junior Abigail Brown and sophomore Molly Harmon. (Courtesy Photo Reach High Scholars Program)

RAYMOND — Superintendent Tina McCoy is pleased to announce that a local nonprofit organization, Reach High Scholars Program (RHSP), which benefits Raymond district students, recently received a $5,000 grant from the New Hampshire Electric Co-op Foundation (NHEC).

The Reach High Scholars Program encourages students in Raymond to “reach higher” in their educational pursuits than what they imagined possible. At no cost to taxpayers or the school district, RHSP offers a range of intellectually enriching and college-readiness programs at very low prices. Students can also apply for further cost reductions based on financial need. RHSP is also actively looking to expand its programming to neighboring communities.

Over the past 11 years since RHSP was founded, 53 Raymond students involved in the program have attended highly competitive colleges with first-class educational opportunities. Former RHSP students have also received more than $7 million in scholarships and need-based grants.

“We are so thankful to NHEC for choosing to support the Reach High Scholars Program, an organization that has made an incredible difference for young people in our community for more than a decade,” Superintendent McCoy said. “This program helps students challenge themselves, choose the right college for their goals and seek out the financial assistance they may need to attend that school. By supporting this program, NHEC has helped many, many students succeed.”

This is the third consecutive year NHEC has supported the RHSP, and this year’s grant will support PSAT and SAT boot camps the program offers to local students. RHSP is among the organizations that offer the most standardized test preparation available at any public high school in northern New England. These courses have averaged over 30 students per year. They are conducted by Academic Approach, a national test-prep organization.

The funds from NHEC will also support Raymond Roundtables, a summer academic enrichment program for seventh, eighth and ninth grade students. Based on Phillips Exeter Academy’s renowned Harkness teaching method, the Raymond Roundtables provide student-centered, collaborative learning that encourages students to listen to differing viewpoints and explore the full potential of their academic and intellectual abilities. Since its creation in 2010, more than 300 students have participated in Raymond Roundtables. During the past two years, 16 students have also participated from the neighboring towns of Epping, Derry, Fremont and Sandown.

Additionally, the grant will help offset costs associated with college visits, which helps students familiarize themselves with the campus curriculum and staff.

ABOUT THE NHEC FOUNDATION

The NHEC Foundation provides grants to non-profit and charitable organizations throughout NHEC’s service territory. Since 2006, the Foundation has granted more than $3 million to organizations throughout NHEC’s service area. The work of the Foundation is made possible thanks to NHEC members who round up their electric bill each month. To learn more about the NHEC Foundation and the Round Up Program, visit www.nhec.com/nhec-foundation/.

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Town of Acton Awarded Grants to Pursue Planning and Energy Initiatives 

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Town of Acton
John Mangiaratti, Town Manager
472 Main St.
Acton, MA 01720

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2019

Contact: Jordan Mayblum
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Town of Acton Awarded Grants to Pursue Planning and Energy Initiatives 

ACTON — Town Manager John Mangiaratti is pleased to announce that the Town of Acton was awarded two grants totaling $178,461 that will support planning and energy initiatives.

The first grant, in the amount of $139,461, was awarded to the Town of Acton and the Acton-Boxborough Regional School District through the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources Green Communities Program. This is the seventh Green Communities grant award Acton has received since the start of the grant program in 2010.

The grant will be split to fund two LED lighting retrofitting projects. Retrofitting at Acton Public Safety and Recreation facilities will use $54,965 of the grant funds and retrofitting at Acton-Boxborough Regional High School will use the remaining $84,496. The lighting changes are projected to save more than 117,000 kWh in electricity and more than $12,000 per year in cost savings.

The Green Communities program issued just under $15 million in grants to fund the clean energy projects of 91 different municipalities during this cycle.

The second grant, distributed by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EOEEA), is a Planning Assistance Grant which awards funding in support of municipal efforts to plan, zone and act to conserve and develop land consistent with state sustainable development principles. The grants help communities retain appropriate technical expertise and undertake the public process associated with creating plans and adopting land use regulations. This grant cycle has awarded over $1 million to fund 21 project across the state.

Acton, in partnership with the Town of Maynard, was awarded $39,000 which will be used for planning and technical assistance to study zoning for the Powder Mill Road corridor.

“The Planning Assistance Grant Program is part of an effort to encourage municipalities to implement land use regulations that are consistent with land conservation and development objectives including reduction of land, energy, and natural resources consumption, provision of sufficient and diverse housing, and mitigation of and preparation for climate change,” EOEEA Press Secretary Katie Gronendyke said.

“The appropriate usage of Town land and energy efficiency in our facilities are important initiatives that will benefit our community’s future. Grants like these allow our Town to continue to focus on sustainability,” Town Manager Mangiaratti said. “We’re excited to move forward with these innovative projects and I thank the Baker-Polito Administration for providing resources to help us do so.”

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Gloucester Fire Department Receives $424,000 FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant

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Department
Eric Smith, Fire Chief
8 School St.
Gloucester, MA 01930

For Immediate Release

Thursday, Sept. 26, 2019

Contact: Kelsey Bode
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Gloucester Fire Department Receives $424,000 FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant

GLOUCESTER –Chief Eric Smith is pleased to announce that the Gloucester Fire Department has been awarded a $424,000 Assistance to Firefighters grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The grant will allow all 48 of the Gloucester Fire Department’s members ranked as firefighters to take part in Emergency Vehicle Operator, Pump Operator and Aerial Ladder Operator training programs in compliance with National Fire Protection Agency standards.

The Pump Operator program involves 40 hours of training, the Aerial Operator program requires 16 hours, and the Emergency Vehicle Operator program is between four to 16 hours long depending on the student’s level of experience.

The award is the fifth federal grant the Gloucester Fire Department has received over the last four years.

“I’d like to thank our lead grant writer, Capt. Jamie Santos, as well as Firefighter Alison DeMuele and Firefighter Sander Schultz for assisting throughout this process,” Chief Smith said. “I’d also like to thank Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken, Chief Administrative Officer Jim Destino, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Sen. Ed Markey, Congressman Seth Moulton, State Sen. Bruce Tarr, and State Rep. Ann-Margaret Ferrante. These grants make an incredible difference for our department, and our city, and we’re thrilled to have these training opportunities.”

The Division of Local Services does not mandate that all fire departments train firefighters as emergency vehicle, pump and aerial ladder operators, but it is a standard the Gloucester Fire Department has long sought to achieve.

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