Special thank you to Dominion Salem Harbor Station and the Hawthorne Hotel.

Salem Education Foundation Exceeds Funding Target!

With thanks to our many supporters, we exceeded our grant making target and funded nearly $45,000 in awards. Of special note is a $5,000 collaborative campaign to combat bullying in our schools.

“No child should be afraid to go to school. No parent should worry about their child’s safety. With this universal approach to anti-bullying, our schools will have a systematic approach to addressing this problem while being ahead of the curve with regard to new legislative requirements.” John Keenan, State Representative and SEF Board Member.

Steps to Respect and Second Step are award-winning, research-based curricula from the Committee for Children that help children in grades K through 8 develop social-emotional competence and provide specific training in building friendships and responding to bullying. School adjustment counselors from every district elementary and middle school in Salem submitted this grant that ultimately gained the honor of being named for Stephen O’Grady. Each year the Salem Education Foundation chooses one award for an individual or group who provide opportunities for leadership development and/or activities that involve student leadership within the Salem Public Schools. This award is presented with the hope that the spirit of Stephen O’Grady, school and community leader, will continue to inspire the youth of the Salem Public Schools. In the words of Stephen’s sister, Beth “you could not have picked a better award to remember him by, thank you SEF.”

According to the author of the application, Laurie Mendoza from Carlton School, “the adjustment counselors plan to share the curriculum resources next year and provide lessons for targeted grades in their buildings. Embedded in the instructional design of the lessons are activities that foster emotional intelligence, self-management, and social skill.”

For a full listing of grant awards, visit the Grants Page.