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Duxbury Education Foundation funds PAC audio upgrade, 3‑D printers, classroom "calm corners" and other grants
Summary
The volunteer Duxbury Education Foundation reported grants totaling tens of thousands of dollars this school year, including a $30,000 audio upgrade for the Performing Arts Center, four 3‑D printers for the middle school, stadium seating for Alden and several student‑led classroom projects.
Sherry Hassar, incoming president of the Duxbury Education Foundation (DEF), gave the School Committee a year‑end report on grants the foundation funded for the 2024–25 school year.
DEF said it has funded more than $2.1 million in grants over 35 years and described several recent awards: approximately $6,000 for stadium seating for Alden School's music program; adjustable‑height desks and flexible seating at the high school and Chandler; a small grant to get the district's newly formed dance team started with microphones and speakers; and a $30,000 audio system upgrade for the Performing Arts Center (the PAC) that DEF said had been ordered and hoped to be installed before the school year ends.
Student presenters described grants in their own words: middle school student Michael Brown explained a DEF grant that bought four 3‑D printers (about $3,000 total) for classroom use and said teachers plan to integrate the printers into a 3‑D modeling unit next year. Representatives from Alden School Student Council described "calm corner" relaxation stations with rugs, seating and fidget tools funded by DEF to help students regulate and refocus during class.
The nut graf: DEF funds were raised through sponsorships, fundraisers (including the July 4 road race and a "polar plunge"), and donations. The foundation solicits applications from staff and students; several grants are student‑initiated and were presented to the committee by students this evening.
Ending: DEF solicited registrations for its July 4 road race and invited the committee and community to support grant applications next year. The School Committee thanked DEF for stepping in on programs the district cannot fund from operating budgets.
Discussion vs. decision: This was an informational presentation by the nonprofit foundation; the committee did not take formal action on DEF grants during this meeting.
