May 26, 2010
For Immediate Release

2009-2010 Grants to Teachers Reception Held at The Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University on May 26

Grafton, MA — The Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University was the setting for the 2009-2010 Grants to Teachers Reception on May 26. This annual event enjoyed a new venue as the Blackstone Valley Education Foundation partnered with the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce Business after Hours to recognize the creative efforts of our local educators. Tours of the Tufts Campus were enjoyed by many of the attendees.

The 2009-2010 Grants to Teachers program awarded over $21,000 to 13 area educators. Funding for this grant program comes from the annual Golf Tournament. The 21st annual Golf Tournament , sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce to benefit the Education Foundation, was held recently at Pleasant Valley Country Club and will provide support to next year's grant program.

Cummings School Dean Deborah Kochevar welcomed theguests and gave an overview of the various programs they deliver in local schools, including the annual STEM conference coordinated with the Blackstone Valley Education Foundation. Chamber President and CEO Jeannie Hebert, Education Foundation Executive Director Susan Gately, and Education Foundation Board President Lee Gaudette brought greetings from their programs.

Each of the grant recipients gave a brief presentation of their project and invited attendees to visit their table displays. Blackstone Valley Vocational Technical School Dental Assisting students Seanna Roy, Amanda Maranda, and Amanda McPhail gave the presentation of their project which delivers dental hygiene and awareness programs to middle school students across the Valley. Grafton High School student Kaitlyn Fishman demonstrated a Flash Animation anatomy project she had developed. Cleaning solution samples and a recipe book for green cleaning were distributed by Northbridge teachers Kathleen Rheaume and Erin Mercier. Lynne Chrostowski offered samples of freshly baked bread from a small business venture of Millbury High School students. BVT's Michael Norton displayed an array of soap products developed by students, and spoke of the biodiesel product generated from cooking oils which fuels multiple vehicles at BVT. Other projects included environmental awareness projects, renewable energy technology, a nature trail restoration project, a mathematics coding program developed with Raytheon engineers, a new biotechnology and advanced manufacturing curriculum, a high school club that helps students develop competencies for the 21st century, a career awareness program that featured a visit to Microsoft, and a project that allows students to become certified in Microsoft applications.

The Blackstone Valley Education Foundation funds proposals that include: Connection between academic preparation and career skills; Collaboration with schools, businesses, and community organizations, and; Catalyst that reveals to students their passion for a career. These grantees developed creative projects to support those goals. We applaud their success.

Photos

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About the Education Foundation

The Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation, Inc. is the not-for-profit umbrella organization for all Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce school-business related activities and cultural programs. Our Mission: To lead and support education that promotes workforce development and enhances the quality of life in the Blackstone Valley.

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About the Chamber

The mission of the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce is to promote the economic vitality of the Blackstone Valley and meet the needs of the Chamber's business members, while providing leadership on issues which impact the economy and quality of life in the Valley. The Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce serves the eleven towns in the Massachusetts BV Region: Blackstone, Douglas, Grafton, Hopedale, Mendon, Millbury, Millville, Northbridge, Sutton, Upton and Uxbridge. For more information on the Chamber please contact administrator@blackstonevalley.org or call 508 234 9090 X101.