INTRODUCING THE CAPE HENLOPEN EDUCATION FOUNDATION

The Cape Henlopen Education Foundation was established in 2006 by the Cape Henlopen Board of Education. Recognizing both the need for long- and short-range special projects, as well as the ever increasing reductions in school revenue sources, the Foundation hopes to provide opportunities to address special areas of concern and meet objectives for the future. Among the goals the foundation hopes to accomplish are:

1. Provide "mini"-grant awards for teachers with special interests or projects that need funding. Other opportunities for such grants formerly funded by private industry are no longer available. The Foundation hopes to maintain a source of funding for grants in the range of $500 to $ 2,000, that often totaled $25,000 per year district wide.

2. Offering scholarships for graduating students who desire to return to Cape and teach. In particular, Cape Henlopen has difficulty recruiting minority teachers, and has always desired to have professional staff comprised of ethnicities and minorities that mirror the student population. Research indicates the best way to acquire high quality minority staff is to develop from within the system. The Foundation hopes to eventually provide full scholarships for students who agree to return to Cape, and also provide partial scholarships for deserving students based upon need and areas of study.

3. Provide additional support for visual and performing arts, athletics and other extracurricular areas of need. In times of financial reductions, extracurricular programs are often the first areas considered for elimination. Cape is a community rich in traditions of excellence in the arts, athletics and academics. The Foundation hopes to support special projects and programs to support these areas, including scholarships for students wishing to pursue careers in the field.

4. Support early childhood education initiatives. Best practice and research clearly indicates that children who are prepared for school with a solid preschool foundation, achieve and perform better. Far too many students come from homes without an appropriate foundation for learning. The Cape Henlopen Education Foundation hopes to provide assistance to initiatives designed to provide early childhood services and close the achievement gap.

5. Support collaboration with surrounding colleges' vocational and technical programs. Recognizing that not all Cape graduates will go on to four year colleges, Cape has started to look at programs designed to provide vocational training and additional career opportunities for students such as a Certified Nursing Assistant program, an HVAC apprentice program, and an early childhood education program. Through the foundation, Cape hopes to support and expand programs such as this.

6. Support for the Superintendent's Citizenship Honor Award Program. The program was established this year by the superintendent to recognize the large majority of students who work and behave appropriately, but never receive special recognition. These are the students who attend school regularly, are never referred for disciplinary action, maintain acceptable grades and give back to their communities through hours of community service. The foundation will help sponsor end-of-year awards and recognition.

We are currently seeking support for both the establishment of foundation funding, grants and endowments, as well as potential foundation board members. We appreciate your interest in helping us initiate this incredibly important undertaking.

For additional information please contact Dr. David E. Robinson, Superintendent, Cape Henlopen School District at (302) 645-6686.