President sees results of foundation grants
Freehold Borough group continues raising funds on behalf of public schools
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer

FREEHOLD — Public education is a worthy investment, according to Freehold Borough resident Jean Holtz.

Holtz, who chairs the Freehold Borough Educational Foundation, is hoping that people in the community will be generous when members of the foundation reach out to them for support.

The foundation was created 10 years ago and is a private, nonprofit organization which provides grants for special programs in Freehold Borough's public schools. These special programs are not funded through the regular school district budget.

"The grant-funded projects which are proposed by teachers provide advanced learning opportunities in many areas and enliven classrooms and inspire students to new levels of enthusiasm and achievement," Holtz said.

Foundation members recently conducted a preliminary review of the latest round of applications seeking grants.

Holtz said the dozen or so applications encompass a variety of subject matter and include projects such as teaching early reading literacy and language skills in creative, fun ways, and a dance program which Holtz said is a cross-disciplinary application submitted jointly by a science teacher, a physical education teacher, a music teacher and a math teacher.

Another proposal focuses on how to teach traditional research methods with new technology.

The foundation's grants will be announced and awarded in January. Teachers may implement their programs in the spring or in the fall.

According to Holtz, the foundation had raised $58,000 as of last year for projects. The foundation awards mini-grants in the amount of $750 and larger grants in the amount of $1,500.

"We believe our efforts are paying off," she said. "With the help of foundation funding, our children have been introduced to new concepts. They have been able to interact with pro- fessional storytellers, learn more about important life skills, become exposed to science from the preschool level, received an introduction to new technology and have been asked to exercise their bodies as well as their minds though motivational physical education programs," Holtz said.

As a result, Holtz said, teachers have reported that students are smarter and stronger, have greater self-esteem and confidence, and interests in new areas.

The foundation chairwoman said Freehold Borough's relatively small size and diverse demographics

force school administrators and teachers "to struggle to provide a quality, through and efficient education on a shoestring."

"Yet, despite a lack of resources, thanks to programs like the foundation, our students are thriving and excelling. They are reaching academic benchmarks

for state and federal standards. This past year marked a period of unprecedented growth in student achievement," Holtz said.

She said the foundation's officers look for additional income and revenue through grants and contributions wherever possible so that they do not have to rely solely on individuals for contributions.

Holtz offered some reasons why she believes supporting public education is a good idea.

"Education reduces costs to taxpayers," she said. "For every dollar spent to keep a child in school, the future costs of welfare, prison, health care and intervention services are reduced."

She said public schools are the only schools that must meet the needs of all students.

"They do not turn children away. Public schools serve children with physical, emotional and mental disabilities, those who are extremely gifted and those who are learning challenged right along with children without special needs," Holtz said.

She added that public schools foster interaction and understanding among people of different ethnic, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds.

"Our children are our nation's future. Their development affects all of us. Good education is not cheap, but ignorance costs far more. It really boils down to this: public education is a worthy investment. We can invest now or we can pay later."

For more information about the foundation, visit www.FBEF.org.