Dozens Of Students Become MFEE Summer Scholars!

Up to 86 students were able to enroll in academically enriched summer programs held in Montclair Public Schools, thanks to the Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence (MFEE in partnership with funding partners, The Montclair Fund for Women, and The Montclair Foundation.)

The Summer Scholars program is part of the MFEE equity fund to boost opportunities for economically disadvantaged Montclair students The mission of MFEE is to support the goals of the Montclair Public Schools, promoting educational excellence and student well-being.

Students who qualified for free or reduced lunch were eligible to receive an MFEE scholarship for a one-week session with the district's contracted summer camp provider, the Work Family Connections organization.

According to Lois Whipple, MFEE Executive Director, MFEE and its partner foundations believe that continued learning in an upbeat and creative environment will translate into a positive start for the new school year and help to level the playing field among students.

In a recent paper Poverty and Potential: Out-of-School Factors and School Success released by the Great Lakes Center for Education Research and Practice, the provision of summer programs for the poor to reduce summer losses in their academic achievement was one of the 10 national recommendations to promote school success.

Eligible Montclair families were able to choose from summer programs directed by Montclair Public School teachers, under the auspices of Work and Family Connections, Inc.

Felice Harrison, director of School/Community Relations for the Montclair Public Schools, coordinated the scholarship program and together with principals and student assistance counselors designated scholarship applicants. Harrison observed that with MFEE's help, "we were able to accommodate those most in need and the children most able to profit from the experience of these summer programs."

Summer Spectacular program direction and Nishuane teacher Val Hampton, stated that " the students participation in the summer program would make a substantial difference to their school readiness in the fall."