ESSEX

The Community Foundation of Middlesex Country (CFMC) has announced its acquisition of the newly formed Essex Elementary School Student Enrichment Fund. The fund will support supplemental enrichment programs which are not typically covered for elementary school students through traditional funding.

The fund succeeds the former all-volunteer group, the Essex Elementary School Foundation. The group was dissolved this year due to the financial complexities involved with running the foundation. According to the foundation’s former head Chet Kitchings, there was a “desire for continuity” of the foundation’s mission to be passed on to a succeeding group.

“This way, with the Community Foundation running it, continuity is more assured,” said Kitchings.

According to the CMFC, with it overseeing operations, the experience of students at Essex Elementary School can continue to be enhanced through supplemental programming and “to ensure that the organizational mission and program growth is sustained for generations to come.”

Cynthia Clegg, CFMC president and CEO, said that the organization is “thrilled” to partner with Essex Elementary School, expressing gratitude for “their passion for and commitment to our local youth.”

“Through the fund, the Community Foundation, along with generous donors, looks forward to carrying on the tradition of education excellence by enriching the lives of not only students, but everyone in our community,” said Clegg.

Since its inception in 1996, the Essex Elementary School Foundation’s organizational mission has included advancement in technological resources for elementary education, along with providing platforms for speakers and day-long learning experiences outside the curriculum.

“They have equipped classrooms with state-of-the-art teaching tools and technologies, supported teachers in their focus on individual learning, instituted world culture days, and hosted authors and illustrators who inspire all,” said the CFMC. “Recent initiatives include the transformation of a classroom into a STEM learning lab and the opportunity for students to hone their math skills in a summer enrichment program.”

Kitchings added that donations toward the foundation have allowed for it to purchase a 3-D printer for the elementary school, in addition to helping them work “with all the nonprofits in the area,” such as the Connecticut River Museum.

Kitchings said that support is always needed to keep enrichment programs running for elementary students. Donations can be made at: middlesexcountycf.org.