Julie M. Cohen
Next month, a swarm of clever students will compete in the Foundation for Belmont Education’s (FBE) annual spelling bee, one of the events and fundraisers the nonprofit holds throughout the year.
The organization, which marked its 30th anniversary in 2023, has provided more than $4.25 million in grants to educators and other staff in the Belmont Public Schools, according to the FBE, and is continuing to find creative ways to raise money to enhance students’ learning opportunities.
The group awards money “for a diverse array of projects, from small grants that benefit a single classroom to large programs designed to benefit students in an entire grade or school,” according to the FBE. “Grants are awarded in all school curriculum areas, special initiatives, and professional development.”
Melissa McKenna, president of the FBE and mom of two Belmont High School students, said the foundation has liaisons at each school who help to raise awareness of the program and help in the grant submission process. Some schools ultimately see more applicants than others, but all are considered.
“If they don’t apply, then we can’t fund something,” said McKenna.
Some FBE-funded projects include $5,550 to Chenery Middle School for mental health literacy for eighth-graders, $63,000 districtwide in 2015-2017 for professional development in social-emotional learning, and $10,575 to Belmont High School for five iMac computers for digital art and animation.
According to McKenna, the organization also responded to urgent needs during the COVID pandemic by sponsoring “rapid response grants.” These included $4,038 to Chenery for the robot crawler kits every sixth-grader could assemble at home, as well as $1,690 to Butler Elementary School to replace recess equipment.
Getting the Community Involved
In addition to the Belmont Spells for Education event on April 6, FBE is also getting ready to bring a bit of joy and color to the community through its Spread a Little Sunshine initiative.
Running March 20 to April 10, people can order potted daffodils from Jayne’s Flowers (located in Belmont and Boston), which are delivered by volunteers anywhere in Belmont every Wednesday. According to the FBE, more than 800 were delivered last year.
The Outstanding Teacher Awards 2024 are also coming up. The nomination period is now through March 20, so there is still time for parents, guardians, students, and community members to support teachers from every school. Winners will be announced in early April, and the awards ceremony will occur on April 29.
In addition to the spelling bee, FBE board member and administrator Lyn Haer said she loved last year’s Halloween Apple Run. She said, “It was so much fun” now that the event is taking place on the spooky holiday.
Many — including Hamer — even dressed up for the fundraiser.
“There were some great Elvis outfits,” she recalled.
For more information on the Foundation for Belmont Education, visit fbebelmont.org.
Spelling Bee Registration
Registration: Now through March 15
Location: Chenery Upper Elementary School, 95 Washington St.
Timing: At the April 6 spelling bee, kindergartners start at 2 p.m., and the event typically ends around 8 p.m.
Who can enter: Any student (not just those who live in Belmont and/or attend the Belmont Public Schools) in kindergarten through sixth grade. Teams can include mixed grades. Spellers register individually, but it is hoped you know your team name and the names of fellow team members at the time of registration. There is a $30 fee per speller. Scholarships are available —– please contact Spelling Bee Beekeepers at beekeeper@fbe-belmont.org or Spelling Bee Chair Holly Javedan at beemaster@fbe-belmont.org for a code to use at registration.
The fifth- and sixth-grade bee is competitive, and the prizes are:
First place —- $100 each and a trophy
Second place —- $25 Belmont books gift card each
