The voting process is entirely online and just requires your name and email address for each ballot entry. Only one vote can be cast per email address. Email addresses are for the purpose of voting only; The Provident Bank doesn’t contact or retain any email addresses.

Anyone can vote – you don’t need to be a Provident Bank customer.

You can vote for AEFI now through June 15, 2012, and we really need your help because if we don’t receive a minimum of 50 votes, we will be dropped from next year’s campaign.

This doesn’t cost you a thing – just a few minutes of your time to cast your ballot for AEFI, and lend your support as we continue to fund innovative educational programs at all Amesbury Public Schools.

Click on the logo below and vote today!

AEFI would also like to congratulate all of our grant winners, as AEFI continues to fund innovative educational programs at all Amesbury Public Schools.

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Jordan’s legacy lives on through his family, friends and the community!

Enjoy the photos – more coming soon!

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Jordan graduated from Amesbury High School in the class of 2005. He went on to serve in the US Army and was killed in Iraq in September 2009. It was his specific wish (should anything happen to him) that a scholarship be created for an Amesbury High School Student wishing to go onto college to become a police officer, firefighter or someone that wanted to make a difference in the world.

Race details: The Hoppin’ Mad Mud Run is a challenging 10K on road and off road run with 15 Military inspired obstacles, many not seen in any other obstacle course. These obstacles are designed and dedicated to the servicemen of our country who fought, endured and achieved glory. Race individually, within your age division, 2-person team (new this year) or as a member of a 5-person team. Wear your best costume! All levels are welcome and  team support and participation are encouraged. After the race, head on over to the finish line for the “Mud-N-Suds” Beerfest and grab a brew from one of the six finest local craft brewers!

Click here for registration details.

Barbara Foster: Former Amesbury School Educator

Barbara Foster

Barbara Foster served this community as a first grade teacher for 39 years, and is respected by all: colleagues, administrators, parents, community, and most importantly, by her students. Barbara shared her expertise in a quiet, lead-by-example manner. She had a warm, but no nonsense approach to teaching, and at the same time, quickly became a mentor to other teachers. Barbara stayed connected to her former students as they made their way through Amesbury Schools, including attending their graduations, even after she retired!

Maurice Sevigny: AHS Class of 1961

Maurice Sevigny

A graduate of Amesbury High School Class of 1961, Maurice Sevigny distinguished himself as a first generation college graduate, a dean at the University of Arizona, an accomplished artist, and a creator of a scholarship to help other first generation students. He’s been published extensively, received many academic awards, and most importantly, Maurice passed along his love and talent for the arts to his students by enabling and encouraging them to pursue their dreams.

Earl “Ozzie” Morrill: Friend of Education

Ozzie Morrill

Life-long Amesbury resident Ozzie Morrill served this community as a firefighter for 35 years. About 15 years ago, he initiated the SAFE program in both elementary schools to teach the importance of fire safety, and having a family escape plan and meeting place. You may ask: “Has this program been successful?”  Absolutely! Due to Ozzie’s efforts, young Amesbury children haven’t been hurt in a fire since this program began, and Amesbury can proudly say that their children are fire safety smart.

Click here to submit your application, or contact AEFI Board Member Ralph Noon for further details.

In this time of budget cuts, lack of resources, MCAS pressures, and difficult times for schools, students and teachers alike look to the community to help us through. As a middle school teacher at AMS, I have seen many changes throughout the years as budget figures go up and down.  As these conditions have become more difficult the past few years, we have had many local organizations and individuals who have been acting as “guardian angels” and helpers for our classes.   In the fall of 2006, the Amesbury Educational Foundation ( A.E.F.I.) awarded me with a $10,000.00 grant that allowed my science classes to become involved with the Boston College Seismology Project, BC/ESP. The grant began something that AMS had never seen, direct contact with an actual scientist in a 6^th grade classroom. This project has allowed the AMS students access to their own working seismograph which is housed in my classroom and an actual seismologist who works with the 6^th grade students and teachers at AMS.  The program has been a huge success!  For 5 years my students have enthusiastically monitored and recorded earthquakes from all over the world.   The excitement that occurs in the classroom when an earthquake is “coming in” is unbelievable.  Students monitor the seismograph so closely and get to actually watch the readout of the seismic waves as they pass under our building!  Students have begun to realize that our earth is a dynamic place that is constantly changing.  They have also realized that we still have a great deal to learn about the planet we live on.

Last year, due to budget constraints, the funding for this program was cut. In desperation, I turned again to A.E.F.I. for partial funding to keep some of this program alive for this present school year.  They graciously awarded us $1733.00 to keep the connection going with BC/ESP.  A few weeks later I was approached by one of the board members of the Newburyport Five Savings Bank.  The bank members had heard of our dilemma and wanted to help. In the past, they had given us contributions to add to our original fund of $10,000.00 to help us reach our total cost of the project. They have been providing students with World Maps that we use for plotting the earthquakes every year since.  The member instructed me to request funding from the board and see what happened.  What happened was so much more than I could ever have imagined!   The bank gave me $5,567.00 to be able to re-instate the entire BC/ESP program for the school year of 2011-2012! What an amazing gift for our students!  The students have been surprised when I explain to them why we are able to have this program. It has allowed them to realize that it does take a village to raise a child.  It is so encouraging to know that there are groups of people who value education and are willing to help us out in our times of need.  Thank you SO much A.E.F.I and Newburyport Five Savings Bank for helping us make the Earthquakes come alive at AMS!

Gale Regis

6^th grade science teacher

AMS

2012 General Grant Information

2012 Grant Application

Grant Scoring Rubric

To see what types of programs have already received our support, you can read about our past AEFI grant recipients here.

AEFI has also just added a “Spruce It Up” Mini-Grant to support and maintain past grants. Click here to submit an online application.

Return to main Grant Programs page

A $10,000 math grant, poker, an amazing gift with an incredible story, another amazing gift with another incredible story, great selection of beers……. a random list?

The Amesbury Educational Foundation, Inc.’s 2^nd Annual Autumn Evening of Giving is the common thread in the list above.  It was a fun and rewarding night as Holly Shay presented the 2^nd annual Sgt. Jordan M. Shay Memorial Grant for “Making Math Accessible” for all Amesbury High School students, authored by AHS Math Department director Barbara Leary. In the grant application, Ms. Leary wrote: “What would it be like if math class was fun…what would it be like if every student could experience some success in math class, regardless of the topic…what would it be like if no student received a failing MCAS letter from the state or had to take a remedial math class in college?” Those are the lofty goals for grades 9-12 math teachers, now armed with new tools to help all students strive toward these goals after the awarding of this grant.  In addition to receiving the $10,000 grant, The Sgt. Jordan M. Shay Memorial Grant trophy is now displayed at the high school.  This trophy travels from school to school as this grant is awarded each year in honor of Jordan, who graduated from Amesbury High School in 2001.  He went on to serve in the United States Army and was killed in Iraq in September of 2009.  His mother, Holly Shay, awarded the math grant, and told a packed Ale House crowd about Jordan’s wish to create this memorial fund to encourage students to pursue their dreams and make a difference in the world.

There wasn’t a dry eye in the house as another incredible story unfolded, as our very own Board member Woody Cammett (Cammett Engineering) and his wife Marcia, made a $10,000 donation to AEFI in honor of Sue Deorocki.  As Sue stood next to Woody, he expressed that she was the epitome of “giving,” as last November she donated her kidney to Woody.  He further noted that honoring Sue also made sense due to her strong connection to the Shay family. We are thrilled and deeply touched by Woody and Marcia’s gift of sponsoring this annual event.

Once again, AEFI is overwhelmed by the generosity of the owners of the Ale House in downtown Amesbury, Jeff Nahas and Greg Haley and of course Kelly, Matt, Lisa, Eric and the entire exceptional wait staff.  The grant itself would not be possible without the extraordinary gifts from The Jordan M. Shay Memorial Fund, The Provident Bank, and Heat Events Management.  Special thanks also goes to Healey, DeShaies, Gagliardi and Woeffel; Shaheen Brothers; and Paula Blair for their generous donations.

The event planners are an exceptional crew!  We express thanks to Cathy Toomey and Paula Blair who put together a winning night.  Much thanks also goes to Carol Bartlett, Karen Cassidy, and to the AEFI Executive Board of Directors (and their spouses/significant others) who did whatever they were asked to do, and to big check creator Marianne Curry!  Behind the scenes are the members of the Grants Committee, and we are grateful for their commitment of time and energy:  Laurie Knapp, Chair; Murray Bailey; Teresa Axten; Deborah Smith; Mary Ellen Duffy; and Barbara Knapp.  Thanks to our Social Networking Team leader, Meryl Goldsmith, and photographers Ralph Noon and Carol Bartlett. We certainly would not have had a Silent Auction without Ann Gagne leading the charge, and we offer our gratitude to the following exceptional donors: Bruce Arlington; Laurie and Jay Knapp; Cathy Toomey; and Woody and Marcia Cammett.

Those in attendance enjoyed a delicious seasonal buffet dinner with an excellent beer selection. AEFI Poker continues to be a huge success as the best poker hand winner walked away with $1,000!

Thanks to everyone who came out on a Monday night – it is wonderful when doing good is so much fun!