It would be nice to think the fundraising efforts of the Gloucester Education Foundation — now in its third full year — were merely designed to supplement the city's funding of Gloucester's public schools. But the truth is, the good work of the GEF is now essential to move the school system forward to help local students keep pace with those from other schools and other communities.
Some may think of the programs supported by the Gloucester Education Foundation as extras. They're not. Programs such as the arts and music projects carried out in the middle school and elementary school levels this past year, science programs such as the acclaimed Gloucester High School robotics project, and marine science and other programs now being explored in partnership with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are important for students who are looking to find and reach their potential. And in today's global marketplace, they provide the kind of exposure kids truly need to succeed.
That's why the GEF's current fundraising drive — through a parents' and community mailing sent out last week — is essential. It's good to hear from Foundation coordinator Sarah Grow that the organization is a finalist for a significant federal grant. And it is good to know that a fundraising effort that drew some $100,000 in its first year reeled in $400,000 a year ago.
But the Gloucester Education Foundation is, at its core, a comunity effort. It needs the support of parents and other residents all contributing what they can to make this drive a success.
Given today's state and city funding climate, tax dollars are not enough to keep our schools moving forward. And our students deserve better than schools which, for fiscal reasons, are treading water or falling behind. Let's hope this drive, like other GEF efforts, gets the kind of support that Gloucester's students richly deserve.
