We're pleased to announce that 18 grants received NEF funding this Fall, covering a wide range of disciplines, including technology, science, music, engineering, art, health, and social/emotional curriculum.

With these awards, every public school in the district will be implementing NEF grants in the 2009-2010 school year. Needham High School received 10 of the 18 awards and one grant will help bring an environmental educational program, "Bash the Trash," to all of Needham's five elementary schools this spring.

These grants are possible only because of the generosity of the citizens of Needham, who continue to generously support our mission to bring learning alive for all our students. Not only do these grants keep our students fully engaged in their studies, but they keep our schools on the cutting edge of education in today's competitive field.

This year, we're placing a special emphasis on improving our support for those who apply for grants during our Fall, Spring and Large Grant cycles.

For example, in response to concerns about the early deadline for applications during the Fall, we have moved the Fall Grant and Large Grant application deadlines two weeks later than before, to the third Friday in October. This will allow teachers and staff to focus on grant writing, after recovering from the hectic pace of the early school year.

We're also developing an online grant application that will allow applicants to file their grants requests directly online. We expect to have that ready for the next school year.

More improvements will be forthcoming throughout the year. If you have ideas on how we can improve our grant making, please contact us at info@nefneedham.org

Inspiring Your Child to Read: February 24, 2010

The NEF is sponsoring an expert panel discussing "Inspiring Your Child to Read" on Wednesday, February 24, 2010 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The event will be free to the community on the campus of Olin College. For more details, please check the NEF web site as the date draws nearer at www.nefneedham.org.

Spring Grant Application Deadline: March 5, 2010

19^th Annual NEF Spelling Bee: April 8, 2010

Watch your mail next month for your invitation to be part of the NEF's 19^th Annual Spelling Bee, which will be held Thursday, April 8, 2010. There are several ways to be part of this great, fun community event:

• Become a key sponsor of the event
• Sponsor a team and/or participate in the Bee
• Sponsor a section of the Bee's program booklet

More information about the Bee and sponsorship opportunities will be available on our website in January.

These are difficult times for all of our public institutions, but our public schools are especially challenged. More is required of our schools every year, but with tight resources, they are struggling to keep pace, let alone grow. That is why your support for the NEF and our schools during these tough times is so important.

Education truly is the key to a better future. Your continued support for our work helps ensure that Needham children will always have the best resources available, so that regardless of condition of the economy, they will continue to grow in mind, body and spirit.