CREATING POSSIBLE

Summit Educational Foundation's (SEF) mission is to maintain and enhance the high quality of a Summit, New Jersey public school education through community funding of innovative and essential educational programs, a close working relationship with the school district, and careful review, evaluation and financial oversight of supported initiatives.

SEF BY THE NUMBERS

38 Years of Partnering with Summit Schools

4,000 Students Positively Impacted Every Year

$11.3M in Science, Literacy, Math, Technology and Arts Education Grants Since 1986

$3.7M to Fund 373 Grants in the Last 5 Years

$1M for STEAM Initiatives in all 5 Elementary Schools and the Middle School the the last 3 years

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ABOUT SEF

Learn how SEF enhances

education in Summit

SEF IMPACT

See how SEF is supporting students and teachers

GET INVOLVED

Find out how you can help

Click to link to About Page

Click to link to SEF Impact Page

Click to link to Get Involved page

June 2024
Board of Education honors SEF
with a Certificate of Appreciation

Summit Times
"Summit Class of '73 Raises Over $73k for SEF"

Read Now

🎟️ Get Your Tickets Today! 🎟️

Spring For Excellence is SEF’s biggest fundraiser of the year, directly funding teacher grants for Summit’s public schools.

It’s not just another night at the Elks—it’s THE night to support our kids’ education! So grab your friends, make dinner plans, and secure your tickets for one of Summit’s best nights out!

✨ An Excellent Evening Awaits ✨
⭐ Silent Auction – Opens 3/7 @ 12PM | Closes 3/8 @ 10:30PM
⭐ 50/50 Raffle – More tickets = more chances to win!
⭐ Wine Pull – You get what you get & won’t be upset!

⏳ What are you waiting for? Tickets are just a click away!

🔗 SEFNJ.org

📍 See you at the Elks!
#grantsinaction
#supportingsummitpublicschools
#fundedbysef
#Springforexcellence2025
#summitnj

📜✨ Bringing History to Life in Ms. Polles’ Class! ✨📜
Thanks to a generous Summit Educational Foundation (SEF) grant, Ms. Polles’ class at LCJSMS recently experienced an incredible Museum of Early Trades and Crafts presentation! 🏛️🔍
During the session, an educator introduced the different roles civilians played during the American Revolution—Loyalists, Patriots, farmers, tradespeople, and tavern keepers. Students even got to handle real artifacts from the time period! 🏺🖋️
Then, they took a step back in time—practicing writing with a quill pen and ink just like in the 1700s and crafting journal entries from the perspective of Revolutionary civilians. 🇺🇸✍️
📸 Swipe to see some highlights from this hands-on learning experience!
💡 Programs like these are made possible by SEF and supporters like you! Help us continue to fund engaging opportunities for our students by joining us at the Spring for Excellence Gala on March 8th! 🎟️✨ Get your tickets now—link in bio!
#SEFGrantInAction #SpringForExcellence #GrantsInAction #SpringForExcellence2025 #FundedBySEF #SummitNJ

🌟 Join Us for a Special Night! 🌟

Mark your calendars for March 8th and get ready for an unforgettable evening at the annual Spring for Excellence Gala.🎉

This is Summit Educational Foundation’s (SEF) big night! SEF’s mission is to maintain and enhance the high quality of a Summit, New Jersey public school education through community funding of innovative and essential educational programs, a close working relationship with the school district, and careful review, evaluation and financial oversight of supported initiatives.

✨ Why Attend? ✨
Your support helps fund grants that bring enrichment, innovation, and inspiration into our classrooms—providing students with experiences that elevate their education.

🎟️ Get Your Tickets & See the Impact: sefnj.org

Can’t make it? Consider a sponsorship, donation or contributing to the silent auction or wine pull.
Don’t miss this incredible night—let’s come together as a community to celebrate and support our schools! 💙

#SpringForExcellence #SEFNJ #SupportSummitPublicSchools #GrantsinAction #FundedbySEF

🐶💙 Creature Comfort Pet Therapy visits Ms. Butrico’s class at Lawton C. Johnson Summit Middle School twice a month, bringing comfort, encouraging communication, and increasing socialization. Thanks to a Summit Educational Foundation grant, these visits create moments our students love!

Learn more about Creature Comfort at ccpettherapy.org. To support SEF and fund more grants—or to grab a ticket or become a sponsor for our Spring for Excellence Gala on March 8th—visit sefnj.org! Or click the link in bio.
#SEFGrants #SpringForExcellence #PetTherapy #CreatureComfort #LCJSMS #FundedBySEF #GrantsInAction

📢 Supporting Internet Safety at LCJSMS! 📢

Thanks to a generous grant from the Summit Educational Foundation, Lawton C. Johnson Summit Middle School hosted an important advisory assembly on internet safety and security for 6th and 7th grade students.

On January 9, Sgt. Thomas Rich from the Summit Police Department delivered a dynamic and engaging presentation covering crucial topics like safety controls on devices, location tracking, safe communication, and cyberbullying.

SEF is proud to support this initiative and continue our partnership in empowering students to navigate the digital world safely. Thank you, Sgt. Rich, for your invaluable insights!

#SEFGrantImpact #InternetSafety #LCJSMS #CommunityPartnership #FundedBySEF #grantsinaction

✨❄️ Happy Holidays from SEF ❄️✨

As the year comes to a close, we’re filled with gratitude for the incredible support from our community. Your generosity enables us to fund impactful grants and programs that benefit our students and schools.

This holiday season, consider making SEF part of your year-end giving. Every gift helps us continue our mission to enhance education and opportunities in our community.

💙 Click the link in bio to donate today and help us make a difference! 💙
#HappyHolidays #SEFStrong #SupportEducation #GiveBack #fundedbysef #grantsinaction #creatingpossible

📚✨ Look what’s possible with SEF support! Franklin School students are bringing their stories to life thanks to this bookbinding machine, funded through a Summit Educational Foundation grant. From creative writing projects to comic book adventures, students are now publishing their very own books!

A big thank you to our donors for making this hands-on, engaging experience a reality. 📖

👉 Help us continue funding projects like this! Visit the link in our bio to support SEF today.

#SEF #SummitPublicSchools #GrantsInAction #StudentCreativity #BringingStoriesToLife #fundedbysef

🌟 SEF Fall 2024 Grants Spotlight! 🌟
We’re proud to highlight the Fall 2024 Grants funded by the Summit Educational Foundation, making a direct impact on our students’ educational experiences. Over $175,000 is being invested across key areas:

📚 Culturally Inclusive Programming & Social Emotional Learning – $37,873 (13 awards)
🧪 STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Mathematics) – $44,242 (7 awards)
✏️ Learning Through Innovation (Language Arts & Math Focus) – $36,505 (5 awards)
🏫 Learning Environment – $57,309 (9 awards)

A huge thank you to our generous donors and supporters for making these grants possible. Together, we’re shaping a brighter future for Summit Public Schools! 🎓✨

👉 To see the full list of grants or to support SEF with your year-end donation, visit the link in our bio!

#SEF #SummitPublicSchools #InvestInEducation #Fall2024Grants #CommunitySupport #fundedbysef #grantsinaction

Summit Educational Foundation
Awards Over $175,000 In Fall 2024 Grants

To Summit Public School District
The Summit Educational Foundation (SEF) is pleased to announce 34 grants awarded in our Fall 2024 cycle. The Foundation approved funding that will impact the entire Summit public school system and totals more than $175,000 to support goals in content areas of technology, learning environment, social-emotional learning and achievement gap.

Click the link in bio to view the fall 2024 grants. #grantsinaction #fundedbysef

Every student in Summit’s public schools benefits from grants funded by the Summit Educational Foundation (SEF). From cutting-edge STEAM programs to innovative literacy and arts initiatives, SEF brings fresh opportunities into our classrooms, inspiring students and empowering teachers to go beyond the curriculum.
💡 Why give?Your donation directly impacts over 4,000 students every year. When you support SEF, you’re funding life-changing programs that shape futures, strengthen our schools, and enrich our entire community. Plus, it’s an investment in what matters most—our kids.

📊 The SEF Impact:
• $11.3M in grants since 1986
• $1M for STEAM education in the last 3 years
• 4,000 students inspired annually
• 373 grants funded in the past 5 years

This Giving Tuesday, join us in funding what’s possible. Together, we can ensure our schools remain a place where creativity, curiosity, and innovation thrive.

How can you support SEF?

🔗 Click the link in bio to give today.
❤️ Please like and share this post

#fundedbysef #givingtuesday #grantsinaction

✨ #GrantsInAction at Lincoln Hubbard School! ✨
Thanks to the generosity of Summit Educational Foundation (SEF), third graders are now learning in a more dynamic and engaging way with standing desks in their classrooms.

Why standing desks? Studies show that standing desks can:
✅ Improve focus and attention span, especially for young learners.
✅ Encourage movement, which boosts cognitive function and energy.
✅ Support better posture and overall health.
For elementary school children, staying seated for long periods can be challenging. These standing desks empower our students to channel their energy productively while staying engaged in their learning. 🙌

This #GivingTuesday, help us fund more transformative grants like this one. Your donation ensures our schools continue to innovate and provide the best learning environment for our children.

📲 Click the link in bio to donate today!
Together, we make extraordinary things happen in Summit schools. Thank you for your support! 💙
#GrantsInAction #FundedBySEF #GivingTuesday

Grateful For You This Thanksgiving
As we gather in the spirit of Thanksgiving, we want to take a moment to share how truly grateful we are for you—our incredible Summit family.

We deeply APPRECIATE our donors, sponsors, and partners whose generous contributions—both financial and in-kind—help sustain our mission and strengthen our community. We are AMAZED and GRATEFUL for our dedicated volunteers who give countless hours of their time and talents to support our organization in every way imaginable. And we are THANKFUL for the incredible Summit teachers, staff, and administrators who work tirelessly each day to provide an exceptional education for our students.

It’s a true team effort, and we feel so fortunate to have you as part of our team.

Wishing you and your family a safe, joyful, and Happy Thanksgiving!

The third grade team absolutely loves the Calming Corner grant!

A little update regarding our grant:
The new flexible seating, books, and library setup have completely changed how much 3S students love reading! Now, when it’s time to grab a book, the reading corner fills up quickly with excited readers. The flexible seating—like benches, pillows, and floor cushions—lets everyone pick their own comfy spot, and the kids love having choices that make reading even more fun.

The organized shelves and new books have been a huge hit! The new shelves make it easy for the kids to find what they’re looking for, and they’ve been so excited to discover new stories and share recommendations with their friends. It’s been amazing to see them so eager to dive into books—they’ve even been asking for extra reading time during the day! Our reading corner has become the coziest and happiest spot in the room, and it’s clear these changes have made a big difference, thanks to SEF!

#fundedbysef #grantsinaction

Your donation to SEF creates meaningful change! It supports essential programs, strengthens our schools, and may be matched by your employer. Ask your HR department about matching gift opportunities. Give by December 31 to make an even greater impact for Summit schools in 2025 and beyond. Visit the SEF website to donate today.

#fundedbysef #yearendgiving #taxdeductible

🐾 Meet Ralph, the Therapy Dog Making a Difference! 🐾

Thanks to the generosity and forward-thinking of the Summit Educational Foundation, Wilson Primary Center was able to secure one of our most impactful and beloved grants—a therapy dog!

Here’s what Evan M. Kozak, Principal of the Primary Centers, has to say about Ralph:
“Ralph has been a game changer at Wilson Primary Center! From the moment students (and staff!) arrive, everyone in the learning community is just happier. There is no other way to say it. He greets students during morning arrival, allowing our young scholars to start off with a smile and positive attitude. Our students have the opportunity to read to him, share their feelings, or just go for a visit. What stands out to me is Ralph’s impact then permeates the walls of the building. Everyone is just kinder, happier, friendlier, and more productive. On a higher level, what I see is decreased amounts of stress and increased social interactions. We always look forward to Ralph’s visits!”

We are so grateful to SEF for supporting grants that make such a difference in our school community. Ralph’s impact is felt by everyone, and we look forward to many more smiles and tail wags ahead!

Click the link in bio to donate today to bring more opportunities, innovation, and smiles to our community!

#fundedbysef #grantsinaction @wilson_pto_summit

Imagine classrooms where every child has access to tools and programs that fuel their curiosity and potential. Your support of the Summit Educational Foundation (SEF) makes this possible.
When you donate to SEF, you’re not just supporting schools—you’re strengthening our entire community!

Donate today and be part of a brighter future for our children, our schools, and our community! Click the link in bio to donate today.

Did you know?

Summit Educational Foundation’s (SEF) mission is to maintain and enhance the high quality of a Summit, New Jersey public school education through community funding of innovative and essential educational programs, a close working relationship with the school district, and careful review, evaluation and financial oversight of supported initiatives.

Your support matters! Donate today to help us continue funding innovative programs for our students. Together, we can make a difference. Link in bio to contribute!

Did you know? Summit Educational Foundation not only funded state-of-the-art STEAM labs for every elementary school in the 2022-2023 school year, but we also contribute to the middle school by supporting STEAM teacher salaries! Together, we’re shaping the innovators of tomorrow.

Your support makes all the difference! Donate today and help us continue empowering students and teachers in our community. Visit the link in bio to make an impact!

#fundedbysef #grantsinaction

Across all 5 elementary schools, students are benefiting from a renewed 3 year subscription to Reflex Math — an individualized and adaptive computer program designed to help students learn and master addition, subtraction, multiplication and division facts through fun and highly engaging math games students love to play! Ian Bell, a 4th grade Jefferson Elementary teacher and Trudy Cohen, an elementary technology coach were awarded this grant in Spring of 2024.

Did you know? SEF has funded over $85K in grants for Reflex Math subscriptions at the elementary level since piloting the program in fall of 2018.

Help us keep the momentum going—your donation can make a difference! Click the link in our bio to support SEF today!

#fundedbysef #grantsinaction

Professional Development from The Reading League.

With funding from SEF, Summit Public School District administrators had the opportunity to participate in professional development from The Reading League with a focus on the science of reading. The objective was to advance the awareness, understanding, and use of evidence-based reading instruction with educators around the district. We believe that learning is not limited to just our students!

Be a part of the impact! Donate now through the link in our bio and help us continue supporting our schools.

#fundedbysef #grantsinaction

Challenge Day at Lawton C. Johnson Summit Middle School made a powerful impact on this year’s 8th graders, just as it did last year! With SEF’s support, 100 8th graders and 25 staff members came together for a day dedicated to breaking down barriers, fostering empathy, and building stronger connections. Challenge Day offers a unique opportunity for students to experience learning and acceptance in a deeply personal way, sharing these values throughout the entire school community.

Some students shared their reflections on the experience:

⭐️ ‘It’s a day to connect better with your peers, be more empathetic, and learn and bond more with your grade.’
⭐️ ‘I learned a lot about classmates who I did not really know anything about.’
⭐️ ‘It was very moving and extremely emotional. I learned not to judge so quickly. It taught me to love and accept others for who they are and who they could be. It also showed me that, despite all our differences, we can relate to each other in so many more ways than imaginable.’

SEF is honored to fund this inspiring event for our students, empowering them with the tools for compassion, understanding, and community building. #fundedbysef #grantsinaction

We are grateful to have spent time with some of our most dedicated supporters last weekend! A huge thank you to everyone who came out, and to Leah and Willem Enthoven for opening their home. It’s incredible to see the lasting impact your contributions have made. For those wondering how to get involved and join us at future events, we’d love to share how you can support our efforts and be part of this amazing community!

Mark Your Calendars! Spring for Excellence will be held on March 8, 2025 at the Summit Elks. It’s not only our biggest fundraiser of the year, it’s also a fabulous party and one of the hottest silent auctions in town! We are so fortunate to have such a generous community of parents, businesses, educators and coaches – all of whom deserve our sincere gratitude for their donations to last Spring’s amazing auction. Swipe left for a complete list of last year’s auction contributors is below.

🎒✨ Welcome back to the 2024-2025 school year, Summit families! The Summit Educational Foundation (SEF) is proud to continue supporting our public schools as safe, diverse, and inclusive spaces where students thrive. Thanks to your generous donations, SEF funds innovative programs, equipment, and staff development to enhance learning for all students.

📚✨ Highlights from 2023-24 include:
- Math/Science kits
- Literacy support & decodable texts
- Therapy dog visits
- Author events & more!

Join us in making a difference! Donate or volunteer at www.sefnj.org. Let’s create possibilities together! 💙 #SummitPride #SupportSEF #CreatingPossible

Thank you to the Class of ‘73 for donating over $73K to SEF in celebration of their 50th high school reunion.
Peter Votey, a proud member of the Class of ‘73 said it best, “We wanted to leave a lasting legacy for generations to come. Our school played a pivotal role in shaping who we are today and it’s only fitting that we give back in a meaningful way.”
Their remarkable gesture serves as a shining example of the profound impact that collective generosity and unity can achieve ✨💛✨

SEF Recently Honored By Summit BOE
On June 13, Summit Educational Foundation was honored at the Summit BOE meeting with a Certificate of Appreciation for the support and service that SEF has provided for the students, staff and administrators in the Summit School District. We are thrilled to be recognized for the work we do to continue enhancing and improving public education in Summit, NJ!

Summit Educational Foundation Awards Spring Grants of $470,354!

We are thrilled to announce the Spring grant cycle, providing over $470,354 to support the students and teachers of Summit Public Schools. A heartfelt thank you to our generous donors who make this possible. Visit our website to learn more about the grants and to donate to further our mission.

Full list of grants: https://www.sefnj.org/grants-in-action

Back in February, Summit High School held a fabulous Multicultural Parade! In honor of Chinese New Year, Mardi Gras, and Carnival, Señora Hernandez and her Spanish club organized a wonderful celebration, Mrs. Lu and her Chinese students participated with the Chinese Dragon, Mrs. Tartaglia and her French students represented Mardi Gras, and Mrs. Scozzari’s Ceramics/Sculpture students walked the parade with beautiful masks they made in art class. It was amazing to see the beautiful outcome of such large scale collaboration!

Summit Educational Foundation partnered with SHS in this festive multicultural collaboration by supporting a musical assembly visit with Rolando Morales-Matos. Mr. Morales-Matos is the Assistant Conductor from The Lion King who not only lead the SHS multicultural parade but also worked with music students in Mr. Bocchino’s classes as well as some of Señora Hernandez’s Spanish classes.

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CREATING POSSIBLE

SEF BY THE NUMBERS

ABOUT SEF

SEF IMPACT

GET INVOLVED

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