Matching benefactors may help establish foreign language lab

Education

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November 5, 2009

ACE says all donations will be doubled

Any money given to the Andover Coalition for Education will be matched this year.

ACE, the private organization largely responsible for bringing engineering labs to Andover's middle schools, recently announced the launch of its 2009-10 annual appeal. This year, for the first time, donors will have the ability to essentially double their gift.

"With the intent to both inspire past supporters and encourage new families to help move our schools forward, a group of ACE benefactors has agreed to 'match' every dollar we can raise. Every donation, no matter what size, will be doubled this fiscal year, 2010," explained Tina Girdwood, ACE Board President.

Since its founding in 2005, ACE's systemwide impact includes:

bringing $1.25 million to the district over a five-year period, thanks to the efforts of the ACE-backed grants coordinator;

establishing the Boston Museum of Science's Engineering is Elementary program (EiE) at all six of our elementary schools; and

buying new physics equipment for each of the middle schools that not only serves to directly improve their science curriculum, but allows Andover High School to accelerate its physics curriculum.

Next up for ACE is what it calls "the ambitious goal of $160,000 for a new Digital Foreign Language lab at Andover High School, helping ensure that our children are well prepared for an increasingly global society."

ACE continues to work with the superintendent's office to bring Smart Board technology to as many schools in Andover as possible. "Parents, PTOs and PACs from every school have shown enthusiasm and generous support for this engaging technology. The district's goal is to have at least one per grade," said ACE in a release.

"An amazing group of Andover families is handing our schools an extraordinary doubling opportunity," said Girdwood, of this year's matching program. "But it will go un-met without support from the community. The matched dollars only exist once a donation is received. When impossibly tight budgets threaten important programs and services throughout the district, ACE continues to ensure that the school system forges ahead in meaningful ways."

For more information about ACE or to make a donation, log onto www.aceandover.org, or contact Tina Girdwood at 978-475-5253