SUPPORTING
INNOVATIVE
LEARNING
in Beaufort County Public Schools
The Foundation for Educational Excellence seeks and sustains county-wide charitable and educational resources that support the mission and goals of the public schools of Beaufort County, SC.
Jewels & Jeans
Each spring we host an annual event, Jewels & Jeans—a fun and exciting way to help with our cause. You can participate by purchasing tickets, sponsoring a table, or donating items and services for our silent auction.
Dear Foundation Supporters,
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We usually use this space to thank everyone involved with our annual Jewels and Jeans benefit. However this year is anything but “usual.” In addition to thanking everyone, I thought it would be uplifting to highlight some of the positive things that are being done by both the administration and staff of the Beaufort County School District during the COVID-19 crisis.
Under Dr. Rodriguez and the Board of Education, the response to COVID-19 pandemic was both swift and organized. Teachers were prepared and handed out lessons in bags to students soon after the schools were mandated to be closed.
The BCSD partnered with Sodexo, and implemented a swift plan for delivering meals to students… all students… regardless of their lunch status in school. They are feeding both those students with transportation and those for whom transportation is difficult, by loading buses with meals and traveling through neighborhoods.
If you haven’t visited the Beaufort County School District website, you should. It is functioning as a hub for dispersing both information and solace to the students, the parents, and the staff of our schools. There are educational and outreach materials for both parents and students. Kudos to the Beaufort County School District!
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Jewels & Jeans was another great success, and attendees loved the new venue, Hilton Head Beach & Tennis Resort! A big thank you to our table sponsors and all our attendees. As usual, the silent and live auctions were a big hit, and I think our wine basket raffle is here to stay! Our 2020 Peggy May Inspiration Award recipient, Kathy Cramer, and the Special Olympic athletes who attended with her, brought the evening up a notch with their drumming and dancing skills.
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Thank you to Scott Entrup, head of catering at Hilton Head Beach & Tennis Resort, and Matt Pannell of Sodexo, without whose food donation we could not put on this event. Thanks to Moonstar Advertising and Public Relations for helping us publicize the fund raiser. Special thanks to the Carbiener Family, and Dr. Gwozdz, Chairman of the Beaufort County Board of Education. Thanks also to Jennifer Friend-Kerr, an Innovative Teacher Grant recipient. Each of you did a great job making the evening one to remember.
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To date, the Foundation for Educational Excellence has funded over $250,000 in teacher, school, and student grants which have created a minimum of 225,000 innovative learning opportunities for local students. We applaud our donors who share in our vision and our mission: The Bargain Box of Hilton Head, Friends of Callawassie Island, the Okatie Rotary Club, the Carbiener Family, and Women in Philanthropy.
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Thank you all! Stay safe!
Deborah E. Colella, Chair