An Overview of The Winchester Foundation for Educational Excellence

 The Winchester Foundation for Educational Excellence (WFEE) is a nonprofit organization that offers financial support opportunities for the Winchester Public Schools (WPS) system. It has donated over $5 million since its establishment in 1992 by a group of local citizens and with the generous support of business partners, fellow community members, and families. Emphasizing leadership and innovation, WFEE provides three main types of grants on an individual and group basis: education, professional development, and student innovation.

Education Grants financially support innovative educational programs that directly engage students and influence many of them. Professional Development Grants provide funding to innovative educators who seek to advance their practice. They can participate in courses and national conferences and enroll in university-sponsored seminars that would be impossible to cover with existing school funding. Both types of grants also aim at promoting collaboration among different grades and schools, as well as educators, staff, parents, and community groups, for the good of the entire school district. Prospective applicants can submit their proposals in the fall and winter.

By contrast, Student Innovation Grants proposals are welcome all through the year. Any student attending a Winchester public school who has a suggestion on how to improve the learning process and make it more meaningful is eligible to apply. Some additional requirements include being supported by at least one educator and not requesting grants exceeding $1,000.

In 2019, WFEE also launched a grants program seeking to kindle a spark for global learning in students from elementary schools. It does not require a separate grant application. Instead, prospective applicants must add relevant information in specific fields of their Education or Professional Development grants application forms.

From Winchester teachers and counselors through administrative and other personnel to parents, grant ideas can come from various sources. Teachers may also seek financial support for organizing events with renowned educational professionals to exchange experiences and learn best practices.

Comprising WEEE’s Trustees and local independent educational professionals unrelated to the WPS, the foundation’s Grants Committee reviews each grant proposal following rigorous evaluation criteria. The Committee looks for educational initiatives that contribute to a richer teaching and learning experience that simultaneously boost teachers’ professional development and students’ growth. Initiatives that align with and augment the WPS’ ultimate goals and objectives while stimulating creativity, collaboration, and leadership and resulting in lasting improvements in the system.

In addition to its grant programs, WFEE organizes numerous fundraising events, learning initiatives, and funding campaigns. Some examples of the first include Just Bid, a quick online auction; Town Day Road Race, covering a 2.5- or 5-mile route that participants can choose to walk or run; and Hats Off for Education, WFEE’s flagship event, featuring cocktails, snacks, dancing, and live auction.

In response to the challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic posed to the 2020-2021 school year, the organization undertook two initiatives: virtual Authorfest and WFEE Academy. Being present in the Winchester community for over three decades, Authorfest meets students with book authors and illustrators, allowing them to learn more about creating books. Targeted at elementary students, the online WFEE Academy encompasses an array of learning topics, such as science, sharks, magic, and circus performance.

As for funding campaigns, in 2017, in partnership with the WPS, WFEE completed one that targeted technology integration across all classrooms in the district. Named powerED UP!, it funded the purchase of hardware, such as student devices, software, and professional development.

Finally, WFEE delivers the Sarah Swiger Award established in honor of Sarah Swiger, a member of the Winchester School Committee, an active community member, and an education advocate who passed away in 2014. The annual award recognizes educators who have demonstrated outstanding care, compassion, and kindness in their work and gained both students’ and colleagues’ admiration.

Support Special Forces at GDM Road Race

Husband to Helen Boulas and father to Demitri Boulas and Andrew Boulas, Nick Boulas likes spending time with his family and friends. As the owner of Nick’s Painting Inc, he often offers free painting services to institutions within Winchester, including the ABC House and the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church. Also, Nick Boulas is an ardent sponsor and supporter of the Glen Doherty Memorial Foundation (GDMF).

The GDMF was formed to honor the Winchester home hero, Glen Doherty, a former navy SEAL who died during the attack on the American consulate in Benghazi, Libya. The foundation aims to assist current and former special forces professionals transition into civilian life as seamlessly as possible and funds recreational activities and social events for the soldiers’ families. The foundation holds several events to raise money to support these initiatives, including sales, marathons, and road races.

One of the notable fundraiser races is the Glen Doherty Memorial Road Race. The annual GDMF road race occurs at Winchester town and features a five and ten-kilometer race length open to in-person and virtual participants, including kids. All the proceeds assist the foundation in meeting the program costs, including scholarship funding for the soldiers and their families.

Dana-Farber on a Mission to Accelerate

An alumnus of Suffolk University, Nicholas “Nick” Boulas guides Nick's Painting Services, Inc. and oversees all aspects of the firm’s business operations, such as customer service, sales, marketing, and finance. Actively involved in running and philanthropy, Nick Boulas has participated in the Boston Marathon several times on behalf of the Claudia Barr program at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

Dana-Farber is dedicated to delivering the finest cancer treatment while developing novel therapies via its dedicated cancer institute's rigorous research. Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) Challenge Award has been given to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute researchers. The $1 million prize is intended to promote their study, which may lead to the development of novel therapies for metastatic prostate cancer. The primary investigator is Matthew Freedman, MD, of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Prostate cancer that has advanced to a metastatic, treatment-resistant stage presently has no curative therapeutic options. Freedman and his colleagues discovered a collection of gene transcription regulators that regulate this process. If the regulators can design novel therapies to stop prostate cancer from progressing to advanced, fatal stages. The team is also working on a prostate cancer research resource that will aid other researchers in discovering new therapy options for prostate cancer patients.

Shoes You Should Wear For A Marathon

As the owner of Nick’s Painting Services, Inc., a Winchester-based company, Nicholas Nick Boulas manages his crew and inspects every job on-site to deliver high-quality finished products. He lives in North Reading with his wife, Helen, and their two sons, Andrew and Demitri Boulas. Nick Boulas enjoys running and has participated in the Boston Marathon and the Annual Glen Doherty Memorial Road Race.

As a marathon runner, knowing what kind of shoes to wear is a crucial part of preparing for a race. Long-distance runners need something to cushion the pavement and be sturdy enough to withstand repetitive abuse. Generally, the best type of long-distan]ce running shoes share traits with the best running shoes. But if you’re going to spend a lot of time running, a broader box and a more expansive upper may be beneficial in the event your feet swell.

Keep your shoe choice light. Nowadays, marathon shoes focus on minimalism. They're light enough not to slog you and constructed to protect your heel and midsole. The more experienced marathoners, however, run in flats. With sterling biomechanics and thin body types, these experts use flat shoes that offer less support, padding, and push-off. But if you’re a first-time marathoner, you may prefer the brace of a heavier shoe.