REF News
Parkleigh Partnering with REF for Jazz Fest - Join Us There June 1!
May 22, 2013
Parkleigh, at 215 Park Ave., is helping REF support
opportunities for Rochester city youth! We are happy to announce
that Parkleigh will highlight our "Reach for a Thousand" campaign
this year to collect our 1000th musical instrument through our
Spring for Music campaign. We have collected 910 to date, since the
program started in 2005. Parkleigh will have a window featuring
our program in June, and also will be collecting musical instruments for
the program throughout the month of June. REF gives donors a tax
receipt if they fill out the required form at Parkleigh.
On June 1, we encourage you to stop in at Parkleigh from noon to 4 p.m.
as we kick off our "Reach for a Thousand" campaign.
Thanks to Gretchen's Kids
May 16, 2013
Thank you to Gretchen's Kids, a foundation created in memory of
Rochester native Gretchen Stephan. Ms. Stephan was a professional
educator who died while waiting for an organ transplant.
The foundation supports literacy and recently provided
generous support to REF for our Give Back, Give Books program.
The foundation also encourages everyone to consider
organ transplantation, and we are happy to help spread the word!
Go to:
Gretchen's Kids
Farash Foundation Grant Supports Summer Internships Program
May 16, 2013
Thanks to the Farash Foundation for its generous support of Rochester
Education Foundation and the work we do supporting paid summer
internships for city students. A grant from the Farash Foundation will
provide support for a coordinator to work with employers, educators and
students in city schools during the 2013-2014 school year. REF is
a partner with the National Academy Foundation program and its local
business advisory boards. We will use this support to provide more
opportunities to city students through this program. This summer
students will be working with a range of excellent Rochester businesses,
including the Rochester Red Wings, Advantage and ESL Federal Credit
Unions and M/E Engineering. For more information about the program, go to:
Summer Internships
Math Club Thrives at School 10 Thanks to REF Support
May 9, 2013
Through rain, snow, sleet and hail the third, fourth and fifth graders at
Dr. Walter Cooper School 10 have been enjoying math club this year.
But by mid-winter, students were having trouble getting to the club, which starts 45 minutes before the official start of the school day. Enter the
Dr. Walter Cooper Fund! Thanks to a generous donor's gift, REF has been
able to provide buses for students to get to the math club. Problem solved!
For a story and photo about the math club, please go to:
Fun at Math Club
Parkleigh Teams with REF to Promote "Reach for 1000"
May 6, 2013
Two events at Parkleigh, 215 Park Ave., will highlight REF's Spring for Music
and our "Reach for 1000" campaign to receive our 1000th musical
instrument donation this year. We have collected more than 900 musical
instruments since launching this program in 2005 to expand musical
opportunities for city students. Parkleigh will help spread the word about
REF and our drive on Wed. May 8 from 6 to 8 p.m. with an event featuring the percussion group Nexus and musician Gary Kvistad, creator of
the melodious Woodstock Chimes. Then on June 1 Parkleigh will
have a special event honoring the debut of a Parkleigh window
focused on Spring for Music! We are thrilled that Parkleigh will also
collect instruments on our behalf donated on that day at Parkleigh.
Of course all instrument donors receive a tax receipt - and the pleasure
of knowing the instrument will be used and enjoyed by a city student.
REF College Readiness Report Release
May 1, 2013
What would it take to get more Rochester city students into college? And why do many other communities do a better job than Rochester of guiding students to a brighter future after high school graduation? REF spent 8 months examining the in-school and out-of-school support for city students considering college to complete a report for The Rochester Area Community Foundation. The report also looked at national examples of college support at a community level. The report offers recommendations and a listing of community programs in Rochester offering support to students. We hope this will be a valuable resource for the community, and help spur change in this area. The bottom line? There are many good programs, but the approach to providing help is fragmented and much more help is needed. Many other communities are joining together to support urban students - and seeing a larger number of students succeed.
To see the report, please go to:
Making a College Education Attainable for Rochester City Students
Roland Williams Keynoter At Annual Dinner Oct. 9
April 9, 2013
Mark your calendars!
REF's is proud to announce the keynote speaker at our Fall Dinner: Roland Williams, an East High School and Syracuse University graduate who enjoyed a stellar career as a pro-football player. Mr. Williams received 1998 Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. During his career, he was a member of the Super Bowl-winning St. Louis Rams, and played for the Oakland Raiders when the team won the American Football Conference championship.
Mr. Williams has received many awards for his charitable efforts, including the NFL Unsung Hero Award and the Press Radio Club Pro Athlete of the Year. Mr. Williams has been a sports analyst for more than a decade. He has appeared on media including CBS Sports Network, ESPN and other networks. He currently is a speaker, trainer and author. He has written three books, including 365 Happy: The Simple and Funny Playbook for Happiness You Should Read ASAP.
How do you get from East High School to the NFL? And how do you build a successful career after the NFL? We look forward to hearing all about it from Mr. Williams.
Other honorees at this annual partnership awards dinner will be announced over the next few weeks. For information about our VIP reception with Mr. Williams, sponsorship opportunities and more, please go to:
Partnership Awards Dinner
Book Bash April 10
March 22, 2013
Help us kick off Spring and support city students at our Book Bash April 10 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Wintonaire, 628 Winton Road North. Delicious snacks, raffle and great company. Happy Hour drink specials. Event to benefit literacy programs of REF and the children of School 28. Cost? $20 per person or $15 with a new book which we will donate to the children at School 28. Admission includes one raffle ticket. For more info and to register, please go to:
Book Bash
Summer Work Internships Pave Way To Success
Feb. 21, 2013
For many Rochester students, receiving a paid summer internship is a key step on the road to career success. Nihada Rizvanovic -- an internship alum and Franklin HS graduate -- now manages the Advantage Federal Credit Union branch at RIT. She suggests that other students also seek internships through the program: "I did an internship at Advantage and I'm still here seven years later."
The story of Ms. Rizvanovic and many others can be found in the Winter NAF Rochester newsletter, available below. Please read the newsletter and consider whether your business, not-for-profit, or organization might be able to support a paid internship for a city student this summer. This is a great way to support urban youth, fill in for vacationing employees, and invest in the future of our community. Stuart Hencke, at 271-5790, is happy to go to your workplace to talk about the program. To read the newsletter, please go to:
NAF Winter 2013 Newsletter
Creativity Marks Teachers' Choice Projects
Feb. 19, 2013
Students at School 43 will be making wire sculptures and learning about Alexander Calder through the book "Sandy's Circus." At the All-City High School, students will be reading books about World War Ii designed specially for the needs of new English speakers. And at School 50, there will be "March Madness" - focused on reading Dr. Seuss books!
With winter in full swing, nearly all the new books have been distributed to the 29 educator winners of our Teachers' Choice awards. Most books are given to students at the end of the year for their home libraries. REF will be striving to support more applicants next year to this popular program. For more information, go to:
Teachers' Choice
Franklin Graduate Gives $25,000 to Support RocRead, REF
Group Asks Community for Matching Funds
January 31, 2013
There will be a lot more city students reading books over school vacations this year thanks to a generous grant of $25,000 from the William Levine and Mildred Levine Foundation to REF. Mr. Levine is a Franklin graduate. RocRead is a community collaboration providing books to kids and a variety of great incentives to readers: Wegmans meals, Razorsharks and Red Wings tickets and more. As a partner in this effort, REF oversees funds for the program and uses our buying power to purchase books at the best price possible - so as many students as possible can receive a book! "The RocRead program supports the district's goals of getting 90 percent of children to read at grade level by third grade," said Superintendent Dr. Bolgen Vargas. To support the program, go to:
RocRead
Winter Tunes Concert Feb 10
January 23, 2013
Enjoy some great music on a winter day! A concert to benefit Music Through the Ages, a collaborative program with Rochester Education Foundation, will be held at 2 p.m. Feb 10 at Visual Studies Workshop, 31 Prince St. The White Hots and the Nate Rawls Band with the String Song Orchestra will be featured at the concert. Suggested donation is $10. All donations are tax-deductible. Music Through the Ages offers musical programs to students at School 19. For more information about the program, go to:
Music Through the Ages
Books On Tape Available
December 10, 2012
Thanks to a generous gift from Scholastic Books, REF is offering a variety of audiobooks to educators in RCSD to use with students for educational purposes. There are 68 titles and 2000 copies overall, most for students 8 to 13 years old. Audiobooks are available on a first-come, first-served basis for educational projects. Educators can request up to 100 audiotapes, with a minimum of 20. Interested teachers should contact Stuart Hencke of REF with a list of desired books, plan for the audiobooks, quantity, their job title and school. The audiobooks will be available for pick-up from the REF office. We will contact applicants by January 10.
Click here to see the list of available audiobooks:
REF 2012 Audiobooks (Excel Spreadsheet)
Thousands of Books Awarded to Educators
December 7, 2012
REF announced the recipients of its Teachers' Choice book awards today, and city students will benefit from the rich array of thousands of new books in their classrooms. Books will fuel a wide range of wonderful activities for city students, including a Literacy Tea Party with parents, book clubs, a personal finance fair created by students, and much more.
A total of 29 educators will receive up to 200 new books apiece through the competitive application process.
Fewer educators received books this year, because REF now enables educators to request special-order books, which are more expensive. Last year, all book recipients selected books from REF's supply of new books. Due to educator requests, REF now offers special-order books in addition to books from our general book supply.
Books are given to educators to support literacy. Most of the books are used during the school year, then sent home for students to keep for home libraries. Due to teacher request, this year educators can also keep a class set so their projects can be offered in the future.
A total of 55 applications were received. Click here to read the list of award winners:
Teachers' Choice Book Award Winners 2012
Dr. Walter Cooper Featured with REF Project
September 8, 2012
We were proud to see the Democrat and Chronicle story about Dr. Walter Cooper -- deemed a superhero by columnist Erica Bryant. Dr. Cooper's commitment to young people makes him a worthy recipient of the title. After all, REF awarded Dr. Cooper its Lifetime Commitment to Children and Education Award in 2006!
REF is also proud that the major activity profiled -- Dr. Cooper's personal distribution of book shelves and books to children at home this summer -- is an REF project which brought great joy -- and, we hope, enhanced reading skill -- to the recipients.
Dr. Cooper wanted to focus this reading support on children in special need of reading help. REF worked with Dr. Cooper to have book shelves made by adults in RCSD's OACES program, to order age-appropriate books, and to accompany Dr. Cooper on the book deliveries.
Each child who received a bookshelf and book collection was told that Dr. Cooper would talk to them about their summer reading on the first day of school. Sure enough, Dr. Cooper was there, greeting the students, and reminding them that reading is essential for success.
Click here to read the article, as published in the Democrat and Chronicle.
Summer Reading Boost from Dr. Cooper to Students at Home
August 16, 2012
This summer Dr. Walter Cooper and REF are personally delivering books and hand-made bookshelves to students in need of reading support. They all are students at the Dr. Walter Cooper School. "I want you to read all of these books by the start of school," Dr. Cooper tells each child. "I will talk to you about them on the first day." Dr. Walter Cooper is one of the few living Rochesterians to have a city school named after him. One of the reasons he is so honored is his long-time commitment to the youth of Rochester as a retired Kodak scientist, a youth advocate and a member emeritus of the NY State Board of Regents. Each of 15 children is receiving 8 to 10 books and a wooden book shelf, provided through REF's Dr. Walter Cooper Fund. For photos of the book distribution and more information, go to:
Dr. Cooper Books and Bookshelf to Students
Donation from Gretchen's Kids Honors Teacher Gretchen Stephan
July 13, 2012
We are thankful to Gretchen's Kids, Inc., for a generous gift of $1,500 to support our Give Back, Give Books program. Gretchen's Kids is a charitable group created in memory of Gretchen Stephan, a Rochester native who was a professional educator in the Rochester area for many years, before relocating to Atlanta. Ms. Stephan died when she 39 years old, waiting for a lung transplant. Gretchen's Kids supports a variety of worthy programs, and works to spread the word about the need for organ transplation. Thank you for this generous support! For more information, go to:
Gretchen's Kids
Jazz Fest Success: Collected Instruments Double!
July 3, 2012
Trumpets, trombones, saxophones and so much more were contributed at the REF-M&T Bank booth at the Rochester Jazz Fest, which concluded June 30th. We are thrilled to report that we have received 24 musical instruments -- double the number received last year! Thanks to M&T Bank for contributing the booth to REF. Thanks also to our generous donors and the wonderful volunteer crew which kept the booth open nightly from 5 to 8 p.m. Thanks to all for helping to share the wonderful gift of instrumental music with our city school students!
Lord Voldemort and School of the Arts Win Fun Polls at Jazz Fest
July 3, 2012
Lord Voldemort -- a villain also known as he who must not be named -- was the favorite children's book villain among hundreds of Jazz Fest goers polled at the REF booth by volunteers. Because he was the favorite, additional Harry Potter books will be purchased for city school students through REF's Give Back, Give Books program. REF has donated more than 30,000 new books to city students through this program.
School of the Arts was the winner in our first "Favorite City School" pool conducted during the Jazz Fest. REF will give SOTA a collection of books for its library in honor of this victory.
REF Gives Monroe High Library 42 Books
June 19, 2012
Thanks to generous donors at the REF Book Bash, Monroe High School students will have more pleasure-reading books at the school. REF delivered 42 new books to the school library today. While students are currently in the midst of final exams, the new books will be waiting for them to read in the Fall at the library!
REF's Book Bash was a friend-raising and fund-raising event held on June 12, 2012. Guests joined REF board members and staff at La Luna, 60 Browns Race, overlooking High Falls to celebrate literacy and gather resources for the Monroe High School library.
Spotlight on REF Honoree Burnice Green, Sr. in D and C
June 18, 2012
The glowing portrait of Burnice Green, Sr. and his boys program at School 9 in the Democrat and Chronicle this week comes as no surprise to friends who attended the our 5th Annual Partnership Dinner in 2010, when Mr. Green was honored with REF's Making a Difference award. At that time, Mr. Green was runnning the boys' group at School 9. The young men Mr. Green brought to the dinner showed great manners and were visibly delighted to be there. Mark your calendars for our 7th Partnership Awards Dinner, to be held on October 16, 2012.
Click here to read the first installment of the D&C's story about the expansion of Mr. Green's program to an all-day academic program.
Click here to read the second installment.
Click here to read the third installment.
Monroe Class of 1960, REF Present College Grants to Three
May 21, 2012
It is truly a gift that keeps on giving - and building success for our young people! The gift is the establishment of the Monroe High School Class of 1960/REF grant awards. The young people are the three outstanding students who have been selected to launch the awards.
 Paul Goldberg, a member of the Class of 1960, engaged a group of his fellow class members - including current Monroe teacher Ruth Cohen - to support present students in honor of the 50th anniversary of the class. Each student will receive $500 per year for up to four years to help them to succeed in college. The students are Madeline Wearen, Luis Miguel Rivera-Cruz, and Jasmina Heganovic (left to right in the accompanying photo). Three additional students will be chosen next year. In their applications, students noted that they have been seeking ways to fill the gaps between scholarship, work and whatever funds their families can contribute. As Mr. Rivera-Cruz noted: "This grant will financially help me with some expenses required to become a great student."
Click here for all the details.
Book Bash Fundraiser at La Luna June 12
May 21, 2012
Help us celebrate June with hot hors-doevres, good company, door prizes from Ward's Scientific and other friends -- and support REF! The event is from 5 to 7 p.m. at La Luna, 60 Browns Race, overlooking High Falls. The first 10 people to register will get two free tickets to the Red Wings, thanks to our friends at Advantage Federal Credit Union. We ask that you bring a new book at a high school reading level. At this Book Bash, all new books will go to the Monroe High School library. The cost is $20, which includes a raffle ticket, delicious hors-doevres and a fantastic view. If you bring a new children's book, the cost goes down to $15. Please sign up by June 8.
For more information and to sign up for the event, please go to:
Book Bash June 12
Wegmans Women Support City Students
April 24, 2012
Thank you to Wegmans United Way Women’s Leadership group for its generous support of REF and its programs! At its Give Like a Girl breakfast March 26, these generous women donated 118 wonderful new children’s books and 70 blankets to REF. As a follow-up to breakfast, 17 of these professional women volunteered to visit city school classrooms and read with students. To date, Mimi Hawkins, Megan Benjamin, Christine Budgen, Ellen Campbell and April Purdie have read with 2nd graders in Georgina Konecy-Perry's classroom at Dag Hammerskjold School No. 6 while Tara Germano, Diane Lawatsch, Karen Mulcahy and Kathy Welch have read with 2nd grader in Bruce Finch’s classroom at the Early Childhood School No. 57 (along with REF volunteer Marilyn Berman). An added bonus to these visits has been an opportunity for the students to ask questions about Wegmans and the many career opportunities available there.
New REF Program Offers Last-Dollar Grants to Monroe Students
March 22, 2012
What happens when students without a lot of money start college? Often they can't afford what other students take as basic requirements for living -- an occasional weekend home, bed sheets and blankets, and even books needed to excel. Thanks to generous gifts from the Monroe High School Class of 1960, REF will be donating $500 per year to three students beginning with the 2012-13 school year and continuing for up to four years of college. Next year three additional students will be selected to receive $500 per year for up to four years of college. REF also is offering a special presentation to students at the school about financial survival in college. To support the program, please go to:
Support for Last-Dollar Grants
Internship Conference March 27
March 22, 2012
What do you wear for a job interview? What should you tell an interviewer if you've never had a paid job? City high school students preparing for the REF - National Academy Foundation Summer Paid Internship program will be learning the anwers to those questions -- and all about the world of work at Rochester Institute of Technology on Tuesday March 27. Please contact us if you may be interested in hosting a trained student in a paid summer internship this summer. For more information about the program, please go to:
REF-NAF Career Training and Summer Jobs
REF Welcomes Roc City Cycling Program
March 15, 2012
A new program offering a 12-week cycling program for city students is the latest program to link to Rochester Education Foundation. The program launched this spring serving students from the Leadership Academy for Young Men and Charlotte High School. Through the activity, students will learn the sport of cycling, earn a new quality road bike with gear, and participate in a 100-mile ride for charity for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at the end of the 12 weeks. Created by longtime cyclist Dave Abercrombie and Darrick Wilson, the programs seeks to support students and their families, help students train as cyclists, and ultimately help them attain cycling scholarships. The first group of cyclists started training this month. To support the program, please see link below and designate donations to REF-Roc City Cycling Foundation.
REF-Roc City Cycling Foundation Donations
REF Donates 30,000th Book Through Give Back, Give Books Program
March 8, 2012
Students in two classes at School 16 enjoyed a reading extravaganza this afternoon to celebrate REF's donation of the 30,000th book to a city student through our Give Back, Give Books program. Students in the classes of two educators who have received books - Lisa Oliver and Paula Givens - enjoyed stories read to them by Kevin Doran of Channel 8 and Fox News, Doug Emblidge of Channel 13, and Patty Ford of the Democrat and Chronicle. Then each student received a book to bring home. Seven-year-old Mehki McCray received THE 30,000th book in recognition of his great reading progress this year. To see photos from the event, please go to:
30,000th Book Day
Nominations, Volunteers Needed for October 16 Partnership Dinner
February 29, 2012
Do you know a terrific city school volunteer, educator or business partner? Please consider nominating them by May 1 to be honored at our Partnership Awards Dinner October 16. We bring attention to the people who make a difference in students' lives. To submit a nomination, please send us information about what your nominee does for city students and why they deserve to be honored. We also are looking for creative volunteers to help make this event better than ever as we plan and present the dinner. To volunteer, please contact us. Please send nominations or offers to volunteer to info@rochestereducation.org, or call us at 271-5790 for more information.
To read about past dinners, please go to:
Partnership Awards Dinner
Eastman School of Music Student Group, REF Partner for Instrument Drive
February 20, 2012
A group of caring Eastman students are making it easier this spring to donate instruments and drawing attention to the need for musical instruments for city students. The partnership between Eastman School of Music chapter of the National Association for Music Education and REF will offer five drop-off points in the city and Webster. The drive runs from February through March 31. Eastman students also are presenting two fund-raising concerts to purchase more instruments. All donors can receive a tax receipt through REF. "We're looking forward to a successful collaboration and drive to help boost the music programs for elementary and secondary students," said Emeric Viani, president of the Eastman student chapter. REF has donated more than 800 musical instruments to city students through our Spring for Music program. We are happy to collaborate on this effort with these future leaders of music education!
Click here for drop-off site, concert information
RBTL, News 10 WHEC, and Advantage Federal Credit Union Launch Children's Book Drive for REF
January 12, 2012
A New Year's toast to our community partners for encouraging great theater and reading! The Rochester Broadway Theatre League (RBTL), News 10 WHEC, and Advantage Federal Credit Union are joining REF to launch a campaign to collect new children’s books for Rochester city school students during each of the next three RBTL Broadway national touring shows. When you book your tickets at the RBTL box office for Shrek: The Musical, Jersey Boys, or South Pacific, you are encouraged to donate a book to REF. Advantage Federal Credit Union members who donate a book will be given $10 off on the price of their ticket. The RBTL Box Office, located at the Auditorium Theater, 885 East Main Street, is open Monday through Friday from 10 am to 5 pm, and Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm.
"Winter Tunes" to Benefit Music through the Ages
January 22, 2012
REF program, Music through the Ages (MTTA,) presents Winter Tunes, Sunday, January 22, beginning at 2 p.m. at the Visual Studies Workshop, 31 Prince Street. Featuring six premiere Rochester bands -- the Dady Brothers, Allen Hopkins, The White Hots, Steve Piper and Scott Regan, Kinloch Nelson, and Nate Rawls Band with the String Song Orchestra -- Winter Tunes is a musical fund raiser to support MTTA. MTTA was established to carry on the legacy of Rochester musician and teacher Dennis Monroe by providing access to the arts for underserved students in the Rochester City School District. MTTA partners with Dr. Charles T. Lunsford School No. 19 on the city’s southwest side, where it has provided an ongoing program of musical performances, classes and workshops since June 2009, under the auspices of REF. Suggested donation for attendees is $10.
Click here for more information about Music through the Ages.
Educators to Receive up to 5,000 New Books from REF
December 2, 2011
Forty-one educators will receive up to 200 new books apiece to use with students and then give to students for their home libraries, REF announced today. Students will use the books in a variety of ways, ranging from using the books to help create a "Literacy Lane," to collaborations with art teachers and many other activities focused on encouraging reading and literacy. Books will be distributed in December, January and February.
Click here for the list of recipients from the 2011-2012 Teachers' Choice process.
Wilson Outdoors Club Benefit Reception Dec. 1, Pomodoro Grill
November 18, 2011
The Wilson Outdoors Club is one of many organizations in city schools that is supported through Rochester Education Foundation. The group provides high school students with opportunities to explore the outdoors, offering everything from kayak outings to sledding and a camping trip. The group is offering a fundraising event from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 1 at Pomodoro Grill and Wine Bar, 1290 University Ave. There will be hors d'oevres and a cash bar for $15. RSVP by Nov. 28 to Dawn Shumway, at:
Dawn.Shumway@rcsdk12.org
Click here for more information about the Wilson Outdoors Club.
Books Available for City Teachers Through Teachers' Choice
October 13, 2011
Educators once again have an opportunity to apply for up to 200 new books apiece through Rochester Education Foundation's Teachers' Choice application process of the Give Back, Give Books program. Up to 5,000 new books will be distributed to city school teachers this year. All books must be given to city students for their home libraries by the last day of school in June 2012. Applications will be accepted through the end of the day Nov 4, 2011. Educators are advised to read the guidelines carefully as some have changed. Last year 44 of 149 applicants received books through the competitive process. For more information and to apply please go to:
http://givebackgivebooks.org/teachers_choice.shtml
GM Recycling Collection Day Oct 5: We'll Be There!
Sept. 13, 2011
Yet another chance to give new life to that flute! REF will be collecting musical instruments to be donated for use by city students from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 5. at a terrific Recycling Collection
Day sponsored by GM Components Holdings, 1000 Lexington Ave. in Rochester. You can drop off instruments for REF. A range of other companies and organizations will also be there collecting computers, television sets and other electronics, cell phones, eyeglasses, bicycles and clothing. All will be reused or recycled. Participants must verify that all electronics are generated by households - this is not for business recycling. GM Components Holdings will also have a Community Open House that day from 10 am. to 8 pm.
Honorees Announced for REF Oct. 12 Dinner
Aug. 24, 2011
REF has announced the honorees at the Sixth Annual Partnership Awards Dinner to be held Oct. 12, 2011. They are Rob and Priscilla Brown, Dr. Larry Ellison, principal of School 33, Dr. Naomi Erdmann, director of Graduate Literacy Programs at Nazareth College, ESL Federal Credit Union, and teachers Merrill Mey and Elizabeth Schindler.
Click here to learn more about our award winners.
Click here for the details about our Partnership Awards Dinner.
Fall Application Process for REF's New Books for City Students
July 28, 2011
Educators in Rochester City School District will be encouraged once again to apply for up to 200 new books apiece this Fall, through REF's Give Back, Give Books program. Educators apply through the competitive Teachers' Choice application process for new pleasure-reading books to
be used for creative literacy activities, then donated to students to keep for their home libraries. Last year, 44 of 149 applicants were selected. Educators who are interested in applying should send us their e-mail addresses so you will receive our e-mail newsletter. We will inform you through the newsletter when the applications are available on-line -- most likely in October. Also, check our website givebackgivebooks.org, and news reports here for when to apply!
Our program received a positive evaluation from Wendy Fritz, Ed.D this year! To read a review of the report, click here.
Generous Donors Support REF and City Students at Jazz Fest
June 20, 2011
Instruments large and small were dropped off at the REF booth at the Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival, with a total of 14 musical instruments donated, as well as two music stands. Thank you to donors of beautiful instruments, including two trumpets, two electric guitars, an alto saxophone and a viola. Several would-be donors said they would be dropping musical instruments off at our office after the festival. All instruments will be used to expand musical opportunities for city students. Thanks also to M&T Bank for giving us the booth!
The promoters of the Jazz Festival reported on REF's success, too. Click here to read their report.
Big Win for Bear, Cat and Monkey in REF Book Poll
June 20, 2011
Winnie the Pooh is the favorite children's book character among the 953 people interviewed at the Rochester Jazz Festival by volunteers at the REF booth. Winnie the Pooh took a commanding lead from Day 1, and kept his lead throughout the festival. REF will purchase copies of the top ten books and donate them to city students as part of our Give Back, Give Books program, through which city students receive thousands of new books each year. The Cat from Cat in the Hat is second, with Curious George finishing third.
Top Finishers in Poll
Penfield High Drive Successful
June 6, 2011
An outpouring of support from the Penfield community resulted in donations of 18 musical instruments for city students through a Penfield High School instrument drive June 3 and 4. Instruments donated include two trumpets, a bassoon, three flutes and an electric guitar. All instruments will be given to the city school district for student use. Thanks to the generous support of Penfield students and the community!
Jazzed Up About Books Comes to World of Inquiry School
June 1, 2011
Just how many ways can you play Row, Row, Row Your Boat? World of Inquiry students heard a tuneful few during a special Jazzed Up About Books event this morning. Thanks to the support of M&T Bank, students enjoyed a performance and talk with professional musician Herb Smith and Rochester International Jazz Festival Exec. Director Marc Iacona. Each student also received a book about jazz thanks to M&T Bank's collaboration with REF.
Book Bash June 29
May 23, 2011
Celebrate the end of school with REF! Come join us for hot hors-d'oeuvres and fun door prizes from Ward's Natural Science as REF hosts a fundraising Book Bash June 29 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Pomodoro Grill and Wine Bar, 1290 University Ave. Thanks to event sponsors Advantage Federal Credit Union and Ward's! The cost is $20, or $15 if you bring a new book for a city student.
Click here to read the invitation.
REF Will Have a Jazz Fest Booth Again
May 23, 2011
Thanks to M&T Bank, REF will once again be collecting musical instruments for city students and meeting jazz fans at the Rochester International Jazz Festival June 10 - 18. M&T Bank is generously allowing REF to use this booth space for the fourth year in a row. We look forward to seeing friends, meeting new friends and helping find new homes for musical instruments.
Penfield High School Collects Musical instruments for City Students
May 23, 2011
Penfield High School students are collecting musical instruments through our Spring for Music Program June 3 and 4, 2011 in Penfield. Instruments will be collected at Penfield High School during the school day Friday June 3, and at the Amphitheatre at Penfield Town Hall from 5 to 8 p.m. June 3 and 12 - 6 p.m. June 4. We salute the Penfield students for reaching out to support Rochester city students.
Click here for the whole story.
Thanks to MCC
May 4, 2011
REF thanks Monroe Community College faculty and staff for their generous contribution of $304.48 from the "Community Fridays for a Cause" program. We appreciate your support!
Support from Brighter Days Foundation
May 1, 2011
We are happy to report that we have received a $5,000 grant from the Brighter Days Foundation. The foundation reported that it "values your organization as well as the programs that REF fosters for Rochester's schoolchildren and their teachers." Thank you!
United Way and REF - Donor Designation 2529
April 30, 2011
Supporters of REF have a new way to contribute to our organization with the addtion of REF as a donor designation eligible agency. Donors who choose to designate should use the United Way Designation form and indicate REF, donor designation 2529, as a recipient of their gift. Donors may give to more than one organization through this process.
Click here to make a United Way gift to REF.
Random House Donates 369 Books on Tape to REF
March 21, 2011
REF has receieved a generous gift of 369 books on tape from Random House Listening Library to encourage student literacy in Rochester. High-quality, new books on tape include well-known novels by prominent children's authors such as Phyllis Reynolds Naylor and Stephenie Meyer, and many others. Educators teaching at city schools can apply for the high-quality books on tape for their classrooms.
Click here for the whole story.
John F. Wegman Fund Grant Supports Summer Jobs for Students
March 18, 2011
Three city high school students will be employed in paid internships this summer, thanks to a generous grant from the John F. Wegman Fund of The Community Foundation. The grant also supports some of the training needed for students as they apply for internships this Spring. The jobs are made available by employers and donors through REF's collaboration with the National Academy Foundation program and the Rochester City School District. All students who receive the jobs must succeed in classes in school in their chosen career area, then participate in special job-training activities. We hope to offer 30 quality, paid student jobs through the program this summer.
Click here for the whole story.
Biographer Visits City Students Through REF Program
March 18, 2011
Biographer Carole Boston Weatherford will be visiting Rochester April 4-6 through the Give Back, Give Books program of REF thanks to a grant from the Leon Levy Foundation. Ms. Weatherford will visit students at Nathaniel Rochester School, talk about biographies and share with students her experience writing books about figures ranging from Harriet Tubman to Arctic explorer Matthew Henson and musician John Coltrane.
Students who meet Ms. Weatherford will also receive one of her biographies to keep, thanks to REF's collaboration with Rochester City School District. Ms. Weatherford will also visit Nazareth College education students through an additional collaboration. We look forward to the visit!
Click here for the whole story.
Teachers' Choice Book Distribution Supports Student Reading
November 15, 2010
Almost 150 teachers applied to receive new books through REF's ongoing Teachers' Choice application process, part of our successful Give Back, Give Books program. Forty-four applicants were chosen to receive books for a wide variety of great projects that will benefit city students at all grade levels.
Click here for the whole story.
Honorees Announced for 2010 Partnership Awards Dinner
September 1, 2010
If an RCSD teacher ever feels alone in his or her good work, he or she need only attend REF's Partnership Awards Dinner to understand the depth and breadth of the partnerships supporting city school students. On October 20, 2010, we will present an impressive slate of awards at our fifth annual Partnership Awards Dinner.
Click here to learn about our award winners.
Click here for the details about our Partnership Awards Dinner.
Cat in the Hat Gets Nod as Best Kids Book at Jazz Fest
June 28, 2010
Thanks to M&T Bank, REF once again had a booth at the Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival. While our primary purpose there is to collect musical instruments for RCSD students through our Spring for Music program, volunteers staffing the booth polled Festival attendees about their favorite children's books.
Click here for the whole story.
Collaboration with National Academy Foundation (NAF) Announced
June 4, 2010
REF is proud to report that a new relationship has been established with the Rochester City School District's local chapter of the National Academy Foundation. With the help of NAF-provided course materials and the involvement of local businesses, themed academies are offered at three of the city's high schools, providing career-focused courses in addition to core classes. Students are also given opportunities to participate in a variety of activities including paid summer internships at local employers. REF will work to expand community involvement as internship providers, mentors and program committee members.
Click here for the whole story.
Biography Project for City Students Funded
May 15, 2010
Reading biographies can be particularly inspiring ...but what if the books in your school library are 20 years old? It's as if all the personalities of the last two decades don't exist. A newly-received grant from the Leon Levy Foundation will enable REF to acquire contemporary biographies for distribution through our Teachers' Choice process.
Click here for the whole story.
Teachers' Choice Book Distribution Supports Student Reading
December, 2009
More than 100 teachers applied to receive new books through REF's new Teachers' Choice application process, part of our ongoing Give Back, Give Books program. Twenty-eight applicants were chosen to receive books for a wide variety of great projects that will benefit city students at all grade levels.
Click here for the whole story.
4,000 Students to Receive Books and Blankets This Month
December 15, 2009
Donors near and far, individual and corporate, are making it possible for thousands of Rochester students to snuggle up with a new book and a fleece blanket this holiday season. Local luminaries joined BJ's employees to read to students at School 36 today, as this year's Book and a Blanket program got off to an exciting start.
Click here for the story and pictures.
Click here to read the Democrat and Chronicle's coverage.
REF "Book Social" Slated for November 10
November 6, 2009
Rochester Education Foundation will present a casual fundraising event Tuesday November 10th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Monty's Corner, at the corner of Alexander and East Avenues. The REF Book Social, "Books and Buddies," features free appetizers, drink and beer specials, and the opportunity to meet others who care about city young people.
The cost is $20, including a contribution to REF to support our book programs for city students. Those who bring a new book for a city student pay $15.
There's free parking behind the Pita Pit when you mention REF.
For more information, call the REF office at 271-5790.
REF Book Fair at Barnes & Noble on August 22
July 29, 2009
Barnes & Noble in Pittsford Plaza is opening a new section for teacher and parent school materials, and celebrating with a benefit for REF.
Click here for all the details.
Major Supporters Enable REF to Continue Teachers' Choice in the Fall
July 29, 2009
Major donations from the Wilson Foundation, Rep. Susan John, and the M & T Bank Foundation will help REF donate thousands of books this fall through its Teachers' Choice program.
Click here for the whole story.
Honorees Announced for 2009 Partnership Awards Dinner
July 28, 2009
If an RCSD teacher ever feels alone in his or her good work, he or she need only attend REF's Partnership Awards Dinner to understand the depth and breadth of the partnerships supporting city school students. On October 20, 2009, we will present an impressive slate of awards at our fourth annual Partnership Awards Dinner.
Click here to learn about our award winners.
Click here for the details about our Partnership Awards Dinner.
United Way, Borders and Others Support City Students through REF
June 29, 2009
More than 1,500 new books will go to students this fall, thanks to a focus on literacy during the United Way of Greater Rochester's 2009 Day of Caring and an array of other book drives this spring. Ongoing donations like this continue to fuel our Give Back, Give Books program.
Click here for the whole story.
Jazz Festival Supports City Students
June 25, 2009
Generous donors have donated 16 musical instruments to us during and immediately after the 2009 edition of the Rochester International Jazz Festival, nudging the total collection of donated instruments over 600!
Click here for the story and photos.
REF to Collect Instruments for City Students at the Jazz Fest
June 10, 2009
Wouldn't it be great to see the city students of today starring at future Jazz Festivals? A first step is making sure they get a chance to play an instrument. To that end, we're happy to report that we will be collecting musical instruments for city students again at a booth at this year's Rochester International Jazz Festival.
Thanks to M&T Bank, which is donating the booth for our use, and to all the volunteers -- including wonderful M&T folks! -- who will be sitting at the booth.
Click here for all the details.
Kidbridge Brings Students Together for a Ballgame
May 28, 2009
Students at Schools 9, 22 and 39 participate in REF's Kidbridge program with students at Pittsford, Victor and Honeoye-Falls Lima schools. During the school year their contact was mostly digital -- e-mail, podcasts and videophones. Today some of those city and suburban students enjoyed a relaxed opportunity to meet and enjoy one another's company, over hotdogs and a Redwings game at Frontier Field.
Click here for the story and photos.
Seventh-Grade Students Visit UR Dining Hall
April 15, 2009
A great field trip exposes kids to new ideas and new possibilities. This one did just that, taking students from Wilson Foundation Academy to the University of Rochester's Danforth Dining Hall to visit with food service professionals.
Click here for the whole story.
Teachers Receive Books for Selected Projects
March 31, 2009
More than 200 teachers applied to receive new books through REF's new Teachers' Choice application process, part of our ongoing Give Back, Give Books program. Twenty-six applicants were chosen to receive books for a wide variety of great projects that will benefit city students at all grade levels.
Click here for the whole story.
Nominations Requested For Best Educators, School Volunteers
March 19, 2009
REF is requesting nominations for awards to be presented at our annual Partnership Awards Dinner. We are seeking nominations for the best volunteer serving city school students as well as nominations for the best educators in city schools.
Click here for all the details.
REF Receives Time-Warner Support for Literacy Efforts
February 27, 2009
 Time Warner has donated $5,000 to Rochester Education Foundation to support its literacy efforts.
Click here to read the whole story.
Academy for Career Development Supports REF
February 27, 2009
 The Academy for Career Development has donated a computer and software to the Rochester Education Foundation to support its programs. The organization has a strong focus on helping city students, and we're proud to have their support!
Click here to read the whole story.
New REF Business Partners
February 3, 2009
Two unconventional local businesses -- Bucks4Books and Rochester Subway -- have become valuable partners of the Rochester Education Foundation, demonstrating once again the power of small business in our community.
Click here to read the whole story.
Obama Inauguration Event to Benefit REF
January 4, 2009
We're proud to report that REF has been chosen as the not-for-profit recipient of proceeds from the Rochester Inauguration Day Dinner January 20th at 7 p.m. at the Harro East Ballroom! Thanks to the organizers, Rochester for Obama, for using this historic moment to support city students. Proceeds will be used to purchase books for city school libraries about topics including the U.S. Civil Rights movement and biographies of contemporary leaders such as President-Elect Barack Obama. The event features dinner as well as music by Prime Time Funk and The Voices of Clouds, and will include remarks from Mayor Robert J. Duffy.
Click here to purchase tickets.
Thumbs Way Up!
January 3, 2009
Students at Fairbanks Road Elementary School in Churchville received a "THUMBS UP" in the Democrat and Chronicle today for their participation in our Book and a Blanket Program in late December.
Click here to read the story.
Pittsford, Rochester School Districts Work Together on Educational Project
December 17, 2008
Third graders at School 9 and at Pittsford elementary schools capped a months-long distance learning project with an activity day spent together at RIT. This Kidbridge project was facilitated by REF, with support from a $20,000 civic engagement grant given by the Rochester Area Community Foundation.
Click here to read the Democrat and Chronicle's coverage.
Record 4000 Book & Blanket Sets To Be Donated This Winter
December 15, 2008
Volunteers throughout Rochester and Monroe County have been hard at work for months, making blankets and collecting new books, in preparation for a massive distribution by the Book and a Blanket program.
Click here for the whole story.
Honorees Announced for 2008 Partnership Awards Dinner
July 29, 2008
If an RCSD teacher ever feels alone in his or her good work, he or she need only attend REF's Partnership Awards Dinner to understand the depth and breadth of the partnerships supporting city school students. On October 28, 2008, we will present an impressive slate of awards at our third annual Partnership Awards Dinner.
Click here to learn about our award winners.
Click here for the details about our Partnership Awards Dinner.
REF Receives New York State Grant
July 24, 2008
Thanks to the efforts of Representative Joe Robach, Rochester Education Foundation has received a $15,000 New York State grant to support programs during the 2008-2009 school year.
Click here for the whole story.
Tickets Fore Charity to Benefit REF
July 2, 2008
The professional golfers on the Nationwide Tour stop at Irondequoit Country Club for the Xerox Classic golf tournament during the week of August 11 to 17. Buy your tickets through us, and the Rochester Education Foundation will receive 100% of the proceeds from your ticket purchase!
Click here for the whole story and our ticket order form.
Jazz Fest Donations, M & T Help City Students
June 23, 2008
M & T Bank, primary sponsor of the Rochester International Jazz Festival, generously offered REF a booth at the festival. We used it to gather donated musical instruments in support of our ongoing Spring for Music program, and generous festival attendees really came through! As a result, 41 instruments will go to work for students in city schools this fall.
Click here for the whole story.
REF to Collect Instruments for City Students at the Jazz Fest
June 9, 2008
Wouldn't it be great to see the city students of today starring at future Jazz Festivals? A first step is making sure they get a chance to play an instrument. To that end, we're happy to report that we will be collecting musical instruments for city students from 5 to 9 p.m. nightly at a booth at the Rochester International Jazz Festival, June 13 - 21. The booth will be located under a tent on Jazz Street (known as Gibbs Street the rest of the year).
Thanks to M & T Bank, which is donating the booth for our use, and to our volunteers -- including city school music teachers -- who will be sitting at the booth.
REF's Spring for Music program, launched in 2005, has donated about 530 instruments to the city schools for use by students. Click here for more information about Spring for Music.
Brockport College Drive A Success
March 11, 2008
The College at Brockport has exceeded its goal, collecting 1,301 new books and 500 gently used books in its 2nd annual Have Heart, Give a Book drive. REF is proud to be a partner in the drive, which donates books to students in need in Monroe and Orleans counties.
Click here for the whole story.
Holiday Book Donations from Local Donors Brighten Season
January 15, 2008
Five local businesses contributed more than 700 new books for city school students over the holidays.
Click here for the whole story.
Give Back, Give Books Partners with Mayor's Literacy Initiative Holiday Book Drive
December 20, 2007
Rochester Education Foundation is proud to be a partner of the Holiday Book Drive of the Mayor's Literacy Initiative. Through this effort, about 3,200 city school students will receive a new book over the holidays.
Click here to learn more.
Books and Blankets Marks 2,000 Donations
December 14, 2007
A far-flung coalition of community groups has been moved to donate more than 2,000 books and blankets this season, and delivery to our youngest RCSD students is under way.
Click here for the story and photos.
Click here for the Democrat and Chronicle's coverage of a Books and Blankets delivery at School 22.
Second Graders Receive Calendars with Literacy Theme
December 13, 2007
Thanks to a generous donation from Wegmans, each RCSD second grader will receive a 2008 calendar that promotes reading.
Click here for the details.
Wilson Foundation Gift to Advance Give Back, Give Books
November 8, 2007
Rochester Education Foundation has received a generous $2,500 grant from the Wilson Foundation to expand and improve our Give Back, Give Books program.
Click here to learn more.
Books and Blankets: Holiday Gifts for City Kids
September 21, 2007
Our new Books and Blankets program, a collaboration with Buddies, Bridges and Brains, aims to create a unique gift for thousands of city kids this winter: a soft fleece blanket and a book, bound with a cheery ribbon.
Click here to learn more.
Partnership Dinner to Honor Shining Stars
August 29, 2007
In response to our public call for nominations, we heard about the wonderful work of numerous dynamic educators and volunteers. Our judges labored over their decision, and we will present seven very special awards at our annual Partnership Awards Dinner on October 23, 2007.
Click here to learn about our award winners.
Click here for the details about our Partnership Awards Dinner.
John F. Wegman Fund Supports Give Back, Give Books
August 22, 2007
Rochester Education Foundation has received a $7,500 grant from the John F. Wegman Fund to support the continuation and improvement of its Give Back, Give Books program in 2007-2008.
Click here for the details.
Welcome to KidBridge
August 1, 2007
REF is pleased to announce the launch of a program intended to
jump-start a series of partnerships between towns and city schools.
Funded in part by a generous grant from Rochester Area Community
Foundation, KidBridge will support a new partnership between
Irondequoit and School 6, modeled on a successful four-year partnership between the town of Victor and School 22.
Click here for the whole story.
What I Learned at the Book Fair
May 9, 2007
Give Back, Give Books has been great for city school students ...and great for us, too. In a letter published in the Democrat and Chronicle, Pat Braus reflected on the lessons that she learned while giving books away to city students.
Click here to read Pat's essay.
City Students Grateful for Give Back, Give Books
April 18, 2007
We've held 17 book fairs and distributed over 8,500 books! REF has received scores of thank you notes from kids for the wonderful books received as a result of Give Back, Give Books.
Click here to see what students had to say.
Freedom Heroes Writing Contest
February 7, 2007
REF is helping to promote a unique opportunity for Rochester students to write or illustrate a children's book about one of Rochester's own heroes: Susan B. Anthony or Frederick Douglass.
Click here to learn more.
Wegmans Gift Lifts "Give Back, Give Books" Past Goal
November 28, 2006
A donation from Wegmans of 1,700 books has enabled Give Back, Give Books to reach its goal of 10,000 new books to donate to city school students. The gift was announced in conjunction with Rochester Mayor Robert J. Duffy's Leadership Summit on Literacy.
Click here for the whole story.
8,000 New Books Donated!
November 8, 2006
REF's Give Back, Give Books drive has received about 6,000 new books and the funds to purchase at least 2,000 more new books for city school students. The drive will continue, with various organizations, including SUNY Brockport, launching drives now. Mood Makers Books will continue to act as a drop-off point, and books can still be purchased on the Give Back, Give Books website: www.givebackgivebooks.org.
Click here for a complete update on the drive.
Partnership Awards Dinner Highlights Longstanding RCSD Supporters
November 1, 2006
Awards to Judge Michael Telesca, Dr. Walter Cooper, Lawyers for Learning, and Xerox for their longstanding support of and partnerships with Rochester city school students highlighted REF's first Partnership Awards Dinner.
Click here for the story and photos.
Support REF with High-Speed Frontier Link
October 23, 2006
Frontier has announced that it will support the Rochester Education Foundation with its Frontier Community Connections program.
When you sign up for High-Speed Internet service with Frontier -- or extend your current contract -- they will make a contribution to REF. For each REF supporter who signs up or extends their contract, Frontier will donate $25 (residential customers) or $50 (business customers).
Call Frontier at 777-5323 or go online at http://www.frontieronline.com/CommConn/ and be sure to mention code 2468758 to ensure that your donation goes to REF.
Please spread the word! The more people who call or enroll online, the more support REF will receive.
Drive Reaches 3,000 out of 10,000 Goal
October 17, 2006
With two weeks to go in the month-long drive, about three thousand books have been donated to the Give Back, Give Books community book drive. "We are very happy with the drive so far," said Patricia Braus, executive director of REF. "But we know we need to get more people involved to meet our goal of 10,000 books."
Click here to read the press release.
Kick-Off Press Conference Launches Give Back, Give Books Drive
September 26, 2006
The Rochester Education Foundation launched the Give Back, Give Books campaign with a kick-off press conference on Tuesday, September 26, 2006 at 2 p.m. The event was held at the Phillis Wheatley Community Library, a branch of the Rochester Public Library. Many public leaders were in attendance to provide their support for the campaign.
Click here to read the press release.
Click here to see photos of the event.
Spring for Music Continues to Pay Dividends
April, 2006
Although the Spring for Music program officially ended last May, donated instruments continue to come in, creating exciting new musical opportunities for students in the city schools!
Click here for the whole story.
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