Message from the President

As president of the Oxford Educational Founda-

tion (OEF), and on behalf of my colleagues on the Board

of Directors, it is my pleasure to share with our members

and friends this annual report. As required by our by-

laws, this report will cover OEF activities from July 1,

2012 through June 30, 2013.

During that period, we have worked diligently to

achieve our yearly goals. We continue the commitment to

our mission statement, “to enhance the quality of educa-

tion in the OASD…providing a mentoring and tutoring

program for our students...providing professional grants

for the faculty that encourage the development of innova-

tive programs.”

The success of our community, country, and world

lies in the hands of our youth. A good education is essen-

tial to provide them with the 21st century tools to do so.

We are proud to work with the school board, faculty/staff

and administration to provide the students with a quality

education.

‘’69

From the Executive Director’s Desk

For more than 19 years, the OEF has been support-

ing and enhancing the education of students in the Oxford

Area School District. As members, we believe even a

small effort can have a big impact in the life of a student.

We encourage you to join us in our endeavor by becoming

a mentor, volunteer, or tutor. If you are interested in help-

ing us as we work to reach more students in need, please

contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Elizabeth Summers at

(610) 932-7200 or oxfordedfound@yahoo.com

We also welcome any financial support offered

through donations and contributions to our endowment

fund. On behalf of the OEF, I thank you for helping us

make a difference.

Oxford Educational Foundation Appoints

Executive Director

On May 21, 2013, the Oxford Educational Founda-

tion Board voted unanimously to appoint Dr. Ray Fischer

to the new position of Executive Director of the organiza-

tion, effective August 15, 2013.

The OEF has been in operation since 1994, and

has operated with a part time Volunteer Coordinator and

the efforts of the Board members. Ray Fischer will be the

first Executive Director of the OEF, and his responsibili-

ties will include management of the programs of the Foun-

dation, grant writing, and building and maintaining rela-

tionships with local businesses, civic organizations and

the School District.

In December, 2012, the OEF initiated a self as-

sessment to identify the strengths and the needs of the

Foundation, and concluded that an Executive Director

would be able to address those needs, strenghthen the or-

ganization, and help provide more support to the Oxford

Area School District. Ray Fischer was chosen as the Ex-

ecutive Director because of his unique qualifications,

which include his commitment to the schools and the

community, his knowledge of the needs of the students,

and his strong leadership and ability to work with people.

Ray has worked in the school district for 22 years until he

retired this past July, after serving five years as the Super-

intendent of Schools.

Jim McLeod, the President of OEF said, “With

Ray’s retirement, we are able to appoint him to the Execu-

tive Director position and have a strong leader who knows

and cares about our district. The entire OEF organization

is excited to have him lead us to new levels of enhancing

the quality of education of the students in our district.”

Ray Fischer said, “I look forward to my new

role as Executive Director of the Oxford Educational

Foundation. It is both an honor and a pleasure to work

with a Board whose sole purpose is to support the students

of the Oxford Area School District. Together we can con-

tinue the tradition of being Oxford Proud.”

ANNUAL

REPORT

2013

RSVP AWARD

The Oxford Educational Foundation

gave their annual RSVP award on Tuesday,

June 11, 2013. The Randy Sebastian Volunteer

Person of the Year award was presented to

Woody Hartgrove during the June 11th break-

fast hosted by the Foundation and the Oxford

Area Education Association.

Woody has been a volunteer tutor for

eleven years. He is a graduate of North Caroli-

na State University with a major in Zoology.

The US Army brought this Southern gentleman

to the Aberdeen, Maryland area after he com-

pleted his graduate program at Virginia Tech

and was drafted into the military. After his

military service he completed a PhD. program

at Tech. Woody returned to the north and set-

tled in Cecil County. He has been in Maryland

for 37 years and worked at DuPont and various

other chemical companies before his retire-

ment.

Kay Skinner, one of the early volunteer

coordinators for the OEF, recruited Woody for

his first assignment. He has been tutoring high

school science classes like Biology and Chem-

istry since 2002. He also helped with math and

history classes.

Woody’s dedication to helping Oxford

students with some very difficult subjects is

very much appreciated by OEF and we are

proud to honor him with our RSVP award.

Pictured above from L.to R. is OEF President Jim

McLeod, RSVP recipient Woody Hartgrove, VP Su-

san Melrath and OEF Executive Director and re-

tired OASD Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Ray

Fischer

OEF Professional Grants 2013

The Oxford Educational Foundation

was pleased to be able to support innovation in

the classroom again this year with over

$13,000 in grants to professional staff. The

2012-2013 Professional Grants brought the

total awards over the past thirteen years to

$111,925.

Jordan Bank and Elk Ridge staff mem-

bers submitted several wonderful proposals

and were awarded almost $7,200 in grants.

They were:

$1,222.76 to Diane

Harris who is pic-

tured with the ma-

terials that make

up Versatiles, a

multi sensory pro-

gram that students

can use to practice

language arts skills individually or in small

groups.

$1700 to Kathleen Conway. She

and students Nathaniel Winters

and Lola Myer are pictured with

the new SmartBoard.

$868.65 to Danielle Malinowski

for the purchase of math games to

build math skills.

$550 to Deborah Taylor for the

purchase of sensory materials to be

used by her learning support students.

$420.20 to Karen Olivieri for the

purchase of 150 copies of books that

will enhance the unit on Air and

Weather.

Students will

learn about

each of the

weather con-

ditions and

compare and

contrast their

elements, characteristics and effects.

$1839 to Jason and Germaine Baughman

for the purchase of iPads to expand

technology in the classroom.

$540 to Patricia Holeton for materials for

the school’s mileage club.

Nottingham teachers were awarded

over $3200 for their new and interest-

ing additions to the classroom. They

were:

$464.20 to Pamela Anderson for inflatable

balance balls that serve as chairs. The

inflatable balls enable the students to

focus more clearly on their lessons,

avoid sleepiness and improve posture.

$1600 to Kristina Johns who brought a vis-

iting author to the school. The Visiting

Author program supported reading lit-

eracy, listening skills, and writing abili-

ties across the entire building.

$500 to Laura Hicks for materials to be

used for the Nottingham Drama Club.

$700 to Michele Haverly for the purchase

of iPad minis to expand technology in

the classroom.

Hopewell teachers were awarded a total of

$786.63. They were:

$250 to Aimee Smoker and Amy Swisher

for a new school newspaper, the

Hopewell Buzzette, which was pub-

lished in June. The grant covers the

cost of printing. They plan to publish a

new edition of the Buzzette at the con-

clusion of each marking period.

$4536.63 to Physical Education teacher,

Erika Seamans for materials to estab-

lish a mileage club for 5th and 6th

graders.

Penn’s Grove staff received a total of

$1994.25 for their innovative requests.

$620 to Julie Swisher for the school’s ATP

class and Science classes to visit Not-

tingham Park for Environmental Stud-

ies.

$1374.25 to Mark James for a CO2 Drag-

ster Raceway to enhance S.T.E.M. edu-

cation.

These professionals are to be com-

mended for finding new and innovative

programs and materials to improve

learning in their classrooms.

The Marion James & Anna Ressler

Hess Memorial Scholarship

The 2013 recipient of the Hess Me-

morial Scholarship was Melissa

Loftus. Melissa is attending Penn State

University where she is majoring in

Early Childhood Education. Her plan

is to become an elementary school

teacher. Congratulations Melissa!!

2013 John C. Pittenger Education Grant

John C. Pittenger, or Pitt to his many

friends, passionately believed education was

the road to better self governance and better

democracy. His personal achievements such as

graduating cum laude from Harvard Law

School (1958) and his career successes serving

as a state legislator (1965 to 1968), as Pennsyl-

vania Secretary of Education (1972-1976), and

as Rutgers Law School Dean (1981 to 1986)

exemplified that belief. In particular, Mr. Pit-

tenger championed public education as the

means to achievement for all Pennsylvania

children.

Mr. Pittenger’s larger influence is felt

through the PHEAA scholarship bill he drafted

as legislator and the modernization of the PA

School Code he wrote while Secretary of Edu-

cation. His continuing influence can be seen

locally in the Oxford Educational Foundation.

He created and nurtured the OEF after moving

to his farm in West Nottingham in 1986 be-

cause he believed public education is best

served by engaging the entire community in

supporting schools.

The Foundation wishes to honor John

Pittenger by providing a monetary grant to

OASD school (s) that best exemplifies Pitt’s

desire to enhance education in the Oxford Area

School District. In addition, the OEF would be

looking for proposal (s) that would have the

widest impact on the maximum number of stu-

dents within a school building (s).

The Oxford Educational Foundation is

pleased to award the 2013 Pittenger Grant in

the amount of $9,135 to three schools for the

creation of outdoor gardens for both passive

and active learning opportunities. It is the

OEF’s belief that Mr. Pittenger would have

been especially excited about a grant to en-

courage gardening on school property.

The OEF would like to congratulate the

following schools:

Jordan Bank School received $3,000

for establishing an outdoor classroom area.

The enhanced outdoor learning area would be a

welcomed addition to the school landscape.

They plan to incorporate the efforts of the

community and high school students in devel-

oping the outdoor garden area.

Hopewell School received $4,635 for

the creation of a butterfly garden. In addition,

they plan to create a Garden Club to support

this outdoor space. The school’s Envirothon

Club and other classes will benefit from the

use of the garden.

Oxford Area High School received

$1,500 for the creation of a vegetable garden.

The school’s Envirothon Club along with Fam-

ily and Consumer Science teachers will utilize

this space in pursuing their classroom curricu-

lums.

Mentor Picnic

This year’s mentor picnic took place on

Thursday, May 16th at the Nottingham School.

Mentors, students and school administrators

attended the event and enjoyed an afternoon

filled with pizza, desserts and lots of fun with

their students. The picnic brought to a close

another successful school year of mentoring by

our dedicated volunteers. Mentors work with

students for one to two hours a week and

sometimes follow students for several years.

The picnic was a wonderful way to celebrate

the volunteer and student relationship with fun

memories.

OEF recognized as an

Educational Improvement Organization

For the fifth consecutive year, The Ox-

ford Educational Foundation, through Educa-

tional Improvement Tax Credit donations

(EITC) from the Fulton Bank and National

Penn Bank, helped fund high school chemistry

teacher Brian Urig’s AP Chemistry’s Project

REEL. OEF provided funds totaling $6,500.

Mr. Urig began Project REEL in Sep-

tember, 2006 as an addition to the Advanced

Placement Chemistry curriculum after receiv-

ing the initial Oxford Educational Foundation

professional grant. As the lead institution for

Project REEL, Ohio State University envisions

the following goals to be achieved at the high

school level: students develop problem solv-

ing abilities, obtain an appreciation for the sci-

entific and ethical nature of research and gain

an increased interest in science and technology.

According to Mr. Urig, “The program gives

our students a taste of higher level laboratory

research and definitely pushes them academi-

cally. It is interesting and fun because we uti-

lize state of the art equipment and software that

is not typically found in high school labs.”

Project REEL continues to be a tremen-

dous success here at Oxford Area High School,

according to Mr. Urig, and the Oxford Educa-

tional Foundation is proud to be able to help

fund this project for the benefit of Oxford’s

students.

Pictured on left is Terry Wimer, Fulton Bank Oxford

Branch presenting a $3,500 EITC contribution check

to OEF President Jim McLeod

Pictured above is Mr. Urig, Sylvia Justice, National

Penn Oxford Branch Manager, Jim McLeod & Dr.

Fischer. National Penn contributed $3,000 to Project

Reel through an EITC contribution.

FINANCIAL BREAKDOWN

for FY 2012-2013

Revenue

Memberships & Donations are received

from alumni, community supporters and Communi-ty Foundations.

Interest & Dividends are withdrawn from

our Endowment Fund.

Grants are applied for and awarded to OEF by the CCRES, Chester County Community

Foundation, 1675 Foundation, Oxford Foundation

and local Charitable Foundations.

Expenses Administration Expenses include 23% of Volunteer Coordinator’s Salary, payroll expenses,

insurance, telephone, printing and accountant’s

audit. Operating expenses include 77% of Vol-

unteer Coordinator’s Salary, Mentor Picnic, RSVP

luncheon, supplies, postage, technology and volun-

teer clearances. Professional Grants include grants award-

ed to teachers for Innovative Educational Programs

not funded by the district. EITC grants are awarded to common-

wealth-approved innovative programs.

ANNUAL MEETING

The annual meeting is October 15, 2013

at 7:30 pm in the Oxford Area School

District Administration Building,

Ground Floor Conference Room, 125

Bell Tower Lane, Oxford. For more

specific directions, please call us at

(610) 932-7200.

ALL ARE WELCOME

In Conclusion

As we conclude and celebrate the

19th year of the Foundation, the mission

and reason for our existence remains the

same, “To enhance the quality of

education in the Oxford Area School

District.”

We congratulate the district

administration, faculty and staff on their

accomplishments and achievements this

past year. The Oxford Educational

Foundation will again work side by side

with the district to provide dedicated

and committed mentors, tutors and

classroom volunteers and Professional

Grants to the faculty and administration

to accomplish our mutual goal.

On a personal note, I wish to

thank those who gave their time and

effort advancing the mission of the

foundation. It is my pleasure to work

with such a tremendous group of hard-

working and dedicated volunteers

helping to educate our future leaders.

On behalf of everyone involved

with the OEF, I thank you for your

continued support.

Sincerely,

Jim McLeod

OEF President

OAHS Class of 1969

_________________________________________________ The official registration statement and financial information of the Oxford Educational Foundation may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free, within

Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

As you can see from the charts on

the previous page, our revenue comes to

us from successful grant applications,

interest and dividends on our

endowment, and generous contributions

from alumni and friends.

We appreciate whatever help you

can give us, whether it be specified

toward our Endowment Fund or our

operating costs. All contributions, large

or small, in excess of the $5.00 per

person membership fee, are tax

deductible and can be sent to us at:

P.O. Box 142, Oxford, PA 19363.

ENDOWMENT FUND UPDATE

Endowment account values

6/30/12: $332,484

6/30/13: $364,748

October 2013

To friends, faculty and supporters,

As we begin a new school year, it’s important to remember our past accomplishments,

but more importantly, to focus on the future goals of our school and students. Since our incep-

tion in 1994, the OEF has focused on enhancing the quality of education of the students.

Through your donations, memberships and grants we have been able to help by placing volun-

teers, mentors and tutors throughout the district. In the past twelve years, we have offered

small but significant competitive Professional Grants totaling over $111,000 to faculty mem-

bers who initiate new, innovative and sustainable programs on all levels.

Because you are receiving this, we know that you care. We truly appreciate your con-

tinued interest in the quality of education in the OASD. Please enjoy the attached newsletter

and know that what you give really does come back to you in many ways. Take a moment to

consider the impact your membership and donation will make.

As always, thanks for your support and continued generosity.

Sincerely,

OEF Board of Directors

Any donation above the $5 membership is tax deductible, or you may specify your United Way

payroll deduction as a contribution to The Oxford Educational Foundation.

Please use the form below and return it to us. THANK YOU

OEF

Oxford Educational Foundation

PO Box 142

Oxford, PA 19363

610-932-7200

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Board of Directors

Jim McLeod ’69 President Vernon Ringler ‘53 Judy Jefferis

Susan Melrath Vice President Valerie Kegley Harry Farmer ’65

Pam Mason ‘81 Secretary Steve Roberts Etha McDowell ‘67

Abigail Harvey 2015 Student Rep. Roberta McManus Flossie Prewitt ’65

Stephanie DeMott Carolyn Hess ‘73

Dr. Raymond A. Fischer Executive Director Charles Lewis, Treasurer

Enhancing the Quality of Education in the

Oxford Area School District

PO Box 142 ● Oxford, PA 19363

610-932-7200 phone

www.OxfordEducationalFoundation.org

oxfordedfound@yahoo.com

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Non-profit Org.

Permit No. 31 Oxford, PA 19363

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

The Oxford Educational Foundation is funded in part by the Chester County Regional Education

Service, Chester County Community Foundation, 1675 Foundation, Oxford Area Foundation,

Fulton Bank, National Penn Bank, United Way contributions and surrounding businesses. Funds

are also raised by membership fees and donations. The Oxford Educational Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation registered with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. All

contributions, except for the $5.00 per person membership fee, are tax deductible.