2022 Spring Clothing Drive

The Foundation had a successful clothing drive in June. Thank you for participating!

Congratulations, 2020 High School Scholarship Winners

On June 6, 2020, The Foundation awarded two $1000 scholarships to college-bound Avon-by-the-Sea students. Daniel Magrini, a graduate of St. Rose High School, will attend Villanova University. Julia Maloney, a graduate of Manasquan High School, will attend University of Notre Dame.

Daniel and Julia are the 7th cohort of students to receive this annual award. Recipients are chosen by their community involvement as well as their reflections and insights about growing up in Avon-by-the-Sea. We are so proud of Daniel and Julia. Congratulations!

"Easter Bunny Neighborhood Ride" April 12, 2020

To Celebrate Easter during the Covid-19 Seclusion, The Foundation, starring Board Member Susan Bongiorno as The Easter Bunny, parade through the streets to wave and say "Hi" to the children.

Easter Bunny Route

Congratulations, 2019 High School Scholarship Winner

At Tuesday's summer kick-off meeting, Avon-by-the-Sea Education Foundation recognized Brendan Magrini, Manasquan High School senior, with a $1,000 scholarship. Brendan's comprehensive application, which included evidence of his scholarship, leadership, and community service, was chosen among a highly competitive and worthwhile applicant pool.

Brendan accepted the award from the Foundation board members, and his parents, John and Nora Magrini. Dr. Tess Nielsen, Foundation president, added, "Brendan embodies the ideals of our community. He'll be a great ambassador for the power of a quality education." As this is the sixth year for awarding the scholarship prize, the significance of program is growing.

Brendan will matriculate to The University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland as engineering major.

Avon Elementary School Receives National Recognition for Music Education Program

Avon Elementary School has been honored with the SupportMusic Merit Award from The NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education. The SupportMusic Merit Award recognizes individual schools that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students.

To qualify for the SupportMusic Merit Award, Avon Elementary School answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program, and community music-making programs.

This award recognizes that Avon Elementary School is leading the way with learning opportunities as outlined in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). ESSA recommends music and the arts as important elements of a well-rounded education for all children. Avon Elementary school was one of 135 school to receive this honor in 2018.

Click here to read the full press release and statement from the NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) Foundation.

Congratulations Avon Elementary School! download

Avon-by-the Sea Education Foundation
Student Advisory Council

Student Advisors '18-'19
Alex Devoy
Gina Maurer

What is the Student Advisory Council?

The advisory council is a group of students from elementary/middle, high school, and college who assist the Foundation as a voice in their school communities, and provide information and feedback to help guide the Foundation in planning and programs.

While there is not a set number of students on the council, the Foundation invites students from Middle School, High School, College and Young Adult Life to participate

Students will act as a resource for the Foundation, convey message to their schools, or act as a sounding board for representing the student voice at their level of learning.

Students may serve on the advisory council for one year. Most of the communication will happen remotely. Students may or may not attend meetings, and their tasks and level of involvement may vary.

What is the purpose of Student Advisory Council?

Students want to have a say in decisions made about their communities. Students are invited to participate in our processes, in which proposals for various items and programs are considered for funding and development.

How are students selected for the program?

The Foundation sends a notice to local schools we serve. Students who wish to participate write to us at info@avonfoundation.org. In the message, students will introduce themselves and describe why they would like to participate.

How can interested people receive more information about the Student Advisory Council?

Email info@avonbytheseafoundation.org or call 732-925-4974

Fall 2017: NAMM SupportMusic Merit Awards for Avon School Band Program

The Avon-by-the_Sea Education Foundation recently completed a project to provide the Avon Elementary School (AES) music room with new equipment. Music room chairs serve a dual purpose. They are designed to give the young musicians the proper posture when playing instruments but they also have a moveable desktop for a writing surface.

This effort was completed in partnership with the Avon Home and School Association. Several funding sources, including the Foundation Annual Fund, a gift from Home and School, and student efforts in a car wash, bake sale, and Chipotle dinner night helped raise the funds to purchase the chairs. The Avon School music room functions as a regular classroom as well as a practice space for music, so flexible seating is required.

The Avon School Music program is a recent recipient of the NAMM SupportMusic Merit Awards for Best School Music communities. With continued support from the Foundation, music lives in for the elementary and middle school students at Avon School.

May 2017

2017 Avon-by-the-Sea Education Foundation High School Senior Scholarship

Congratulations to Elizabeth 'Ellie' Farrington, of Avon-by-the-Sea, winner of the 2017 Avon-by-the-Sea Education Foundation High School Senior Scholarship. Ellie is a dance major at Red Bank Regional High School's Visual and Performing Arts Academy. The daughter of Maureen and Paul Farrington, Ellie plans to matriculate to the University of Connecticut to study Physiology and Neurology.

In addition to information about their high school performance and community service involvement, scholarship applicants were asked to explain how the experience of growing up in Avon influenced their goals and plans. In Ellie's essay, she explained how her teachers at Avon Elementary school stressed the "importance of honesty, individuality and respect." The AEF scholarship recognized Ellie' exemplary community service, academic talent, and extracurricular participation. Among a pool of highly qualified candidates, Ellie's application best reflected the mission of the Avon-by-the-Sea Education Foundation.

On Wednesday, June 7, Foundation members Tess Nielsen (president), Peggy Oldakowsky (secretary), and Susan Annitto (board member), met with Ellie Farrington and her family at the Avon Library to award the $1,000 prize.

Avon Library Donation 2016

The Foundation is proud to help sponsor the NJ Hall of Fame Mobile Museum at the upcoming Avon Public Library Centennial celebration on August 20, 2016. The NJ Hall of Fame Mobile Museum is an interactive exhibit highlighting the many great accomplishments of Garden State citizens and will be the cornerstone of the Library's Centennial Celebration.

CENTRAL NEW JERSEY WINERY TOUR

The summer adult learning program enjoyed a wonderful afternoon in Central Jersey wine country at Unionville and Old York Cellars. Participants learned about the vine to bottle process while exploring the vineyards and tank room. Throughout, we gained insight into New Jersey's agricultural industry.


June 2016

Congratulations to the High School Scholarship winners! These young people represent the mission and ideals of the Avon-by-the-Sea Education Foundation Faith Westhoven, (center) attended St. Rose High School and will matriculate to Virginia Polytechnic Institute.

Jon Erik Nielsen, (left): will go to college at Long Island University in Brooklyn, New York.

Alex Devoy, (right) graduate of Manasquan High School plans to continue his studies at Delaware Valley University.
Coast Star Announcement June 2016


CELEBRATING EARTH DAY AT AVON SCHOOL

APRIL, 2016

In a student-centered ceremony, the 1st and 8th grade class met by the Community Garden to exchange of class projects. The first grade, led by Mrs. Fiorentino, kicked off the Earth Day celebration with a poem they had written, followed by a song, “He’s Got the Whole World in his Hands.” It was the perfect opportunity to wear their self-designed t-shirts with an earth-based logo. Next, Mrs. Crotty’s 8th grade class presented the first graders with potted rosemary plants and booklets about plant care. Members of the Avon Education Foundation, The Avon Environmental Commission, and the Home and School association were on hand to support the students.


THANK YOU

to all who attended our Adult Summer Education Enrichment Series: "Discovering the Impressionists"

We hope you join us for upcoming programs in cultural and community enrichment

Scenes from Impressionist Painting Class at Torché Gallery, Belmar, July 2015



Thank you, patrons and donors, for attending

"Rock the Dock" to Support Avon-by-the-Sea Education - Saturday, May 16, 2015

We had a great time at the New Avon Marina,
Your donations will be used to fund ongoing enrichment opportunities in arts, culture, sports, and continuing education for all residents of Avon-by-the-Sea


Presenting: The Avon Community Campus Garden Sponsored by Lowes Toolbox for Education Grant

The Avon Community Campus Garden supports environmental education, community building, and service learning through gardening at Avon School. When young students gain hands-on knowledge of how life works in a garden, they learn about renewable energy and ecological health, among other issues.

The garden serves the students of Avon School as well as community residents. Working in partnership with students, teachers and administrators, The Avon-by-the-Sea Education Foundation and Avon Environmental Commission will plan, build, help to maintain, grow and sustain the garden plots, within the oversight of the School Administration.

Thank you to:

Avon-by-the-Sea Environmental Commission
Gardens of Avon-by-the-Sea
Parents, Students and Friends of Avon Elementary School
For helping us plant and maintain the Community Garden.

Planting a community garden at the school gives tangible meaning to the interconnected nature of small town living. The entire community gains understanding of its environmental issues. The garden promotes a discussion about reducing our ecological footprint and renewing energy resources. Additionally, it adds to the beautification of our neighborhood.

September 2014:

The Foundation continues to develop the Avon Elementary Instrumental Band Program with a $3500 gift to the school, supported by a grant from PNC Bank and donor funding.

August 2014:

The Foundation sponsored a community summer reading of the Daisy Goodwin novel, The American Heiress. On a beautiful summer evening, adult learners met at the Avon Pavilion Boardwalk to enjoy a book discussion moderated by professor Olefsen.

June 2014

Congratulations to the High School Scholarship winners! These young men represent the mission and ideals of the Avon-by-the-Sea Education Foundation Andrew Sperduto, attended Manasquan High School and matriculated to The University of Michigan.

Jack Cole: attended St. Rose High School and matriculated to Marist College in New York state.

Tommy Rooney attended Christian Brothers Acadamy and matriculated to Columbia University in New York City


Donate to the Annual Fund:
Click below to make a donation online.
The foundation's mission supports educational advancement for all boro residents---both children and adults. With your help, this past year the Foundation has implemented:

  • After School Instrumental Programs in Avon School
  • Lego Robotics STEM program in Middle School,
    as a result of Teacher mini-grant
  • 8th Grade Mathematics Award
  • Adult Education "Try-it" Series: Workshops for adult learners in painting, technology, dancing and Bridge

    • There's more to come as you help us grow these educational endeavors.
    AbtS Education Foundation is an exciting new philanthropic organization--the first of its kind in our town. It’s a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) incorporated for the purposes of community educational advancement.

    Your attendance supports the AbtS Community Education Fund, providing opportunities in arts, culture, sports, and continuing education for all residences of the Borough.