Page 24 - Layout 1
P. 24
NON PROFIT
SUPPORTING 21ST Established in 1997, the Boerne Educa- tools like microscopes and calculators to
CENTURY LEARNING tion Foundation (BEF) is a volunteer-dri- ‘out-of-the-box’ items like the Star Lab—a
IN THE BOERNE ISD ven organization, employing one staff type of mobile planetarium, and the robotics
member. The Board of Directors represents program.”
Almost 20 years ago a group of community-minded individuals,
a group of involved ranging from parents, to educators and Many other remarkable academic tools
and passionate parents business people, who believe that providing available because of BEF’s contributions in-
came together to ensure a strong education for Boerne ISD students clude software and technological materials
their children would significantly contributes to the success of for all academic courses, supplemental text
excel in education by the students. They also understand the books in reading and math, eBooks, a DNA
providing the learning value that the positive impact of quality lab and a forensic unit, ecosystems, digital
tools and classroom public education has on a community, its cameras, art exhibits and a ceramic kiln, geo
materials needed businesses, property values and the families mats and climbing walls for physical fitness,
to support the students, that live there. musical instruments and numerous other
teachers and staff in the learning tools to use in the classroom.
Boerne Independent Revenue generated through BEF’s
School District. While the fundraising efforts extends above and be- “In addition, there’s our contribution to
group’s members have yond Boerne ISD’s normal operating the ITSA program, which stands for Infor-
changed over the years, budget. The educational resources funded mation Technology and Security Academy,”
their determination is through BEF support a child’s education Lemmons says. “Upon completion of this
stronger than ever. whether their path is to be college-ready or two-year program, students have both ad-
workforce-ready, and every child benefits in vanced placement credit for college, plus
some way through the many remarkable ac- computer technology certification that al-
ademic tools that have been purchased lows them to be workforce-ready if that is
through BEF support. their career path.”
“BEF is Boerne ISD’s greatest source of As state funding continues to decline,
funding outside of the district’s operating BEF’s contributions are now more necessary
budget,” says foundation president Angie than ever to meet the needs of students and
Lemmons. “It provides our schools with teachers through basic 21st Century class-
everything from much-needed classroom room materials such as Smart Boards, lap-
tops and iPads.
24 San Antonio Medicine • March 2016
