From John Reilly, Board Chair
Radnor Educational Foundation

It is with a mix of sadness and gratitude that the REF Board of Trustees announces Dr. Meg Haist’s departure as Director of the Radnor Educational Foundation effective summer, 2018. Since joining the organization in February 2014, Meg has had a profound effect on REF, improving us as an organization and encouraging each one of us as we have worked together for the benefit of the students of the RTSD.

Over the next several weeks, we will be conducting a search to find the new Radnor Educational Foundation Director. During this period, it will be our priority to find the best individual to lead our growing organization, building on the progress made during Meg’s tenure with REF. We will share the job announcement soon and ask for your help in identifying a candidate who can help the Radnor Educational Foundation continue along our successful trajectory.

Meg and her husband Steve will be relocating to the Cincinnati area in August, andMeg has agreed to assist between now and her departure to transition to the new director. I personally was sad to hear Meg’s news, but at the same time I am excited for her, Steve, and their family as they set about to write the next chapter of their story. Her commitment to REF, our school district, its students, and each one of us will remain with us as her legacy.

The public is invited to say farewell to Meg and to meet our new trustees at the annual public meeting of the Radnor Educational Foundation at 7:00pm, Thursday, May 24th in theLarge Group Instruction room at Radnor Middle School. Please stay tuned for more news on that meeting and our search for a new Director.

From Meg Haist, Director
Radnor Educational Foundation

After four-and-a-half years with the Radnor Educational Foundation, I recently submitted my resignation to the board in order to take advantage of a career opportunity for my husband, Steve. Leaving my position as Director is decidedly bittersweet; the relationships I’ve developed with REF trustees, Radnor district administrators and staff, teachers, and students, and the chance to work with the many passionate parents, volunteers and donors who sincerely believe in our work have made my experience deeply rewarding. During my time with REF, we’ve grown not only in the number of friends and donors we count among our family, and as a result in the amount we are able to award in grants each year, but also in the depth and breadth of our reach. We’ve continued to fund key educational enrichment programs including STEM, literacy, and cultural and performing arts, adding critical new initiatives that foster student development, including leadership and social and emotional wellness programs. I’m immensely proud to have been part of this evolution.

The people serving on the board at the time of my hiring were clear from the beginning that they wanted to develop as a workingvolunteer board, and I can unequivocally state that we have achieved this goal. With strong board leadership in place, including President John Reilly, treasurer Steve Bevenour, secretary Ava Aljian, and grants chair Brian Pugh (slated to serve as Vice President starting on July 1st with our new year), I know I am leaving the organization in excellent hands, and presenting the new Director with a capable team of talented individuals. My friend and colleague, foundation administrator Theji Brennan, will be invaluable to the person serving in my role.

Finally, the decision to leave did not come easily. During our decade in the area, both Steve and Ihave been faithfully upheld in our endeavors, and have made lifetime friendships. Steve was presented with an opportunity to culminate his career in academic medicine by leading a new regional medical school, and though I regret his acceptance of the position means we will be leaving Pennsylvania, I’m excited and proud to champion his work. I want to express my deepest gratitude to all who have been so supportive of the organization and of me personally during my time with the Radnor Educational Foundation. Without you, REF would not be as strong and vibrant as it is. I’m honored to have been a part of the foundation, and will watch with much excitement and anticipation as you continue to fund possibilities, build futures, and enrich our community.

REF is always happy to see grants in action. Here are some recent highlights!

Radnor Middle School 7th-Graders Participate in Girls Leadership Program

Twenty Radnor Middle School 7th-grade students were selected by their counselors or team teachers to participate in a leadership program for adolescent girls, Girls Lead, presented by Women’s Resource Center in Wayne. RMS was one of nine middle schools and two high schools that participated in the program during the 2017-18 school year.

The participating RMS students were FarnazBazyar, Gianna Bloomfield, Olivia Brubaker, Bryn Carrigan, Louisa Clark, Angela Esgro, Tara Hug, Ava Imperato, Belle James, Elizabeth Johnstone, Hannah Kwak, Paige Leflar, Cayla McLeod, Darci McRae, Zoe Muetterties, Sydney O’Shea, Anne-Aurora Rayer, Anna Sanderson, Jillian Spiller and Margaret Weidenborner. They were identified based on their leadership potential.

Through 12 school-based meetings, the annual Girls Lead Conference, and a leadership project, the Girls Lead participants improved their communication, decision making, conflict resolution, problem solving and advocacy skills.

The Girls Lead Conference welcomed 135 young women from nine participating middle schools to the RMS Large Group Instruction Room on February 28. Centered on the theme of “Unspoken Words,” discussions and activities focused on body language, popular music messaging and implications of social media use.

The leadership project allowed participants to address a problem in their school or community that was discovered during their school-based discussions. The RMS students chose to focus on the transition from elementary to middle school and planned a visit to Ithan Elementary School during 5th-grade recess on March 1. The 7th-grade students led small group activities focused on the core skills they’d been practicing and held small group conversations to answer 5th-graders’ questions about entering 6th-grade.

Previously known as the Girls’ Leadership Program, RMS has been a participating school since the 2007-08 school year and has hosted the annual conference since 2011. For the past two years, Girls Lead at RMS has been funded, in part, by the Radnor Educational Foundation.

Radnor Robotics Qualifies for Pennsylvania State Championships

Two teams of Radnor High School students qualified for the VEX Robotics Eastern Pennsylvania State Championships following strong performances at the Spring-Ford In the Zone State Qualifier at Spring-Ford High School on Feb. 17.

Radnor Robotics Team 101A went 5-1 in their division, ranked 2nd and advanced to the finals. Team 101B finished 6-0 in their division, ranked 3rd and advanced to the semi-finals. Both teams will compete in the State Championship on March 3 at Norristown High School.

Team members on Team 101A are A.J. Bloomfield, Charlie Frick, Paul Lacroix, Alex Leonardi, Scott Massey, Eliana Schlagman and Grant Stephano. Team 101B consists of Ben Adams, Kiran Brennan, Natalie Clark, Julia Grossinger, Matthew Leonardi, Zach Marino, Jack McNamara, Joey Pevner and Edgar Ryan.

The Spring-Ford VEX Robotics Competition is one in a series of tournaments supported by the Robotics Education & Competition (REC) Foundation and various national, regional and local sponsors. The competition season culminates each spring, with the top performing teams from local and state VEX Robotics Competitions competing against each other at VEX Worlds. At VEX Worlds, these exemplarily teams will have the opportunity to challenge their top-ranked peers from over 30 countries around the world, including Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, India, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, United Kingdom and the United States of America.

Radnor Robotics typically meets on Thursdays after school with additional meeting dates added during the build and competition season (January to March). The Radnor Robotics club is led by faculty sponsors and RHS teachers Ken Delaney and Drew Krupp and supported by a grant from Radnor Educational Foundation.

MLK Day of Service at Radnor High School

A huge Thank You to the MLK Day of Service organizers and all the participants! The raffle and bake sale raised over $900 for our Neighbors Helping Neighbors fund!

REF is pleased to see the support and benefit RHS students are receiving  in this program.

“Since its inception in 2007, the Fashion & Design Show has functioned as a venture incubator, providing mentoring, financing, networking, and social media marketing for young entrepreneurs to test out their designs and prototypes.

Last May, Gabby Shapiro, Radnor High School Class of 2017, who is now a freshman at University of Miami, participated in the Fashion & Design show after her successful “mainstage” effort in the first-ever EDVENTURIST World Series held at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy.

Enrolled in the inaugural RHS venture incubator, which was managed under the auspices of alumnus Christopher Massaro and volunteer mentors, Shapiro invented an ingenious product – a magnetized backing which prevents losing or misplacing earrings for pierced ears.”

Read the full article here

On Tuesday, October 17th REF held their 2nd Annual Honoree Breakfast. REF is blessed with having many wonderful people who give of their time and talent each and every year. Thank you to all who attended the event including RTSD Superintendent Mr. Ken Bachelor.

Those receiving honors included:

Mr. Patrick Larkin, Pat has shared that in his wide experience, Radnor Township School District is among the highest-performing school systems, an exemplary district he is pleased to support by giving generously as a corporate sponsor of the Radnor Educational Foundation.

Hugh and Carolyn Braithwaite as our Partners in Excellence. Their generosity through personal and corporate giving and sincere interest in the organization’s grant initiatives has informed the direction of REF’s evolution

Anthony Stevenson and Denik Herrin, our 2017 Visionary Leaders. Because of their vision and leadership, because they have consistently demonstrated the convictionand courage to speak on behalf of students whose voices are sometimes silent, whose families are oftentimes unseen, the Radnor Educational Foundation is morecompassionate in serving our vision.

Sheryl Parente, For her leadership, dedication and countless hours of service on behalf of Radnor students and our community, our 2017 Exemplary Board Member.

The weather held out! We had a wonderful, family friendly, evening watching THE INCREDIBLES outside on the lawn of the Radnor Middle School. Thank you to the team at RMS for helping REF to pull it all off. Blankets were spread, visiting and “friend-raising” happened. A good time was had by all.

We thank our new Business Partners in Education : Little Nest Portraits, Out There Outfitters, Waterdog Computer Works, Wayne Art Supplies & Custom Framing, Rhoads Crossing, Matador Restaurant, AME Salon and Spa, Pipeline Taco, Kids ‘N Kribs, Margaret Kuo’s Restaurants, Argus Printing and Invitation Studio and Belladonna Gifts.

REF is approached for a wide array of grants each season. This year we were very happy to take part in the grant which helped to provide school supplies for those children at Wayne Elementary Schools who could not afford the basics.   With each grant we request that those who have requested the funds provide us with a summary of how the grant was received and utilized. Here is an overview of the WES school supply grant.

Title of Project: School Supplies for WES Students
Grant Amount: Not to exceed $2000
Grant Cycle: Winter
Project Date(s): 1 st day of school 2017

Grant Recipient Name: Denick Herrin & Tracy Tracy
School: Wayne Elementary
1. Brief project recap/description.
Over the last few years, WES has struggled to meet the needs of many children who
come to school with little or no school supplies due to socio-economic factors. The
WES PTO began a school supplies fundraiser with all profit going towards boxes
for needy students. However, there was a large gap between what the PTO was
able to cover and the number of children in need. Therefore, we asked REF to
partner with the PTO so all children could start the year with the school supplies
they need for a successful year. This year, with the support of REF, school supplies
were distributed to over 35 children and there were a few addtional boxes of
supplies available for the guidance counselor, Tracy Tracy, to draw from during the
year when the need arises.

2. Project Impact:
a. Explain how the grant enhanced student learning and/or improved teaching
practices. Basic school supplies are important for any student to have a
successful school year.
b. Did the project meet your anticipated goals? Please describe in detail. Yes,
everyone involved is pleased and thankful that the school supplies were available
for identified students at the beginning of the year.

c.Did the project deliver any unanticipated results? Teachers were vocal with
their relief that all students in their classroom were covered. It is an obvious
stressor on the first day of school for the children without supplies, but it may not
have been as known that the teachers were carrying the stress as well.
d. In retrospect, what would you have done differently to improve the project?
There is discussion about changing the vendor and also allowing parents to pick
up boxes prior to the first day of school.

3. Sustainability and/or replicability:
a. What are your specific plans for continuing the work started by this project.
The PTO will continue to work with Tracy Tracy in guidance to find ways to
provide school supplies for all students in need. It is our hope that REF will
continue to partner with the PTO in this endeavor.
b. Provide a recommendation for the grant to be replicated in other classrooms
or schools.
This can easily be replicated/implemented in the other elementary schools if they
chose to participate in the fundraiser for their families or tie in to the WES
fundraiser. Once needs are identified at IES and RES, boxes for these students
could be purchased at the same time as the WES boxes.

4. Budget:
a. List the project budget with actual expenditures.
Staples receipts: $1595.08
PTO profit from fundraiser: $478
Total from REF: $1117.08
Note: A number of boxes (at least five) were donated through the fundraiser
which reduced purchase costs as well.

The Radnor Alumni Council hosts an all class reunion after  Radnor versus Lower Merion matchup on November 4th.  Held every other year after the home game at the Radnor Financial Center, the event is  a reunion for ALL Classes.  No RSVP required, so gather the friends you reconnect with at the game and head over to catch up with other at the reunion.  $25 at the door. Hors d’oeuvres and drinks served. Must be 21 to attend.

We may not have been in the office every day, but our grants were at work this summer! We were pleased to support grants at the elementary level and the high school level.

Radnor Summer Reading Camp

This summer, Radnor Township School District hosted a Summer Reading Camp for select students in all grades. The program provided the opportunity for students to continue building on what they learned during the 2016-17 school year and better prepare them for the upcoming year.

Students in the camp celebrated all they learned with a celebratory trip to Children’s Book World in Haverford, funded by the Radnor Educational Foundation. Students earned “book bucks” for each day they attended camp with a bonus if they had perfect attendance. After selecting books with the book bucks, students topped it off with a stop at Yapple Yogurt for a final treat.

We are so pleased to see the success of this program for students. The funds for this grant were $4,500.

Radnor High School Courtyard Renovation

REF is happy to provide partial funding through a student advised grant to the Radnor High School Student Council to renovate the school’s current courtyard into a safe and modernized outdoor space for all students to learn and socialize while appreciating nature. With support from faculty advisor Kathy Pearsall, Student Council members worked closely with teacher Craig Leister’s Civil Engineering class to develop the proposed renovation plans. The renovation plans recommended repurposing part of the existing greenhouse into a seating area with counters, benches and a charging station; the addition of an outdoor, WiFi-equipped classroom space; new furniture under the existing canopy and in other spaces where students could gather and eat lunch.

This student advised grant involved renovating the courtyard at RHS to be a more useful, multi-purpose area.  The grant was begun in the 2016-2017 school year . The renovation was designed by RHS civil engineering and architecture students with additional work being done by student council members.  The RHS  administration and building maintenance crew were supportive in getting everything installed for the start of the school year.

We loved to see the students that proposed this grant work with fellow students to raise their own funds and work with administration to complete the project. It is sure to be enjoyed by the whole student body at the High School for years to come. 

REF Grant total for this project was $8000.

Cool weather and scattered showers couldn’t stop partygoers and Radnor Educational Foundation supporters from attending Paramour’s 6th Annual Kentucky Derby Party at the Wayne Hotel this past Saturday, May 6, 2017. Bulleit Bourbon Mint Juleps, Red and White wine, and Champagne were served to a stylish sell-out crowd, along with an assortment of savory butlered hors d’oeuvres including Buttermilk Fried Oysters, Jalapeño Hushpuppies with Pimento Cheese, Braised Brisket Sliders, Buffalo Chicken Deviled Eggs, and Bass Ceviche with Cucumber Agua Chile. Southern-inspired sweets such as Mini Pecan Pie Tartlets, Peach Cobbler, and Red Velvet Cupcakes were also served for dessert. The weather may have been chilly, but party guests were looking haute haute haute! Both men and women came dressed to impress in their finest Derby attire, but only a few lucky ladies and gents would take home the title “Best Dressed” for the Derby Contest. First, Second and Third Place winners were awarded prizes including $100 Gift Cards to Essent Spa at The Radnor Hotel and Jay Michael Salon and Spa Radnor, bottles of wine and Bulleit Bourbon, and a Kendra Scott Necklace valued at $175! As post time drew near, anticipation and excitement grew as everyone gathered around TVs in the Lobby Lounge, Bistro Bar, and out on the Veranda to watch the 143rd “Run for the Roses”. Clearly, there were quite a few happy “Always Dreaming” fans in attendance. Paramour and Radnor Educational Foundation would like to thank all of the party guests who purchased tickets to this charitable event. You helped make it another fun-filled Kentucky Derby Party and a successful fundraiser, raising $4,850 for the Radnor Educational Foundation.

A big thank you to Steven Bajus and Paramour for choosing REF to be the beneficiary of the 6th Annual Kentucky Derby Party . Get your tickets and break out your best hat for this sure to be fabulous event.

Enjoy and array of derby inspired hors d’oeuvres , mint juleps, specially reserved wines and sweets while you watch the race events live in the lobby lounge and out on the veranda.

Tickets are limited. Get yours now at :

https://paramour.ticketleap.com/6th-annual-kentucky-derby-party-at-paramour/t/ref/

It is our favorite time of year! Time for our benefit event! This benefit is the major fundraiser for Radnor Educational Foundation and supports this next years grants.

We are excited to change it up this year! Co-Chaired by Julie Kelly and Julie Granson, they chose the location of the Main Line Jaguar / Range Rover Dealership in Wayne and decided on the theme of Denim and Diamonds. Get ready for some fun! Music from the RHS Jazz Band followed by DJ and food from everyone’s favorite Nick’s Roast Beef in the Food Truck! Live and silent Auction items will be hotly contested for sure with a list including

· A tween birthday package including photo session with friends

· Original artwork including a piece from Lilly Pulitzer

· A full orthodontia treatment and teeth whitening

· Golf for three and lunch with a Radnor member at Merion

· Tickets to sporting events with special access including the Flyers, Sixers, Eagles, Penn State football and hockey

· Radnor High school packages, including Radnor crest cufflinks

· Vacations and Staycations, including a two night stay at Deer Valley and a private tour of the PMA collection

And…. the mystery box donated by Craiger Drake Designs ( valued at $3500) 

Buy your chance now – they are going fast.

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