The Education Foundation Launches New Website

The Education Foundation has launched a new interactive user friendly website at www.edfound.net.

The Education Foundation is a community-based nonprofit dedicated to building career academies by connecting business and education – working every day to improve our region’s schools, learning opportunities and workforce.

The website was created as a part of an overall branding campaign for The Education Foundation. The site is used as a tool to help communicate to business people, educators, parents and students about school to business partnerships. It also serves as a resource to align business and education to ensure thriving world-class schools in our community.

The new site includes:

• Updates on the impact The Foundation's collaborative work has on the community
• Opportunity to share positive stories of what is happening in our school districts
• Private collaboration area for educators and businesses
• Dynamic graphics and video
• Newsletter sign up to keep up to date with Education Foundation projects, initiatives and events

“The key to our mission is really using this website to help define what we do – to build business and education partnerships for positive change and help prepare all students for success in the workplace,” said Allen Wutzdorff, Executive Director, The Education Foundation.

Business Education Summit – October 27, 2010

Does your business require science, technology, engineering or math? The Education Foundation presents its 15th annual Business Education Summit with special keynote speaker Susan Lavrakas, director, Government Affairs with BAE Systems, a global aerospace company. Lavrakas is a national expert on creating community coalitions to advance Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education and workforce development.

Learn about effective strategies for world-class STEM education in our public high schools and be a part of shaping the future workforce. There will also be a panel of experts to ensure we build partnerships in STEM education

The Business Education Summit has a fourteen-year track record of convening educators and leaders from the business community to engage in active dialogue about significant issues regarding the preparation of today’s students for tomorrow’s workforce. This annual event attracts hundreds of business, community and education leaders and is an ideal venue for meeting new colleagues and partners.

The Summit will be held Wednesday, October 27, 7:30 - 11 a.m. at Trident Technical College. The cost is $85, $50 for educators and includes a full breakfast. To register click here.  For more information contact Jess Wickersham at 843.805.3080.

Thanks to our sponsors:

Gold
Clear Channel Communications
The InterTech Group Inc

Silver
Blackbaud
The Post and Courier
Rick Hendrick imports
Trident Health System
Trident Technical College
WCIV-TV Channel 4

Bronze
BB&T
Charleston Regional Development Alliance
GEL Engineering LLC
South Carolina Federal Credit Union
The Citadel School of Education
Palmetto Behavioral Health

Patron
MWV
Tri-County Human Resources Management Association

Is our State Broke? Or is our System Broken?

The Education Foundation in collaboration with the Berkeley Chamber of Commerce, the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce, and the Greater Summerville/Dorchester Chamber of Commerce is hosting Mike Fanning, Executive Director of the Olde English Consortium who will speak on the current structure of South Carolina's tax system and the need for comprehensive tax reform, Wednesday, September 29, from 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. at The College Center at the Complex for Economic Development, Trident Technical College .

Tax reform of this nature could open doors to increasing our economic competitiveness while decreasing our overall tax rates. Meaningful tax reform is also a way to improve funding for public education and other vital public services, such as health and human services, public safety, roads and infrastructure, higher education, and community programs and services designed to meet public needs.

The cost is free to attend. To register click here.  For more information contact Jess Wickersham 843.805.3080  with questions about this event.

Welcome New Staff Member

The Education Foundation would like to welcome Jess Wickersham who will serve as executive assistant. Jess is a native of the Charleston area and attended Berkeley County public schools while graduating from Stratford High School. She has a Bachelor’s in Communication from the College of Charleston and will receive a Master’s in Education Ministries from Erskine Theological Seminary in December.

"I have always appreciated the educational opportunities that have been available to me and which have equipped me for work that serves both my interests and my community. I am excited about being a part of The Education Foundation’s staff, serving the three-county region to help better prepare students to successfully enter the workforce," said Wickersham.

As Executive Assistant she is responsible for planning and logistics of events such as the annual Business Education Summit and Principal for a Day and will also handle correspondence with the various businesses, school district personnel, and The Education Foundation sponsors and volunteers.

Business Mentoring Needed

The Dorchester District Two Academic and Behavior Specialists are working with Givhans Alternative Program (GAP) teachers to develop strategies and interventions to keep their students in school. GAP has approximately 144 students (as of August 30) in grades 7 – 12. Some of these students are attending GAP voluntarily to get a fresh start with academics and catch-up with the grade level of their peers. Some choose to attend in lieu of expulsion from their “home schools” in Dorchester District Two. All of them are severely at-risk and in need of many outside agency services.

Would your business be interested in any or all of the following strategies for student success ?
• Acting as a mentor to one or a group of GAP students several times throughout this school year
• Volunteering to speak to students in classes re their careers, etc., or maybe something they had to overcome to be successful or just about life skills –
• Volunteering to work with a special interest group of students on how to do something (could be most anything – build a bird house; cook a special recipe; change the oil in a car; stitch a quilt; learn how to play a board game)
• Donate some materials or “people power” to build 4 - 5 wood picnic tables – and teaching some students how to do this as part of the donation – Joyce Dearing, GAP Principal, would like to have the picnic tables so kids can earn the privilege of being able to eat lunch outside in nice weather

Students would benefit from any positive one-on-one or small group interaction with an adult role model. Please contact Sheila Lenz, Academic Behavior Specialist, Dorchester District Two at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it '; document.write( '' ); document.write( addy_text17591 ); document.write( '<\/a>' ); //--> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 843.875.4161 extension 1191.

Spread the News

If you know about a business/education related story or event we want to hear about it. Send story ideas or upcoming events that may be printed in the next EdBiz Link. Please send submissions to Jess Wickersham at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it '; document.write( '' ); document.write( addy_text49214 ); document.write( '<\/a>' ); //--> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Executive Committee - September, 3 - 8 a.m.

Board of Directors - September,10 - 8 a.m.

ROI Committee - September 15, 12 p.m.

Master Plan Task Force - September 28, 8 a.m.