'Amazing' Month for PWEF and Port Washington Schools

October 2012 has been simply amazing for the Port Washington Education Foundation and Port Washington Schools.

A full 26 educational grants were awarded at the 11th PWEF Grant Awards Ceremony on Oct. 11. Schreiber Principal Ira Pernick spoke about the newly re-opened TV studio and creation of new media classes, funded by a 2012 PWEF grant. Mr. Pernick showed a student-produced video of the recent Pride in Port Parade. The video was created with new handheld, high tech cameras purchased with this grant. For a complete list of all 2012-2013 grants, log on to the PWEF website.

Friendly competition was the name of the game for 23 teams at the PWEF Amazing Race on Oct. 13. Teams travelled Port streets completing fun tasks at local shops – assembling a pizza box, braiding hair, learning to dance, filling a cannoli, rowing 500 meters and more. The winning team, Two Dans & a Phil (Jaimee & Dan Loewy, Allison & Phil Neidoff, and Laura & Dan Furstenberg) placed first and collected their prize from Shine Hair Studio. Indeed everyone was a winner on this night: generous merchants who stayed open late and created fun tasks, Detective Anthony Guzzello providing safe travels, event sponsor Om Sweet Om, post-race nosh by Chef for a Night (Jane Ronis), Schreiber Key Club students and photographer Owen Costello. (Event photos online).

Cheers to all who participated. Interim Superintendent Kathy Mooney, along with several administrators, teachers, Port Washington Teachers Association representatives and coaches participated in the race. The school district staff was very well represented. Parents and PWEF board members joined in as well. This was a true coming together for fun and purpose. As with all PWEF fundraising events, all funds raised will go towards funding educational grants in the Port Schools.

Much thanks to participating event merchants: Arena Sports, Castle Repair (Gold sponsor), Commisso & Company, Dance Arts Centre, Dolphin Bookshop, Entrée, Frank’s Pizzeria, Friends of Port Rowing, Gail’s Stride Rite, Impulse, Linda’s g2g, Massage Envy, Power Ten Fitness Club, Port Washington Schools Athletic Dept., Shine Hair Studio (Bronze sponsor), Sweet Comfort Bakery, Sweetie’s Candy Cottage, Testa Wines (Silver sponsor).

The Port Washington Education Foundation is an independent, non-profit, community-based organization. The foundation supports initiatives that enhance and expand educational opportunities over and above basic educational needs for all students in the Port Washington public schools.