2020 Lakeland Education Foundation Honorees

by atm | Mar 3, 2020 | Gala Casino Night, Key Moments, Tom Thumb Information, Tom Thumb News

Gala Casino Night
When: Saturday, March 14, 2020 from 7 pm to midnight
Where: Viiia Barone 466 Route 6 Mahopac, NY
How to Attend: Click on Gala Casino Night RSVP Card

The Lakeland Education Foundation Announces 2019-2020 Honorees Community Member and Three Educators to be Honored at March 14 Dinner Dance

The Lakeland Education Foundation (LEF) will honor three district staff members and a community member at its annual Casino Night, Silent Auction, and Dinner Dance to be held at the Villa Barone in Mahopac on Saturday, March 14, 2019.

Three outstanding supporters of the LEF and the students of the Lakeland Central School District are this year’s honorees: Lakeland High School Principal Christopher Cummings, Lakeland High School Social Studies Teacher Maureen   O’Donnell, and Superintendent Dr. George Stone. Also being honored is Nancy Brophy, director, and owner of Tom Thumb Preschool.

“I am honored that people in my profession have chosen Tom Thumb and me to be recognized at Lakeland Education Foundation’s annual event,” offered Nancy Brophy. “I am overwhelmed with gratitude. I will share this honor with my teacher and staff, past and present. They have made Tom Thumb what it is today,”she added.

“I wish to express my fondest gratitude to the Lakeland Education Foundation for enriching “All Things Lakeland” over my ten years here, and many years prior,” said Dr. Stone. “It has been my distinct honor to serve the Foundation as part of the Unfunded Mandate Band who was able to give as well as receive so many blessings through LEF’s generous support. I wish the Lakeland Education Foundation continued success as they fulfill their mission to enrich and enhance the lives of Lakeland students, staff and schools.” Dr. Stone is retiring after in June 2020.

“I am extremely honored to be recognized by the Lakeland Education Foundation. The LEF dedicates so much time and effort into supporting the educational experiences of our students by providing our teachers with opportunities to enrich their students’ classroom experience,” said Christopher Cummings.  “The work of the LEF supports and in many ways mirrors the work we do each and every day in our buildings. Working alongside the LEF helps continue the partnership which brings the school and community together to support our students and makes our district special,” added Cummings.

“So much about education is the support the community gives the teachers and the support the teachers offer to the community,” said Maureen O’Connell. “When you have that relationship between a community and its education system, it ensures the success of generations of people. Working at Lakeland for 25 years I’ve seen and experienced the support and success of this community,” she continued. “The LEF is an integral part of the community and Lakeland Central Schools. I am humbled to be honored by them,” she concluded.

Created in 1994, the Foundation has awarded more than $1 million to benefit the district’s students through the annual LEF grant program.

The Lakeland Education Foundation seeks to provide opportunities for the students and staff of Lakeland to expand learning opportunities, to maximize the potential of each student, and to augment the fine work that is already underway in the Lakeland Schools.

“The Lakeland Education Foundation has been working hard for the past 24 years to enhance the educational experience for all Lakeland students,” said Diane Kness, LEF President.

The money raised at the evening’s activity will be used to help fund the Foundation’s grant program. For more information or to sign up to attend the event, go to LEF@LakelandSchools.org.