Fundraising for language lab to begin in 2010

HOLMDEL — Members of the Holmdel Foundation for Educational Excellence (HFEE) will be holding a fundraiser to bring an all-digital language lab into the district for the 2010 academic year.

The organization announced at the Dec. 16 Board of Education meeting that the commemorative plaque fundraising initiative will help raise money to provide funding for the lab for use by the world language program.

The fundraiser is anticipated to raise approximately $70,000, according to the HFEE. The estimated cost of the lab is $150,000 and will include 30 student stations and one teacher command station.

The foundation gained board approval after presenting a proposal at the Oct. 28 meeting about the academic and cultural benefit the language lab would provide the students of Holmdel.

"Since then, we have been diligently working toward our goal," said Doreen De- Marco, chairwoman of the Holmdel Foundation for Educational Excellence. "This commerative plaque fundraiser will be conducted in addition to our normal fundraising activities. It is needed to ensure that we raise enough money this year to purchase the world language lab so it can be used in September 2010."

The customized gold-embossed plaques will have the donor's choice of message with an HFEE logo on a walnut finish. All funds from the plaque purchases will provide for the implementation of the lab.

The foundation will offer six different donation levels, ranging from $100 to $10,000. The highest donors will receive a globe or key in place of a plaque and will serve as a ribbon cutter at the lab opening, DeMarco said.

The digital-learning system enables multimedia-based software for teachers and students to share course materials, record conversations and develop language proficiency.

The fundraising timeline for introduction of the world language lab will work in four phases, DeMarco explained. Phase one will begin Jan. 15 with a brochure mailed to the community describing various donation levels and plaques offered.

The plaque fundraiser will be highlighted during phase two on April 17 at the foundation's annual dinner-dance, where plaques will be on display.

Come June, a final review of funds for purchase of the lab and approval from the foundation will take place. The foundation is aiming to have the lab fully installed, teachers trained and class schedules in place by September.

Large multiplate plaques listing all donors will be displayed at the entrance to the Satz School on the wall opposite the main office and at the Holmdel High School commons adjacent to the school's mission statement, according to the HFEE.

The district offers five different language courses at Holmdel High School and the William R. Satz School: Chinese, Spanish, Italian, Latin and French. Introductory Spanish is also taught at Village School and Indian Hill.

If implemented, the world language lab will be used district-wide and aligns with three of Holmdel's 2009-10 district goals, including enhancing and enriching the world language program, integrating technology into instruction, and continuing with opportunities for differentiated instruction.

"The foundation was established in 1996 and approximately $1.1 million has been raised to date," DeMarco said. "This is approximately $80,000 that we were able to raise in one funding cycle, which is one school year."

For more information, visit the Holmdel Foundation for Educational Excellence website at http://www.holmdel.k12.nj.us/foundation/ foundation.shtm.