2025-2026 Back to School Letter-LCJSMS + SHS

Dear Summit Parents and Guardians,

Welcome back to the 2025-2026 school year! As we embark on another academic year, the Summit Educational Foundation (SEF) is reaffirming our annual commitment to support Summit public schools as safe, welcoming, diverse, and inclusive environments where our children can thrive and excel.

Our Mission – Creating Possible. Our vision at SEF is to maintain educational excellence in Summit Public Schools by supporting innovative initiatives that elevate and enhance the academic experience for all Summit students at every learning level. Thanks to generous community donations and a close partnership with the school district, SEF is able to fund equipment, technology, programs, and staff development that would otherwise be impossible with current budget constraints.

Last year, SEF enriched the educational experience for Summit students at the middle and high school levels with numerous creative and progressive grants. You can view a full list of approved grants at www.sefnj.org/grants-in-action.

A Few Highlights of LCJSMS/SHS Grants Funded in 2024-2025:

●      STEAM Support – Funded specialized equipment for new STEAM classrooms at LCJSMS, as well as Science Olympiad and robotics kits for middle school students; supported advanced science research and programming at SHS.

●      Arts Funding – Supported a music workshop and performance at SHS, upgraded theater technology at LCJSMS, and brought a visiting ceramics artist to work with students.

●      Technology Tools – Provided access to online applications that promote collaboration, creativity, and academic success across grade levels.

●      Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) – Backed mentoring programs for at-risk students and funded Executive Functioning classes to support middle schoolers’ organization and focus.

●      College Counseling – Enhanced SHS college counseling services through professional development and strategic programming.

SEF District Highlights include:

●      39 Years of Partnering with Summit Public Schools

●      4,000+ Students Positively Impacted Every Year

●      $11.7M in Science, Literacy, Math, Technology and Arts Education Grants Since 1986

●      $3.8M to Fund 331 Grants in the Last 5 Years

●      $1.2M for STEAM Initiatives All Elementary Schools & Middle School in the Last 3 Years

SEF Relies On Your Support! We are grateful to all of the generous families who support SEF – every donation is important and appreciated. We hope you’ll join us by contributing to SEF for the 2025-2026 school year and beyond. You can donate online at www.sefnj.org/donate or click the QR code in this letter. If you prefer to donate by check, enclosed is a return envelope for your convenience – either drop it at your school or mail it directly to us.

SEF Needs Your Help! In addition to financial contributions, we also need volunteers! Please consider volunteering your time at an SEF event or serving as a board member. To get involved, please contact us at info@sefnj.org.

We wish your family all the best for a successful and enriching school year.

Thanks for your support,

Susan Daniel & Chelle Donnelly

Co-Presidents

PS – This year we’ll be celebrating 40 years of SEF at our annual fundraising event – Spring For Excellence. Save the date for March 14, 2026. We hope to see you there!

SEF is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Donations are tax-deductible and qualify for corporate matching gifts programs.