We’re starting the new year by catching up on the YEF stories from the last six months. Newest item are highlighted.
Jimmy Neel Receives 2025 Dr. Henry R. Scipione Award
Congratulations to Jimi Neel, recipient of the 2025 Henry Scipione Award.
Jimi has been a teacher in our district for 25 years, and in that time his passion for music has never wavered. He began as a chorus teacher in a room under the gym, where he did his best to keep students on beat despite the constant soundtrack of bouncing basketballs and stomping feet overhead. Eventually, he moved into the role we know him best for today — Band Director — where he has guided students from their very first notes of Hot Crossed Buns all the way to honors festivals, collecting awards for both concert and jazz bands along the way.
Jimi connects with students not just through music, but by showing genuine interest in their lives, adding humor to rehearsals, and holding high standards for what he knows they can achieve. He plans every lesson with precision, mapping out each piece into detailed outlines for every section, and can even demonstrate by playing all the instruments himself. Beyond the classroom, Jimi takes that same passion into the community, leading parades, concerts, and events that showcase the incredible talents of his students.
The Dr. Henry R. Scipione Award
The York Education Foundation established the Henry R. Scipione Award in 2012 to honor Superintendent Dr. Scipione, who was instrumental in establishing YEF in 2004. The York Education Foundation gives this award each year to an educator whose efforts serve to promote and advance excellence in education for students in the York Public Schools.
Dr. Scipione continues to be honored each year with the presentation of this award in the amount of $500.00. YEF invites local citizens, school staff, as well as parents and students, to submit nominations for educators in the York School System who have had an especially positive impact on their lives. Participation in nominating a recipient is important, and all statements/stories regarding the educator of their choice will be considered in the selection by the York Education Foundation Board of Directors.
10/09 Golf Tournament Results
So much to say, we added a page!
We awarded prizes for Long drive and closest-to-the-pin.
The silent auction featured fifty or so items including local gift cards and crafts, a turkey roaster, golf equipment and outings, a surveying package, and 6 day/5 night stay at the renowned Pinehurst #2 golf club.
Overall, the event raised more than $30,000 for next year’s grants!!
2025-2026 Grant Awards
Adaptive Recorders, Sarajane St. John, Music Teacher, CRES: Purchase 15 NUVO Recorder + recorders for 3rd and 4th grade music students who find traditional recorders inaccessible.
Sewing with 5th Graders, Suzi Young, 5th grade teacher, YMS: Purchase sewing supplies for all 5th grade classes to teach sewing and embroidery as part of the Living History Program.
Conversemos, Sarah Bolaños, World Language Dept. Chair, YHS: 150 subscriptions to Speakable, an on-line language learning platform leveraging AI in student instruction and assessment.
Learning in Motion, Amanda Benoit, School Counselor, VES: Following research which indicates that movement facilitates learning in children, her plan is to provide 2 kid sized stationary bikes to be available for Pre-K to Grade 2.
Collaborative Learning & Social Skills (CLASS), Lynn Sheehan, Executive Secretary, YMS: An effort to provide an environment for developmentally delayed adults to feel a sense of community, foster their independence, and reduce isolation.
Class Economy, Beth Knight, 6th Grade ELA Teacher, YMS: An effort to teach students life skills through a virtual class economy run through a website called Class Bank where students earn and spend digital money.
First Green Program, Linda Nichols, Biology Teacher, YHS: Participation in a hands-on outreach education program through the Golf Course Superintendents Association where students study biology and sustainability.
Advisory Resources for Student Growth, Nancy Lindbom, 7th grade teacher, YMS: This project is focused on developing a full year structured curriculum for the Puma team to promote team building, social-emotional well being and student engagement.
Wicked Good Wildcats Positive Behavior, Kevin Etter, Teacher, YMS: Strengthen this on-going and successful behavior improvement project by reinforcing positive behavior beyond mere recognition.
Adaptive Resources to Improve Classroom Behavior, Kate Cervenka, Ed Tech, CRES: Improve concentration and engagement, and decrease disruptive behavior with adaptive seating allowing teachers to re-direct children that are unable to focus.
Maple Syrup Project, Michael Harris, Principal, CRES: Create a multi-year “Coastal Ridge Maple Sugaring Program” experiential learning opportunity centered around the traditional practice of maple sugaring.
THESE YEF GRANTS TOTALING $21,125 BRING OUR TOTAL HISTORICAL GIFTS TO $318,000… AND WE ARE JUST GETTING STARTED!
Grant History is Now Available Online
We’ve added a set of pages for Grant History, which can be accessed from the Grants menu. Here’s a direct link: Grant History
Thanks for visiting Stage Neck April 3!
We had a good outing at the Stage Neck Inn on April 3. Guests got to meet members of the YEF Board, saw a presentation about our history and mission, and saw a demo of the latest from the Robotics Team. Stage Neck served hors d’oeuvres and cold drinks.
See us @ Stage Neck Inn on April 3!
Join us on Thursday evening, April 3, 2025, at 6:00 at the beautiful Stage Neck Inn to learn a little bit about who we are, what we do and how you can be a part of this great organization! We will be offering cold drinks, wonderful hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar overlooking the mouth of the York River.
How You Can Help
We are currently looking for parents and community members to become involved in several ways: Grant Committee, Fund Raising, and Board Members are needed!
Special Thanks to The Stage Neck Inn for hosting our event!
Here’s a link to the full Meet and Greet flyer
2025-2026 Grant Cycle is Open!
For more information, please go to our Grant Information page. Grant Applications will be accepted until April 18.
Pickleball Fundraiser Update
We had a very successful tournament at Seacoast Pickleball. Look here for more details and pictures!
