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Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School
Educational Foundation

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About the Foundation

Education is the great fault line that determines who is part of the American dream. A high quality education is a lifetime gift. To further the tradition of excellence for today's and tomorrow's students at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, a group of parents, alumni, teachers, along with business, community, and civic leaders, formed the Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School Educational Foundation. The Foundation is dedicated to ensuring that public education delivers its promise and gives all students at B-CC High School the skills they need to flourish and succeed.

The Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School Educational Foundation is neither an endowment nor a permanent fund. With no paid staff, it relies entirely on the generosity of its donors and the volunteer efforts of its Board of Directors. The Foundation works closely with the principal and school staff, as well as the PTSA, to identify unmet needs and raises the necessary funds from current and former B-CC families, alumni, friends, towns, and local businesses. It is a tax exempt charitable foundation with a nonprofit 501(c)(3) designation.

History

Communities across the nation have realized since the 1980s, an era of public school budget cuts, that foundations are needed to support the public schools. Michigan and California paved the way; some California public school foundations have raised millions of dollars for public education.

During the mid-1990s, Montgomery County slashed the school system's budget. These budget cuts had an impact on the school system's ability to maintain the high quality of public education that has been the hallmark of B-CC High School.

In response to the effect of these cuts on Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, a group of staff, parents, alums, and concerned citizens representing all sectors of the community formed the Community Coalition for B-CC High School (CC-B-CC), which issued "A Call to Action" for Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School. After a year of intensive research, surveying, conducting educational forums and a retreat, the group presented an initiative for retooling and re-engineering B-CCHS. This consensus initiative, "Stand Up For B-CC 2000", established Three Pillars of Reform - Academic Excellence, Small School Experience, and Connecting with Community that launched the B-CC High School Renaissance.

Initially, the community's effort focused on school system resources. Soon there was recognition that sources from within the school system would be insufficient to meet the needs of B-CC High School with its diverse student population. For the school to maintain and enhance its rich academic tradition, additional resources, both financial and material, need to be found in the larger B-CC community including the surrounding business community, municipalities, parents and alumni. The B-CC High School Educational Foundation was incorporated in August 1995.

During its brief history, the Foundation has played a vital role in helping to ensure that all students have the support they need to reach their academic potential, including a Capital Campaign that raised funds to bring the school's technology into the 21st century, the initiation of a summer academy for at-risk entering freshman, the after-school tutoring (TAP) program for students at all levels, a mentoring program for students who require additional help, and other programs that directly support students and staff.

Board of Directors

The Foundation's Board of Directors includes alumni, current and former B-CC parents, community and business leaders. The Board approves all major actions such as fundraising and allocation of funds.


Reports

(PDF's - requires Acrobat Reader*)

Annual Reports

2002  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007  2008  2009 

Financial Reports

All years

Funding Criteria

The Foundation Board carefully reviews applications for funding. Our criteria include overall planning and implementation, objectives, number of students reached, and method of evaluation. Each project is evaluated to determine the need for the program or activity, and the impact it will have on the school. The Foundation's goal is to support academic excellence for the diverse student population of B-CC High School. Because we know we are just one of many links between the school and the community, we work closely with the school administration, the PTSA, and B-CC alumni to set priorities, coordinate support for the school, and monitor our grants.


Testimonials

B-CC's identity as an academically excellent school and a welcoming environment for all students is a reflection of the community support, which the Foundation embodies. With this in mind, on behalf of the students and faculty of Bethesda Chevy Chase High School, I again wish to express our appreciation for all that you do.

Katy Harvey, Principal

I am so excited. . . . You all are great...a big help for social studies with updated materials etc. this is the only and best conference out there.

Jeanne Tremonti, Social Studies Resource Teacher

Thank you so very much for renewing the grant for the ESL program at the Coffield Center in partnership with Montgomery College. This will enable the class to continue in the Spring semester of 2004. It has become more popular and is now serving 40 parents of all the schools in the B-CC Cluster. It is one of the many ways we all are reaching so many of our parents and students . Thank you for the work you do to enrich the B-CC Community.

Cathie Goltz, PTSA President

The computers and audio visual teaching aids are used constantly, both during the day and after school, by guidance to help with college searches and in the evening for adult education. The school has a special computerized algebra teaching program that is getting very good results. The school could not have afforded the technology without the Foundation's assistance.

Pete Flynn, Special Education teacher




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