Blog

12/31/2025

Thank You for Helping “Thank a Teacher”

We are pleased to share that our Thank a Teacher drive was a wonderful success, and we are deeply grateful to everyone who participated.

Thanks to your generosity, the East Lyme Education Foundation delivered Certificates of Recognition to 33 East Lyme educators. The messages were thoughtful and personal, with families sharing specific moments that show how much they appreciate their teachers and staff. It was wonderful to see how much this community values its educators.

Your support also helped advance ELEF’s broader mission by helping us fund innovative classroom projects through our mini‑grant program. Programs like Thank a Teacher are allowing us to continue expanding impact across all East Lyme schools.

Engaging Students. Empowering Teachers.

One grant at a time.

12/05/2025

Say “Thank You” to an East Lyme Teacher!

Looking for a meaningful way to recognize an East Lyme teacher or staff member this holiday season?

Join the East Lyme Education Foundation’s “Thank a Teacher” Program!

With a tax-deductible gift of $10 or more, ELEF will deliver a personalized Certificate of Recognition to your child’s teacher—complete with your name and optional message of thanks. Certificates will arrive before the December holiday break, just in time to brighten their season.

Why It Matters.

Your donation does more than honor a teacher. It helps fund innovative classroom projects through ELEF mini-grants—unique learning experiences that go beyond the school budget. In our first year, ELEF awarded nine grants (up to $1,500 each) to teachers across every East Lyme school help us to support even more projects next year.

Double the Impact:

✔ Say thank you to an educator who made a difference

✔ Support creative learning opportunities for all East Lyme students

Submit your message by December 18 to ensure delivery before the holidays.

Say Thanks Here!

Engaging Students. Empowering Teachers.

One grant at a time.

10/08/2025

Funded Projects for 2025

Elementary Schools

• K–1 Play-Based Learning Materials Library —

Niantic Center Elementary School

• K–1 Play-Based Learning Materials — Flanders

Elementary School

• Tech Squad: Coding with Dash Robots — All

Elementary Schools

East Lyme Middle School

• 9 Square in the Air

• HoverCam Orbit – Putting Student Work at the

Front and Center

• ELMS Vegetable Garden

• Collaborative Learning via “Thinking Classroom”

Model

East Lyme High School

• Planners to Support Executive Functions

2025 Classroom Projects Underway!

We’re thrilled to share that after strong interest from teachers, we have nine projects currently underway in East Lyme classrooms! It’s great to see these underway and making a difference for our students and teachers.

Thank You to Our Community!

This work is possible thanks to the generosity of our donors and the creativity of East Lyme’s educators.

Want to get involved?

• Educators: Watch for our spring grant cycle and criteria on our website.

• Community members and alumni: Join us in funding future projects through targeted campaigns and events that directly benefit East Lyme students.

Engaging Students. Empowering Teachers.

One grant at a time.