Enjoying the final precious summer moments, anticipating the school year to come

The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and the beach is still calling my name.  It can’t be September!  Alas, my calendar tends toward truthfulness, oftentimes against my wishes.

We begin another school year with sobering economic news and changes to grow accustomed to.  While these times require a community effort of cutting back and prioritizing, they also call for a beacon of hope and optimism for our teachers and their students.  CEEF aims to be a consistent and dependable resource for our creative and dynamic teachers.  The support we receive from our donors throughout the year make this goal achievable, through our grant program and our growing endowment.

Another form of CEEF support comes in the form of events, and this month marks our second Maine Home + Design Cape Elizabeth Kitchen Tour.  On September 11 from 10:00 – 4:00, twelve beautiful Cape Elizabeth homes will be open to tour-goers, allowing us a glimpse into kitchens designed and built by local craftsmen.  The sponsors of the event provide a generous source of revenue for CEEF, and we encourage you to visit their websites, purchase their wares, and keep their names for future opportunities in your own homes. 

The composition of our board has endured change of late, as we have said farewell to directors Jennifer Duddy and to Sara Laprade.  Jennifer’s role in the office of US Senator Susan Collins has grown and takes her to exciting and often far-off places, the demands of which have required paring down her volunteer time.  Sara departs to devote her energy and time to family issues.  Both Jennifer and Sara have served the board with dedication and passion and will be missed greatly. 

The fall will lead us to winter as it always does, and many of the changes in our schools will have become routine to students, teachers and parents.  Another change awaits however, as the retirement of our superintendent on December 31 marks the end of five years with Mr. Hawkins at the helm of our “ship.”  Needless to say, the waters have not always been calm, and he has served as a reliable and resilient captain for us during some very difficult times.  Much has been accomplished during these five years thanks to Mr. Hawkins’ leadership, and we at CEEF have nurtured a relationship with our administration via the superintendent that has arguably strengthened our foundation’s role in the district.  Mr. Hawkins has agreed to stay on through April 15^th to assist with transition; we look forward to these months and value the experience and guidance that he will provide to the district.

So begins another school year and so continues the cycle of change to which we will adapt.  The new-school-year energy is always a lift, and I’m excited by the possibilities that lie ahead and the role which CEEF might play in making a difference in our classrooms.  Till then, I think one more beach day is calling my name . . .