Batavia Foundation 

for Educational Excellence

NOVEMBER 2024

GRANT APPLICATIONS ARE AVAILABLE!

Grant applications for the 2025 cycle are now available. Applications are due by February 7th at 4pm to the Rosalie Jones Administration Center.

Head to the Grant page HERE for all the information you will need and to download the application.

SEPTEMBER 2024

HALL OF HONOR CEREMONY VIDEO LIVE!

If you missed the 2024 Hall of Honor Ceremony you are in luck! Watch these amazing inductee speeches to see what some of our Graduates, Employees and Friends of BPS101 have to say!

Watch the HOH Ceremony are HERE!

APRIL 2024

SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS ANNOUNCED

This spring, 11 Batavia students were each honored with scholarships from the Batavia Foundation for Educational Excellence on behalf of Matthew J. Nena, Megan Reed, Sam Rotolo, Thomas L. Schmitz, William Freiburger, Molly Mae Vance, Michael A. Bonifas, Bulldog Legacy Award and Michael Heaton. Scholarships were awarded based on community service, school related activities, and academic status.

Find out who the lucky recipients are HERE!

MARCH 2024

HALL OF HONOR CLASS OF 2024

The BPS Hall of Honor Committee is pleased to announce the Hall of Honor Class of 2024. Six graduates were voted into the Hall of Honor based on their achievements, and an employee and friend of BPS101 are being honored for their service to the District. 

More information about each of the honorees will be shared in the upcoming months. The induction ceremony will take place Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024.

You can find the list of honorees and event information HERE!

FEBRUARY 2024

GRANT RECIPIENTS ANNOUNCED!

This Spring we have had the pleasure of awarding $17,161.64 in grants to benefit the students and community of BPS101. We are certain these projects will greatly enhance the learning environment in our schools and community, and cannot wait to see the students engaged! Find out more about the grant recipients HERE!

JANUARY 2024

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE

All seniors can now head over the to Scholarships page to find all the offerings from BFEE. We have multiple scholarship applications listed, so be sure to check the requirements for each one.

Head on over to the Scholarships Page for all the application information and to get the forms now!

DECEMBER 2023

GRANT APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE

Grant applications are available on the Grant page now! The BFEE Board welcomes all applications for grant ideas that will further the education of the students in the BPS101 district.

• The board awards Grants each spring.
• All grade levels and curricular areas will be considered.
• Requests can be initiated by faculty, students, administrative personnel, parents, citizens, and other civic, governmental, or community organizations.
• The grant must benefit students of BPS101 school district.

Head on over to the Grant Page for all the application information and to get the fillable form now!

NOVEMBER 2023

HALL OF HONOR SEEKING NOMINATIONS

If you would like to nominate someone to be considered for the Hall of Honor in 2024, please complete this form.

If you prefer to submit a paper nomination form, copies may be picked up at the BPS101 Administration building at 335 W. Wilson Street during regular business hours.

APRIL 2023

Batavia Public Schools Alumni Network Business Directory

Are you an alum of Batavia School District who owns or operates a business?  If so, we'd love to know about it so we can include you in our Alumni Business Directory to help promote your business and let other alum know about your business. Go to Bulldog Nation Alumni and Friends to be added to the directory!

MARCH 2023

SCHOLASHIP RECIPIENTS ANNOUNCED

Head on over to the 2023 Scholarships Page to see which Seniors have been awarded scholarships from BFEE and our partner scholarship committees!

FEBRUARY 2023

2023 GRANT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Grant recipients have been announced. Head on over to the Grants Page for all the recipient information and to see what our funds have been used for this year! There are some fantastic things happening in the schools!

JANUARY 2023

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE

All seniors can now head over the to Scholarships page to find all the offerings from BFEE. We have multiple scholarship applications listed, so be sure to check the requirements for each one.

Head on over to the Scholarships Page for all the application information and to get the forms now!

NOVEMBER 2022

GRANT APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE

Grant applications are available on the Grant page now! The BFEE Board welcomes all applications for grant ideas that will further the education of the students in the BPS101 district.

• The board awards Grants each spring.
• All grade levels and curricular areas will be considered.
• Requests can be initiated by faculty, students, administrative personnel, parents, citizens, and other civic, governmental, or community organizations.
• The grant must benefit students of BPS101 school district.

Head on over to the Grant Page for all the application information and to get the fillable form now!

MARCH 2022

GRANT ANNOUNCEMENT

Head on over to our 2022 Grant Recipients page to see who will be getting some amazing projects in their classrooms and schools!

FEBRUARY 2022

Bulldog Nation Alumni and Friends Network

Whether you're an alumnus, supporter or community member, we want to connect with you and get you plugged in to your alma mater and the Batavia Public Schools family.

To help us do just that, we've officially launched Bulldog Nation Alumni & Friends, an online community for Batavia alumni where you can stay connected and receive regular updates and articles, along with a wide range of information on special events, mentoring, and volunteer opportunities. There's also an alumni directory where you can submit your name and connect with old friends and classmates.

We invite you to sign up for the organization today and explore all it has to offer. 

Thank you for being such an important part of what makes our school district and community so great.

Any and all alum of BPS101, sign up by February 28th for an awesome prize and the chance to win a raffle prize!

JANUARY 2022

Scholarship Applications Available Now!

Scholarship applications are now available on the SCHOLARSHIP page of our site.

New Scholarship announcement that includes Rotolo students!

Be sure to check out all application requirements for each scholarship that you are applying for.

DECEMBER 2021

Grant Applications Available Now!

Grant applications are now available on the GRANTS page of our site. Be sure to read through all the Target Areas and Tips before filling out an application.

We also sent out our quarterly newsletter this week! For an update on all things BFEE, click HERE!

Happy Holidays from the BFEE Board of Directors. We hope you have a great holiday season and a Happy New Year!

NOVEMBER 2021

How You Can Give Thanks to Your Alma Mater

Thanksgiving is coming up in a hurry, and with it comes a reminder to think of all the things in our lives for which we are grateful. 

For members of Bulldog Nation Alumni & Friends, that may include the time you spent in Batavia schools!

Many people are shaped by their time in high school, so even those who graduated decades ago likely can still think of formative experiences from their teenage years in school or in extracurricular activities. 

If you want to take some concrete steps to give thanks to your alma mater this year, here are a few ways you can do so.

• Reach out to a teacher: If you are still able to get in touch with any teachers you had in high school who influenced you, consider reaching out to them to let them know the impact they had on your life. Teachers are truly the people who make schools special, and they do not get nearly enough appreciation for everything they do. Practice giving thanks by showing them your gratitude.
• Donate: There are plenty of opportunities for you to give back to your alma mater through donations. These could include donations to our alumni association, donations to specific school initiatives or organizations, or donations to in-class fundraisers. Whatever method you choose, this is a way to make a tangible impact and communicate how thankful you are for your alma mater.
• Volunteer: Giving your time and energy through volunteering may be the ultimate way of showing your thankfulness to your alma mater. There are all kinds of ways to get involved as a volunteer, so find something you’re passionate about or experienced with and use the skills and gifts you have to help the school and its students.
• Be present: If you’re still in the area, come to school events like sporting events, concerts, plays and more. Having a physical presence and supporting everything happening at the school is a great way to showcase your gratitude.
• Nominate someone for the BPS101 Hall of Honor: You probably know some fellow alumni who have accomplished great things and deserve to be recognized. Take some time to fill out a nomination form for the BPS101 Class of 2022 Hall of Honor.  The chosen alumni will serve as positive role models to District 101 students by demonstrating the high caliber of individuals who graduate from BHS. Alumni who have been out of school for fifteen years are eligible for consideration.

We’re thankful for all of our members and supporters, and we hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

OCTOBER 2021

Why You Should Donate to Your Alumni Association

The next couple months are the biggest time of year for nonprofit organizations to fundraise. There’s always a big push to get more donations before the end of the year for tax purposes and for achieving goals, and that coincides with the holiday giving season.

We hope you will consider giving to Bulldog Nation Alumni & Friends this year, as you start to think about your end-of-year giving. Your money and support as an alumnus can have a significant impact on our organization and what we’re able to accomplish.

Here are the five biggest reasons for people to donate to their alumni associations.

1. You can make a difference: Your donations allow us to support educational initiatives, projects and activities in the school district that will make a difference in students’ lives for years to come. Think about how your time in Batavia schools shaped you. Financial gifts turn into real-life impact that funds critical programming.
2. You can support alumni events: Every time an alumni event happens, it’s made possible in part by membership fees and donations. We love getting together at Homecoming or putting together other events whenever possible. It’s great to get alumni of all ages together and have fun, and it also creates some great networking opportunities. So if you like these alumni events and want to see more of them, your donations are a big part of making them happen!
3. You get some perks: There are a variety of perks for the different levels of membership and donation. You can get something in return for supporting your alumni association and the work we do!
4. Your support helps get more people involved: Financial support from our members helps us with initiatives such as email newsletters, blogging and other outreach initiatives that help spread the word about our organization and get more people aware and involved. The more people who sign up, the stronger our organization becomes and the bigger of an impact it can have in our schools.
5. You can give back and show your school pride: There’s something gratifying about being able to give back to a school community that gave so much to you. You can demonstrate the pride you have in your school and the gratitude you have for all it gave you by supporting our organization and the district.

The busy season is coming up for giving and fundraising, so as you start to think about your holiday giving (and there’s plenty of time left), please consider including us!

Thank you as always for your support!

SEPTEMBER 2021

Bulldog Nation Alumni & Friends: A Place for Alumni and Supporters to Gather

We are thrilled to announce our brand new online community, Bulldog Nation Alumni & Friends, which will allow us to establish greater connections with our graduates and the community. We’re very excited to get connected with alumni of all ages!.

Through this new alumni network, all Batavia Public Schools alumni, supporters and community members will be able to stay connected and receive regular updates and news articles, along with a wide variety of information on special events, mentoring and volunteer opportunities. An Alumni Directory allows you to easily find and connect with other alumni, no matter where they’re located.

Graduates of Batavia schools, former employees, supporters and all local residents may sign up for the alumni network and receive regular news and updates. This includes information on district news and events, community points of pride, class reunions and how alumni and residents can get more involved in Batavia schools. There will also be regular profiles on alumni who have gone on to serve their communities in notable ways.

We invite you to check out the alumni network and all that this new online community has to offer. We look forward to connecting with you!

APRIL 2021

2021 Scholarship Recipients Announced!

Head on over to the 2021 Scholarship Recipients page to find out who the 12 seniors are who have been awarded scholarships by BFEE this year. We wish all applicants the best of luck with their future!

MARCH 2021

John Heath Music Educator Grant

The Batavia Foundation for Educational Excellence (BFEE) has recently founded The John Heath Music Educator Grant. The purpose of this grant is to fund special projects or initiatives focused on music. Classroom teachers, music teachers, and community organizations with innovative ideas focused on music may apply for this grant.

The John Heath Music Educator grant was founded as a way to recognize the contributions of a much beloved educator and active community member. For twenty-two years, John Heath inspired scores of high school band students and delighted Bulldog fans with his impressive marching band half-time shows. After retirement, he and Dr. Linda Schielke formed the Community Band.

We would like to offer you the opportunity to make a financial donation to the John Heath Music Educator grant. The Batavia Foundation for Educational Excellence is a 501c3 organization intended to support and enhance Batavia Public Schools and the Batavia Community with special projects and grants. All monetary donations will go back directly to the students and families of Batavia. In the case of the John Heath Music Educator grant, the grant will directly fund initiatives focused on music education.

Click HERE to donate online or head on over to our donate page to get our mailing address to send checks.

FEBRUARY 2021

Check out what BPS101 staff has to say about their new technology!

On behalf of the entire Grace McWayne staff, I just wanted to share our sincere appreciation for providing our building with the generous BFEE Grant funds this year.

Our SLT utilized the funds to purchase a webcam for each teacher. Before the purchase of the webcams, our staff were limited to a forward facing camera and mic. The webcams provided our teachers with a camera and mic that could face any direction which allowed them to successfully conduct small group and whole group synchronous instruction. Students at home could both see and hear their classmates at school during academic discussions. In addition, teachers could use the webcam to more aptly conduct read alouds and share instructional manipulatives.

As you can see, the BFEE Grant went a long way to move teaching and learning forward at Grace McWayne in several ways. Thank you so much!

~Jeff Modaff

 Principal

 Grace McWayne School

Click HERE to see what the Batavia Virtual Academy Principal, Jen Hix, and many BVA teachers have to say about their new technology.

These grants could not be possible without the continued donations and support from the Batavia community! We are forever grateful for each and every donation that gives us the ability to help BPS101.

JANUARY 2021

Scholarship Applications Now Available!

Head on over to the Scholarship page for information on the scholarships that are available through our foundation. There are many to choose from! Make sure you complete the entire application with all requirements for each scholarship you are applying for!

NOVEMBER 2020

Honor a Teacher Campaign

The Batavia Foundation for Educational Excellence has officially launched the Honor a Teacher campaign! Click HERE to find out more and to honor your favorite teacher now!

OCTOBER 2020

Exciting News for the 2020-2021 BPS101 School Year!

The Board of Directors collaborated with the Administration of BPS101 to find ways to help the district during this unprecedented time. Read the following statement sent to the BPS101 staff from our Chair, Jan Wright:

On behalf of the board of directors of the Batavia Foundation for Educational Excellence, I would like to thank all of you for everything you have done to make the 2020-21 school year start off in such a great way. These circumstances are very challenging and we would like to support your efforts. In talks with district administration, we have identified that accessories, to enhance the remote and in-person learning experience, are currently the greatest need for teachers.

Recently, the BFEE board approved the expenditure of $21,000 for teacher grants to manage hybrid and remote learning. We recognize that our traditional teacher grant application process may not be appropriate this year. We also do not want you to have to wait until March to access these funds. Therefore, we are going to allocate the funds for this year as School Grants. Each school, including the virtual academy, will receive a per teacher allocation. The school leadership team will then be able to choose from a list of district approved accessories to purchase for teachers. The team may also decide to purchase online subscriptions that have become valuable to teacher instruction.

The Board of Directors could not be more pleased to be able to help our teachers succeed with their new remote learning responsibilities. Our 2020-2021 teacher grants may look a little different this year, but our funding will still be put to great use!

These grants would not be possible without donations from our community! Head over to our DONATE page to see how you can contribute!