Projects Supported

Objective

• Build an electronic database with contact information for SHS alumni, including tools that will support communication from the SHS Alumni Association, the Cosmos Fund and BRIC, as well as protect alumni from unwanted communication

Why build an Alumni Database?

• SHSAA efforts to communicate community activities and alumni news are significantly hampered because of incomplete contact information and limited tools for using the information they have.

• The Cosmos Fund seeks to connect with alumni periodically to communicate revitalization plans and progress.        

• BRIC seeks to make alumni (and others) aware of opportunities to partner on major projects that are focused on revitalizing Springfield.

How will the Alumni Database be built?

• CF will work with SHSAA to invite alumni to have their contact information included in a sophisticated database, to be built by BRIC. Using on-line tools, alumni will have the opportunity to opt in to receiving information for various purposes and by various methods, thereby avoiding unwanted communications.

• Software communication tools attached to the database will facilitate appropriate future communications to alumni.

• BRIC will use its considerable expertise to protect the security of the data and software. 

When will the Alumni Database be finished?

• The effort to build the database will start in 2023. CF will support the effort for its first year and may continue thereafter.

• BRIC will develop and launch the online data collection tool as soon as feasible, after which we will reach out to alumni and provide them with the opportunity to use it

• The rate at which the database grows will depend on the cooperation of class leaders and the willingness of alumni to include their contact information.  

What will be the impact on Springfield?

• Alumni have a heartfelt attachment to the place that played such a profound role in the trajectory with their lives, whether they live nearby, or in Alaska or New Zealand. Many will be eager to learn about what is happening where they grew up, and some will find attractive opportunities to "give back".

How you can help

• Do you have a database for your class, or another alumni group? Can you share it with us? 

• Send us a note indicating a desire to be included and how we can best reach you. Once we launch the data collection tool, we'll send you a link 

• Contact info

Objective

• With support from the Class of '68, the Cosmos Fund has established the Gilbert F. Whittemore, Jr. STEM scholarship, to be awarded to SHS graduates who pursue a 2 or 4 year postsecondary degree in a STEM field at a Vermont school, beginning with the Class of 2022. 

  • Many programs offered by Vermont Technical College, Community College of Vermont, the public universities, as well as private colleges qualify.

  • Preference will be given to students expressing a strong interest in staying in the area 

• The SHS Alumni Association, currently led by Jean Patoine (’68), manages all annual SHS scholarships, to ensure they are correctly structured and fairly awarded.

• One-year awards are made at graduation, with up to three renewals if the student continues to pursue a STEM degree and is in good standing. Initially the annual award amount will be $2,500.

• The Whittemore scholarship honors the memory of Gil Whittemore, the President of the Class of '68. Beyond being a brilliant student who went on to obtain history of science and law degrees at Harvard followed by a highly successful career, Gil was an outstanding human being.

Why offer a scholarship?

• The Cosmos Fund supports SHS graduates who want to pursue a technology-based career. 

• Supporting those who elect to obtain their education in Vermont is the most practical way to encourage them to stay in the area.

• We will work with students who embrace technology and express an interest in building the Springfield area's technology industry.

When will the scholarship be awarded?

• Thus far CF has awarded scholarships to two students, one each from the graduates of 2022 and 2023.

• Cosmos Fund matched $5,000 in donations from classmates with another $5,000 to establish an initial $10,000 fund held by the SHSAA.  Fundraising continues.

• Our intent is to continue to make at least one new award to a graduating senior every year, plus renewal awards, as long as ongoing fundraising permits. When resources permit, SHSAA may supplement the scholarship fund with donations from others.

How will it impact Springfield?

• The scholarships will encourage students to pursue STEM careers and join Springfield’s technology community.

How you can help.

• Make a donation and select "Class of '68 Whittemore STEM Scholarship" from the dropdown list.

• Lead an initiative to start a new, recurring scholarship fund designed to support revitalization of the Springfield area. 

  • Perhaps in honor of a classmate, teacher, person(s) or organization of your choice.

  • If the scholarship's purpose is to support revitalization of the Springfield area and is consistent with our bylaws, the Cosmos Fund can help you fund raise, accept and aggregate donations, and establish a scholarship fund at SHSAA.

  • Individuals interested in starting a scholarship for a purpose that is outside of the Cosmos Fund's mission should contact SHSAA directly.

  • Contact us to learn more.

Objective

• Our goal is to strengthen Springfield area educational offerings to students at all grade levels (elementary, middle or high school), both in-school and outside, and across all subject areas.

• More concretely, the effort is expected to lead to identification and adoption of evidence-based, feasible instructional innovations, both in classrooms and via co-curricular opportunities outside of school.

• Many innovations are likely to leverage the areas exceptional internet services.

STEM Skills Development Coordinator 

• CF is providing significant financial support for BRIC to establish the Coordinator position.

• BRIC will hire a self-directed college graduate with: training and experience in STEM-related education; ability to facilitate and negotiate with teachers, administrators and others in the community; and a passion for the work. 

• The Coordinator will be BRIC's liaison with the Springfield School District, neighboring districts, and River Valley Technical Center.

• Working with these organizations, the Coordinator will learn more about student needs, identify areas of interest and collaborative goals, develop action plans for STEM resource growth, provide program facilitation and administrative support, and coordinate BRIC co-curricular programs with the offerings of the school system and other community partners.

• Enhancements to classroom offerings may include, but are not limited to: evidence-based improvements to existing curricula; new STEM curricula; access to cutting-edge instructional programs, pilot and on-line courses; and improvements in access to information technology or other equipment designed to support learning.

• Co-curricular activities at BRIC may include, but are not limited to: participation in NASA's tech-transfer program; STEM workshops; summer programs; student-led clubs; Day of Code activities; and opportunities for on-the-job exploration. 

Why support the STEM Skills Development Coordinator?

• Children growing up in Springfield need excellent instruction in STEM subjects to thrive in a digital economy.

• The landscape of STEM education is changing rapidly. A blizzard of opportunities to ostensibly improve STEM education for students in the Springfield area exist. Many such opportunities would leverage the area's exceptional high-speed internet services.

• Sorting through the blizzard to identify the opportunities that best meet the needs of the community requires expertise, knowledge of the community, and a sustained effort. 

When will the STEM Skills Development Coordinator make a difference?

• BRIC's goal is to hire a qualified candidate before the start of the 2023-24 school year.

• After hiring, BRIC will report to CF on the Coordinator's activities and accomplishments on a quarterly basis.

• CF will support the Coordinator for at least 12 months, then evaluate the project's success. Continuation of support will depend on the extent to which the Coordinator is achieving the project's goals as well as alumni willingness to provide additional support.

What will be the impact on Springfield?

• The Coordinator's activities are expected to quickly improve STEM learning opportunities for Springfield-area students, ultimately improving their economic success and increasing their knowledge about attractive job opportunities in the area.

• By demonstrating the community's commitment to STEM learning opportunities, the initiative will help attract: well-qualified STEM teachers to the school system; workers wanting to provide such opportunities for their children; and employers that can thrive in communities that support strong STEM education. 

How you can help

• Show your interest in this initiative by making a donation and specifying "STEM Coordinator".

• Share your knowledge or experience with innovative STEM educational opportunities. 

The Cosmos Fund (CF) is interested in projects that will: 

• Attract highly-qualified teachers to the area

• Build out full computer science (software and instructional) capability at all levels in the school system

• Expand the STEM curriculum, including vocational training/internship/apprentice opportunities for high school students as well as courses preparatory to post-secondary programs

• Expand incentives for a technology firm to relocate employees, departments or whole companies to the Springfield area

• Leverage Hartness Airport in ways that will attract hi-tech businesses and workers to the area. The airport is well-suited for an age in which shorter flights on electric-powered aircraft will replace flights on large jets.

• We are always looking for new ideas.   

How can we do this?

• Through CF, SHS alumni can give back by supporting revitalization initiatives led by local organizations--initially BRIC and SRDC. 

• Your support for CF, whether or not directed to a specific initiative, will make it possible for such initiatives to succeed.

• Harnessing the potential power of 30-40 alumni classes to help fund investments in education and business development will make a huge difference to the area's revitalization.

• Both SRDC and BRIC are skilled at pursuing federal, state and local grants to improve rural America – they will do some of the heavy lifting.

Support your Cosmos Fund, help us revitalize Springfield – the community that helped you build a good life.

• Take this opportunity to help make the world a better place--specifically the Springfield area.

• No contribution will be too small….everyone can participate.

• Donate now or contact us if you want to get more information, join our board, or suggest a new idea..