Our Mission

Jamestown Education Foundation is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation dedicated to providing educational and cultural enrichment for students in Jamestown. JEF works in partnership with Jamestown public schools and community organizations to support innovative programs that inspire young minds, encourage academic excellence and promote healthy lifestyle choices.

We need your continued support as we refine existing programs and sponsor new ones. Our annual budget is small, yet the need for extra-curricular programming for students continues to grow. Our volunteers work tirelessly, collaborating with the Jamestown schools, the Recreation Department, and other organizations to make learning innovative, relevant and exciting for Jamestown students. If you are not already a member, please consider joining us in our efforts.

What's New?

Under A Rising Moon Fundraiser at Horsehead!
Join us "Under a Rising Moon" on Saturday July 24th at Horsehead from 6-9pm for an evening of cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and a silent auction to benefit the Jamestown Education Foundation. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Call Sally Schott at 423-2388 or e-mail Jane Wright at mcwright@cox.net for more information. Click here to see our ad.

Science and Math Scholars program (SAMS)
JEF is very excited about our latest project, the Science and Math Scholars program (SAMS). Funded by a $200,000 appropriation from NASA, SAMS is a new partnership between JEF and Lawn School to generate enthusiasm for math and science, improve student performance, and encourage students to pursue careers in these fields. The new SAMS curriculum will span sixth through eighth grade.

Click here for more information on SAMS

Drama Club: A grant from JEF helped to rejuvinate an old tradition at Lawn School -- the drama club. Under the expert leadership of director/producer Lisa Kerr, the club’s first production was presented in April. The play, entitled “Show and Spell” is a comical look inside the world of a middle school spelling bee. Many students in grades 5-8 were part of this successful production including those on the stage and those working hard behind the scenes. We hope this is the first of many performances!

Current Programs

After-School Program: We continue to collaborate with The Jamestown School Department to offer a variety of enriching after school programs for Jamestown students in grades K-8. Some of the Spring offerings include Video 101, Make A Play, Running Club, Animals of the American West, Hip Hop, and Recycled/Reclaimed.

Link: www.jamestownri.com/school/afterschool/enrichment.htm

Click here for more information!

Teen Center: In 2004, JEF co-founded the Conanicut Community Coalition (CCC) to provide social activities for Jamestown adolescents. The CCC secured a grant from the Rhode Island Foundation for $50,000 for three years to develop and staff a Teen Center as a healthy recreational outlet for students between ages 11and 15. JEF’s ongoing support of the Center has funded such popular programs as the Teen Job Corps, Microwave Cooking, and many others.

Click here for more information!

Instrument Library: The Jamestown Education Foundation has created an Instrument Library at the Lawn School. Expensive rental fees can prohibit budding musicians from taking advantage our school’s exceptional music program. Thanks to some very generous donors, we have an instrument library that includes a wide variety of re-furbished band instruments. This year nine kids are benefiting from this program that enables all interested students to participate in band. The instruments are professionally maintained, and redistributed to student musicians each year. If you have an instrument you are no longer using, please consider donating it to JEF so we can expand the musical opportunities for Jamestown students.

Save The Bay Camp: The Jamestown Education Foundation is pleased to announce the return to Jamestown of Save the Bay’s acclaimed marine education summer program. This year, we will be offering two distinct camps, designed by Save The Bay for different age groups. For children entering grades 1-4, we will once again offer our weeklong half-day camp. Campers will meet at Fort Getty for crafts, activities and shoreline exploration. We will spend time exploring eelgrass and netting marine creatures. Campers will also spend one day aboard M/V Alletta Morris. This half-day camp will run from 9am-Noon, and will be offered July 12-16, and again August 9-13. NEW this year, is our camp designed exclusively for kids entering grades 5-8. At this full day Boat Camp, students will spend a week on the water exploring coastal ecology, marine navigation and archaeology, maritime history, scientific collection and much more! Campers will work along side boat captains and environmental educators as they explore the wonders of Narragansett Bay. This camp is limited to 20 students, and will run August 2-6 from 9am to 4pm.

Registration is available now through Save The Bay. You can find details and registration forms at www.savebay.org/camp. For questions about obtaining scholarships through The Jamestown Education Foundation, call Brenda Hawkins at 423-9161.