The Dover Sherborn Educational Fund has awarded more than $165,000 in grants to the public schools of Dover and Sherborn for the 2019-2020 school year.

Each of the four schools in the system, the high school, middle school, Pine Hill and Chickering, received funds to support grants authored by educators. Funded grants include art and music, science, and technology initiatives; health and wellness and cultural enrichment; as well as core academic curricula.

Specific programs funded this academic year include the launch of martial arts programs at Chickering and Pine Hill; the World of Difference Peer Training program at DSHS; speakers and traveling museum exhibits for social studies; and an in-school Day of Poetry. Also funded are World Cultures Week and French cultural programming at DSMS, as well as the creation of a Sensory Path at Pine Hill.

DSEF grants will also enable the development of flexible classroom learning spaces across the district; the expansion of professional knowledge in college counseling; teacher training in project-based learning leadership and in literacy instruction; as well as additional equipment for the DSHS Raiders Pep Band, and many other programs and initiatives.

Grants by DSEF will continue to support the innovative Challenge Success program as it enters its sixth year in all D-S schools, the district-wide Culturally Responsive Awareness and Practices program, as well as the successful Seminar Day at DSHS.

“We are grateful for the generous support of our community which allows us to continue to fund initiatives that enhance the educational experience of all Dover-Sherborn students and teach them the skills they need to thrive,” said Kristina Grace, DSEF co-president.

For more than 30 years DSEF, a private, volunteer, nonprofit organization, has raised nearly $4 million for Dover-Sherborn schools. Funds have been used to enhance art, science and technology programs, athletics and cultural enrichment, as well as core academic curriculum.

“Plans are already under way for our annual gala, set for Saturday, Nov. 2, at Gillette Stadium. Make sure to mark your calendars for this fun night out with friends and neighbors in support of our schools,” said Dan Cook, DSEF co-president.

DSEF conducts two major fundraisers annually — the Fall Gala and the February phonathon. For more information or to contribute, visit www.dsef.com.