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Our Mission
Our Mission
HPEF's mission is to ensure the long-term quality and vitality of Keene Central School
HPEF's mission is to ensure the long-term quality and vitality of Keene Central School
The Keene Central School is a keystone institution in our town, a major employer and a focus for bringing people together. The school's health and vitality is an indicator of the broader health of the community. Thus, we want to keep our Town a place where people come to raise their families because of the quality of its school and the other benefits of small-town life.
The specific objective and purpose for which this Foundation has been organized shall be to ensure the long-term survival and health of the Keene Central School as a vital institution in our town. HPEF is committed to supporting the implementation of the KCS Strategic Plan, which covers both growth in student population through recruiting and enrichment of educational programs for teachers and students of the Keene Central School District.
HPEF will be a source of ideas, expertise, funding, connections and volunteers that enhances the educational opportunities of the students of the Keene Central School District and its designated preschool education provider. HPEF will focus on researching feasible alternatives, disseminating accurate and clear information, and launching new initiatives. HPEF will be a source of project-specific seed funds, will recruit and organize volunteers for new initiatives, and will be an advocate for KCS in the community.
Funding for our work comes from charitable (and tax deductible) gifts from community members who understand the importance to our town of a vibrant school and our continuing responsibility to invest in the education of the next generation.
Donations can be sent to HPEF c/o ACT, PO Box 288, Lake Placid, NY 12946. Please make checks payable to the Adirondack Foundation HPEF Annual Fund.
Our Story
Our Story
By: Peg Wilson
By: Peg Wilson
Once upon a time….
...a group of townspeople got together to talk about the school they loved. There was Carl Bigelow, who ran the garage; Maureen Buysse, the postmistress; Susy Doolittle, an interested neighbor on Market Street; Barbara Strowger, an enthusiastic volunteer; Donna Reed Austin, the Tax Collector; Sam Fisk & Annie Childs, super fans of KCS; and Cynthia Johnston, the school Superintendent.
These folks had been thinking about the small public school in town, and they asked themselves, “What if there were no Keene Central School? No seasonal concerts, art shows, soccer or baseball. No softball or basketball, science nights, plays, musicals, proms, international students, graduations?”
The thought of their town without a school felt like a heartless place.
These folks began to dream about their town’s school as not only a good school, but potentially an extraordinary school. One that deserved all the support it could get.
So in 1998 they decided to call themselves the High Peaks Education Foundation/HPEF. They invited friends and neighbors to join them in supporting this special place. After much organizational work and financial contributions, HPEF was ready to answer calls for help from students, faculty, and staff.
What kind of help, you ask?
Well, at that time, many areas of this town did not have access to the internet. HPEF joined with local community members, like Mike Whitney of KVVI, our internet provider, and town and state officials. By working together, enough money was raised to provide broadband internet to every student’s home in the district! The broadband’s real win came during the pandemic. Everything was already in place at KCS for remote learning!
Another example of “stepping up the game” at KCS was when HPEF joined Cafeteria Director Julie Holbrook’s work to transform our school food program into a model healthy provider of delicious local, organic, and school-grown goodness.
KCS kids have traveled to exciting destinations thanks to dedicated parents, staff, and HPEF. Their explorations beyond our small town have taken them to NYC, Spain, England, Italy, Puerto Rico, and some 8 other countries.
There are many more enrichments HPEF has happily supported: Math night, purchase of locally authored books, weather station equipment, auditorium lighting, gifts to our “feeder team” at Little Peaks Preschool, participation in science competitions, etc.
Since 1998, we have grown from a few dedicated visionaries to a vibrant resource. We will continue to support our founders’ work. We’re proud to help KCS continue its journey to be an EXTRAORDINARY school full of EXTRAORDINARY students.
We urge you to share in this ongoing love for the heart of our community: Keene Central School.
High Peaks Education Foundation | PO Box 475 | Keene Valley, NY 12943
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