The Bells Ferry
Foundation
We are excited to announce the new Bells
Ferry Foundation (BFF) a non-profit organization that will raise funds to
enrich educational resources and opportunities for all students and instructors
at Bells Ferry Elementary School. BFF has
a Board of Directors made up of dedicated parents, staff members, and our
Principal (Ms. Starnes).
Our
Mission is to empower innovation for all at Bells Ferry Elementary by funding
access to the most advanced technologies and resources so each child reaches
their fullest potential.
Why Have a
Foundation?
Most area schools have existing
foundations and are able to provide instructors and resources not funded by the
Cobb County School District. BFF is joining
these existing groups as part of the Cobb Schools Foundation - a501(c) (3)
public charitable organization. All banking
and donations go through Cobb Schools Foundation; under their umbrella we are
insured, audited, and have access to their knowledge and resources.
The goal of the Bells Ferry Foundation is
to supplement educational expenses - creating an optimal teaching and learning
environment - to keep our children competitive and engaged in all areas of development
& to provide our teachers with the current tools and resources to do
so.
Like
many schools in Cobb County and across the country, our non-profit foundation has
been formed in order to help secure private and government grants, corporate and
business sponsors, as well as to encourage parent, staff, alumni and community
contributions. Bells Ferry Foundation
has a very specific set of objectives.
These objectives begin with securing financial support to fund a variety
of programs and resources that go above and beyond what is available from the
Cobb County School District. Without a Foundation, there are very few avenues
available to obtain funding for additional resources for our school.
Why do we need a Foundation and a PTA; what is the difference ?
The Bells Ferry Foundation is working hand-in-hand with the PTA, the school staff, our families and community for the benefit of all Bells Ferry Elementary School students and staff members.
The
Foundation is focused on
providing funding for innovative programs to help strengthen academics! The
Foundation will raise and utilize funds to bring advanced technologies and
resources into our classrooms. Our Bells
Ferry instructors have asked for document cameras (high-tech overhead
projectors) in every classroom.
Currently, only a few of these document cameras which work with the new
Active Boards are available to our teachers, and they are in high demand. Providing this advanced technology to all of
our instructors and students is the first goal of the Bells Ferry Foundation.
The
PTA’s focus is on organizing special events
for families and staff, volunteer training, advocacy for all students and
support for the school. The PTA provides
volunteers and programs; yet, National PTA guidelines limit their role in
providing additional educational opportunities, impose limitations on how the
PTA can spend funds, and dictate all funds need to be used within the current school
year. The PTA focus on people and
programs is specifically designed to build a sense of community within Bells
Ferry.
