BEF Extends Deadline for STAR

You still have another couple of days to thank your favorite teachers and staff members with a STAR from the Barrington Education Foundation (BEF).

The deadline has been extended to Wednesday, June 19, said Carolyn Greeley, communications coordinator.

The STAR (Staff, Teacher Appreciation Recognition) program is being offered to school families who want to reach out and thank their teachers and staff in a meaningful way now that the school year is concluding, she said.

Parents and students can purchase a STAR for any amount  -- minimum $10) -- and a beautiful recognition certificate will be delivered to the honoree. 

“This is a perfect way to express gratitude for all of the wonderful things our teachers and staff do for our children,” aid Maureen Johnson, a BEF board member and creator of the STAR program. “The teachers appreciate being recognized, and knowing that the schools benefit from the far-reaching grants that further the mission of BEF to champion extraordinary education opportunities in the Barrington Public Schools.”

STARs can be purchased on the BEF website (www.barringtoneducation.org).  You can order them using PayPal, or a credit card. 

“Our teachers and school support staff do so much for our children, and it can be difficult to come up with an appropriate way to convey how much we appreciate them,” said Johnson.  “I know from speaking with families around town that it can be particularly difficult to express the extent of our gratitude to the teachers of our older children.  We aren’t in the classrooms seeing the teachers face-to-face as often, yet these wonderful people spend so much time and effort guiding our children.  The S.T.A.R. program is such a simple way to make sure they know how we feel.”

Many parents want to recognize the special people beyond their child’s primary teachers, such as the school nurse, the principal, a particularly helpful teacher’s aide, the school secretary, or perhaps the gym or an arts teacher.  A STAR certificate is appropriate for anyone who supports students in town.

BEF launched the S.T.A.R. program last June, and was thrilled at the positive response, said Greeley.  More than 300 STARs were purchased, raising nearly $5,000 that will be invested directly back into the schools.