PAWS -Partners Advancing West Islip Students

PAWS - Partners Advancing West Islip Students

PAWS will help build relationships with new audiences not currently connected to the district, such as empty-nesters, senior citizens, alumni, regional community leaders who live outside the district, businesses, and civic organizations.

Education Foundations in other public school districts have used their funds for a Grand Piano, TVs, VCRs, Desktop Publishing Programs, Science Expos, Health Incentive Programs, Library Literary Resources, Art Easels & Lighting and Renaissance Programs.

Through major fund-raising events, corporate sponsorships, and grants and matching gift opportunities available only to private, non-governmental entities, the education foundation hopes to generate resources to enhance and expand educational programs and activities for the children of West Islip.

*PAWS Board of Directors*
Tom McAteer	President
Jon Reese	Vice President
Jamie Winkler	Vice President
Mary Beth Jacaruso	Treasurer
AnnMarie Lombardi	Recording Secretary
Jay Lipman	Membership Chair
Richard Bocchieri	Historian
Nancy Lenz	Communications
Jim Loeffler	Legal Counsel
Jamie Winkler	Event Chairperson

*Trustees*
Dr. Beth V. Blau	Steve Gellar
Wayne Smith	Barbara McAteer
Joseph DiPalma	Ronnie Stoll
Ellen Quaglio	Joe Stern
Laura Ferrugiari	Peggy Jessup
Bernie Jones	Tom Leonbruno
Cathy McConnell	Karen McLeod
Helene Tsouprakos

How PAWS Began

Following its successful introduction at the September 2004 Bicentennial Country Fair, the PAWS (Partners Advancing West Islip Students) Directors and Trustees began making plans to bring current and former community members together in support of West Islip children and their education. Among the ideas under discussion for this education foundation are a dinner-dance and a drive-in movie at the beach.

Originally initiated by Superintendent of Schools Dr. Beth Virginia Blau, this private entity, incorporated under state law and governed by a Board of Directors. is separate and distinct from the school system. PAWS qualifies as a section 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation under the Internal Revenue Code. Resident Laura Ferrugiari volunteered and filed the paperwork during the summer that has granted the acronym PAWS to the West Islip Education Foundation.

PAWS will help build relationships with new audiences not currently connected to the district, such as empty-nesters, senior citizens, alumni, regional community leaders who live outside the district, businesses, and civic organizations. Foundations are able to apply for grants and matching gift opportunities available only to private, non-governmental entities.

PAWS P.O. Box 107 West Islip, NY 11795
Partners Advancing West Islip Students