Uncategorized Archives - Red Hook Education Foundation

Save the Date (Friday Night, June 21st) & Become a Sponsor

illustration of elegant gold mask on red background with the words "masquerade ball"

We’re looking forward to another wonderful fundraising gala at Bard College’s spectacular Spiegeltent on the evening of June 21 from 6:30-10:30PM. We hope you’ll join us for this Masquerade Ball in support of Red Hook’s public school students.

This event could not take place without the support of our sponsors, and we are grateful for the past generosity of local businesses and individuals. Our event team is hard at work planning this year’s gala. As always there will be fantastic food, great music, and scintillating company in a world class venue. RHEF is run entirely by volunteers who raise funds to benefit the students at Red Hook schools in diverse areas. This event is the Foundation’s largest source of support and has helped raise over $650,000 to help fund programs, activities and equipment for students in our school district. Please consider becoming a sponsor of this year’s Spiegeltent gala and have the satisfaction of knowing that you have again made a difference to Red Hook students and the community at large.

Sponsorship LevelPromotional RecognitionGala Tickets
PLATINUM
$5000 & above
• Recognition on website
• Full page premium ad in program
• Signage at Spiegeltent
10 tickets
to Gala
GOLD
$2500
• Recognition on website
• Full-page ad in program
8 tickets
to Gala
SILVER
$1000
• Recognition on website
• Half-page ad in program
6 tickets
to Gala
BRONZE
$500
• Recognition on website
• Quarter-page in program
4 tickets
to Gala
SPONSOR
$300
• Recognition on website
• Recognition in Event Program
2 tickets
to Gala

Click the button below to become a RHEF Gala sponsor — simply enter your specific sponsorship amount from the above options and choose “2024 RHEF Gala” from the pull-down:

Join the RHEF Board!

Have you been looking for a way to give back to your Red Hook community? The Red Hook Education Foundation is seeking new board members!

You can learn more about who we are and what we do in our ABOUT section. If you’re interested, please email us to learn more about applying.

Below are a few details on just a few of the things we do in service of support Red Hook public school Students:

The Student-in-Need Fund

As the school year ramps up, the Red Hook Education Foundation works with each building-level principal to replenish funds that are deployed to support a diversity of student/family needs as they arise during these first weeks and months of school. This aspect of our work is a core area of focus and allows RHEF to meet an array of needs: clothes, prescription eyeglasses, school supplies, transportation to appointments, etc. As the year progresses, these funds are available through grant requests for more targeted projects. Please consider making a general donation in any amount whenever you can.

Our Annual Fundraising Gala

For the past X years, we’ve been throwing a fun evening of food, fashion, and dance, traditionally held in Bard’s fabulous Spiegeltent, all in support of Red Hook students. It’s our biggest fundraising opportunity of the year to generate funds that support the RHEF’s work and the Student-in-Need Fund. Countless sponsors, volunteers, and community members show up to eat, dance, and support our students. See pics of our 2023 Galal here!

Mini-Grants

The Red Hook Education Foundation accepts applications on a rolling basis from faculty, staff, administrators, parents, and students of the RHCSD for projects that support teaching and learning across the District. Award amounts vary and depend on the scope of the proposed project. To learn more about our criteria and the application process please visit our Grants Page.  During the ‘22/23 school year, RHEF mini-grants included:

  • Clearwater Sloop and Maritime Museum (LAMS)
  • Red Hook High School Mentor’s Club
  • LAMS Student Supply Wall
  • LAMS Tutoring Program
  • Winter Coat Drive
  • RHCSD Trade Fair
  • Summer Academy
  • CommunityConnect Summer Program
  • The Annual 8th Grade Field Trip (pictured)
  • Digital Media Arts/Red Hook Broadcasting Studio Update
  • IB Sports Exercise and Health Science Physical Therapy and Game Day
  • RH High School Shared Metal & Wood Routing Computer Numerical Control Machine

Thank You for Supporting Our 2nd “Dinner & a Movie”

The Red Hook Education Foundation’s 2nd Annual “Dinner & a Movie” Event was held on Saturday, January 27 at 3PM in the RHHS Auditorium — thanks to everyone who joined!

THE MOVIE: Mill Road students voted for the movie to be screened — “Shrek” won by a landslide! A fun movie for family members of (almost) all ages to enjoy together on a cold winter’s day. Suggested donation was $5. Refreshments were available for purchase. Best Shrek character costume won a prize!

DINNER: After the show, people dined at one of the participating local restaurants listed below, supporting local businesses AND supporting RHEF, as restaurants generously donated 10% of your bills to RHEF (after guests texted a picture of your receipt to (845) 328-0066).

All proceeds benefited the RHEF programs that support all Red Hook public school students.

THANK YOU TO ALL OUR PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS:
Bubby’s Takeaway Kitchen
Cancuns (Red Hook)
Charlie O’s
Cider Bros Roadhouse
CJ’s Italian Pizza & Pasta
Counter Corner
Enzo’s Ristorante (Kingston)
Flatiron Steakhouse
GioBatta Alimentari
Hana Sushi
Mazi’s
Osaka Tivoli Japanese Restaurant
Red Hook Diner & Restaurant
Sabroso Mexican Restaurant
Salvatore’s Wood Fired Pizza (Red Hook)
Savona’s Trattoria
Taste Budds Cafe
Yum Yum Noodle (Red Hook)

The 11TH ANNUAL RHEF Gala – Decades Dance Party!

Friday evening, June 16, 2023: Thank you to everyone who dressed to impress and danced the night away with us to ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s classics in our favorite place, Bard’s Spiegeltent! The menu, created and prepared by renowned chef (and RHEF Board Member) Colleen Bloxham, was delicious; the tunes, spun by local DJ Jason Baker, rocked; and all the donations and sponsorships in support of Red Hook Central  School District students were greatly appreciated!

THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS 2023 SPONSORS!

PLATINUM SPONSORS

Prestige Toyota
Bard Fisher Center

GOLD SPONSORS

JOLOstudio.com
Ackerman Mechanical
Migliorelli Farm & Stands
Maura Sullivan & John Horiszny
Stephen Bardfield

SILVER SPONSORS

Nuvance Health
Mighty Donuts
Third Eye Associates
Illiana Van Meeteren
Halley & Michael Roomberg
Crown Energy
eMATHinstruction.com
Ascienzo Family Foundation
Ulster Savings Bank

BRONZE SPONSORS

Alison Lankenau
Diane Williams
Rhinebeck Wealth Advisors
Lasting Joy Brewery
Dave’s Tree Service
Christine & Matt Kurlander
Laura Roberts & WriteReadLearn.com
Eric Hineman & Anna Belliveau
Steven Appenzeller
Belinda Kaake
Joshua Bardfield
Colleen Bloxham

SPONSORS

Laurie Husted
Jamison & Maya Hall
Roy Paisley
The Crafton-Pujol Family
Tara & Ned Sullivan
Rachel Ephriam & Adam Kushner
Kingston Fine Jewelry
Rhinebeck Bank
Jeremy Greenberg
KoernerConstruction.com
Jay & Laurie Bloomfield
Tricia & Foster Reed
Karen & Nevill Smythe
Kathleen & Kevin Sullivan
Christie Billeci
Chris Chale & Dan Freedman
Village Pizza III
Robert McKeon
Kirchhoff Development

All Aboard the Clearwater, Class of 2027!

RHEF was happy to help the Class of 2027 set sail aboard the Clearwater last fall (2022) for hands-on experiential learning about the ecology, history, environmental challenges, and importance of the Hudson River. In addition to the “sailing classroom,” students enjoyed a trip to the Hudson River Maritime Museum in Kingston.

Normally, students get this experience during 7th Grade, but Covid and bad weather delayed it twice and increased costs required some extra financial support. It is often the case that water-based activities, especially sailing, are reserved for those with money and means. Many students grow up next to the Hudson River without ever having a positive experience out on the water. The Red Hook Education Foundation was able to ensure that all students who wanted to participate could be transported back through time and experience adventure aboard a boat built in the style of the Dutch vessels that once sailed the river long ago.

For more examples of the kinds of things the 8th graders got to experience aboard the Clearwater, check out this informational video:

Please Give to the Student-In-Need Initiative

The Student-in-Need Initiative supports programs throughout the year that align with RHEF’s mission of equity for all students, regardless of their ability to pay. Donations provide, among other items, clothing, eye glasses, field trip funds, exam fees, and school supplies for Red Hook students.  These are just a few of the many ways your contribution makes a difference for Red Hook kids. Please join RHEF as we work together to meet the needs of students and families at home and in school by making a gift to the Student in Need Initiative.

HOW TO DONATE

We’ve partnered with PayPal to accept credit card donations to make supporting RHEF easy: click on the button above to donate now. Or you can simply mail a check payable to the RHEF at PO Box 2, Red Hook, NY, 12571.

HONOR A TEACHER WITH A DONATION

In the past, RHEF has encouraged contributions to our Student in Need Fund initiative by honoring individual teachers and staff members with each donation. Feel free to send us a note along with your PayPal donation mentioning who you’re honoring with your gift. Here is just some of the feedback from Red Hook faculty and staff:

  • “What an honor! This is welcome news indeed. Just a few weeks ago I brought to the attention of our team a child in need of eyeglasses.” (middle school teacher)
  • “Wow. That is awesome. What a wonderful way to start the holiday season.” (high school teacher)
  • “Thank you for letting us know! This is a great gift.” (middle school teaching team)
  • “How wonderful! Thank you so much for sharing this with me. I do have a student in mind that could use some clothing this winter. I will reach out to Mr. Boyd.” (Mill Road teacher)
  • “Thank you so much!!! This certainly brightened my day 😉 I already know which student in need I would like to help out!!! Happy Holidays to you and your family!!!” (middle school guidance counselor)

Our 1st Dinner & a Movie – A Success!

Thanks to everyone who joined us for RHEF’s first annual Dinner & a Movie Night on Thursday, November 10th (there was no school on Friday in honor of Veteran’s Day).

DINNER

Folks dined at these participating Red Hook restaurants before the screening on November 10th, and 10% of their checks were donated to support RHCSD students. Dinner was not required to attend the movie, but highly encouraged. Families picked favorites or tried something new! A big THANKS to all our participating restaurants:
Brigitte Bistro
Broadway Pizza
Bubby’s Takeaway Kitchen
Cancuns (Red Hook)
Charlie O’s
Cider Bros Roadhouse
CJ’s Pizza & Pasta
Flatiron Steakhouse
Giobatta Alimentari
Hana Sushi
Jaeger Haus German Restaurant
Lucoli Pizza
Osaka Tivoli Japanese Restaurant
Red Hook Diner & Restaurant
Rojo Tapas & Wine
Sabroso Mexican Restaurant
Salvatore’s Wood Fired Pizza (Red Hook)
Santa Fe
Savona’s Trattoria
Taste Budds Cafe
Village Pizza III
Yum Yum Noodle (Red Hook)

… AND A MOVIE

After dinner, families gathered at the Red Hook Performing Arts Center auditorium at the high school for a 7:30PM screening of the 1977 classic “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope” (PG, 1h 45m). Suggested movie admission was $5 per person and the RHHS Senior Class hosted a cash concessions stand.


The food and the Force were with us! It was such a great family night out, supporting local restaurants and give Red Hook students more opportunities and resources. We plan on making it a regular thing. Let us know what movies you think we should screen in the future and what days and times of the week work best!

Couldn’t make it on the 10th? You can still donate here!

Thanks for Making Our 10th Annual Fundraising Gala a BIG Success!

Thank you for making the 10th Annual Red Hook Education Foundation Fundraising Gala a big success! On the evening of Friday, June 17th, from 6:30 to 10:30PM, in Bard’s Spiegeltent, cowboy hats were donned, boots were stomped, and good eats were had by all. Thanks to From the Ground Brewery for the beer tasting, to Bruce Molsky and Paula Bradley for bringing Appalachia to the dance floor, and to all our generous sponsors (listed below) for their contributions. We look forward to seeing you all at our next RHEF event — stay tuned! 

Sponsors of the 10th Annual RHEF Gala

Platinum Sponsors

Prestige Toyota

Gold Sponsors

Maura Sullivan & John Horiszny
eMATHinstruction
 The Rhinebeck Branch of Wells Fargo Advisors


Silver Sponsors

Nuvance Health
Esme.com
Innovation Glass 


Bronze Sponsors

JOLOstudio.com
Illiana Van Meeteren
Orthopedic Associates
Alison Lankenau
Zulch Tax
Omega Institute
Palumbo Group
Third Eye Assoc.
Laurie and Roger Husted
Steve Appenzeller and Beth Goldberg 
Marshall and Sterling Insurance
Colleen & Mike Bloxham
Brooke Stevens 

( Become a sponsor! )

See RHHS’s 3D-Scanner in Action!

Here’s the Red Hook High School’s new 3D Scanner & Printer — that YOU helped fund — in action! 

Art teacher Mr. Joseph Monson and senior student Kat Seymour visited the Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center at Vassar College recently to practice with the 3D scanner and computer setup.  Kat will be attending Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) next year to study engineering and will be working with technology like this in their first year.  They were permitted to work on scanning the Atlas Herm, an Italian sculpture of white marble on a Verona marble scroll base from the late 1600s. “It was an invaluable experience,” said Mr. Monson.  Not only were Kat and he able to learn how to work around a more detailed figure, they were also able to test the limits of the computer’s processing power because the sculpture is over 6 feet tall! After scanning, it took about 40 minutes just to save the model file (which will help them plan for future uses).  The next step will be preparing the model for 3D printing and then setting up future dates to work with other students next year. 

Thanks to all who supported our Red Hook Education Foundation’s campaign to help get RHHS a 3D Scanner! Your continued donations to RHEF fund important educational opportunities like this for all Red Hook students.

Thanks for Helping Send the LAMS 8th Grade to D.C. in ’22!

After two years off due to the pandemic, the annual LAMS 8th Grade field trip to Washington D.C. returned the spring of 2022!

Costs per student this year were higher than usual. Your donation by the trip registration deadline of FRIDAY, February 11, made a HUGE difference! You helped make sure that all our students who wanted to go, went!

You can still give to future trips at The Red Hook Education Foundation’s online PayPal donation page and select “8th Grade DC Trip Fund” from the pulldown window.

DONATE ANY AMOUNT!

Thank you for helping us make experiential learning a reality for EVERY Red Hook student!

And a big THANKS to the 8th Grade class for sending RHEF a framed photo of everyone on the trip along with a lovely Thank You card — we will cherish it.