The university and the Paula Shea Children’s Endowment announced today that they have joined in a formal, dollar-for-dollar matching agreement that will allow their partnership to reach a wider number of preschool, elementary and middle school children in Bridgewater.
Bridgewater State and the Paula Shea Children’s Endowment have collaborated on children’s literacy programming for several years, but the formal agreement will allow them to expand their joint efforts. The formal agreement was signed by BSU President Frederick Clark Jr., Esq. and Mary Ellen Shea, daughter of the late Paula Shea.
The mission of the Paula Shea Children’s Endowment is to support and enhance preschool through grade six programs designed to stimulate a love of literacy and learning for the children of Bridgewater. Under the direction of Susan McCombe of BSU’s Office of University and Community Partnerships, Bridgewater State and the Shea Endowment have partnered on numerous programs to enhance educational opportunities for Bridgewater school children, including several applied learning experiences in the fields of astronomy, math, engineering and conservation.
BSU’s Center for the Advancement of STEM Education (CASE) has worked with children from the Mitchell Elementary School and Williams Intermediate School on a “Young Explorers” program, in which students learn about the habitats of various wildlife in the Bridgewater area. In addition, approximately 20 students from the Williams Intermediate School have participated in CASE’s “The Watery World” program, which teaches environmental literacy through hands-on activities
“We are most grateful to Mel Shea, Paula’s husband, and Mary Ellen who have honored and carried on Paula’s devotion to children, by creating unique learning opportunities for Bridgewater students,” said Bridgewater State University President Frederick Clark. “This agreement will allow BSU to serve more students in our host community.”
Contributions to the Paula Shea Children’s Endowment can be made at Bridgewater Savings Bank, 120 West Center St., West Bridgewater, MA 02379. (Story by Paul Jean, '83, Marketing and Communications)
