https://www.leveretteducationfoundation.org/events daily 0.75 2023-03-06 https://www.leveretteducationfoundation.org/events/community-seed-swap monthly 0.5 2024-06-12 https://www.leveretteducationfoundation.org/events/celebrate-education-in-leverett monthly 0.5 2024-06-12 https://www.leveretteducationfoundation.org/events/les-greenhouse-tour-and-guided-nature-walk monthly 0.5 2024-06-12 https://www.leveretteducationfoundation.org/events/lef-fireside-forum-understanding-the-school-budget monthly 0.5 2024-06-12 https://www.leveretteducationfoundation.org/events/forums/oct2020 monthly 0.5 2024-06-12 https://www.leveretteducationfoundation.org/stories daily 0.75 2021-12-29 https://www.leveretteducationfoundation.org/stories/the-les-greenhouse-on-tv monthly 0.5 2024-06-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e0a46fbd61ee22a34612244/203d04d8-0af3-461a-85c2-4d66fef49055/Screen+Shot+2021-11-01+at+8.22.15+PM.jpg Stories - The LES Greenhouse was on TV! - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.leveretteducationfoundation.org/stories/outdoor-classrooms monthly 0.5 2024-06-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e0a46fbd61ee22a34612244/1618324442302-PKGUTZQCWUPWNRH3F9FR/IMG_6972.jpg Stories - Outdoor Classrooms, Endless Possibilities Students having snack in “The Clearing,” an outdoor classroom space behind LES. Photo: Alissa Alteri Shea. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e0a46fbd61ee22a34612244/1618325477617-0XQ3NPKF4TG48L5GW774/IMG_0176.jpg Stories - Outdoor Classrooms, Endless Possibilities https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e0a46fbd61ee22a34612244/1618325482009-UKQHOAKIR8S3FJOL0DHF/IMG_9930+2.jpg Stories - Outdoor Classrooms, Endless Possibilities https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e0a46fbd61ee22a34612244/1618325565350-N6N8OF7BXRFDUUGZGV88/IMG_0199.jpg Stories - Outdoor Classrooms, Endless Possibilities https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e0a46fbd61ee22a34612244/1618325647120-AH6O85HCQMQUR1V6O621/IMG_9933.jpg Stories - Outdoor Classrooms, Endless Possibilities https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e0a46fbd61ee22a34612244/1618325754507-TM9F13VFZOZDF3N3KXMX/IMG_0221.jpg Stories - Outdoor Classrooms, Endless Possibilities https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e0a46fbd61ee22a34612244/1618325338947-H1GJ12B65XMSWVVZWR7H/IMG_9144.jpg Stories - Outdoor Classrooms, Endless Possibilities First-grade students show off their sticks from a “counting groups of ten” lesson at LES. Photo: Alissa Alteri Shea. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e0a46fbd61ee22a34612244/1618322491774-FH0B0INIW9PHBT2FGMT6/IMG_8980.jpg Stories - Outdoor Classrooms, Endless Possibilities Photo: Alissa Alteri Shea. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e0a46fbd61ee22a34612244/1618322825264-OKKDB7L7N6DOE5T4YKTM/IMG_7041.jpg Stories - Outdoor Classrooms, Endless Possibilities - We knew we needed to create a safe alternative to keeping these children inside all day, trapped on their little yoga mat workspaces. I had recently joined the Inside-Outside: Nature-Based Educators of New England community online, where I read lots of examples about teachers and students working together outside, especially in response to the pandemic. This seemed like a good time to give it a try. And that’s how the idea for outdoor classrooms at our school was born. “The Circle of Stones” outdoor classroom space at LES. Photo: Alissa Alteri Shea. https://www.leveretteducationfoundation.org/home daily 1.0 2025-09-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e0a46fbd61ee22a34612244/9b7f5c75-467a-4f7e-9e6b-c01587650a21/IMG_0202_B.jpg Home - Leverett for LES Challenge Since 2020, more than 150 Leverett households have contributed to our fund drives. How many in 2025? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e0a46fbd61ee22a34612244/1597429147892-Y57TFAN56PI3PHZCD0ZC/IMG_20200726_161950_2-1.jpg Home - What We’ve Funded Learn about our past campaigns for Leverett Elementary—our fundraising goals, the incredible generosity of our community, and the grants we’ve made to our school. https://www.leveretteducationfoundation.org/about daily 0.75 2024-09-24 https://www.leveretteducationfoundation.org/the-facts daily 0.75 2021-03-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e0a46fbd61ee22a34612244/1591459140370-JMW48YYIVKQ32ZHDQJOY/IMG_6242-HDR.jpg The Facts - What’s happening? The town of Leverett is approaching a budget crisis. Proposition 2½ is a Massachusetts law that requires a town to keep its annual property tax levy below $25 of every $1,000 of assessed property value. If a town gets too close to the $25 ceiling, property revaluation can suddenly put the town over the ceiling, and trigger a legal requirement to cut taxes. Those tax cuts would require sudden and devastating budget cuts to fire and police departments, the library, and especially the school. Mindful of this risk, the Leverett Select Board and Finance Committee have requested budgetary caution from all town departments. At $19.73 in 2021, the Leverett tax rate has little room to grow. Simply put, our town can’t raise taxes to close budget gaps, even if we’re willing to pay more. To learn more about the impact of the tax rate on Leverett seniors and residents with disabilities, and to contribute to a relief fund, visit https://leverett.ma.us/p/61/Tax-Relief. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e0a46fbd61ee22a34612244/1591460794059-7BKGJ2W7Z0X4BMP1S1VI/IMG_6250.jpg The Facts - What’s at risk? The quality of education in Leverett, that’s what! Significant reductions or outright discontinuations have already been made at LES in areas such as foreign language, library services, technology education, field trips, the Morse Hill Adventure program, and custodial hours. Trying to bridge the gap between maintaining high-quality education and what the town can fund through tax revenues, LES has eliminated paraprofessional positions, After-School financial assistance, clerical hours, and technology staff hours. Continued budget cuts would further threaten all of these programs and more, including physical education and the Greenhouse program. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e0a46fbd61ee22a34612244/1591460639931-S054U9V5A1M27OLL9Q73/IMG_6249.jpg The Facts - What does this mean? Our school’s budget is under intense pressure. Leverett Elementary must meet state and federal mandates that are not matched by state and federal funds. School revenues, in the form of federal programs, grants, School Choice funds, and other sources are down 26% since 2016. Meanwhile, the cost of level-funding the school budget has risen by 15% during the same period. These trends are simply not sustainable. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e0a46fbd61ee22a34612244/1591462795404-RUGN4KYE982HXUKPRXQ2/IMG_6251.jpg The Facts - Why does this matter? This impacts everyone in Leverett, whether or not they have children in our school. With its reputation for educational excellence, Leverett Elementary School adds significant value to our community. The school draws young families to our town, increasing property values. It also attracts School Choice students and the financial resources they bring with them. If we don't invest in LES at this critical time, we will soon see property values in Leverett go down and School Choice funds dry up. We'll also have to send money to other towns when Leverett families “Choice out” their children to other area schools. We need a new way to channel resources to LES to stop the vicious cycle of budget shortfalls that is affecting our town. We must do this for our school, but also to preserve our great town services, from the library to the transfer station to the police and fire departments. https://www.leveretteducationfoundation.org/give daily 0.75 2024-09-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e0a46fbd61ee22a34612244/1591984591872-0GSSF6EJFX3O50SP1KP2/IMG_8440.jpg Giving - By donating to LEF you are supporting not just what our children learn today but who they will be tomorrow. https://www.leveretteducationfoundation.org/get-involved daily 0.75 2020-06-19 https://www.leveretteducationfoundation.org/many-safe-returns daily 0.75 2020-08-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e0a46fbd61ee22a34612244/1598890485617-DXLLXZSEXYCT030OK94P/Mask%25252Bowl%25252Bbanner.jpg Many Safe Returns Fund - Leverett Elementary School faces an unprecedented challenge with COVID-19. Every week brings changes to school reopening plans, new recommendations from the state, and a constantly evolving understanding of the virus. The school has decided to prioritize the health and safety of its students, teachers, and staff by beginning the year with remote learning. We don’t know when in-person learning for all students will resume, or what form it will take. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e0a46fbd61ee22a34612244/1597597512251-T766IMNSA8YI5IEB0JTH/IMG_20200726_161950_2-1.jpg Many Safe Returns Fund - The Leverett Education Foundation and the LES PTO are joining forces to raise $30,000 for our school. By donating to the Many Safe Returns Fund organized by LEF and the LES PTO, you are supporting the quality of education that this generation of Leverett children will receive. You will allow our school to keep everyone healthy and safe without sacrificing educational excellence. You will make having a small school in a small town a strength not a weakness. https://www.leveretteducationfoundation.org/public-comment daily 0.75 2020-10-09 https://www.leveretteducationfoundation.org/presidents-message daily 0.75 2021-03-21 https://www.leveretteducationfoundation.org/past-campaigns daily 0.75 2024-09-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e0a46fbd61ee22a34612244/4126a839-e980-4d7c-b934-70e86e2bd4fe/stefanosecchiaphotography-7451.jpg Past Campaigns - SUMMARY Thanks to the tremendous generosity of individuals, families, and businesses in Leverett and neighboring communities, our 2023 Leverett for LES Campaign raised $18,500 to help fund initiatives and projects at the Leverett Elementary School, including donations from over 100 Leverett households and the following area businesses and organizations: • Apollo Contracting (Leverett) • Cambodian Buddhist Temple Society (Leverett) • Richard Drury Memorial Fund (Leverett) • Go Berry ‘N Cream (Amherst) • Grass Roots Landscaping (Leverett) • Jamrog HVAC (Turners Falls) • Mt. Toby Stables (Leverett) • West Branch Capital (Amherst) • Woodsmith Forestry (Montague) • Wright Builders (Northampton) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e0a46fbd61ee22a34612244/ef142719-683e-4a7d-a0f8-4333681f2c3e/DSCN3105-1f7te13-q416a8.jpg Past Campaigns - SUMMARY Thanks to the generosity of individuals and businesses in Leverett, we raised $19,000 to help fund outdoor learning & nature-based education at LES in 2022, through our Acorn, Blackberry, Crocus Campaign. We received contributions from 120 Leverett households and the following area businesses and organizations: Apollo Contracting, Grass Roots Landscaping, West Branch Capital, Jamrog HVAC and Plumbing, Johnson Scholarship Foundation, Leverett Picklers, Wright Builders, Cambodian Temple Society of Western Massachusetts. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e0a46fbd61ee22a34612244/1f5518f7-d64e-47d3-b5e6-c06e8a1719b4/Screen+Shot+2022-09-22+at+9.00.02+AM.jpg Past Campaigns - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e0a46fbd61ee22a34612244/a0ad9564-b979-43c2-a625-be8e18b57d16/IMG_2508.jpg Past Campaigns Leverett Elementary School teachers regularly utilize the forest, fields, and streams around the school campus in an innovative effort to extend and expand classroom instruction. Drawing inspiration from forest kindergarten programs in Europe and from Antioch University’s nature-based early childhood program, they infuse abstract science concepts with hands-on experiences and explore new contexts, materials, and perspectives for art, writing, even math. We are inspired by the work of these teachers and their larger vision—to engage students with nature in deeper, more impactful ways, and help them develop an understanding of the environmental challenges we must all navigate in the years to come. To help fund outdoor learning and nature-based education at LES, the Leverett Education Foundation launched the Acorn Blackberry Crocus campaign in fall 2022. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e0a46fbd61ee22a34612244/1630604931115-0WAV64AL3WQRY320D4VI/Gh+in+Fall.JPG Past Campaigns - SUMMARY Thanks to the generosity of Leverett residents and businesses, we raised over $17,000 in fall 2021 for the LES Greenhouse Fund, created to support the enhancement of the LES greenhouse facility and program. We received contributions from more than 120 individuals and households, and major donations from Grass Roots Landscaping, People’s Bank, Dean’s Beans, Earthworks, West Branch Capital, Jamrog HVAC, the Friends of Leverett Pond, and Rattlesnake Gutter Trust. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e0a46fbd61ee22a34612244/9442e988-d19e-4d2c-9b4b-66b8cf617732/Gardening+%281%29.jpg Past Campaigns The LES Greenhouse Program introduces students to the wonders of the natural world, helps them learn in practical and tactile ways, and teaches them about the responsibility we have to protect our environment. At no time in its ten-year history has this program and facility been as valuable, or demonstrated better its remarkable potential. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect our world, and especially the lives of children, outdoor learning programs and spaces have new value. To secure the future of this unique resource, and to shore up the greenhouse structure after a decade of wear and tear, the Leverett Education Foundation created the LES Greenhouse Fund. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e0a46fbd61ee22a34612244/de7078f0-25bb-450c-8663-71374fb0b148/IMG_20200726_161950_2-1.jpg Past Campaigns - SUMMARY Thanks to the generosity of Leverett residents, and contributions made by organizations, businesses, and individuals both inside and outside of Leverett, the Many Safe Returns Fund exceeded its goal of raising $30,000 to help Leverett Elementary School respond to the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic in fall 2020. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e0a46fbd61ee22a34612244/1598890485617-DXLLXZSEXYCT030OK94P/Mask%25252Bowl%25252Bbanner.jpg Past Campaigns - Leverett Elementary School faced an unprecedented challenge with COVID-19. A pandemic was not in the budget. Our school needed to be able to pivot on a dime, without interrupting the education and well-being of its students, teachers, and staff. It needed to create accessible outdoor classrooms and also ensure remote learning did not leave our most vulnerable children behind. To meet this need, the Leverett Education Foundation and the LES PTO launched the Many Safe Returns Fund in September 2020, with the goal of raising $30,000. https://www.leveretteducationfoundation.org/les-greenhouse-fund daily 0.75 2021-10-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e0a46fbd61ee22a34612244/1630604931115-0WAV64AL3WQRY320D4VI/Gh+in+Fall.JPG LES Greenhouse Fund https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e0a46fbd61ee22a34612244/1629999048366-IW0J4HVNYFSGI90T7NVN/Creating+Gardens+%282%29.JPG LES Greenhouse Fund - Ready to dig in? Donate to the LES Greenhouse Fund and help this unique resource grow and thrive. “Pick your own” gift from our menu below, or choose an amount that works for you. Every donation counts, and truly plants a seed! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e0a46fbd61ee22a34612244/1630862489129-YW1SVUPUJZXQCDAVXBUX/Harvest%2Bfest%2B2019%2B%252829%2529.jpg LES Greenhouse Fund https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e0a46fbd61ee22a34612244/1629997984369-6YJHSG6TD2EH8VKA38N4/IMG_0210.jpg LES Greenhouse Fund https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e0a46fbd61ee22a34612244/1629999945171-FBQ0PSAR69758V1I8JF5/IMG_2138.jpg LES Greenhouse Fund https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e0a46fbd61ee22a34612244/1630000021090-MO6ALMRPCRXGFNQR2FXX/Lettuce%2Bprep%2BFall%2B%252719%2B%25283%2529.jpg LES Greenhouse Fund https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e0a46fbd61ee22a34612244/1630000463333-IVQ6DEUZU3LG6BXO9FNZ/Happy+Hands.jpeg LES Greenhouse Fund https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e0a46fbd61ee22a34612244/1630000900994-V6GIQA4JBL8KUCC39T9G/Gardening+%281%29.JPG LES Greenhouse Fund https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e0a46fbd61ee22a34612244/1630689480798-WF1Z74RZVM3SQ10YV330/IMG_6707.JPG LES Greenhouse Fund https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e0a46fbd61ee22a34612244/1630862224121-ZQNPLHXCKQKDZTT1JNZV/Greenhouse+Flyer-3+copy.jpg LES Greenhouse Fund https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e0a46fbd61ee22a34612244/1630863315701-AW6IWJH81SCAN2DK2Z5R/Greenhouse+Flyer.jpg LES Greenhouse Fund https://www.leveretteducationfoundation.org/abc-outdoors daily 0.75 2022-09-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e0a46fbd61ee22a34612244/1f5518f7-d64e-47d3-b5e6-c06e8a1719b4/Screen+Shot+2022-09-22+at+9.00.02+AM.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e0a46fbd61ee22a34612244/89faf93a-ae8a-4c70-97e3-949978d11090/IMG_7124.jpeg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e0a46fbd61ee22a34612244/1f5518f7-d64e-47d3-b5e6-c06e8a1719b4/Screen+Shot+2022-09-22+at+9.00.02+AM.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e0a46fbd61ee22a34612244/ef142719-683e-4a7d-a0f8-4333681f2c3e/DSCN3105-1f7te13-q416a8.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e0a46fbd61ee22a34612244/fe0cf22f-87d5-47e5-831f-504f09165754/IMG_5908-2.jpeg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e0a46fbd61ee22a34612244/d6d05096-be9f-4d35-b881-d544cf9d6c56/IMG_5578-2.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e0a46fbd61ee22a34612244/dde1b85d-dfe5-4f4b-807a-d491fc813387/IMG_6027.jpeg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e0a46fbd61ee22a34612244/1663441479908-NNSW48JGUR9J9PA0Q13U/DSCN2194.jpg Acorn Blackberry Crocus https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e0a46fbd61ee22a34612244/1663442567190-8D10LGVZWR4ZXDJI8KQO/IMG_5862.jpeg Acorn Blackberry Crocus https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e0a46fbd61ee22a34612244/1663442716697-HH29FCBG55C3CO2NTGDD/IMG_5267.jpeg Acorn Blackberry Crocus https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e0a46fbd61ee22a34612244/1663443094012-V08A99T9GK19ZIAYA5BV/Screen+Shot+2022-09-17+at+3.30.36+PM.png Acorn Blackberry Crocus https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e0a46fbd61ee22a34612244/1663443332534-PPE2A4H20NGSCZBK7DOH/Screen+Shot+2022-09-17+at+3.31.01+PM.png Acorn Blackberry Crocus https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e0a46fbd61ee22a34612244/1663443349263-RQ7U8835R6FXQJXB6Y7G/Screen+Shot+2022-09-17+at+3.30.48+PM.png Acorn Blackberry Crocus https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e0a46fbd61ee22a34612244/1663501436977-K4N8RYHQY5Z5S42EDDL1/Screen+Shot+2022-09-18+at+7.40.01+AM.png Acorn Blackberry Crocus https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e0a46fbd61ee22a34612244/1663501501145-LMKQ17J7CS0QFJ3NTK7K/Screen%2BShot%2B2022-09-18%2Bat%2B7.39.56%2BAM.jpg Acorn Blackberry Crocus https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e0a46fbd61ee22a34612244/1663502921776-34IEQ020SYVCGQC2YYBD/IMG_1189.jpg Acorn Blackberry Crocus https://www.leveretteducationfoundation.org/leverett-for-les-challenge daily 0.75 2023-10-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e0a46fbd61ee22a34612244/1597427405115-HT7LAJ6Z36CESFWFI895/DSC_2348.JPG https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e0a46fbd61ee22a34612244/1591984591872-0GSSF6EJFX3O50SP1KP2/IMG_8440.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e0a46fbd61ee22a34612244/89faf93a-ae8a-4c70-97e3-949978d11090/IMG_7124.jpeg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e0a46fbd61ee22a34612244/1591808656713-RFIRJE1E4QHIN9UHJD9J/IMG_8496.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e0a46fbd61ee22a34612244/a0ad9564-b979-43c2-a625-be8e18b57d16/IMG_2508.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e0a46fbd61ee22a34612244/1582982218932-0FS22RK9PKTZE1T1SDR4/IMG_6254.jpg https://www.leveretteducationfoundation.org/campaign daily 0.75 2025-10-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e0a46fbd61ee22a34612244/7240e659-d0f8-4608-8ab4-1e4e3cd3e004/LEF_HEADER_2025.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e0a46fbd61ee22a34612244/b29686f5-8215-404d-a148-257286a09578/LEF_GARDEN.jpg