MANY THANKS FOR ALL
YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS
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SECOND ANNUAL GALA:
A RESOUNDING SUCCESS RAISING OVER $257,000…..
Dear Friends,
Building on this year’s successful gala, we continue to need your help in sustaining GEC for the upcoming year. We are facing many new challenges during this pandemic. For more information, please call Mary Asta on her cell 212-750-5894.
Because you care…….our GEC Board, Gala Committee, faculty and students, exceeded our goals for our Second Annual Gala once again held at the Ritz Carlton, Naples. Le Cirque Restaurant co-owner Marco Maccioni, with a new exciting restaurant in Miami, graciously attended to ensure the authenticity of the menu. This year we honored two dynamic individuals, Colleen Kvetko and Heather Tice, for their selfless contributions to the future of Gargiulo Education Center and their ongoing commitment to the community as a whole. Aside from the unparalleled, delectable dining experience of LeCirque’s signature dishes, our senses were tantalized as we featured a moving live performance by the GEC, Jr. Committee and dedicated volunteer/School of Rock Director, Andy Hopping. Patrick Nolan, Reporter and Anchor for Fox4 News, introduced their original song titled “Lost Friend” which brought everyone to their feet and tears to their eyes. To culminate the evening, another original song by Andy Hopping, “When you dream” was accompanied by Rosie Connors and a GEC video which set the stage for our compelling live auction which helped us raise over $257,000.00 for our fundraising Gala 2020. (Please click on the “Lost Friend” or “When you Dream” links above to see the full video performances)
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GEC STUDENTS EXPERIENCED SOCIAL DISTANCE STYLE LEARNING WHILE THEIR HARD WORKING PARENTS CONTINUED TO WORK IN THE AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY. |
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Undaunted by the pandemic, Director Mary Asta, was determined to continue to provide educational opportunities for our students. By following proper social distancing protocols, with nine selfless certified teachers, she was able to open school for the students to keep up with their classes in a safe and nurturing environment. With up to 69 students participating in this program, it has brought learning opportunities, spread between six 2 1/2 hour classes 4 days a week until it is safe to operate GEC with normal capacity. The work and extra precautions were reported on by WINK News. https://www.winknews.com/2020/04/16/gargiulo-education-center-extending-hours-to-care-for-at-risk-children-in-collier-county/
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NEW TEACHERS FRONTLINE HEROS |
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The spring and summer seasons with the COVID crisis were both extremely challenging and extremely gratifying at the same time. In spite of everything we overcame every obstacle that came at us and more:
During this unprecedented time, our students, families and surrounding community needed us more than ever. Unfortunately, we lost 60% of our teaching staff due to COVID fears but were fortunate to hire 6 amazing new certified teachers to work through the end of the year. Clearly the students felt supported and found the teachers to be their true heroes and first responders. With the support of the onsite GEC teachers 15% of our students have straight A's, an additional 69% have A's and B's, and over 75% of our students dramatically excelled and exceeded 3rd quarter grades. To thank their heroes, on the last day of school, the students and families planned a luncheon with authentic Mexican dishes.
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THE ENTREPRENEURIAL APPRENTICESHIP STUDENTS ARE SUPERSTARS! |
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The Entrepreneurial Apprenticeship (EAP) and Career Readiness students were and are an integral part of getting the school CDC compliant with marking the entire school indoors and outdoors with six feet markers. They enforced social distancing, mask wearing and sterilization practices. They were so outstanding, they received a Certificate of Appreciation award from the Collier County Sheriff's Office for their superior manner in providing safety support to the Center and their community during the COVID pandemic of 2020. |
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GEC EAP STUDENTS FOOD AND SUPPLY PANTRY |
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Our EAP students created a food and basic personal supply pantry to distribute items to over 100 households weekly for over 3 months. |
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EAP STUDENTS EASTER SHARING |
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The EAP were adamant to bring some happiness and normalcy to their family and neighbors by delivering Easter eggs and big Easter baskets to over 50 households. |
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Art, jewelry making, STEM educational components as well as a partnership with the Cal Ripken Foundation (funded by the Naples Children and Education Foundation) comprised the curriculum of the GEC Summer Camp. An Experiential Educational Outing culminated the GEC Summer Camp with a hands-on cooking class. The essence of the cooking course was Italian culture cuisine. The middle and high school students were taught hands on basic safety, along with various hospitality practices and they were taught how to make and can their very own Roman spaghetti sauce. |
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As a part of the Experiential Educational Outings and the summer cooking class, the students were invited to “Seed to Table” in Naples to learn other Italian cultural cooking traditions from pasta making, cooking pasta, different sauces, to eating gelato. It is a summer they will never forget. The students presented their bottled and labeled sauce as a thank you to Alfie Oakes.
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As summer is winding down, we are excited that Collier Count Public School has set August 31st for students to return back to school. Our program at the Gargiulo Education Center will resume shortly thereafter on September 8th to give our students and teachers an opportunity to acclimate to the new safety protocols. I am proud to say all of our students have a leg up on this from our programs over the Spring and Summer.
Building on the success from last year and over the summer, we are excited to share that we will be expanding our programming to five days per week! Previously operating Monday through Thursday, we will now be open on Fridays to not only continue to build upon both the Entrepreneurial Apprentice program and the Jr. Committee students but will include an additional day of studies for those that may need it. Students will continue to receive regular GEC programming services coupled with one-on-one tutoring and homework help with a certified public school teacher all while social distancing. In addition, GEC will be adding in a SAT and ACT curriculum to help our students aim even higher!
We would like to thank the Collier County School System, all of our friends from Mediterra and Cypress Woods, the Naples Children and Education Foundation, Catholic Charities, Collier County Sheriff's Office, St. Vincent de Paul, and The Bennison Center for donating much needed school supplies and uniforms to prepare our students to continue their academic journeys.
With Sincere thanks,
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Alex Miller
Board President
Gargiulo Education Center
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