| ABOUT THE VIKING PRIDE FOUNDATION
When the Foundation was formed in February, 2004, the Town of Winthrop was facing many fiscal challenges with reductions in state aid and the defeat of the property tax override. Although all town departments were hit hard by budgetary shortfalls and cuts, one of the hardest hit was our public school system. Massive teacher layoffs, costly user fees, and program losses and reductions Additionally, the user fee was $325 per season, thus a student who wishes to participate during three seasons must pay $975.00 for the opportunity to do so. These high fees precluded too many from seeking a sport or activity to test their ability, and even forced students to choose a single sport or activity if the family was unable to pay the fees. At Winthrop High School, the Viking does so much more than define A group of proud WHS alumni and friends have come together to form the Viking Pride Foundation to help fund co-curricular activities at the Winthrop Public Schools. Their goal is to raise over $1,000,000 to lower user fees and to restore other co-curricular activities that have been cut or reduced over the years. The Fund will be a professionally managed, perpetual endowment fund so that current and future generations of Vikings will benefit from our efforts. Through private contributions from corporations, businesses and individuals, the Viking Pride Foundation will give families hope, and may encourage our best students to remain a vital part of Winthrop’s Public School system. Most importantly, this assistance will enable the School Committee to appropriate existing funds and any additional funds directly improving the academic education for our children. Since the Viking Pride Foundation was formed in February 2004, approximately 30% of our target has been raised through the dynamic energy and generosity of nearly 600 alumni, family and friends of Winthrop’s public school children. Donations ranged in size from $5 to $25,000, and each donation made sends a message of renewed hope, opportunity and pride to Winthrop’s school children. This year, the user fee was reported by the school committee to be set at $450.00, a staggering number for a working family. The Foundations contribution of $50,000 reduced that fee to $350. To date, the Viking Pride Foundation donated to support co-curricular activities and events in the Winthrop Public School system. The following is a sampling of the vital programs that were saved, restored or created by the Viking Pride Foundation: WHS Support for the Arts (WHS Band Director, 3 WHS Drama Productions and WHS Art Club) WHS Academic & Special Clubs (Debate Team, Math Team, Academic Team, Student Council, Personal Fitness, School Newspaper) Reduction of athletic user fees from $450 to $350 per season WMS co-ed intramural program Special Grant Funding: Library Reference Materials; Outdoor Club Camping Supplies; Track Team Uniforms; Printmaking Press Supplies; Viking Longship Project; Ready or Not to Parent; Adventures in Food; Learning to Look: Photography; Softball Team Uniforms, Cheerleader Uniforms, Math/Literacy Project and Kindergarten Phonetic Awareness & WHS Beautification Projects Click here to see our specific donations made to date!
The Viking Pride Foundation is supported by an all volunteer Board of Directors from various backgrounds in the community. Currently the board is comprised of: Chairman Vincent Crossman Board Members Richard J. Fucillo Albert Petrilli Christos Tsiotos Trudy Macero Catherine Gallivan Vasilios Mallios Angelo Vigliotta Bob Deeb Mark D’Ambrosio Stefano Spinali Scott Kinsella
MEMBER EMERITUS Vincent Eruzione
Questions? Contact us at 617-539-4VPF or email board@vikingpride.org.
Viking Pride Foundation, Inc. PO Box 37 Winthrop, MA 02152 |
in nearly every aspect of curricular opportunities were forcing families to consider private educational venues. During this time, all costs for activities and athletics, excluding the Athletic Director’s salary, were funded through user fees and fundraising endeavors.
extracurricular activities; the Viking is the student who needs and deserves the co-curricular choices that allow him/her to excel in all aspects of student life. The Viking is an athlete, of course, but the Viking is also a scholar, an actor, an artist and a musician. Forcing students to pay for their co-curricular activities is punitive; and changes the very scope of public education.& ; Our children will lose not only collegial opportunities but will be denied the vital learning experiences that take place outside of the traditional classroom.