October 31, 2022, Hopewell, NJ – The Hopewell Valley Education Foundation (HVEF) is thrilled to announce a donation from the private, nonprofit Burlington Stores Foundation, made possible by national off-price retailer Burlington Stores. The $5,000 award supports an initiative proposed by Hopewell Valley Regional School District (HVRSD) teachers and staff to build the cultural competency of students by adding titles to all elementary school library collections that reflect the experiences of diverse populations.

Key goals that this project advances include strengthening literacy at the elementary level, fostering environments in which students’ identities are reflected in the curriculum and processes of learning, and creating a climate of fairness, equality and social justice that promotes positive relationships across people’s diverse backgrounds and circumstances. The effort to purchase and incorporate diverse literature titles is led by: Elizabeth Machado, third-grade teacher at Bear Tavern Elementary School; John Kindred, fifth-grade teacher at Bear Tavern Elementary School, and; Amber Miller, learning consultant at Stony Brook Elementary School.

“The Hopewell Valley Education Foundation is especially proud to collaborate with the Burlington Stores Foundation to advance teaching and learning excellence and innovation throughout the Hopewell Valley, and we are deeply grateful for their generous support” said Sara Alyea, HVEF president. “This project will enrich students’ learning and growth across the district and expand the ability of teachers and staff to provide a top-notch learning environment for our kids.”