Lawrenceville School Head Master Liz Duffy presented $65,000, which is the private school’s annual donation, to the Lawrence Township Education Foundation (LTEF) on Sept. 15.
Over nearly two decades, The Lawrenceville School has donated $1,245,000 to LTEF. The Lawrenceville School also provides numerous in-kind services, including office space, event sponsorship, and copying services.
"We are extremely grateful for the continued generosity and support of The Lawrenceville School," said LTEF President Kelly Bidle. "These significant funds allow LTEF to conduct its mission and enhance the high-quality educational experience for our township’s public school students."
LTEF raises funds from individuals, local businesses, corporations, and foundations for programs that foster excellence, creativity, and achievement in education for all students in Lawrence Township Public Schools. Through grant requests from teachers and school administrators, LTEF funds programs that will have a substantial and lasting impact on Lawrence Township public school students.
"We are pleased to support LTEF and the Lawrence Township public schools," said Ms. Duffy, who is also an ex-officio member of the LTEF Board of Trustees.
"We’re fortunate to have such a strong school system and such a supportive educational foundation in this community. We continue to be impressed by the many exciting projects made possible by LTEF grants and the excellent work being done by Lawrence Township teachers," Ms. Duffy said.
The funds are used to support a host of innovative educational initiatives, including a collaboration with The Lawrenceville School.
Last year, an LTEF grant supported Lawrence High School’s "21st Century Socrates" program, an introduction to the Harkness-style teaching used at The Lawrenceville School. The Lawrenceville School English teacher Pier Kooistra, along with several Lawrentians, demonstrated the discussion-based learning technique for several township high school teachers. The program was so overwhelmingly positive that a second Harkness-style table, this time at the Middle School, has been funded. Other LTEF support highlights include the funding for an author-in-residence program, this year with children’s book author Dan Gutman, who will visit with third graders at the Eldridge Park and Slackwood Elementary Schools. 3-D printers were purchased for the Lawrence Intermediate School and the Lawrence Middle School, allowing students to experience the complete engineering process and to encourage student interest in STEM careers. At Lawrence High School, a "Be the Change" character program has been funded for a second year to better accommodate the needs of students’ character development. A number of grants were also funded to support fitness and wellness programs, including pedometers and a lacrosse program for the Intermediate School. A Cross-Fit Kids curriculum was supported to provide equipment, exercise, and skills to help enhance a comprehensive physical education program.

