Middle schoolers will see stars

For the past several months a group of local residents have been working together to increase educational opportunities for students in the Region 7 School District.

The Highlander Fund, a new local education foundation, was created last summer. Through donations and other fundraising efforts, the nonprofit organization funds non-required school programs in areas such as the fine and performing arts, academic clubs, and other extracurricular activities through a grant application process.

The fund is managed by a board of directors that features members from each of the four towns the school district serves: Barkhamsted, Colebrook, New Hartford and Norfolk, according to board president Greg Cantwell.

Cantwell, who also serves on Barkhamsted’s Board of Selectmen, said the idea to put together the foundation grew out of a need to find a way to allow people to donate or bequeath money to the schools for students.

“I was often asked if there was a way to donate money to the district,†he said. “But there was no structure … no way to take that money in.â€

After doing some research, Cantwell said it soon became clear that the best solution to the problem would be to create an education foundation, as many other public and private schools have throughout the area and the nation.

“We would be able to raise money and then be able to spend money for the benefit of the students,†he said.

Cantwell added, however, that the foundation operates independently of the district.

“We are not a replacement of the school budget,†he said. “Instead, we fund projects that would fall outside of the normal budget.â€

Cantwell added that the application process for Highlander Fund foundation grants is not only open to educators.

“Anyone in the community can put in a proposal,†he said. “And we are also looking for people interested in working with us.â€

The group’s current focus is raising money to build a small observatory  on the roof of the northeast corner of the middle school wing to house a telescope recently donated to the high school’s astronomy club by a family in Norfolk.

“This will be our signature project,†Cantwell said.

The telescope must be kept at ambient temperature for optimal operation. Currently, the telescope must be partially assembled and brought outside each time it is used.

“They have to haul it in. And then haul it out,†Cantwell said.

And so, the foundation is hoping to raise enough money to build the facility to provide a permanent home for the telescope. Weather instrumentation and a small classroom may also be included in the project.

“The facility would also be open to the community for stargazing or for clubs or local astronomers,†Cantwell said.

The foundation will hold a stargazing event at the high school on Nov. 21, which will coincide with the craft fair there that day.

Residents will be able to look through the district’s telescope, and amateur astronomers and backyard gazers are encouraged to bring their own telescopes. Foundation members will also be on hand.

“Although we’re still raising money for the observatory, we’ve got money to fund other things.†Cantwell said, adding that the project grants can be as small as $100.

“There have been a lot of good ideas,†he said. “We are getting a lot of enthusiasm. We are moving along.

For more information or to make a donation, visit highlanderfund.org.