SHEF was founded in 1993. It began by offering $200-$500 P.I.E. Grants (Projects for Innovation
and Enhancement) for teachers to design, plan and implement creative learning projects. Over the
years, more than 80 such grants were awarded.
As SHEF grew, it became possible for the foundation to offer larger grants for district-wide
educational programs. These more comprehensive grants now total almost $400,000. They include
the purchase of STARLAB, a portable, inflatable planetarium used regularly among all schools in
South Huntington, Walt Whitman High School’s Weather Station, Marine Biology Lab, the
Performing Arts Center Video Projection System, and a professional-level Dance Studio.
Other major donations include state-of-the-art Elementary Classroom Science Kits, AlphaSmarts
(portable word processors) and, just last year, 15 SMARTBoards were distributed among the district’
s seven schools.
To fund all these projects, SHEF depends heavily upon the work of its Board and on the generosity
and support of South Huntington’s staff and residents. Throughout its existence, SHEF sponsored
golf outings, art auctions, children’s theatre productions, discounted tickets to NY Islanders and NY
Dragons games, as well as various book fairs and gift-wrapping projects.