This year was one that required flexibility in ways we didn’t expect. As we crept back into pre-pandemic lives, we were challenged with what that would look like for the students. They needed more academic support and more care and attention than was anticipated. Therefore, we worked with the schools to see how we could best help. Thanks to the support of all of you, we were able to meet that challenge.

We were able to maintain some of our programs, such as the essay contest (always a popular one!), the Strategic Innovation grants, which allowed us to introduce some new ones that directly address learning loss with a new reading program for first graders, emotional well-being for elementary students, facilitate the middle school students in their art projects, and provide high school students develop deeper understanding of their physical health. We also partnered with the high school to introduce Virtual Reality that provides a multidisciplinary approach to learning and one that is relevant in the world in which we live. 

We did this through the incredible passion and work of our board and staff to make sure we are staying true to our vision of “providing or expanding on innovative, visionary educational experiences designed to enrich and maximize the learning potential of Goochland County Public School students.”

While the work continued, we held the annual Gala in March 2022. It was long-awaited since the last time we were able to hold it was in 2019! It was a spectacular event at Dover Hall. It was so much fun to see everyone dressed up and ready to have a great time. We’re already looking forward to March 10, 2023, for a repeat! Mark your calendars!

Most importantly, thank you for your generosity in helping us meet the needs of our children while they continue to find their footing academically after two years of disruption. We cannot express strongly enough what a difference you make.

Please enjoy learning more about what we do in the following pages. Also, if you see your name, we hope you will take pride in being part of the GEF family. If your name is not listed, perhaps you’ll consider joining our family. It is only because of the GEF family working together that we can make a difference to our children’s education and their future.

Sincerely,
Christina Griffith

This past year was one of high energy and excitement. As the schools worked on transition from the disruption of the pandemic to having everyone back in the classroom, it was great to be able to bring back some of our programs. We could get back to focusing on the work we could do to provide enhanced educational experiences and tools for the students. And thanks to our donors, we did that and then some!

Working with the Goochland Public Schools staff to identify areas that are necessary to address the learning challenges and learning loss caused by the pandemic is so critical for the GEF. We asked and researched what we could do to meet the needs of students and their teachers. As a result. there are some significant new programs that will help in important ways.

One of the programs we’re particularly excited about is the Virtual Reality program at the high school and middle school. Introducing VR and embedding it into the curriculum will help students increase memory recall. retain knowledge, benefit students across all spectrums of learning styles, as well as those with developmental and physical disabilities. It also helps students without access to VR outside of the classroom since it puts them on equal footing with their peers.

We did provide a Movie Night for all the GCPS staff at the beginning of the 2021-22 school year as a thank you for all they were doing and as an encouragement to help the children transition back into the classroom.

We were also very happy to hold our main fund raising event at Dover Hall. which was a huge success! Thank you to all who came out to support us. It’s important to know that none of what the GEF does is possible without the extraordinary support and commitment of everyone in the community. This event is our major source of funds and gives everyone who attends the opportunity to have fun with friends and neighbors and learn more about what the GEF does.

This past year reminds us of how generous and compassionate people are, and how everyone recognizes the importance of providing the best education for our children. Thank you!
Sincerely,
Cyndy Brown