Countdown to Kindergarten & Airmall Boston Draw Winner of $5,000 College Scholarship

This just in from Main Streetsl

Representative Adrian Madaro, East Boston Main Streets, Countdown to Kindergarten, and Airmall Boston Draw Winner of $5,000 College Scholarship

Nicolas Morales, a kindergartener at the McKay school in East Boston

BOSTON, MA (July 28, 2015) – On Tuesday, July 28, East Boston Main Streets’ Executive Director Max Gruner was joined by Mike Caro, VP of Airmall Boston, members of the Countdown to Kindergarten steering committee, and State Representative Adrian Madaro to draw the name of the Kindergartener who is the winner of the $5,000 college scholarship provided by Airmall Boston.  “Our annual Countdown to Kindergarten Parade is a wonderfully joyous event that truly highlights the benefits of our vibrant public-private partnerships in East Boston,” says State Representative Adrian Madaro.

Last year, at the annual East Boston Countdown to Kindergarten Parade, EBMS and Airmall Boston announced a $5,000 college scholarship in the form of a 529 college savings account to be provided to one East Boston kindergartener with perfect attendance during the school year.  “This scholarship is important to us,” says EBMS executive director Max Gruner, “not only because it can make a real impact on the long-term educational opportunities of one of our kids but because it sends a threefold message: one, our East Boston community cares about education and our kids; two, it encourages parents to think about the importance of investing early in the long-term education of their children; three, it underscores the importance of attendance at school.”

The scholarship winner, Nicolas Morales, a kindergartener at the McKay school in East Boston, and his family will be presented with a ceremonial check at the 15th annual East Boston Countdown to Kindergarten Parade on Thursday, September 3rd, 2015. Also at this event, EBMS, Airmall, and the CTK steering committee are pleased to be able to announce the continuation of this college scholarship initiative and will be announcing the second annual $5,000 college scholarship for an East Boston kindergartener with perfect attendance at school. 

 “This event has been a long standing tradition for the East Boston community. It helps to create a solid foundation for the future of East Boston, and we at Airmall, who live and work in this community as well, are honored to play a role in this day," says Mike Caro, Vice President at Airmall Boston.

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EBMS is a non-profit corporation. Our mission is to create a more vibrant business district by initiating private and public improvements, promoting commerce, and supporting efforts to improve the quality of life for all who live, work and do business in East Boston.

Drawing for Countdown to Kindergarten Scholarship: July 28

On Tuesday, July 28th, at 10:00am at the East Boston Social Centers in East Boston, Central Square, Adrian Madaro will be drawing the name of the Kindergartener with perfect attendance during the past school year who will be receiving the $5K college scholarship announced as part of the Countdown to Kindergarten Celebration and provided courtesy of AirMall.

The drawing will last 20mins from 10:30am-10:50am.  We would very much like media to be present.

Background:

    East Boston is the only remaining Boston neighborhood to celebrate its rising Kindergarteners with a celebration and Parade
    Last year, EBMS and AirMall announced the first annual Countdown to Kindergarten College Scholarship to be presented to an EB kindergartener with perfect attendance during the school year (note: excused absences do not count against the students attendance record)
    We have just received the list of eligible Kindergartners and will be drawing the name of the winner who will receive $5K in a 529 college savings account; the drawing will be promptly at 10:30am on Tuesday, July 28.
    The check will be handed to the family during this year's Countdown to Kindergarten Parade on Thursday, September 3rd from 10:30am-1:00pm.
    At the Parade, EBMS and AirMall will be announcing another $5K scholarship for this coming year.

Talking Points:

    Importance of early childhood education
    Importance of parent involvement in all aspects of child's educational experience, including attendance
    Importance of thinking ahead and planning for ongoing education of the child beyond high-school

14th Countdown to Kindergarten Parade Wrap-up

(East Boston, MA; September 15, 2014)....On Friday, September 5, 2013, East Boston Main Streets in association with Countdown to Kindergarten, local partners, and 25 local businesses held the 14th Countdown to Kindergarten Parade in East Boston. 

For the first time, East Boston Main Streets announced a $5,000 college scholarship in the form of a 529 college savings account.  This scholarship was made possible through the generous contribution of AirMall Boston.  This scholarship will be tied to perfect attendance during this coming school year.  EBMS and AirMall, in partnership with BPS will announce those Kindergarteners with exemplary attendance on a quarterly basis.  The winner will be announced at next year’s Parade.

With over 600 total participants, this year’s event was the largest Countdown Parade yet.  Just shy of 450 rising kindergarteners accompanied by parents, siblings, and care-givers marched down Meridian Street from Central Square to Maverick Square.  Along the way volunteers from 25 local businesses graciously filled the children’s’ backpacks with school supplies.  The children then returned to Central Square to special activities ranging from fingerprinting with the Sheriff’s department to face-painting, from hearing stories read by our librarian to special experiments from the science museum.  Lunch was graciously donated by Carlo’s Market and Deli and the music was provided by DJ Regalio Castro.

East Boston Main Streets and its partners would like to thank all the volunteers!

The East Boston Countdown to Kindergarten Parade is brought to you by: Countdown to Kindergarten, East Boston Main Streets, East Boston Family Engagement Network 

Special Thanks to our Presenting Sponsor: Airmall 

Thank You to our Sponsors: Councilor Sal Lamattina, Stae Representative Carlo Basile, State Senator Anthony Petruccelli, Councilor Ayanna Pressley, Councilor Michelle Wu, Councilor Stephen Murphy, Councilor Michael Flaherty, East Boston Kiwanis, East East Boston Foundation, Boston Rotary, Webster First FCU, First Priority CU, East Boston Savings Bank, Santander Bank, Mass Port, Suffolk Downs, East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, East Boston Chamber of Commerce, East Boston Social Centers, East Boston YMCA, Logan Chiropractic, Stop & Shop

Thank You to all Business Participants: APAC, Balloon City, Bellino Insurance, Boston Fire Department, Carlos Deli, Boston Public Schools, Cradles to Crayons, District 7 Police Station, Taste of Eastie, DJ Rogelio, Omar & Oscar, Blanco & Negro, East Boston Dental Associates, Savers, East Boston Savings Bank, Logan Beauty Salon, East Boston District Court, East Boston Headstart, East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, East Boston Thrive in Five, East Boston YMCA, Museum of Science, East Boston Social Centers, El Paisa Central Square, Michael’s Beauty Salon, Kool Smiles, El Poder Musical, Little Folks Day Care Center, Suffolk Downs, Manuel Macias Law Office, East Boston Family Dental, MBTA, MP&CO, McDonalds, Michael D’Avolio Law Office, Prime Lending Group, Shaws, Santander Bank, Stop & Shop, Suffolk County Sheriff’s Dept., United States Postal Service, Walgreens and many others!
   

Here is to the class of 2030!
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East Boston Main Streets is a public/private partnership initiative of Boston Main Streets, which was established by Mayor Thomas M. Menino. The program has been operating in East Boston since 1995 to create a vibrant business district by initiating private and public improvements, promoting commerce, and supporting efforts to improve the quality of life for all who live, work and do business in East Boston.  East Boston Gateway, Inc. is a Non-Profit Organization Recognized under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code

Source; East Boston Main Streets Max Gruner

September 15, 2014