Tim Swartley of FIFS Capital Advisor Group recently joined the Indian Valley Education Foundation (www.indianvalleyef.org) Board of Directors. The IVEF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that raises funds to support and enhance the educational programs and opportunities in the Souderton Area School District. Initially founded in 1992, this organization has instituted many programs that are now integral aspects of the school district curricula.
“As a parent of a rising 9th grader and rising 6th grader in the SASD, I have experienced firsthand how students benefit from the good work of the Indian Valley Education Foundation. From iPads in the fifth grade classroom at Franconia Elementary, to the Franconia Summer Book Blasts, to Chromebooks at Indian Crest Middle School, my children’s learning opportunities have been expanded beyond the walls of the classroom. I am excited to join the board of the IVEF and add my efforts to the continuing good work that the board has been doing in partnership with the school district. We are fortunate to live in a community with such caring and competent teachers, administrators, and staff who create a learning environment where our children can thrive. I am pleased to see the business community come alongside the educational community and partner in ways like the Pathways 360 Program, the IVEF, and others. I am excited to be a part of it as a parent, a member of the business community, and as a resident in the school district.”
One example of how the IVEF has supported the SASD is the SASD Next Initiative, which provided a Chromebook laptop to every student in grades 6, 7, & 8. The IVEF Board of Directors voted unanimously to provide funding, in part, for the SASD Next Initiative, which was developed by the faculty and administration of the SASD. The IVEF has been able to provide over $100,000 in funding so far. Over the next 4 years, SASD will continue to grow and expand access to technology to ensure that all students and teachers have access to the technology they need to be engaged and invested in education at a capacity not seen before. The IVEF is thrilled to be a part of this exciting opportunity for SASD students, and will be working diligently in cooperation with SASD to support this initiative every step of the way! Please click here to see a video showing how SASD Next is transforming education!
FIFS Capital Advisor Group and Franconia Insurance and Financial Services have a strong relationship with the Souderton Area School District. In addition to Tim’s involvement on the IVEF Board, several other examples include FIFS Operations Manager Karla Myers’ involvement on the Pathways 360 Advisory Team, Karla’s selection as the 2017 SAHS Friend of Education, and FIFS Capital Advisor Group’s being added to the approved provider list for the SASD 403(b) Plan.
Pictured Left to Right: Kyle Zehr, FIFS Partner, Chad Yoder, FIFS Partner, Luanne Grasse, Friend and FIFS client, Karla Myers, FIFS Operations Manager, Dr. Sam Varano, SAHS Principal, Frank Gallagher, SASD Superintendent, Amy Tarlo, SAHS Pathways Mentorship and Transition Coordinator, Jeremy Tammaro, SAHS Interact President, and Brody Moyer, SAHS Interact Treasurer