Revere Schools Foundation has a mission of school safety and supporting youth leadership

by Dan Holland

According to Jason DiLauro, the Revere Schools Foundation came about as a grassroots response by local parents in the wake of the tragic Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings that occurred in December 2012.

“I walked into our elementary school building the next day, and there were people walking all around,” recalled DiLauro, a board member for RSF. “I wanted to know what we could do about this, so I asked the principal, and she introduced me to the superintendent. I talked with some really great parents, and we started the foundation out of my basement that night,” DiLauro said.

To date, the foundation has raised more than $700,000 for its mission to “Promote, Produce and Protect,” said RSF Director Steve Scavuzzo.  “Our mission is to protect our kids, produce leaders and promote experiential learning,” he explained. “Protection is the pillar we were founded upon, and the way we execute our mission statement is to work closely with School Resource Officer Scott Dressler to provide funding for those things that are otherwise not able to be funded by the school district.”

“In order to help produce leaders, we fund scholarships,” he added. “This year, we’re able to award four $2,000 scholarships to our graduating seniors. The experiential learning aspect includes emotional health, wellness and a well-being program.”

The foundation was recently able to provide funding to cover 50% of the cost for a second SRO, which covers overtime pay for a uniformed police officer mainly during school drop-off/start times and end of day/release. Front offices in all school buildings have also been equipped with threat extinguishers per Officer Dressler’s recommendation.

“It has a spray nozzle that will shoot a stream of mace 25 feet, and a beacon goes off to alert first responders as to your location,” explained DiLauro. “So, the teachers, administrators and front office people can basically be around the corner from a threat, and the first responders know where they are located. It’s a first line of defense that we now have in each school building.”

Other safety measures include a swipe card entry system for visitors, enhanced indoor and outdoor speaker systems, improved lighting and security cameras.

The “If you see something, say something” program has been effective in the school district, according to DiLauro. “That program is one that we’ve supported and led, going all the way back to the beginning, because we consider that part of safety,” he said.

The foundation has also provided funding for a limited number of “at risk” students to participate in a Hope Meadows equine therapy program to build self confidence.

Board member Leigh Ann Swartz has resumed her role in chairing the foundation’s annual event, “Illuminate 2024,” which is the group’s largest fundraiser each year. The event will be held Nov. 2 at Todaro’s Party Center in Akron.

“We will have a live auction and silent auction this year, and we bring in casino tables and games,” said Swartz. The event reminds attendees of the foundation’s mission statement and how the money raised impacts all of the students in the district. Last year over 300 attended.

Evolving board

The foundation is designed to continue in perpetuity. As students graduate from the school district, parents of younger students fill vacated spots on the board.

”We realized early on that you have to have involvement from parents with kids in the younger grades,” said DiLauro. “I’ve given 11 years to the program, and the last thing I want to see is for it to end. We’re blessed to have so many wonderful parents involved.”

“Jason [DiLauro] and others founded the program and have done a great job with it over the years,” added Scavuzzo. “I came in two years ago, and we have some new board members with younger kids in the district. So, the thought is to keep this going on as long as we can.” For information, visit reverefoundation.com.

Photo Caption: The board of the Revere Foundation gathered at their annual fundraiser in 2023. Pictured are ’23 board members (front, l-r) Leigh Ann Swartz, Kara Buckler, Courtney Stein and Jennifer Burke. (Back row) Jason DiLauro, Greg Amend, Steve Scavuzzo, Tim Militzer, Zach Mellion, Keith Malick, Mark Lapikas and Emily Addessi.