Sept 2011 - St. Joseph Public Schools Foundation

September 2011
ST. JOSEPH PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER
Mission:
The purpose of the St. Joseph Public
Schools Foundation is to raise,
steward and distribute resources to
enrich the education of students
in the St. Joseph Public Schools.
Vision:
More than 900 students
and staff learned foreign
languages through
the Rosetta Stone pilot
program funded by
the SJPS Foundation’s
American Girl
Fashion Show.
One-to-One
Computing
Increase opportunities for students
in curricula, facilities and
various learning options by
securing resources from diverse
sources of funding through
broad community involvement.
Board Members:
William D. Marohn, President
Dennis Bowen, Secretary
Richard Brandt, Treasurer
Michele Demchinski,
V.P. Projects
Tereck Halsey,
V.P. Fund Development
Ginny Antonson,
V.P. Public Relations
Anna Abdelnour
Bill Benner
Anne Gottlieb
Bill Hanley
Shawn Kim
Greg Koroch
Connie Kubicki
Phil Maki
Beth Mandarino
Jane Marohn
Ed Meny
Denise Reeves
Randy Reimers
Mike Ryan
Allen Skibbe, Superintendent
Christine Waterhouse,
Foundation Coordinator
Enriching the education of students.
3275 Lincoln Avenue
St. Joseph, Michigan 49085
Phone (269) 926-3252
Fax (269) 926-3103
www.stjosephpublicschoolsfoundation.org
Giving all our students the world at their fingertips
In May 2010, the St. Joseph
community approved a $38
million bond issue to bring the
St. Joseph Public School (SJPS)
district up to 21st century
standards in safety, energy
efficiency and technology. The
SJPS Foundation played a
major role in supporting the
bond issue and the plan to equip
each classroom with interactive
technology by sponsoring five
demonstration "Classrooms
of Today." These classrooms
provided the public with a look
at what the future would hold as
well as provided the district with
the ability to test a variety of
equipment and manufacturers.
The work of remodeling the
classrooms and providing
the technology is nearing
completion at the lower grade
levels and will be completed at
the high school over the next
three years. Each remodeled
classroom is equipped with an
interactive white board, sound
enhancement and a flexible
learning environment.
A bold commitment: one
computer for each student
While each “Classroom of
Today” now has the equipment
necessary to deliver instruction
using the latest technologies
(research shows student
learning increases by more
than 15 percent yearly by using
these technologies), the next
step is to provide one computer
for each student in grades 6
through 12. Each student will
get a laptop computer, netbook
or iPad so he/she can access
information and classroom
presentations from anywhere,
at any time. It also allows
students to have
their textbooks available
digitally and to take classes
"online" or present from a
different location.
This is a bold and costly
plan. So the Foundation has
committed $200,000 over
the next three years to help
the district accomplish this
goal. Your help is needed to
ensure our goals are met so
our students have the tools
necessary to be competitive,
but also be leaders in acquiring
and accessing knowledge.
If you have a passion for
technology and/or the
continued excellence of the
St. Joseph Public Schools,
please support our "One-toOne Computer" initiative by
sending a donation today to:
www.stjosephpublicschools
foundation.org.
We can offer no greater gift to our children than to dedicate ourselves to educational excellence.
To realize this ambition and to carry St. Joseph Public Schools into the future, we ask for your trust and active support.
St. Joseph Public Schools Foundation
ST. JOSEPH PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER
A NOTE FROM
OUR PRESIDENT
September 2011
Dear Friends of St. Joseph
Public Schools Foundation,
If you attended a college or university, you may belong to its alumni
association. But are you a member of the alumni association for the
school system where you received your K–12 education?
The St. Joseph Public Schools Foundation is in the process of creating
an alumni association for our district. We want to reach out to our
alums, wherever they may be, and give them an opportunity to stay in
touch with their classmates and events that are happening in
our district.
As you might imagine, this is not an easy task. Finding the names and
addresses, including email addresses, is a work in progress. Under the
leadership of Ed Meny, we are trying to reach out to class organizers
who plan reunions and lead communication between their class
members. So, if you are a “class organizer” would you please
share your class list with us via our website
(www.stjosephpublicschoolsfoundation.org)?
In this issue of our SJPSF newsletter, you’ll find a section on alumni
updates. The Foundation is also sponsoring for the first time requests
for candidates for a Distinguished Alumni Award. Bill Benner is
leading this committee and is planning to select worthy candidates
to be honored in the future. So if you know someone you would like
to nominate for this distinction, please check our website for the
nomination form and deadline. We are also sending this newsletter to
alums where we have addresses, so please update us if you move.
One last thing, if your class or a class of one of your children is
planning a reunion, call (269) 926-3252. We can help you with
information packets, tours and updates on what is happening in
our St. Joseph Public Schools.
Many thanks,
Bill Marohn, President
St. Joseph Public Schools Foundation
Opening Eyes to the Future
Guest speakers from the community talked to Upton Middle School
8th graders about different careers and what classes to take to
prepare for them. This career day was funded by the SJPSF.
ALUMNI
SPOTLIGHT
Here are two SJ High School alumni who stand out in
their careers and communities. The Foundation would like
to spotlight other alumni in future issues, so please send
information about yourself or a classmate to
[email protected].
The Foundation is also seeking nominations for the first
annual Distinguished Alumni Award. For more information or
nomination form, visit our website and click on Distinguished
Alumni Award. Deadline for nominating 2012 recipients is
November 1, 2011.
Jennifer Ast, SJHS Class of 1988, Internationally Renowned Scientist
Most Valuable Player, four years, women’s soccer, University
of Chicago; Gertrude Dudley Award for leadership and skill
in women’s athletics; Bachelor of Science, Biology, University
of Chicago; Master of Science, Evolutionary Biology,
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; Doctorate, specializing
in Phylogenetic Systematics, University of Michigan; recently
completed a research fellowship at the University of Uppsala
in Sweden for a project to study bacteria found in lakes;
credits her great start in science to her SJHS science teachers,
such as Timm Pschigoda
Jeff Hoover, SJHS Class of 1984,
Producer of Chicago’s Highly Rated Channel 9, WGN Morning News
Worked summers during college at News/Talk 1400 WSJM
& Magic 107 WIRX; attended Western Michigan University,
Kalamazoo; debuted on Jonathon Brandmeier’s Showgram
(WLUP/AM1000/WCKG 105.9FM) as a call-in Jerry Lewis
impersonator; made a name for himself as one of the
hilarious writers/producers of Brandmeier's radio show; after
Brandmeier’s show ended, landed at WGN-TV Morning News
where in 2005 he won three Telly Awards in entertainment,
variety and documentary categories for helping to produce
Bozo, Gar & Ray: WGN TV Classic.
Enriching the education of students.
BULLETIN BOARD
NEARLY $25,000 IN GRANTS
AWARDED THIS YEAR
St. Joseph Public Schools are fortunate to have such dedicated
teachers who are always looking for ways to enrich the
education of our students. Here is a list of the wishes granted to
some of those teachers this year by the SJPSF:
• World Book Online Encyclopedia for K-12
• Articulation Materials for therapy and home use
The
• Lesson Booster DVDs for Elem. Social Work curriculum
Fo
w
elco undati
• iPod Listening Stations
on
Mic mes
• Everyday Math for Pre-K
hell
e
to t
• Classroom Dictionaries
he P Rumsa
com
r
• Speaking Franklin Spellers
mitt oject
F
ee a
owl
• Michigan Studies Weekly
Bur er and nd Nanc
• Wireless Listening Centers for First Grade
d
Stev
y
Fun ick to
• Advanced Scientific Calculators for 6th Grade
the e
ding
com
• Sony DSC H50 Cameras for Yearbook Class
mitt
• 24 Microscopes for 7th & 8th Grade Science Classes
ee!
• Art Slab Roller
• AP Macroeconomics Test Bank
• Smart Music Software Pilot Program
• ProQuest eLibrary Database Renewal
e’s
atur eep
• Classroom Graphing Calculators
N
s to he upk
k
• Food Class Lab Evalulation Equipment
n
a
Th for t ng by
• Classroom Jeopardy 2011 Team Edition
i
!
Way ndscap ic sign
• Portable Drying Rack for Painting & Printmaking
a
n
l
ro
of
• Audio/Video Recording Device for K-12
lect so to .
e
e
al
th
nc
• Flip Cams for World Language Projects
rd I
r
anks
ation
Found
chools
blic S lic Schools
u
P
h
ub
sep
St. Jo t. Joseph P
.
S
d By:
0 p.m
Hoste o Benefit:
T
or 5:0
12:00 0 p.m.
12th
:0use
Nov.
thohols Fi1
,
y
3
eld Ho
a
1
d
.
ov
blic Sc
Satur nday,StN
ph Pu
. Jose
e
e,
u
th
h
S
at
0 eac ckets onlin
ti
.0to purchase n.
5or
$252
org
ts:926ndatio
32
olsfou
Ticatkioe
n, call hpublicscho
6 or 10
r size
17th.
ho wea
tember
Girls w
odels! dline to is Sep
m
r
fo
Dea
king
o
.
ly
lo
p
e
sit
We ar
ed to ap
ation vi
courag
inform
n.org
are en
d more
ndatio
ation an schoolsfou
lic
p
ap
lic
s,
For
, name
hpub
demarks
tjosep
Girl tra erved.
and up
erican
www.s
form
tjosep
ore in
ww.s
For m
visit w
6
ildren , Inc. All Am . All rights res
ms
d for ch
license
l Progra
mende
under
Recomm American Girl, LLC, used
Gir
nsed fro
erican
w is lice marks of Am
sho
on
trade
l Fashi
can Gir characters are
eri
Am
and
Congra
tu
Founda lations to SJ
tion 'bo
PS
ar
Phillip
Maki on d Member
Source
receivin
g 1st
Bank’s
M. Rac
2
lin Com 011 Ernestine
m
Leaders
hip Aw unity
a
rd. Phil
lla
fo generously
Th
y Ba hey do
s
r
e
l
r
e
F
c
e
o
ted the
undatio
P
ll t ation.
n
a
t
o
r
r
d
award’s
eceive t
n
fo
he
$1,000
Fou
e
T
h
d
h
onation
t
ank you
.
!!!!
THANK A STAFF
MEMBER
The following teachers and staff (past and present) were
recognized this year with a donation to the SJPS Foundation:
Tracy McFall
Martha Vanderweide
Patrick Hoffmann
Caryl Eller
Heather Bartz
Judy Schnebly
Brenda Searfoss
Steve Prince
Kim Fellows
Michelle Allen
Carla Morrow
Marcia Wiesemes
Ginny Antonson
Jennifer Laukus
Mike Wagner
In memory of:
Linda Delapa
Ilona Jackson
Kim Hall
Betty Theisen
General Staff
Your gift ($10 minimum donation) to the Foundation
will not only show your appreciation for what a SJPS staff
member means to you or your child, it will help enhance the
education of all of our students! We’ll present a congratulatory
certificate to the staff member and publish a list of recipients in
upcoming newsletters and on our website. For more details go
to www.stjosephpublicschoolsfoundation.org.
Our thanks to the Passaros for their donation in honor of
Anne Gottlieb, and to the Class of 1950 for your donation!
ACHIEVING EXCELLENCE
BRICK BY BRICK
Here is how to give a gift or tribute that will last for years.
Purchase a brick during the SJPS Foundation’s “Achieving
Excellence Brick by Brick” fundraising campaign.
Your tax-deductible $100 per brick paves the way to excellence.
Bricks purchased for the high school’s main entrance will help
fund education enrichment throughout the district; bricks
purchased for the Fine Arts Building entrance will support
music education programs.
Each brick lets you write three text lines with a maximum
of 15 characters, including spaces, per line. Use your brick
to congratulate a graduating senior, to memorialize an
outstanding teacher, to thank an inspiring coach, or to honor a
family member, friend or your graduating class.
Bricks may be purchased now through January 1, 2012 from
the SJPS Foundation and the SJ High School Band Orchestra
Parents (BOP). Visit our website or call (269) 926-3252 for
more information.
“He who dares to teach must never cease to learn.”
– Anonymous
ts this year?d to
n
e
c
c
A
l
ia
n
n
re
e
ously offere .
Shopping at P
ph has gener
on
s Foundati
own St. Jose
Public School
ents in downt
Perennial Acc eir sales to the St. Joseph
ake the
th
like them to m
ld
ou
donate 3% of
w
u
yo
hase.
on that
Please menti n at the time of your purc
ion of
donatio
ch the educat
ri
en
to
g
in
lp
he
r
ts, fo
s students.
rennial Accen
Thank you Pe St. Joseph Public School
PLEASE S
AVE THES
• Nov. 1:
E DATES:
Deadline fo
r 2012 Dis
• Nov. 12
ting
&
• Grant A 13: American Girl uished Alumni Awa
rd nomina
Fashion S
pplication
tions
how
De
- Oct. 1
: Special F adline
undin
For grant
informatio g Requests
n, contact:
cwaterho
use@sjs
chools.org
.
YOUR GIFT WILL MAKE OUR SCHOOLS
AND COMMUNITY STRONGER
CONSTITUTION CENTER
PROGRAM OCT. 24
Although we have been able to enrich the education of the St. Joseph Public Schools,
there is still so much more to do. Thank you for your gift.
Name ___________________________________________________
Address __________________________________________________
City, State, ZIP ______________________________________________
Phone ___________________ Email __________________________
I would like to contribute to the St. Joseph Public Schools Foundation.
Amount enclosed:
$25 ___ $50 ___ $75 ___ $100 ___ Other _____
My employer will match my gift:
yes
no
I am a St. Joe graduate: ___ yes ___ no
___ We are planning a class reunion. Our group is considering a donation.
Please contact me.
___ I am considering a planned gift. Please contact me.
Please also consider memorial, honorarium and business donations to
benefit our students.
Make checks payable to: St. Joseph Public Schools Foundation
The St. Joseph Public Schools Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Our funding comes entirely
from generous individuals, organizations, businesses, civic groups and foundations.
To make an endowed gift to the SJPS Foundation, please contact the Berrien County Foundation.
Enriching the education of students.
3275 Lincoln Avenue
St. Joseph, Michigan 49085
Portable cooktops and chef apparel
were purchased through a
SJPSF grant so that the
Foods & Nutrition and Culinary Arts
students can compete in cook-offs
and perform demonstrations.
Thanks to a grant by Stephen and Elizabeth
Upton, the Constitution Center of
Philadelphia, PA will be presenting several
programs to grades 3-12 during the week
of Oct. 24. The presentations will include
school-wide programs as well as individual
classroom workshops emphasizing the
Emancipation Proclamation and “History
Detective: Artifacts from the 1800s and
1900s.”
NO SHOW BALL
RESULTS
The 2011 No-Show Ball netted $15, 022.
Thank you for enriching education at SJPS!
THIS NEWSLETTER IS
AVAILABLE ONLINE
Just go to either
www.stjosephpublicschoolsfoundation.org
or www.sjschools.org and click on
“SJPS Foundation.”
Or, if you prefer a printed copy, please
contact Christine: (269) 926-3252 or
[email protected].