Current News
08/06/08 The Foundation for Springfield Public Schools Launches Back to School campaign raising money for Springfield Public School
The Foundation for Springfield Public Schools launches its annual Back to School with the Foundation campaign raising funds to support its Back to School grant program. The Foundation has set a $200,000 goal for the 2008-2009 campaign which awarded over $190,000 in grants and School Improvement Plan (SIP) funding in 2007 to Springfield Public Schools.
The 2008-2009 campaign is being led by Foundation board members Sandy Howard and Brent Baldwin. Howard says, “These grant dollars truly enhance the learning experience for students and help fill the gap of public funding.”
“The grants funded make a difference and 100% of the dollars raised during the Back to School campaign go directly back into the schools,” says Baldwin.
The campaign will run through October with grants being awarded in mid-November. In 2007 the Foundation received nearly $600,000 in grant requests. Executive Director, Nancy Fazzino says, “Now, more than ever, private dollars are so important to school programs. It is amazing to see the creativity and the desire to make the classroom as engaging as ever for the students. In 2007 we were able to fund about $190,000 in grants and SIP funding.” Each school in the district receives $2 per student from the campaign in compliance with School Improvement Plan funding. This money is used to address areas of need identified by each school.
“The good news is that we can all participate by contributing to this year’s campaign to make Springfield Public Schools better than ever,” says Fazzino.
This year marks the 8th annual Back to School with the Foundation campaign. For more information about Back to School with the Foundation contact the Foundation office at 417-523-0144 or at www.foundation4sps.org.
07/14/08 The Foundation for Springfield Public Schools Raising Funds with the Price Cutter Charity Championship
The Foundation for Springfield Public Schools is selling tickets to the Price Cutter Charity Championship through Tickets “FORE” Community Causes presented by Mattax-Neu-Prater Eye Center. Tickets are $25 per ticket, include a weekly parking pass and are good for Thursday, July 17 through Sunday, July, 20. For each ticket sold by the Foundation, it will receive $20. The money raised through ticket sells will benefit the Foundation’s Back to School 2008 campaign which raises funds to support the Foundation’s grant program. Each year the Foundation for Springfield Public Schools awards grants to support a variety of classroom projects, technology and supplies in Springfield Public Schools. Last year the Foundation awarded nearly $200,000 to Back to School grants.
For more information regarding the Back to School campaign, Price Cutter Charity Championship tickets or other Foundation projects please contact the Foundation office at 417-523-0144 or visit www.foundation4sps.org
05/16/08 Springfield Public School Students Rewarded for Taking the Safe and Sober Prom Night Pledge
At an awards assembly held Friday, May 16, Kurt Larson of Larson Law and founder of Safe and Sober Prom Night awarded $5,000 to five students from Springfield Public High Schools, over $2,000 to Glendale High School and over $2,000 to project graduation.
Safe and Sober Prom Night was founded by Larson four years ago and is managed and distributed by the Foundation for Springfield Public Schools. Nancy Fazzino, executive director of the Foundation said, "The Foundation is honored to be a part of this program."
The program encourages students to sign a pledge card to remain drug and alcohol free on prom night. Larson said, "The goal is to keep the community a little safer." To reward students and schools for their participation, cash rewards are offered. In addition to cash awards given out to students, each school received money for their project graduations.
The students who won cash awards of $1,000 are:
Samantha Young, Central
Brittany Evans, Glendale
Sheldon Ihnen, Hillcrest
Melissa Nieves, Parkview
Brooks Lockwood, Kickapoo
The winning school, with the highest percentage of students who pledged was Glendale High School receiving a check for $2,360.
04/22/08 Beth Nickle Named New Teacher of the Year
Bailey Alternative High School teacher, Beth Nickle was named the 2008-2009 Teacher of the Year at the Foundation's Teacher Appreciation Banquet on Monday, April 21. This year there were six finalist for Teacher of the Year: Beth Nickle, Bailey; Tracy Bruton, Glendale; Phil Hockensmith, Kickapoo; Alberta Smith, Central; Troy Kuchta, Boyd Elementary and Stephanie Blake, Parkview. Also recognized at the event were the 2007-2008 LIFT graduates, Teachers of the Month, Turner Family Reading Award winners and the Linda Luke Librarian of the Year.
Beth Nickle and Nancy Fazzino
04/02/08 Care to Learn Fund Created to Help Students in Springfield Public Schools
On Wednesday, April 2 the Care to Learn fund was announced at a press conference held at Campbell Elementary School. Local businessman Doug Pitt, the Jolie-Pitt Foundation, local philanthropist Jim D. Morris and one anonymous donor started the Care to Learn fund with the Foundation for Springfield Public School to support schools and students in meeting basic needs, such as but not limited to: hunger, health and hygiene.
Pitt and Morris issued the Brad Pitt/Jim D. Morris community challenge to raise funds to support Care to Learn. The first three checks from Jim D. Morris, the Jolie-Pitt Foundation and one anonymous donor were presented to the fund.
Every school in the district will be eligible to receive a portion of this funding based on the school's free and reduced lunch rates. Over 44 percent of students in the Springfield Public School district qualify for free and reduced lunch rates.
Free & Reduced Lunch Rates
Nancy Fazzino, Doug Pitt, Jim D. Morris
and Tony Shalloup
03/11/08 Foundation for Springfield Public Schools Presents Grant to Alternative Education Programs
The Foundation for Springfield Public Schools presented a $4,933.75 grant to the ACE, Solutions and PALS Alternative education programs on Tuesday, March 11. The grant awarded by Ozarks Health Advocacy Foundation (OHAF) will purchase elementary and secondary physical fitness equipment.
ACE alternative program is for students on short-term suspension from their home schools. Solutions and PALS alternative programs educate students on long-term or permanent basis.
03/06/08 Foundation Grant to Watkins Brings Ukrainian Culture to Students
The students at Watkins Elementary School got a lesson in Ukrainian culture during an assembly program presented by the Cultural Kaleidoscope, a program presented by native Ukrainian Sergie Shapoval. The students were enlightened about Ukrainian history, culture, music and dance. The assembly was followed by workshops where each class had the opportunity to learn more about Ukrainian culture.
 
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