The Jacksonville Public Schools Foundation has contributed over $3,000,000 to District #117 to help build a solid educational foundation, and to help get them to the classroom in the best condition for learning.
Bricks in the Jacksonville Public School Foundation include, but are not limited to:
- Meeting Students' Needs: The Foundation manages closets which supply shoes, coats, clothing, school supplies, and personal items for the students of District #117 who have the need for these items so that their focus can be on educational and social growth. We are grateful for the donations we receive from local organizations such as Share the Spirit Foundation and the Jacksonville Lions Club which help to support our efforts.
- Providing Teacher Grants: The Foundation raises funds to annually provide grants to teachers who wish to implement creative and innovative ideas into their classrooms. Applications are made for these funds.
- Supporting Special Education Programs: The Foundation supports the Transitional Adult Program (TAP) by providing requested resources. It also manages the funds raised each year through Toss for Autism.
- Supplying and Renovating Used Instruments: Through Play it Forward, the Foundation collects donations and used musical instruments so that students who would like to participate in band or orchestra, but who do not have the means to purchase or rent instruments, can still learn to play.
- Supporting Lincoln and Washington Dance Squads: The Foundation manages donations for these squads, created by Jan Ryan, to give students who are unable to afford dance lessons the opportunity to participate in dance programming. These programs help to build self-esteem and self-motivation, while also helping to equalize opportunities when the students reach Jacksonville Middle School and Jacksonville High School cheerleading and pom-pom tryouts.
- Recognizing District Teachers: The Foundation sponsors the Jacksonville School District #117 Educator of the Year Award (made in honor of Bill Russell) annually to recognize a District #117 employee who is nominated by his/her peers for demonstrating excellence in education.
- Building Alumni Connections: The Foundation sponsors the Jacksonville High School Alumni Association, produces the biannual newsletter, and helps class reunion committees to plan their reunion events.
- Fundraising: The Foundation raise funds to support initiatives and serves as a repository for campaigns undertaken by District #117 (e.g., Washington Elementary Playground Equipment).
- Writing Grants: The Foundation assists with grant writing for parent organizations, extracurricular activities, music programming, and in other areas as needed.
These "bricks" in our foundation are about giving our students an educational environment in which they can thrive and be successful. The partnership between the Foundation and District #117 is having a positive impact on our schools and in our community. We are: 1) supporting District #117 programs; 2) providing our teachers with grant opportunities to enhance curriculum; 3) offering support for special education, music programming, and extra-curricular activities; and 4) helping our students to meet their basic needs so that their focus can be on educational and social growth.
We do all of this to help build a solid educational foundation for the students of today and those of the future.