Our Board of Trustees

The Spencer Community School Foundation — Who we are

Essential to any organization is a strong, supportive Board of Trustees. The Foundation Board is a talented, diverse group of community individuals who are committed to enriching and enhancing the education of Spencer Community School students.

Two long-time community members administer the philanthropic mission of the foundation on a daily basis: Tammy Higgins serves as Executive Director and Mary Frank serves as Assistant Director. Both have a passion for education and a deep commitment to enhancing the educational experiences of our community’s youth. Contact them with any donations, questions, or suggestions for the Foundation.

The Spencer Community School Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization funded by donations, bequests, and annual giving pro-grams. (No operating funds are received from the State of Iowa or the Spencer Community Schools budget.)

The goal of the Foundation is to enhance and enrich educational opportunities for students

and teachers, partner with businesses to meet educational and vocational needs, and expand horizons that will impact the entire community. Annual contributions and partnerships from and between school employees, businesses, citizens, alumni, and friends impact our school and our community. Scholarships are a direct result of the heart-felt gifts presented to the Foundation as well.

I was so thankful the Spencer School Foundation could help pay for tuition to go to camp. It helped me become an even better leader at Spencer High school! ” — 9th grade student

Top: Mary Frank, Asst. Director; Steve Bomgaars; Dick Montgomery, President; Terry Hemann, School Superintendent; Chris Baker; Tammy Higgins, Exec. Director; Bottom: Gay Spark; Anne Johnson; Sally Phelps; Treva Graves; Brea Whittenburg; and Jennifer Feldmann. (Not Pictured: Bob Whittenburg; Dave Woodcock; Mark Schmid; Ross Brockshus)

“NASA International Space Settlement Design Competition Field Trips

Smart Boards for Classrooms

Your support funded many educational opportunities in 2010-2011

The Foundation has worked closely with Spencer educators to provide enriching experiences as well as classroom equipment and resources. This past year, the Foundation funded speakers, field trips, camp and forum scholarships, and equipment for our students.

• NASA International Space Settlement Design Competition – funded 15 students to attend in Houston, TX and 2 students to attend interna-tional competition

• All 8th grade students and staff were able to attend The Miracle Worker theatrical produc-tion at Iowa State University, culminating an interdisciplinary unit on courage.

• Scholarships to attend academic and leader-ship camps and forums for 8 middle school students and 3 high school students

• Iowa State University Insect Zoo – Provided funds for ISU entomologist to bring several live insects from around the world for hands-on learning for all Spencer 2nd grade students at Lakeside Lab

• Dave Thoreson, world explorer and photogra-pher, spoke to all middle school students about his sailing and scientific research trip around the Americas, focusing on global environmen-tal issues.

• Dale Fisher, University of Iowa Art Museum di-rector, brought African art to high school and middle school students.

• Yume Hidaka, Japanese Outreach Coordinator at the University of Iowa, brought a deeper un-derstanding of Japanese culture and literature to middle school and high school students

• Jamie Edberg from the Sioux Falls Zoo brought the Zoo Mobile with live animals and spoke to Spencer Middle School 8th grade students about career opportunities in zoology and vet-erinary science.

• Funded Iowa writers Dr. Bruce and Jeanette Hopkins’ writers workshop at Lakeside Lab for high school advanced literature and composi-tion classes.

• Provided funding to enhance and enrich the curriculum.

• Funded synesthetic equipment for special needs students in our district.

I was so thankful the Spencer School Foundation could help pay for tuition to go to camp. It helped me become an even better leader at Spencer High school! ” — 9th grade student

Gift to Education recipient 2011

Exotic Insect Presentation at Lakeside LabSmart Boards for Classrooms

Sensory Equipment & Metal Tech Program

The Tiger Pa’s — Fun-loving fundraising fathers in action

The most enter-taining project of the Spencer Com-munity School Foundation is the Tiger Pa’s. This popular group was established seven years ago by loyal parents and willing participants. The Tiger Pa’s, a dedicated group of junior and senior students’ dads and guardians, along with other commit-ted Tiger Pa alumni, perform an energetic upbeat

“dance” under the direction of Executive Director Tammy Higgins. The performance takes place at the Foundation Fun Night each February

during the girls’ and boys’ basketball games. A dinner is served at the high school before the games, and the Tiger Pa’s will be canvass-ing the stands for donations in support of the Foundation. This year’s Fun Night will be February 7, 2012, so come show your support!

Heidi Toale resigns after more than eight years of dedicated service

Dear Friends,

With mixed emotions I would like to share with you that I have resigned my position as Execu-tive Director of the Spencer Community School Foundation. Over the past years Tammy Higgins has worked with me and now she will become the new Executive Director and Mary Frank will join the Foundation as Assistant Director.

This is a transitional time for me. However, I do know that I will continue to support the Founda-

tion with my volunteer time, talents and financial support. I would like to invite each and every one of you to show your support to the Foundation

as well. Your generosity builds our great community resource: the education of our students!

Thank you for your past, pres-ent and future support,

—Heidi

Contact the Foundation — We want to hear from you!

We welcome all comments and suggestions. What would you like to see in the next newsletter? Please contact us at www.spencerschoolfoundation.com or call us at (712) 262-8950.

SpencerCommunitySchoolFoundation•POBox200•Spencer,Iowa51301 Email:scsfoundation@spencer.k12.ia.us•Phone:(712)262-8950

• Have an updated list of classmates’ addresses or know someone who does? Please contact us.

• Consider making a contribution to the Spencer Community School Foundation to continue our tradition of enriching & enhancing education.

• We’d like to keep track of alumni and friends, and receive updates on your lives. Please share this newsletter and encourage others to visit our website or become a friend of the Foundation through Facebook.