BUILDINGblocksSUMMER

2012THE QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER OF THE DECATUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION

T he Decatur Public Schools Foundation is seekingnominations for Outstanding Alumni of DecaturPublic Schools. Winners will be honored at the tenth

annual "Celebrate! The Legacy of Learning" award ceremonyon Saturday, November 10th, 2012.If you know a graduate of Eisenhower, MacArthur,

Lakeview or the old Decatur High School who has madesignificant contributions in The Arts, Science, Technology,Academic Achievement, or in their field of work, call theFoundation for a nomination form at 424-3300 or visitwww.dps61.org/foundation for more information.Nominations are accepted until July 27th, 2012!

C e l e b r a t e ! The Legacy of Learning

“Our growing donor base understands that a donation to the DPSF directly places creative learning processes into ourstudents hands. I've seen the excitement the teachers and the students feel!” – Jan Kelsheimer

“The following quote by Linus Banks has been the driving force in my family’s community giving, beginning with mygrandfather.” – Lucy Smith“For the cause that lacks assistance, for the wrong that needs resistance, for the future in the distance, and the good thatwe can do.”

“The DPSF recognizes how important it is for donors to be able to see their generous gifts at work in District #61.Working in partnership with administrators and teachers, the DPSF has funded more than three million dollars ingrants and programs since forming fifteen years ago. We are making a positive impact on the quality of education ouryoung citizens receive and preparing them to work and live in a global community. Every gift, large or small, makes apositive impact!” – Marilyn Davis

“Because we are a community of families, and our donors become involved to strengthen educational programs whichkeep our families strong!” – Valdimir Talley

“As a parent of students whose school received funds from the DPSF I was able to experience first-hand the level ofenthusiasm, excitement and gratitude my children, their peers and teachers had surrounding their project. Many donorsshare this same sense of delight and pride in the students, the projects and the Decatur school system after seeing whattheir contribution helped accomplish.” – Tiffany Lukis

“The DPSF hears directly from the frontline workers in Education (teachers) on their needs, then makes teacherinitiatives in the classrooms a reality. It is great to hear about student successes so we can continue to focus donorresources on projects that work.” – Tom Binder

“The public schools are the foundation of our community’s future. Providing enrichment activities for our children andstudents gives them the tools they will need to maintain their foundation and build on it.” – Wendy Morthland

Why Donors Give to the Decatur Public SchoolsFoundation - A Message from the Trustees

2 BUILDINGblocks S U M M E R 2 0 1 2 •

$214,327 in Grants and Programs Were FuT he Decatur Public Schools Foundation supported teachers and schools throughout District #61 with funding for

innovative and creative projects designed to stimulate interest in learning. Thank you to our donors for your continuedsupport – your donations have provided twenty-three dollars of support for each student in District #61 this year!

T o l e a r n m o r e a b o u t t h e D P S F

ADM Earth Day Grants $1,350Pickin at Owl Pellets 1 Squirmy WormsPickin at Owl Pellets 2 Raised Flower BedGrowing Veggies for the Zoo Planet Protection

STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering and Math $29,500The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks Caching in on Wellness:TumbleBooks-ebooks for Kids Common Core Math StationsMath Manipulatives in the Classroom CO2 Sequestration and Its ApplicationsEnhancing Communication Skills with iPads Seeking SolutionsSharks-Sinking our Jaws into Math Fluency I ExploreEnhancing Communication Skills with iPads Family Engineering NightsScholastic World Math and Reading Comes Alive

Pickin’ at Owl Pellets – TJMS Squirmy Worms – Pershing Early Learning

Sharks Sinking Jawsinto Math – French

Academy

FamilyEngineeringNights – 8

ElementarySchools

$214,327 in Grants and Programs Were Fundedby the DPSF in 2011 - 2012!

T he Decatur Public Schools Foundation supported teachers and schools throughout District #61 with funding forinnovative and creative projects designed to stimulate interest in learning. Thank you to our donors for your continuedsupport – your donations have provided twenty-three dollars of support for each student in District #61 this year!

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Funded by the DPSF in 2011 - 2012!

S F , v i s i t D P S 6 1 . o r g / f o u n d a t i o n

Schools and Community $8,116Career and Goal Setting Career and Goal Setting 2Food, Sewing, and Culture Duct Tape Accessories and ShoesAfrican American Culture Depicted through Photo Essays Home/ School ConnectionReal Baby Project Parenting Bullying PreventionProject Social Emotional Learning Kids Fitness ClubGrants to New Teachers School Assemblies

The Arts $5,359Music Students are Listening Hope and Peace (Global Art Project)Cats and Dogs World Music DrummingGroup Ukulele Class and Projects Go Dog Go Theatre Arts

Academic Enrichment $7,502Leaping for Reading Evaluating Art through HistoryNooked on Reading Language Publishing ProgramThe Readers Choice Program Three R’s of ReadingSDMS Student – Led Book Club Exercise Balls as Chair ReplacementsAbraham Lincoln Workshop Newspapers in Education

Bullying Prevention

Group Ukulele

Donor Advised Projects $162,500

� The DPSFMusical Instrument Library, in partnershipwith the Symphony Orchestra Guild of Decatur,provided more than 120 loaner instruments to students

� Creative Science Investigations offered exciting hands-on opportunities for all elementary students andprofessional development for teachers

� The Ellen Spycher Teachers Fund supported numerouseveryday needs in our classrooms through grants totwenty five teachers

� The Bob Jones Music Fund purchased and repairedinstruments, provided private lessons, and awarded a$2,000 scholarship to a MacArthur senior

� The Athletic Fund allowed more students to participatein sports

� The Second Grade Art Fund supplied much neededmaterials to our second graders

� The South Shores Music Grant supported more days ofmusic learning

DPSF donor advised funds support projects designed to meet the specific needs of our students and staff. Thank you toour donors who provide funding in these important areas!

Our mission...

... to acquire and distribute

resources to Decatur Public

School District 61 to enhance,

enrich and encourage learning

opportunities for its students,

staff and community.

MacArthur High School Alumni Wall

Memorial Donations to the Decatur Public Schools Foundation paylasting tribute to friends and family members who worked in DecaturPublic Schools. The following donations have been made recently:

Donor In honor of

Mark & Kathy Sorensen In honor of Jennifer Raleigh

Joan Jack In memory of David Jack

Ruth Cortright In memory of Eunice Dansby Gingrey

Melanie Escott In memory of Gloria Gebhart Mercer

T. J. & Paulette Jackson In memory of Wandie Sain

Melanie Escott In memory of Gloria Gebhart Mercer

Capt. & Mrs. Gerald A. Fulk In honor of the DHS Class of 1952

Betty Query Smith In memory of D. Christopher Eldridge

The DPSF strives for accuracy but sometimes misspellings do occur and we apologize forthose made in the last issue. Corrections are below.

Mary Durnil In memory of Patricia A. Durnil

Carol & Jerome Pelz In memory of Carl Brink

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

ChairWendy Morthland

Vice ChairBrian Byers

TreasurerDavid Butts

SecretaryJan Kelsheimer

DECATUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION

Tom Binder

Gloria J. Davis

Marilyn S. Davis

T.J. Jackson

Shirley Kistler

Tiffany Lukis

Lucy Smith

Valdimir Talley

David Weber

DanWinter

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORJudy Taylor

TRUSTEES

D o you fondly remember your days atMacArthur High School? A limitedopportunity to commemorate that

special time is now available through theDecatur Public Schools Foundation. MHSAlumni can be part of the newly remodeledexterior of MHS through the purchase of abeautiful plaque permanently affixed to the wall

next to the event entry. What a meaningful gift forparents or grandparents this could be! A lovelykeepsake card depicting the plaque is alsoavailable, making the gift very personal.Go to www.dps61.org/mhsalumni for

ordering information and pictures of the project.Or call the DPSF at 217-424-3300 to request abrochure and order form.

Memorial Donations