The Columbia Public Schools Foundation (CPSF) will host a Reception and Ribbon Cutting on Wednesday, June 2 at 4:00 pm at the Columbia Public Schools District Office (1818 West Worley Street) Board Room in honor of the 2010 CPSF Grant Award Recipients.

The 2010 Grants awarded:

Summer Expedition – Gifted Center, all Elementary Schools $1880

Fourth Grade Missouri State Capitol Field Trip – all 4th grade classes $6663.60

M.A.C. (Minority Achievement Committee) Scholars First Annual Achievement Gap Conference: Failure is NOT an Option – All secondary schools $2500

SMART Boards for Elementary Art and Music Classrooms – Cedar Ridge, Ridgeway, Rock Bridge, Parkade, Lee, Derby Ridge, Blue Ridge, Mill Creek $12,529

SmartMusic Technology-Student Performance Assessment in the Secondary Instrumental Music Classroom – All secondary schools $22,868.25

The 2010 grants total is $46,170.85 and grant awardees are preparing to use this grant money for their projects.�
 

Congratulations to the 2010 CPSF Grant Recipients!

CPSF awarded the following educational grants for the 2008-2009 school year.

Way with Words and Numbers ($17,597)

Tutoring program for students in areas of literacy and math for Fairview, Mill Creek, Russell, and Paxton Keeley Elementary Schools.

Animal Excursion Program (Critters) ($16,361)

A variety of animals introduced into classrooms throughout the district

Building Intelligent Robots ($12,480)

Lego robotic materials for engineering and physics applications in all junior high schools.

North Side Cohort Math Academy ($6,997)

Transportation for after school math academy for Blue Ridge, Derby Ridge, Parkade, and Rock Bridge Elementary Schools.

There has never been a better time to demonstrate your support for the children and teachers in Columbia’s excellent public school system. The Columbia Public Schools Foundation established an endowment to fund classroom and curricular materials and innovations that serve children in our school district. Because community tax dollars barely cover “fixed overhead” – salaries, benefits, utilities – there are few dollars left to invest in innovative materials, experiences and other necessary programs that contribute to an excellent public school system.

Commencing with the 1997-98 school year, the Foundation has awarded over $500,000 in grants to the Columbia Public Schools. Grants have funded projects such as school library books, classroom technology, animal excursion program (Critters), outdoor science projects, and programs enhancing math and literacy. In 2009 the Foundation awarded over $53,000 in grants. This year the Foundation was able to allocate a special grant to fund travel for all fourth grade social studies students to the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City. Thanks to the generous support of people like you, this part of the Public Schools Social Studies Program, Studying Missouri History, is able to continue for 2010.

I invite you to mark your calendars for a special evening recognizing the accomplishments of our Hall of Leaders awardees and featuring some of the best of Columbia’s student talent, “Annual Foundation: Night of Stars” on October 14, 2010.

Together we can make a significant difference in the lives of our children and our community. We hope you will be part of this exciting year for the Foundation and our schools by donating to the Columbia Public Schools Foundation.

Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Patti Coffelt, President
Columbia Public Schools Foundation

CPSF established the Hall of Leaders in 1999 to honor individuals in four different categories:

Alumni – Persons who attended the Columbia Public Schools and have become successful in their chosen field

Educators – Teachers and administrators, retired for at least five years, who were outstanding educational leaders in the Columbia Public Schools

Volunteers – Persons whose efforts as school volunteers have made a significant contribution to the Columbia Public Schools

Please submit your nomination for the 2010 CPSF Hall of Leaders.

Grant Program Description

The Grant Program allows applicants (Columbia Public Schools District Curriculum/Program Coordinators or Cohort Principals) to apply for funding of projects costing up to $25,000.

Applicants must demonstrate how their proposals support the Columbia Schools Foundation goals:
• Enhance academic excellence in the public schools by providing funding not available through public sources.
• Expand learning opportunities for our children.
• Stimulate creativity and innovation.
• Enrich the school district’s curriculum.
• Encourage community and business involvement in the public schools.

Grant proposals must align with Columbia Public Schools Board of Education 2010-2015 Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP) goals and objectives.
Grant proposals must also align with the district curriculum, support improved academic achievement, and enhance learning opportunities for the participating students. Significant consideration will be given to the number of students (current and future) who will benefit directly or indirectly, the potential to enhance academic excellence, and the cost effectiveness of the project. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit grant proposals that can be sustained over time and have a classroom focus. Grant proposals must demonstrate alignment to one or more of the following: Board of Education goals, CSIP objectives, cohort goals, and/or school improvement goals. It is not the intention of this grant program to fund projects that are the school district’s responsibility.

All grant proposals are evaluated by an Allocation Committee appointed by the Foundation Board of Directors. The Allocation Committee, composed of community members, operates independently of the Columbia Board of Education. Members and family members of the Foundation Board of Directors are not eligible to participate in the School Grant Program Application process. Final approval of grant awards rests with the Foundation Board of Directors.

Making a Grant Application

Columbia Public Schools District Curriculum/Program Coordinators or Cohort Principals must complete a brief application. Read the guidelines below in their entirety and make sure you follow all of the instructions. Complete your application on the form provided entitled 2010-11 Columbia Public Schools Foundation Grant Proposal.

Section I: Grant Coordinator and Contact Information

Identify the grant coordinator for the project. The grant coordinator is responsible for overseeing planning, development, implementation, fiscal accountability, and evaluation of the grant. Please include the following contact information:

• Name of Grant Coordinator
• Building and street address
• Phone
• Email address

Section II: Grant Title and Summary

Write a summary of grant activities and how the proposal aligns with the district curriculum, encourages academic achievement and enhances the learning opportunities for the participating students.

Section III: Grant Description

Write a description of the grant that includes:
1. needs assessment – identify major need addressed by the grant based on student achievement data
2. students (current and future) who will benefit
3. identification of a project goal and one or more specific, measurable objectives – State your grant goal and objectives. Align your goal and objectives to the 2010-2015 CSIP goals and objectives in at least one of several areas: Student Performance, Highly Qualified Staff, Parent and Community Involvement, Governance, and Facilities, Instructional Resources, and Support. Access the CSIP on the Internet at : http://www.columbia.k12.mo.us/csip/resources.php . Show alignment to cohort goals and/or school improvement goals.
4. plan of action
5. material and equipment needed – identify and describe purpose of materials and equipment
6. implementation timeline – identify a timeline and steps taken to implem
7. coordination with existing district curriculum, programs and initiatives
8. sustainability – A description of how the activities funded under this proposal will continue after the original grant period has expired.

Section IV: Budget Proposal

List the items that require the expenditure of grant money such as purchased services, materials and equipment. For each item provide sources of supply and projected costs. Note: salaries for school district personnel and substitutes will not be funded. Expenditures that generate long-term benefits are encouraged over expenditures for consumables. Check with the District’s Business Office, if your proposal is funded, to understand what information will be required to support your purchase requests.

Section V: Grant Evaluation

Describe how you will monitor and evaluate the grant to determine if the goal and objectives have been met, what has gone well, and what has caused problems. Funded proposals will be required to complete an End of Year Report by April 15, 2011.

Grant Due Date and Submittal Process

Two complete copies of the grant application are due no later than Thursday, March 25, 2010. Return application to:

Leslie Trogdon, Director
Columbia Public Schools
Office of School Improvement
Vandiver Building
555 Vandiver Dr.
Columbia, MO 65203

The district’s Office of School Improvement and Office of Business Services will review each grant for budget adequacy and to determine if CPS Board of Education approval is necessary according to the district’s Financial Procedures Manual. Click on the link below to access the district’s procedural policy for grant approval.

http://www.columbia.k12.mo.us/bcs/bcsbus/PDF%20Files/Finance%20Procedures%20Manual/730.pdf

Grant applications needing CPS Board of Education approval according to the district’s Financial Procedures Manual will be presented to the CPS Board of Education on Monday, April 12. It is not the role of the Columbia Public Schools Board of Education to approve or recommend which grants should be approved by the Columbia Public Schools Foundation. The Office of School Improvement will mail grant applications approved by the CPS Board of Education to the Columbia Public Schools Foundation after April 12.

The Office of School Improvement will mail grant applications not needing CPS Board of Education approval to the Columbia Public Schools Foundation after March 25.

If you have specific questions regarding the development of a grant proposal or are concerned if your grant meets CPS curriculum goals, Leslie Trogdon, Office of School Improvement, has graciously agreed to answer those questions.

Contact Leslie by email at ltrogdon@columbia.k12.mo.us or by calling 214-3970.

The Columbia Public Schools Foundation will announce the grant awards in early summer.

If you have questions: Call Sally Silvers (442-4697).

There has never been a better time to demonstrate your support for the children and teachers in our excellent public school system. The Columbia Public Schools Foundation has established an endowment to fund classroom and curricular materials and innovations that serve children in all of the schools in the district. In the last 12 years we have awarded over $450,000 to purchase books, materials, and technology requested by educators to help our children learn better, faster, or easier. This year we funded $53,435 for projects ranging from enhancing math and literacy in elementary schools to purchasing robotic materials for engineering and physics projects in all of the Junior High Schools. There are many more excellent programs that we were unable to fund because we lack the resources to do so.

Please join as we continue to enhance learning for all students, in all grades and buildings in the district. Mark your calendars for a special evening recognizing the accomplishments of our Hall of Leaders awardees and featuring some of the best of Columbia’s student talent, “Foundation Showcase: Night of Stars” on October 1, 2009.

I encourage you to visit our web-site, www.cpsf.org for more information on the Foundation. Together we can make a significant difference in the lives of our children and our community. We hope you will be part of this exciting year for the Foundation and our schools by returning your gift in the enclosed donation envelope. Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,
%kim-signature%
Kim Stonecipher-Fisher
President, Columbia Public Schools Foundation

P.S. Sometimes people wonder why this extra funding is needed since our public schools are supported with tax dollars. The simple truth is that those tax dollars barely cover “fixed overhead” – salaries, benefits, utilities, transportation, maintenance, etc. There are very few dollars left to invest in innovative teaching materials and experiences; sometimes even important basics such as library books aren’t adequately funded. Your dollars given to the Foundation really make a difference for kids in the classroom.

With a minimum donation of $10.00 for each honoree, a large gourmet chocolate bar will be delivered to the teacher(s) and/or staff member(s) of your choice. This unique confection is custom blended by The Candy Factory and embossed with the words “Continue the Excellence”.

With each $10.00 donation, an outstanding CPS employee will know they are being recognized for their excellence and that a donation has been made in their name to CPSF to fund enrichment projects that directly benefit CPS students and teachers.

The Columbia Public Schools Foundation is an independent, non-profit organization made up of business and community leaders dedicated to enhancing the education of all Columbia Public School children.

The deadline for orders is April 29th. Order forms have been sent home with students and are also available at each school.

Orders and checks should be made out and mailed to:

Columbia Public Schools Foundation (CPSF)
P. O. Box 1234
Columbia, MO 65205-1234

Questions? Contact Brenda Walker at 442-1269 or walkerd@mchsi.com.

CPSF established the Hall of Leaders in 1999 to honor individuals in four different categories:

Alumni – Persons who attended the Columbia Public Schools and have become successful in their chosen field

Educators – Teachers and administrators, retired for at least five years, who were outstanding educational leaders in the Columbia Public Schools

Volunteers – Persons whose efforts as school volunteers have made a significant contribution to the Columbia Public Schools

Please submit your nomination for the 2009 CPSF Hall of Leaders.

Grant Program Description

The Grant Program allows applicants (Columbia Public Schools District Curriculum/Program Coordinators or Cohort Principals) to apply for funding of projects costing up to $25,000.

Applicants must demonstrate how their proposals support the Columbia Schools Foundation goals:
• Enhance academic excellence in the public schools by providing funding not available through public sources.
• Expand learning opportunities for our children.
• Stimulate creativity and innovation.
• Enrich the school district’s curriculum.
• Encourage community and business involvement in the public schools.
Grant proposals must align with the three Columbia Public Schools Board of Education goals:
• Increase student achievement
• Eliminate achievement disparities between subgroups of students
• Maximize resources

Grant proposals must also align with the district curriculum, support improved academic achievement, and enhance learning opportunities for the participating students. Significant consideration will be given to the number of students (current and future) who will benefit directly or indirectly, the potential to enhance academic excellence, and the cost effectiveness of the project. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit grant proposals that can be sustained over time and have a classroom focus. Grant proposals must demonstrate alignment to one or more of the following: Board of Education goals, CSIP objectives (CSIP link: http://www.columbia.k12.mo.us/reports/csip0409.pdf), cohort goals, and/or school improvement goals. It is not the intention of this grant program to fund projects that are the school district’s responsibility.

All grant proposals are evaluated by an Allocation Committee appointed by the Foundation Board of Directors. The Allocation Committee, composed of community members, operates independently of the Columbia Board of Education. Members and family members of the Foundation Board of Directors are not eligible to participate in the School Grant Program Application process. Final approval of grant awards rests with the Foundation Board of Directors.

The grant deadline is March 20, 2009.

The 2008 Hall of Leaders inductees are:

Outstanding Alumni – Roger Gafke, Paul W. Ladenson, Joe Moseley and Robert Shamberger

Outstanding Retired Educators – Nancy Lewis, Judy M. Parsons, Barbara Savage and Marjorie Spaedy

Outstanding Volunteers – Elton Fay, LaVonne Mattson, Lisa Reed and Diane Rubenstein

Celebrate with these leaders as we enjoy a special evening recognizing their accomplishments and featuring some of the best of Columbia’s student talent.

Join us for the “Foundation Showcase: Night of Stars” on October 16, 2008 in the Missouri Theatre for Performing Arts.

You can RSVP using the invitation that was mailed to you recently. For more information on this event, contact Jo Behymer at behymerr@missouri.edu or Jan Swaney at j.swaney@mchsi.com or via the contact page in the link above.

Join us for a wonderful evening as we celebrate with the newest members of the Columbia Public Schools Foundation’s Hall of Leaders!

Thank you to the generous sponsors who make this event possible:

Valedictorians – Miller Family Foundation, GFI Digital, Inc., inside Columbia magazine, Columbia Daily Tribune, KOMU TV 8, MBS Textbook Exchange, Inc, KFRU News Talk 1400

Salutatorians – MU, Boone Hospital Center, Naught-Naught Agency, Columbia College