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    Golf and Barbecue Benefit Students: August 30, 2010

    Plan on joining in the fun this summer as supporters of Springfield Public Schools gather for some golf and good food. This year’s Mary Pilgreen Golf Tournament Scholarship Fundraiser and Social has teamed up with the Springfield Education Foundation for their annual golf outing.  Monday, August 30. A few more places for teams are still available.  McKenzie River Golf Club. Registration begins at 2 pm.  Happy Hour  at 4:30 and dinner at 5 pm.  Awards at 6:15.  Join us for dinner only for $30.

    A catered barbecue dinner is planned. You can golf and enjoy dinner, or just come to dinner. Everyone will enjoy a nice meal, conversation and the beauty of McKenzie River Golf Course while supporting Springfield students.

    Semi-retired teacher and Springfield Education Foundation Board Member Barbara Long is serving as chair. For information call Ronnel Curry at 541-726-8625 or ronnel@springfieldeducationfoundation.org

    Download Registration Form here.

    Thank You –The Mary Pilgreen Scholarship Committee

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    Now More Than Ever Schools Need Community Help

    The column below appeared in print, Thursday, June 3, 2010 in the Springfield Extra section, The Register-Guard. It was written by BY BILL SPIRY,  Springfield Education Foundation Board President.

    A bright future? Sometimes it’s hard to see the possibilities. These are challenging times, and one does not have to look far for bad news about financial, environmental and political crises around the world.

    Nevertheless, there is reason for hope. Parents and teachers dedicate themselves every day, in spite of the obstacles, to educate and prepare our children based on the firm belief that these children can and will make a difference in the world.

    In two short weeks, in the midst of uncertain and turbulent times, we will send off a fresh group of students filled with hopes, dreams and ideals, out to make their mark in the world. We can’t help but wonder: Have we done our best to prepare them?

    Communities across the country, faced with unprecedented school budget reductions, are working tirelessly to identify potential income and grant sources and scrambling to find creative ways to reallocate dwindling resources.

    That’s why now, more than ever, the mission of the Springfield Education Foundation is so very important.

    Our children hold the future of our community and our nation. That is why I feel so strongly that we must do our part, whether or not we have children attending Springfield schools.

    Foundations such as ours offer a way for people who care about our children to get much-needed funds into classrooms. Our 24 dedicated board members have been working hard to expand the resources we make available to Springfield public schools.

    We are about 75 percent of the way to reaching our $100,000 fundraising goal for this year — a fair amount of which comes from dedicated school district staff members themselves.

    These funds will allow us to increase the number and value of the Innovative Educator awards we grant to teachers; to provide more support for literacy programs such as Gift of Literacy and Battle of the Books; and to offer more support for the arts in our schools.

    We are pleased with the outcomes our educators are able to deliver with the use of our resources. For example, they are stimulating classroom learning by providing educational tools, musical instruments and books.

    We are very proud of our music programs in Springfield, so we are especially excited about a new district effort called Crescendo — Music Students on the Rise.

    Crescendo will focus on ensuring that performance music remains available to Springfield students. We hope to be able to provide opportunities to underserved students, and we will look for innovative ways to deliver music instruction in the traditional classroom and beyond.

    During our recent “Rising Stars” event, the foundation recognized eight outstanding Springfield students who are clearly on paths to a bright and successful future through hard work and academic achievement. We also recognized the gifted educators, selected by these students, who inspired these young people to reach for the stars.

    You can read the students’ comments about these teachers on the Springfield Education Foundation Web site at springfieldeducationfoundation .org. The achievements of these talented students and educators exemplify how we can make a difference through community support.

    The foundation is doing its part. I invite you to join this group of caring community members who want to do the best we can to help our students on their paths to success.

    With help from parents, alumni, staff, community members and businesses, we will continue to work toward our mission: “Building bright and successful futures for all students through financial support and community involvement.”

    There are many things in this world we can’t change, but here are a few things you can do to make a difference. You can make a donation to the foundation; your support is much appreciated. The foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, and donations are tax-deductible.

    You can purchase one of our Student Art Calendars. The 2010-11 full-color calendars, featuring original art by students in all grades, soon will be available for purchase.

    The foundation also will be hosting a golf tournament “friend-raiser” event in August, and we welcome your participation. Or you can volunteer your time at one of our events.

    For details, contact our executive director, Ronnel Curry, 541-726-3243, or www .springfieldeducationfoundation .org.

    And as always, you can help us with our mission by continuing to bring positive energy and optimistic thoughts to our students and our schools. The promise of our bright future is looking back at us through the eyes of our children.

    Bill Spiry is president of the Springfield Education Foundation. Team Springfield is a collaboration of the city of Springfield, Springfield School District, Springfield Utility Board and the Willamalane Park and Recreation District, which provide this column on a rotating basis.

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    Eight Rising Stars Honor Their Most Significant Teacher

    The Springfield Education Foundation honored eight outstanding seniors, along with the educators who they say have made a difference in their lives, at its first annual Rising Stars event Monday night , May 17 at the Wildish Community Theater.  About 100 family members, friends and business community members attended the short and heartfelt ceremony.  The free event was sponsored by Kelly Brye, Horace Mann Insurance Company and Charlene Curry.

    Eight outstanding seniors whose futures look bright due to their success while attending Springfield schools received a Rising Star crystal award. These 2010 graduating seniors then recognized a teacher who had the most significant impact on their education while attending Springfield schools.  Read what the nominators said about the students and what the students said about their mentors here.

    Simon Arnold / Theater / A3 honored: Nissie Ellison, Fine Arts, Social Studies, Language Arts

    Keoni Campollo / Traditional Trades / Springfield High School: honored Randy Wilson, Industrial Education

    Aaron Clement / Math & Science / Springfield High School: honored Terrisa Cook, Health Education

    Riley Forrest / Music / Thurston High School honored: Michael Gwynn, Math

    Brenda “Nikki” Knight / Music / Thurston High School honored: Mark Huisenga, Choir

    Jordan Magill–Starr / English / Springfield High School honored: Jared Taylor, Leadership and Student Services

    Jacob Maxwell / Electronics and Transportation Technology / Thurston High School honored: Norman Eigner, Industrial Technology

    Jessica Radiske / English / Gateways High School; honored Janet Nelson, Language Arts, Journalism

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    Rising Stars of Springfield Public Schools

    Join the Springfield Education Foundation Board of Directors as they honor top graduating seniors for their outstanding success in their field such as English, science, math, the arts and traditional trades. Each outstanding senior will recognize an educator or district employee who contributed to his or her success.

    Monday, May 17, 2010
    5:30 pm to 6:30 pm
    Wildish Theater
    630 Main Street
    Springfield, Oregon

    Program at 5:30
    Emcee Tracy Berry of Barrett, Fox & Berry, KKNU-FM, New County 93.3

    Personally congratulate these outstanding students at the reception immediately following the program.

    Entertainment and Refreshments

    RSVP’s encouraged to Springfield Education Foundation at 541-726-3243 or ronnel@springfieldeducationfoundation.org.

    This free event generously sponsored by:
    Kelly Brye, Horace Mann Insurance

    Presented by the Springfield Education Foundation
    “Building a bright and successful future for all students through financial support and community involvement.

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    SEF Adds Executive Director

    The Springfield Education Foundation has hired Ronnel Curry as its first ever Executive Director.  As part of last year’s expansion and reorganization, the board set a goal of bringing on an executive director to meet our new fundraising goals.  See the story here in today’s Register-Guard.   (Here is the Newspaper version).

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    Guy Lee Opera Workshop

    The Foundation proudly supports teacher innovation through our annual Educator Grants program. One of this year’s grants went to support a school-wide Opera Program at Guy Lee Elementary.  Here are some photos from the 3rd Grade Opera Workshop.

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    Nancy Golden Interviewed on “Last Class of the Day”

    Follow this link to listen to the interview.

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    2009 Young Artists Celebration

    2009_09_29_young_artists_250 See a photo gallery of SEF’s 1st Annual Young Artists Celebration, celebrating the 2009 Springfield students whose art was selected for this years calendar.

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    Celebration Bus Tour

    The 1st Annual SEF Celebration Bus Tour made a big debut by visiting 10 schools to award this year’s Innovative Educator Grants.  2009_11_18_sef_award_tour_358

    See the details of the winners and a slideshow of the very excited and surprised recipients here.

    The event was covered by KEZI and the Register-Guard.

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    Calendar Art Note Cards for Sale

    The Springfield Education Foundation is offering note cards with the artwork from this year’s calendar. The package contains all of the artwork featured in the Springfield Student Art Calendar for 2009-2010. It consists of 20 note cards with envelopes for $15.00. Calendars are also available for $10.00.

    Proceeds from the sales of the calendars and note cards will go to the Foundation’s projects in support of the school district’s education programs, including the Innovative Educator Grants. For more information call 541.726.3243 or visit the Administration Building at 525 Mill Street, Springfield, Oregon

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