Schools Foundation for Madison’s Public Schools 455 Science Drive, Suite 130 Madison WI 53711 608-232-7820 fmps@fmps.org www.fmps.org Presorted Non Profi t US Postage Paid Madison WI Permit #47 Foundation for Madison’s Public Schools Foundation for Madison’s Public Schools Spring 2012 Carl’s Journey to College Supported by FMPS As an educator and FMPS board member, Bonnie Augusta believes that every child should have equal access to educational opportunities. As temperatures plummeted to frigid levels one winter, school social workers called Bonnie when they noticed a drop in attendance of one of their students, Carl*. When Bonnie investigated his absence, she found him alone at a friend’s house, unable to trudge through the snow and ice to school because he did not own a coat. As their relationship developed, Bonnie learned that Carl had been homeless for more than six months, living on friends’ couches while working at a local retail store to support himself. With all of the challenges in his life, school had become less of a priority as he focused on putting food on the table and making sure he had a place to sleep. Bonnie knew Carl had great potential, and she made it her goal to ensure that Carl graduated from high school and went to college. Carl’s road to college was full of obstacles. Read how FMPS paved his path. FMPS has a wide range of funds to ensure that students walk across the graduation stage in their caps and gowns. Bonnie used the Foundation’s Nurses’ Emergency Fund to help Carl pay for doctor’s appointments, she tapped into the Social Workers Fund to purchase Carl food, and through the Transition Education Program, she was able to purchase the coat he desperately needed for freezing winter Thank you to Lindsay, Stone & Briggs for newsletter design and Park Printing House, Ltd of Verona for donating a portion of the printing costs. ✁ days. Made possible by generous gifts from FMPS donors, Bonnie believes, “these funds help students, like Carl, overcome barriers and ensure their future success.” Thanks to the support Carl received during high school from both school staff and the Foundation funds, he graduated from high school and this May will graduate with a double major from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. By supporting FMPS, you support bright, promising students like Carl and help them to achieve their dreams. For more information about how FMPS’ various funds improve students’ lives, both inside and outside the classroom, visit our website. * “Carl’s” name has been changed to protect his identity and privacy. Keep Our Schools Moving Forward Donor Name____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ¨ I prefer my gift remain anonymous. Address______________________________________________ City_______________________________ State___ Zip Code ______________ Email_______________________________________________________________________Telephone___________________________________ In honor of _____________________________________________________________________________________________ (teacher/educator) I would like to donate: ¨$50 ¨ $100 ¨ $250 Other: __________________ Photo: Amber Arnold, BRAVA Magazine Great teachers are the foundation of our schools, and great teachers need the support of the entire community. The Foundation recognizes educators who go above and beyond to connect with their students. We seek to provide them with the resources they need to inspire every student to excel. This spring show your gratitude for an outstanding educator who has made a difference in students’ lives. This is a perfect opportunity for parents to thank a special teacher (or teachers) for helping their child. The Foundation will send the staff member a personalized card noting that a gift has been made in their honor. The amount of the contribution will not be included on the card,only that a donation was made in their honor. Please include any special messages you would like us to share with the teacher when you return this form to the Foundation by Tuesday, May 15. Moving the Foundation Forward The Foundation is pleased to introduce Stephanie Hayden as our new Executive Director. She firmly believes that, “Great schools are fundamental to a community’s strength, and FMPS plays a critical role in supporting schools so that students have a bright future.” Stephanie has a long history of working in education and youth-focused organizations. After graduating with a degree in marketing from Marian University, she worked for various non-profit organizations before becoming the Director of Communications and Public Affairs for the Racine Unified School District. While there, she directed public relations efforts for Wisconsin’s fourth largest school district. In 2009, Stephanie moved to the Madison area to become the Communications Specialist for the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families. During her time there, she worked to improve the lives of children across Wisconsin by leading a statewide communications and outreach program. In October 2011, Stephanie transitioned into her new role as Executive Director of the Foundation. She is very excited to lead the Foundation as it moves forward so that our community and children continue to realize a brighter future. Stephanie is committed to bringing the community together to support and improve Madison’s public schools and children’s experiences. Outside of her professional life, Stephanie loves to read, travel, and above all, spend time with her two children Maddy, 9, and Noah, 7. She remains active in her sorority, Alpha Xi Delta, where she has volunteered on the national, regional, and local level and is strongly committed to mentoring young women towards professional success as well as actively working with the organization’s national philanthropy, Autism Speaks. She loves hearing from those passionate about public education, so email her at shayden@fmps.org and share your ideas for the Foundation! To the ______________________________________________________________________________________(educator’s school) Endowment. ¨ My check is enclosed (Payable to Foundation for Madison’s Public Schools.) OR ¨ Please charge the amount above to the following credit card: Visa MasterCard Card Number:________________________________ Expiration Date:______ 3 digit secure code from back of card: ______ To make a gift online, please visit our website: fmps.org. Please note the teacher and school that the donation is in honor of in the comment section. Keep up with the Foundation Join our email list and we’ll share news, stories of success, special offers, and much more. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter where we share dynamic videos, photos, and more. Subscribe to our newsletter or link to our Facebook and Twitter page from our website. Visit our website Go to www.fmps.org to learn more about Foundation programs, fundraising efforts and programs that make a positive impact in our schools Donor Honor Roll: Nick and Sue Dresen FMPS Briefly We Have Saved a Seat for You The Red Trolley is on Track (to Deliver Grants) Eleven years ago, community leaders and former educators came together to establish the Foundation for Madison’s Public Schools, creating an organization dedicated to supporting and improving Madison’s public schools. Some people believe that good things come in small packages. Here at the Foundation, however, we believe great things come in big red trolleys. Be on the watch Tuesday, April 17th for our volunteers and staff who will be traveling to schools throughout Madison in the iconic Red Trolley. Just as we have done every year since 2003, we will surprise awardees with a big check for their creative and innovative projects. This year, the Foundation will be awarding $49,208 to enrich educational experiences for students across the district. Educators are the Foundation Every donor has a unique and personal reason for choosing to make a gift to the Foundation for Madison’s Public Schools. Two of Madison public school’s valuable educators, Nick and Sue Dresen, tell their story about why they believe it is important to support the Foundation and what it means for the future success of Madison’s students. What do you do for the Madison public schools? We are Program Support Teachers in the division of Special Education. We support special and regular education teachers by building staff to best support all learners, specifically those students with disabilities. We are both based on the East side, Sue at the elementary level and Nick at the middle school level. Why do you feel it is important to give to the Foundation for Madison’s Public Schools? Our community’s most valuable resource is our children. As budgets continue to dwindle, the funding for innovative, creative, and progressive projects and programming no longer exists. The Foundation ensures that teaching staff will continue to have access to resources which increase student engagement and learning. How do you think the donations from FMPS have made a difference in the lives of the children you teach and work with everyday? In schools across the city of Madison, the positive effects of the Foundation are abundant. Through investments in programming, new system development, school gardens, and community partnerships it is evident that the Foundation is helping to transform our public schools. Most importantly, you can see the Foundation’s impact in the eyes of our students. Their wonderment, excitement and confidence says that they can accomplish anything! What advice would you give to someone thinking about donating to the Foundation? There is no more important cause than our children, or for those of us whose children have grown, grandchildren. The Foundation provides resources, not otherwise available, to foster and grow a young person’s world. A life-long learner instills those attributes to their children and others around them. Why should you give? For our children and their futures! Join Nick and Sue in supporting Madison’s public schools and inspiring students by making your gift today! A simple thank you can never express our appreciation for the work school district staff do every day preparing students for success in life. The generosity of district staff extends well beyond the classroom. The gifts from staff have been essential over the past eleven years in helping the Foundation support our schools and enrich our community. This year more than 400 district employees contributed more than $50,000. Special recognition goes to Spring Harbor Middle School for the highest percentage of employees participating. Other schools with high percentages of employees giving to the campaign were: Gompers Elementary, Jefferson Middle, Schenk Elementary, and Lindbergh Elementary. We are grateful for the impact MMSD staff make in our schools both in the classroom and through gifts to the Foundation. The generous contributions made by school district staff enables students to succeed. It is an honor to work with you and we thank you for your commitment to our schools and our children! A Principal Experience: New Name, Same Impact In the spirit of this commitment to education, the Foundation invites you to join us for our seventh annual Circle of Friends luncheon. Held on Tuesday, May 1 at the Alliant Energy Center, the luncheon provides guests with an opportunity to learn about the Foundation’s exciting and innovative initiatives that support our schools and improve our community. We look forward to celebrating the creativity and innovation in our schools by recognizing MMSD teachers and staff who received grants from the Foundation for the 2010-11 school year and we’ll highlight the impact the Foundation has made at Toki Middle School and Hawthorne Elementary School. There is still time to host a table and invite seven friends to join you at this special event. Alternatively, you can register to be a guest at one of the Foundation tables. We ask that all guests make a minimum gift of $100. Investments made today will benefit Madison’s public schools for years to come. For more information, please call the Foundation at 232-7820. Every gift to the Foundation is important and appreciated. By donating to this year’s Circle of Friends, you will be helping the Foundation to achieve its goal of creating a brighter future for our students. Thank you to the 2012 Circle of Friends sponsors and table captains who have already committed to investing in the future success of our students and community. 2012 Circle of Friends Sponsors Underwriter of Madison’s public schools Bob and Nan Brien Herzing University MG&E Foundation Supporter of Madison’s public schools Tom and Nancy Mohs American Family Insurance University Research Park, Inc. Alice Benn Special thanks to Andy Garcia Productions, Full Compass Systems and Lindsay, Stone & Briggs. Associated Bank Boardman & Clark LLP Summit Credit Union MMSD Management Team Carousel Andrea Bayrd Betsy Huebel Mohs, MacDonald, Widder, Paradise & Van Note, Attorneys Jane Belmore John Icke Alice Benn Sari Judge Jane Boutelle Mary Kay Johnson Doug Bradley Karen Knetter Bob and Nan Brien Lawrie Kobza Darcy Burke Howard Landsman Mary Burke Elaine Lohr Carol Carstensen Annette Miller Karen Christianson Joy Miller Karen and Alan Crossley Beth Moss Sara Investment Real Estate Carl and Eve Degen Deb Neff Sue Denholm Kathie Nichols St. Mary’s Hospital Peter Dohr Darlene Olson Stafford Rosenbaum LLP Jessica Doyle Stickney & McIlwain at Lincoln Financial Group Nancy Evans Marveen and Russell Phelps UW Health Clyde Gaines WEA Trust Peg Geisler Wipfli LLP Barb Gerlach Woodman’s Food Market Robert Gibson Individual Table Captains Bruce and Marsha Gregg Anne Arnesen Sandy Gunderson Physicians Plus Insurance Corporation and Meriter Health Services, Inc. The QTI Group For the past eight years, the Foundation has offered a unique hands-on opportunity for community leaders to visit our public schools and experience a day in the life of our principals. When FMPS held the first “Principal for a Day” event, we were assisted by an 2011 Principal Partner Steve Sparks education organization in from St. Mary’s Hospital and Lincoln New York. Last year, we Elementary Principal Deborah Hoffman were notified by the New York group that they had trademarked the name “Principal for a Day,” and we could no longer use it unless we paid an annual fee. CUNA Mutual Group In October, the Foundation’s Board of Directors voted to change the name of our event to “A Principal Experience” and those community leaders who participate referred to as “Principal Partners.” The new name reflects the high esteem in which we hold our school leaders and demonstrates our hope that the partnerships between the school and community leaders lasts long after the day is over. Plans have already begun for this year’s Principal Experience, which will be held on Tuesday, October 16. If you would like to be a 2012 Principal Partner, please contact us. No matter the name, we are confident this event will continue to lead to valuable communityschool partnerships that ensure Madison’s tradition of excellent schools for years to come. American Transmission Company Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce Anchor Foundation, Inc. Johnson Bank Barbara Arnold Driftless Studio: Nature Gallery & Gifts Kammer Consulting, LLC Bonnie Augusta Betty Harris Custer and Corkey Custer Sue Bakke Steve Hartley The Great Dane Pub & Brewing Co., Inc. Lindsay, Stone & Briggs Mary Bartzen Stephanie Hayden Madison College Foundation, Inc. Mary Kay Battaglia Liz Heiner Godfrey & Kahn S.C. Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin Physicians Plus Insurance Corporation Stickney & McIlwain at Lincoln Financial Group Corporate Table Captains Access Community Health Centers Badger Rock Middle School Boardman & Clark LLP Edgewood College Stone House Development First Business Bank Sub-Zero Wolf, Inc Forte Research Systems, Inc. Advocate of Madison’s public schools J. H. Findorff & Son,Inc. Full Compass Systems RBC Wealth Management Karen Falkner Mary Gulbrandsen Chris Hodge Hannah Pinkerton Kathy Price Charles and Helen Read Judy Reed Rae Rocca Melissa Scholz Dean and Orange Schroeder Carol Toussaint Marlys Sloup and Dale Wortley James Tye and Pam Reichelderfer Martha Vukelich-Austin