GESF Newsletter Fall 2023

It is a privilege to support the students and staff of USD 231 in various ways. As we embark on the 2023-24 school year you can expect our Board of Directors to sustain their commitment to you. Please read all the exciting news about how your Foundation is supporting students and staff of this wonderful school district. Topics include: cornhole tournament, TAL grants, Alumni Hall of Fame, business partners, supporting USD 231, and much more. This is going to be a great school year. KEEP BEING AWESOME.

Thirty new educators to the profession were welcomed to USD 231 with a Foundation cash gift of $500. These excited staff members received their stipend during a New Teacher Academy luncheon. There are no stipulations on how this money is used. It's our way of saying we are glad you are part of the Gardner Edgerton schools community.

The Schools Foundation is a proud supporter of back to school activities for staff. This included:

· Gifts for Convocation students and speakers

· Convocation prize baskets

· Convocation breakfast for all employees

· Administrator Welcome Back tokens of appreciation

· Secretarial Breakfast and Welcome Back tokens of appreciation

· New Teacher Welcome gifts of appreciation

· New backdrop for photos at NTA along with table cover with district logos

· Convocation t-shirts for BOE/DSC employees and Board of Education members

· Printing of programs and other print work

Mark your calendar for Saturday, October 7th, for the 2nd Annual GESF Cornhole Tournament. All proceeds from the tournament go toward the WE CARE Fund and scholarships. Last year 30 teams participated and enjoyed a wonderful event. Click HERE to register your team. Click QR codes below to register your team, purchase raffle tickets to win a set of boards, or become a board sponsor.

After a long, hot week of band camp, parents and community members were treated to a special event on Friday, August 4, in which the high school band entertained their captive audience with a performance. However, the highlight of the evening was the unveiling of the new band trailer. After months of fundraising, the dream became a realty. The band students and boosters thanked their donors, including the GESF. Representing the Foundation at the presentation were two BOD members, Laura Carpenter and Superintendent Brian Huff.

Have an innovative idea? Want to make an impact on student learning? Need some extra funds to support your classroom dream? Being awarded a TAL grant may be your answer. Click on the icon to complete the application (including guidelines and rubric) and potentially be awarded a grant for the 2023-24 school year. $20,000 is available. Application deadline is October 6, 2023.

Staff members who contributed to the Foundation from January 2023 to August 2023 were eligible for a random drawing for KC Chiefs tickets and parking pass. Winners were Aaron Batterbee (GEHS teacher) and Pamela Coppola (district copy center). Congratulations!

You will have an opportunity to make a monthly contribution to the Foundation. During the benefits enrollment campaign in October is when all staff members can choose to pledge part of their pay to the Foundation. We are a 501c3 organization so your contribution is tax deductible. More information about voluntary payroll deduction will be emailed to you in mid-October.

The Foundation has earned the Gold Seal of Transparency from Candid (formerly called Foundation Center and Guide Star). This national organization gives nonprofit organizations an opportunity to disclose their organizational structure and financial records. Click icon for details. Candid provides resources to charitable organizations, collects data, and makes available for Foundations to receive donations and apply for grants. Their goal (and ours) is to make the world better.

In cooperation with the school district, the Foundation is taking the lead on creating an Alumni Hall of Fame. Former students who graduated from Edgerton Rural HS, Gardner HS, and Gardner Edgerton HS are eligible. A committee is being formed to develop the criteria and nominating process for the HOF. Our goal is to have our first induction class during the 2024-25 school year. We will have more details in the upcoming months. We have MANY outstanding alums that will be honored in the decades to come.

Our Board of Directors recently elected officers for the 23-24 school year. From left to right: GA Buie, president; Candace Moorehouse, secretary, Julie Dean, treasurer; Todd Adrian, vice-president.

In just one year the Foundation has been blessed with individuals, alumni, retirees, businesses, and organizations who support our mission of supporting students and staff in USD 231. If you know of persons who would like to partner with us, please contact Tim Brady at bradyt@usd231.com. To learn more about giving levels click here.

• Platinum - $10,000+
• Valedictorian - $7,500
• Salutatorian - $5,000
• Scholar - $2,500
• Honor Roll - $1,000