2017-18 Annual Report
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single pages _Layout 1 12/4/17 1:46PMPage1 2016/2017 Education Foundation Annual Report Lincoln • Franklin • Challenger Knox • Washington • Northrop • St. Hilaire • Mark Twain Est. 1990 27Years “Promoting Excellence in Education” single pages _Layout 1 12/4/17 1:47 PM Page 2 Annual Report 2 Thief River Falls Education Foundation 230 LaBree Avenue South • Thief River Falls, MN 56701 218-681-8711 ext. 5228 email: [email protected] www.trfeducationfoundation.com BOARD MEMBERS Paul Ihle, President Steve Olson, Vice President Dave Onkka, Secretary/Treasurer Mike Barry, Director Gloria Bjorkman, Director Al Buhl, Director LeeAnn Lund, Director Rick Trontvet, Director Tom Kenville, Director Holly Haugen, Director Jake Rantanen, Director Bryson Bray, Student Ambassador Staff Natasha Reierson, Executive Director Karen Sich, Executive Assistant Mission The Thief River Falls Education Foundation exists to promote innovative educational opportunities in School District #564 through partnerships involving alumni, parents, educators, businesses, and the greater community. Est. 1990 The Thief River Falls Education Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization Special thanks to Digi-Key for sponsorship of this annual report Thank you so much to all our supporters and volunteers single pages _Layout 1 12/4/17 1:47 PM Page 3 Annual Report 3 Many individuals have worked hard to make the Thief River Falls Education Foundation a success. Roger Tunberg was one of those individuals. Unfortunately, Roger passed away this year. Roger was the first president of the Foundation. Roger was also one of the most ardent promoters of the Foundation. Roger had a vision of how the Foundation could be beneficial to all students. Roger knew it would take money to succeed and Roger did his best to raise that money. Roger knew it would take a dedicated teaching staff to request funds for innovative educational opportunities. Roger was encouraged by the innovative requests the Foundation has received and continues to receive from the teaching staff. Roger also recognized that the Foundation could not succeed without the generos- ity of people who support the Foundation through gifts of dollars and time. Roger was always impressed by the number of people who supported the Foundation. Roger Tunberg will be missed. The Foundationʼs donors themselves have been innovative in their giving. One of the many examples of this is Jean Dickinson. Jean was a 1941 graduate of Lincoln High School. Jean wrote a book that recalled her early years in Thief River Falls. Jean has made it possible for each 3rd grade student to receive a copy of her book. The book provides a great educational opportunity. Plus, you should see the expression on the kidsʼ faces as they are presented with a book they can claim as their own. The Foundation just completed another grant period. The requests for funds were again designed to promote innovative educational opportunities for students. The Foundationʼs mission to promote innovative educational opportunities is fulfilled by these requests. The Board would like to thank the staff for the extra time and ener- gy they put forth to make these opportunities available for the students. As always, the Foundation wants to thank those who have supported the Education Foundation through dollars and time. Every student who passes through the Thief River Falls Public Schools is a better student because of your generosity. Paul Ihle President single pages _Layout 1 12/4/17 1:47 PM Page 4 Annual Report 4 Friends, Thank you for continuing to support EDUCATION! We are excited to have over $2,750,000 in net assets to help fund many of the TRF classroom and teacher grant requests we receive. We funded over $150,000 in grants this past year and over 50 post-secondary scholarships. We have added 7 endowments this year and hope to meet and exceed that number next year. Our endowments range from $2,000 to $375,000. Most of the money that is brought into the TRF Education Foundation goes for TRF Classroom and Teacher Grants. Grants are some of the most reward- ing gifts we can give our students and teachers. Grant requests applications are sent out District wide to all administration, teachers, and staff twice a year, in the fall and the spring. The grant committee reviews all the requests that are received, taking several factors into consideration. After they reach their decision they bring it to the board for final approval. Even then there is an opportunity for additional discussion before official approval. This is just another example of how the Foundation is working to help the students in our district. There were many innovative and fun educational grants funded this past year in our Thief River Falls School District. At Franklin Middle School the seventh graders were granted squid dissection kits. For years, we all dissected frogs in Middle School, now they are moving onto to Squid. The kids were so excit- ed to do something different. The seventh graders will continue to dissect squid yearly. It was the year of excitement for seating at Challenger Elementary School. We have now helped 4 grade levels with alternative seat- ing in each of their classrooms. And at LHS this year, science flourished with new Venier data collection probeware, anatomy clay MANIKEN bundles, and compound light microscopes. We have also continued the support of reading in our schools with 4 grants awarded for books and reading materials this past year. The school district continues to give the students opportunities that arenʼt available in many other districts. The Foundation is proud to be a part of this success. We are getting our students better prepared for the challenges that await them after they leave LHS. We ARE making a difference! Your past and continued support, both financial and nonfinancial, is very much appreciated. Dave Onkka Class of ʻ86 single pages _Layout 1 12/4/17 1:47 PM Page 5 Annual Report 5 Financial Report T.R.F Education Foundation Statement of Financial Position June 30, 2017 Education Foundation Lincoln • Franklin • Challenger Knox • Washington • Northrop • St. Hilaire • Mark Twain Connections Database: Newsletters: The Foundation maintains a database with over 16,000 Lincoln E-Focus newsletters are emailed monthly and Focus High School graduates and friends of education entries. Keep your newsletters are mailed twice a year to keep you informed contact information updated so you are informed about class of activities of classmates, staff, school district and reunions, events and classmatesʼ activities. foundation events. Facebook: Website: A social networking website: www.facebook.com/TRFEdFoundation Up-to-date information is available at where you may keep in contact with classmates. www.trfeducationfoundation.com Twitter: Volunteers: Follow us: TRF Ed Foundation Volunteers are important to the economic and social well being of our community. single pages _Layout 1 12/4/17 1:47 PM Page 6 Annual Report 6 Gifts at Work Grants from the Foundation provide new and enhanced educational opportunities. The Thief River Falls Education Foundation supports excellence, cre- ativity and innovative teaching and learning in the Thief River Falls Public Schools through the grant program. Vital partnerships with alumni, friends of education, faculty, staff, and the community allow the Foundation to support students in pursuing academic excellence through your generosity. Twice a year, grants are awarded to faculty for classroom projects and equipment. The grant program is designed to strengthen and enhance the quality of education students receive. 2016-2017 donations received at the Foundation funded major projects like a classroom set of Sphero computer programming devices, Vernier data collection probeware, headphones and flexible seating for classrooms. single pages _Layout 1 12/4/17 1:47 PM Page 7 Annual Report 7 Grants Lincoln High School 65 pair of noise cancelling headphones Document camera 5 advanced compound light microscopes Vernier data collection probeware 4 sinks, convection oven, deep fryer and portioning tools for FACS classroom Tools and equipment for construction classes 2 utility cards and 9 recycling bins for Job Skills class Alternative seating for 2 English classrooms VEX robotics team supplies 8 student anatomy clay MANIKEN bundles Close-up Program Franklin Middle School Squid dissection kits Apps for student iPads SmartMusic software Structured break space for teens with extreme stress Challenger Elementary School Classroom set of Sphero Flexible seating for 4th grade classrooms 12 LEGO Education WeDo 2.0 sets for 1st grade classrooms Wood to make step stool platforms for 1st grade classroom whiteboards Sensory Room equipment Breakout EDU kits 6 Ozobot robots 200 headphones for 1st grade classrooms Alternative seating options for 3rd grade classrooms District Junior Golf Program 6 iPads for hearing and vision screenings 20 Tobii Dynavox Compass Apps for augmentative and alternative communication single pages _Layout 1 12/4/17 1:47 PM Page 8 Annual Report 8 Scholarships Scholarships are funded entirely by the families, individuals or organizations that have endowed them. The TRF Education Foundation Scholarship Committee awards scholarships based on merit, need, academic and professional experience, as well as preferred criteria established by those funding the scholarship. You may express your commitment as addition- al donations are welcome to any of the specific named scholarships or you may establish a new scholarship.