More Than reasons To Give Annual 2020 Report On the Cover Letter from our chair These photos represent just a few of the more than 21,000 students who attend Dear Friends, North Kansas City Schools from preschool through high school. Our district is the third As a parent to Patrick, an Oak Park High School sophomore, and Truman, an Antioch largest in the state and one of the most diverse. Middle School seventh-grader, I’m proud to be a part of the Education Foundation’s mission to support and fund extraordinary educational experiences. Due to COVID-19, 2020 was certainly an extraordinary year for district staff, students and their families. North Kansas City Schools rose to the challenge, offering online learning the final weeks of the 2019-2020 school year. When 2000 N.E. 46th Street • Kansas City, MO 64116 school resumed in September, families chose from all-virtual instruction, a hybrid model for secondary (816) 321-5550 students and in-person classes at the elementary level. www.nkcschoolsfoundation.org The Education Foundation also responded to COVID-19 by purchasing almost $10,000 worth of personal Engaging our communities to support and fund extraordinary educational experiences. protective equipment, including Humanity Shields™ and ClearMasks™ for special education staff. These proved so popular that more ClearMasks™ were ordered for reading, kindergarten, first-grade, global language and music teachers, among others. And when the district’s annual “Stuff the Bus” school supply drive was cancelled, the Education Foundation offered an online version. It raised more than $9,800 for schools to buy items their students needed for a successful start to the new school year. Despite the pandemic, the Education Foundation had one of its most successful years, with record-breaking Fall Breakfast proceeds. Because of the generosity of donors and our partnership with the Greater Kansas City Community Foundation, total assets have exceeded $1.9 million. As we grow, we’re providing more money to benefit our students, staff and schools – almost a quarter of a million dollars during 2020. As you’ll see in our annual report, there were more than 21,000 reasons to give to the Education Foundation in 2020. On behalf of our Advisory Board, please accept my heartfelt thanks for your support! Sincerely, Laura Wagner Education Foundation Chair 2 0 2 0 f a ll B r e a k f a s t E ven t S p o ns o r S C en t enn i al C L u B S p o ns o r S S u p E r i N t enden t ’ S C i r cle Bill & Sue Woods Charitable Fund Despite a virtual format due to COVID-19, the Ikey Harris & 2020 Fall Breakfast raised more than $121,500, a new record. A 42-minute pre-produced video featured a state of the district address by Supt. Dan Clemens, Jan Lewis/Lewis Learning Impact Fund the accomplishments of students and staff, Kahler Grant winners and a performance by the D i S t r i C t D o N o r S North Kansas City Schools Virtual Choir comprised of district music teachers and alums. Dan & Allison Joe Jacobs Jan & Bruce Clemens Kauk Receiving Cornerstone Awards for their strong support of the Education Foundation were Libby Blair, former chair, and Kirk Horner of Hollis + Miller Architects. View the video at https://nkcschoolsfoundation.org/events/fall-breakfast. S ch o o L S p o ns o r S Thomas L. & Jane Tom & Margaret Cummings GreenTie.com Hunt Midwest NKC-NEA Pansing Brown Curry Real Estate Services HALO Branded Jon & Beth Ketz PFM Asset City of Solutions Management, LLC DLR Group Gladstone Hollis + Miller Lockton Companies Terry & Linda Ward Spencer & Celeste Fields CommunityAmerica Architects Newkirk Novak Dick & Mary Linna Credit Union Gilmore & Bell, P.C. HTK Architects Construction Partners Woods Fund p r i nc i p al’ S p At r o ns Allen & Libby Councilwoman Holloway & Harman Jim & Kristin Niederberger Sapp Design Architects Blair Heather Hall, KCMO Diane Woods Howard NKC-MSTA Smith & Boucher 1st District-In-District Amy Casey Meritas Health Northland Community Engineers Paul & Annette Harrell Donut King Gashland Credit Union Terry & Ruth Stone Friendly Bean Henderson Engineers MKEC Engineering, Inc. Piper Sandler & Co. Synergy Services Coffee Bob Hiatt Navitas Dr. Rebecca Kahler Rutledge Judy & Dan Wartick C lass C o N t r i B u t o r S Paul & Katie Aubrey Hanchette Family Cynthia Kupka Sandra & Dick Mellinger Casey & Brea Vokolek Shelly Dorrel Charitable Fund Stinnett Stone & Dixie & Loren Guin Mundorf, LLC Nancy Knipfel Bob Maggio Supply, LLC Youngers S t u den t S u p p o r t E r S Brady Industries Katie Lawson Michael McQuillen Kate Place John & Marilyn Shank Nancy Clemens Linda Martens Mitsi Nessa Michael Ramirez David Slater Allen & Sandi Dillingham Maus Family NKC Community Council Jocelyn Rivard Tammy Stone Tammy Eldridge Mandy McKay The Oak Park Family Debbie Rodhouse Scott & Michelle Tammy & Doug Henderson Sarah McKenna Chris & Leslie Osmond Rosemary Salerno Wingerson www.nkcschoolsfoundation.org 1 k a h L e r G r a n t s Named for former district principal Dr. Dan Kahler, our grants program supports staff members whose innovative ideas enhance student learning. Since 1997, 296 grants totaling more than $420,000 have been awarded. Approximately 11,700 students are benefitting from $35,000 in grants during the 2020-2021 school year. A Seat in the Circle for Everyone: the Children’s picture Book project: Coding playground to Go Drumming towards Equity in the restorative Drum Circles Students publishing for Students Jennifer Williams, Joy Hoke & Nikki Boekhout Music room Deborah Bryson, Rising Hill/Northview Mark Anderson, Antioch Middle School for Davidson, Chouteau, Maplewood, Brandon Preece, Briarcliff Elementary School Elementary Schools During art classes, middle schoolers Ravenwood & Rising Hill Elementary Schools Tubano drums enrich the school’s music Each lesson begins with circle time, when illustrated and published a picture book/ A continuing grant purchased more sets curriculum and allow students to learn and students answer a question before they beginning reader for kindergarteners and of Sphero and Dash robots that will be practice different rhythms in solos and drum together. This builds listening skills, first-graders that will be distributed to shared in library makerspaces at five ensembles. The drums provide culturally teamwork, confidence and compassion. school libraries in the district. different schools. diverse experiences. Engaging in Science research! StEM FuN! From the Garden to the table Full StEAM Ahead if You Dream it, You Can Build it Susie Helwig, Staley High School Jeremy Montague, Golden Oaks Renee Alfrey, Fox Hill Elementary School Shannon McCarthy & Jake Rhode, Students conduct real scientific research, Education Center The school’s STEAM Club allows students New Mark Middle School including observing the embryonic A school garden offers learning opportunities to explore new learning resources. These The purchase of a 3-D CAD printer and development of organisms and how to meet a variety of social, behavioral and include kits and apps for coding robots filament allows students in Project Lead the they’re affected by environmental factors recreational needs, while enhancing the and for building simple machines, models Way to see their designs come to life as they like pollution. school’s science curriculum. and bridges. experience how engineers problem-solve. 2 North Kansas City Schools Education Foundation innovating Affective Learning to Create Keeping Science Fairs Fair the Quiet Woodwind project read Away regression with a Effective Learning Molly Ward, Maple Park Middle School Jeremy Faust, Gateway Sixth Grade Center Summer Stack Kristi Black, Intermediate SAGE Program The purchase of basic supplies, materials Band students use an electronic wind Sherrie Brown & Stephanie Tolander, Books featuring interactive games and and equipment allows all students to controller that is similar to a saxophone Chapel Hill Elementary School social activities promote self- and social compete in a science fair and learn about and connected to an iPad and headphones. Students can borrow books to help them awareness, self-management, relationship brainstorming, project management skills This enables them to practice anywhere avoid the “summer slide” in their reading skills and responsible decision-making. and scientific research. and anytime. progress made throughout the school year. recharge, rejuvenate & Live Healthy Spinning Scholars third Grade Artifact Kits for up We Grow in the Library Crystal Haywood, Eastgate Sixth Grade Center Missouri History Cassie Fogel & Shon Adamson, Angela Van Batavia, Oak Park High School Desk bikes in the school’s library and Paula Keltner, Social Studies Instructional Middle School SAGE Program This grant established a stress management collaborative spaces enhance students’ Coordinator An aquaponics garden with flowers and area in the library, featuring meditation learning and cognitive abilities, while Artifact kits bring third-graders’ study of food crops help students learn botany and chairs, healthy massagers and calming art also providing benefits for their health Missouri history to life, with picture books, develop interpersonal, communication, activities to help students relax. and wellness. period coins and Native American relics. teamwork and leadership skills. Visualizing Learning with Senses Weaving together: Looms for our Culture of Excellence Grants: Service & teaching Ali Steadman, Shy Dreps, Kristin Kinkade & School Community Left: Brie Lamaster, Administrative Assistant, Eastgate Sixth Grade Center Deena Watkins, Clardy Elementary School Renae Harman, Rising Hill Elementary School Right: Renae Harman, Art Teacher, Rising Hill Elementary School A sensory library helps students with Individual looms provide hands-on art As top finalists in the district’s annual staff recognition program, they received $500 to behavioral and mental health challenges experiences that also incorporate lessons in benefit their students or their schools.