| Friend, We Are So Grateful For Your Support With the close of another school year, the U-46 Educational Foundation is reflecting on the many ways our supporters and donors have impacted U-46 students, teachers, staff, and schools this year. This was a school year like no other, and when it all began we had plenty of concerns. However, we learned that there are no limits when it comes to the resilience, empathy, and determination of our students, teachers, and our staff. It was difficult, but they came out strong and motivated to carry on. And the same can be said of our donors and supporters. Thanks to your support this year, the U-46 Educational Foundation impacted our school district in ways that we never have been able to before. Your support funded 23 teacher or staff-led grants this year, a new record. These grants covered topics like diversity and equity and physical health and fitness. The grant projects motivated students to learn about the environment, composting, and growing their own food. Students were given access to books and resources that tapped their passion for reading and learning. They coded robots, met after school to discuss STEM projects, and received access to engaging online science resources. Thanks to your support, some of our special education students received extra equipment to help them learn and socialize with others. So many great things happened this year, thanks to you. Therefore, we wanted to focus our last newsletter of the year on expressing our gratitude. From liking a Facebook post to passing along our newsletter, from making a pledge during our Employee Giving Campaign to honoring a teacher with a donation during Teacher Appreciation Week, you showed us, in big ways and small, your big hearts and compassion for our students. On behalf of the more than 6,000 U-46 students directly impacted by Foundation funding this year, thank you. |
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|  | Mural in CSP Builds Community Natalie Matsuda contacted the U-46 Educational Foundation last fall with a pretty simple request. She told us that the walls at the Central School Program are fairly bare, and she would like funding for a mural to build a sense of community for the students. The Foundation was eager to help on one condition - the students had to be involved in the mural project. We wanted the students to feel a sense of pride and ownership with the mural. Ms. Matsuda asked her fellow CSP educator and local artist, Daniel Galuszek, to create three thumbnail sketches of potential murals for the school. Students were able to vote on their favorite, and the design above with the hornet, the school mascot, was their clear favorite. After the mural was installed, Matsuda told us, "The objectives of my project were to help bring a sense of community and culture to the Central School Program hallways through art...The students were excited to be part of the process and feel as though their opinion was heard... Since being installed we have seen staff and students use the mural to help represent the school in several ways - in a flyer for upcoming events, school store background, and proudly displayed on our school webpage." Many CSP educators and staff wanted to express their appreciation for the mural. "The CSP mural has not only made an impact on Central High School, but it has also created a sense of belonging and community for our students and staff. The incredible piece of artwork serves as a pillar inside of our building that fosters comradery and ownership of our school as a team. With this mural being the beginning of changing and impacting the culture of our school, I look forward to the upcoming initiatives that will continue to create honor, pride and belonging to the members of Central High School." - David Serpas, Dean of Students "We are very excited to have our new mural illustrating our student achievements and interests. The mural has brightened our halls, and it is exciting to see all of the staff and students talking about how beautiful it is. Most importantly, it represents our school culturally." - Mary Mangione, Asst Principal "The new mural that Mr. Galuszek created for our school brightens up the hallway and has been placed right where staff and students enter our school. It depicts the "life in the day of a CSP student" in the many different images and colors that he used. Our building is historical, making it very difficult to decorate the walls and halls with meaningful artwork that captures the essence of CSP. But this mural captures it all! It has been a great addition for all who learn and work here, and for visitors to catch a glimpse of how much our school is valued." - Cassie Majer, Social Worker "I wanted to send this note to THANK YOU for the absolutely beautiful mural that CSP now displays at the top of our stairwell for all to see. It is just stunning, but more so, it captures so much of what we are about. I love so many of the details you put into the art piece. The mural truly elevates our school's aesthetic and makes me feel so proud to be part of a school that showcases such incredible talent. I'm proud to be a CSP teacher with such gifted colleagues." -Rona Sinnamond, Educator When you donate to the U-46 Educational Foundation, you make projects like the Central School Program mural possible. Thank you for supporting our students and our teachers’ innovative ideas! |
| |  | Play-based, Hands-on Learning Andrea Peterson had her kindergarten students in mind when she requested funding from the Foundation for an outdoor learning space at Sycamore Trails Elementary School. She told us she was passionate about play-based learning, and she could envision the courtyard at Sycamore Trails transformed into an outdoor learning environment where her students would learn about plants, bugs, and the weather. With her Foundation grant, Ms. Peterson filled the space with two raised garden beds for hands-on exploring in dirt and sand, plants, a bird feeder, bug houses, bug catchers and magnifying glasses, and a rock garden with letters painted on the rocks. In addition to digging in the dirt, her students build structures with sticks, water plants, fill the bird feeders, check the bug houses for "residents," and rearrange the lettered rocks to practice their spelling.  "When students are outside collecting bugs,
conversing with each other, building a shelter with sticks, sharing tools, collaborating to create something, their smiles and enthusiasm have been the best positive feedback!" she told us. But it isn't just the kindergarteners using the space. Sixth graders are pulling weeds in the garden as a service project, and other classes are learning in the garden too. To our donors and supporters - thank you for helping learning grow at Sycamore Trails! |
| |  | Alumni - The Foundation will keep you up-to-date with information about reunions, events at your high school, mentoring opportunities, Distinguished Alumni recognition, and more! Register as a U-46 Alumni today! Click on your school's link below to get started. Bartlett Alumni - Elgin Alumni - Larkin Alumni - South Elgin Alumni - Streamwood Alumni We have had a tremendous response from our most recent graduates, the Class of 2021! Thank you! |
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 | Congratulations to All Class of 2021 Scholarship Recipients! The U-46 Educational Foundation is proud to manage several scholarships benefitting U-46 students including: The David and Edith Cole Scholarships Mr. and Mrs. Cole were Elgin High School graduates, graduating probably in 1910. They left a portion of their estate to establish a scholarship to benefit Elgin High School students. To date, the Cole Scholarship fund has awarded out $43,000 in scholarships to Elgin High School grads. This year's winners are: Jaelin Sandoval, Megan Graffagna, Krish Shah, and Jillian Alvarez. The Dody Nesbit Scholarships Mrs. Delores "Dody" Nesbit was a 1952 graduate of Elgin High School who later became a school counselor. She used a portion of her estate to establish the Dody Nesbit Scholarship for Elgin High School students pursuing a career in education or school counseling. This year's winners are: Guadalupe Villagomez and Nathan Raneses. Ron Raglin Teaching and Learning Scholarship Mr. Ronald Raglin, U-46 Assistant Superintendent of Educational Support Programs and Alignment, passed away in 2019 leaving behind a legacy of service to U-46 students and to the U-46 community. His family, led by his wife, Tena Raglin, created this scholarship in his memory. This year's winners are: Janalis Harrison and Leslie Hernandez. Dr. Jean Bowen Scholarship Fund Dr. Bowen proudly served as the very first principal of South Elgin High School. She was also one of the first members of the U-46 Educational Foundation Board of Directors. When she passed away in 2017, her husband, Mr. Gary Bowen, established this scholarship for a South Elgin student in her memory. This year's winner is Victoria Velazquez. The Superintendent's Scholarship In 2012, Dr. José Torres established the Superintendent’s Scholarship fund through the U-46 Educational Foundation. Since then, more than 240 first-generation graduates have earned the $1,000 scholarships. Funds for this scholarship are replenished annually by individual donors, community groups, and corporate sponsors. Click the above link for a list of the 20 winners from this year. G. Michael Greene Scholarship The Elgin Breakfast Rotary Club established the G. Michael Greene Scholarship in 2012 in memory of late U-46 educator, Gene Michael Greene. Mr. Greene started his teaching career in U-46 in 1978. At the time of his death, he was a math teacher at Kenyon Woods Middle School. This scholarship is for U-46 students pursuing a career in teaching or math. This year's winners are: Leslie Hernandez, Andrea Domin, Noah Mack, Julian Jarmula, and Gilbert Vargas. Wisdom Family Foundation Scholarships The Wisdom Family Foundation scholarships benefit U-46 students who have overcome difficult circumstances and challenges and nevertheless have continued their commitment to learning. This year's winners are: Danny Samaniego, Julian Jarmula, Evelyn Galindo, and Abigail Estrada. Their scholarship application for 2022 is now open. The Presidents' Scholarship The Presidents' Scholarship was established in 2013 by the three Foell brothers - Howard, Ronald, and Wesley. Each of them is a graduate of Elgin High School, and all three had the rewarding experience of serving as class president. This scholarship benefits an Elgin High School student pursuing a career in science or technology or in teaching science or technology. This month Dr. Wesley Foell and Mrs. Janet Foell, the widow of Howard Foell, contributed an additional $24,000 to maintain the scholarship. This year's winner is Morgan Nakonechny. |
| Fun Fact - On June 26th, the 2016 winner of the Presidents' Scholarship, Anali Cisneros, tried out for the U.S. Olympic 20K Racewalk team. While she did not make the Olympic team, she did place among the top eight women racewalkers in the country! |
| Our deepest thanks goes to the individuals, families, community groups, foundations, and corporations whose generosity made these scholarships possible. |
| | |  | | Old vehicles taking up space in your garage can be turned into a donation for the U-46 Educational Foundation. Here’s how it works: 1. Call 855-500-7433 or go to the donation website to start the process. 2. Schedule your free pick-up. We arrange to have a licensed tow company pick up your vehicle at a time convenient for you—all at no cost to you. 3. We receive the funds and you could qualify for a tax deduction! Vehicle donations are tax-deductible, and we work to get the highest return per vehicle for us and for your tax benefit. In most cases, when the driver arrives for your tax-deductible gift, you’ll be provided with the donation receipt. You will be mailed a thank-you letter within 30 days of the sale of the vehicle, which also serves as a donation tax receipt. |
| |  | The U-46 Educational Foundation is proud to have earned Guidestar's Platinum Seal! |
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| | Remember to give back to the U-46 Educational Foundation when shopping on Amazon! |
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|  | AmazonSmile customers can now support U-46 Educational Foundation in the Amazon shopping app on iOS and Android mobile phones! Simply follow these instructions to turn on AmazonSmile and start generating donations. - Open the Amazon Shopping app on your device
- Go into the main menu of the Amazon Shopping app and tap into 'Settings'
- Tap 'AmazonSmile' and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process
If you do not have the latest version of the Amazon Shopping app, update your app. Click here for instructions. |
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| Email the U-46 Educational Foundation Coordinator, Dawn Curran at dawncurran@u-46.org.
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