The Springfield Schools Foundation supports educational innovation and excellence within the Springfield Local School District. Created in 2003, the Foundation raises funds and other resources to support ambitious teacher-initiated projects that enrich the educational experience for Springfield students.
The Foundation’s Board of Directors consists of parents, business owners, educators and community leaders. All are volunteers who donate both time and money because they believe passionately in the importance of education. Thanks to their energetic efforts, the Foundation has contributed over $100,000 to the Springfield School District.
Much of the money raised by the Foundation goes to Classroom Grants which are awarded twice each year. Over fifty grants have gone to exceptional teacher-initiated programs in all six of the District’s schools. Here are just a few of the programs the Foundation has supported since 2003:
• Software to help students who are learning English as a second language
• A pond and other natural materials for an outdoor biology lab at the high school
• Electronic dictionaries to help young readers learn vocabulary
• High interest reading materials to help students with disabilities prepare for the OGT
• A Chess Club that has trained young players who have gone on to win tournaments
• The first Science Olympiad team at the high school
• Take home book bags so elementary students can practice reading at home
• Software to publish student authors at the Middle School
• Equipment and books for Reader’s Theatre
• A wind tunnel that allows high school students to test designs for rocket cars
• A Lego League Team and an all-female Robotics Team
The Foundation has also been able to obtain significant outside grants for the Books, Baskets and Breakfast project, the Weatherbug weather station, the Grove Restoration Project and the Glass Arts Program.
The Foundation regularly seeks out opportunities to enrich educational opportunities in the Springfield-Holland community. Music Samplers, community concerts which often feature school district talent, occur in the spring and fall. The annual Laws of Life contest offers students cash awards for essays which explore the principles that guide their lives.
These programs are possible because the Foundation receives generous contributions from local residents and businesses, staff and alumni, parents and even grandparents. Board members also actively seek out and cultivate partnerships that connect teachers and students to in-kind donations and other resources.
