BUILDINGblocks SPRING

2010

C e l e b r a t e ! The Legacy of LearningOutstanding Alumni Nominations

N ominations are now being accepted foroutstanding alumni of Decatur PublicSchools. Graduates of Eisenhower,

MacArthur, Lakeview, Stephen Decatur andDecatur High School may be nominated for their accom-plishments in The Arts, Science, Technology, Schools &Community, or in their field of work.

Past honorees include teachers, scientist, artists, industri-alists, and others, all of whom attribute their success tothe education they received at DecaturPublic Schools!

To nominate someone for this award, call the DPSFoundation at 217-424-3300 or print out the nominationform on our website, www.dps61.org/ foundation.Alumni will be honored at our 8th annual “Celebrate! TheLegacy of Learning” award dinner on Saturday, November13th, 2010.

THE QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER OF THE DECATUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION

T he Decatur Public Schools Foundation (DPSF) has created a permanent col-lection of band and orchestra instruments available for loan to qualifying stu-dents of District 61. Though there are currently more than eighty instruments

available, the need remains greater than the supply. Please check your attic,basement, and closets for gently used instruments and consider donating

them to the DPSF. Instruments may be dropped off at Thompson-Kramer Musicon 2102 N. Oakland or at the DPSF office on601 N. Church St. Your donation is tax-deductible!

Used Instruments Needed!

“The band programs at my schools were greatly enhanced by the foundation’s InstrumentLibrary. Students who would not have been able to participate in the past were thrilledto be part of band this year!” –Nate Saltus, Elementary Band Teacher

T he Millikin DSI (Decatur ScienceInvestigations) team offered many newscience stations at the second annual

Family Science Night, held at Millikin onMay 3rd. These stations encouraged fami-lies to explore the science behind bubbles,electricity, water, optical allusions, sound,and prism diffraction. There was a hover-craft for all to ride on, a fun recycling game,and a cool experiment that changed penniesfrom bronze to silver to gold!

Family Science Night was created to encourage the activeparticipation of families in science education and is part of acomprehensive DPSF science initiative that includes a science

coach for District 61elementary teachers,classroom materi-als for inquiry-based learning,and the travelingDSI Van, whichputs on science

shows for schoolsand community events.

Look for the DSI team at the local Decatur parks this sum-mer, bringing exciting new stations and shows. ContactDSI Coordinators Stephanie Gates, at sgates@millikin.edu, orKim Watson, at kwatson@millikin.edu, for more information.

Second Annual Family Science Night

2 BUILDINGblocks S P R I N G 2 0 1 0 •

2009 – 2010 Grants at a GlanceT he Decatur Public Schools Foundation remained

a strong supporter of teachers and students this year,by funding many innovative and creative projects!

Thank you to our donors for your continued support!

Below is a breakdown of grants by grade level:

15 Grants to High Schools ............................. $43,532

15 Grants to Middle Schools .......................... $ 8,654

28 Grants to Elementary Schools ................... $22,348

2 Grants to Pre-K ............................................ $ 700

Total .................................................... $75,235

The programs below were funded through designateddonations. The foundation helped make these projects areality for the donors!The DSI (Decatur Science Investigations)

Initiatives...............................................................$108,096

Musical Instrument Library ...................................... $ 2,473

South Shores Music .................................................. $ 10,000

Ellen Spycher Teacher Grants ................................... $ 2,500

Bob Jones Music Fund Grants ................................. $ 7,800

Hantel Memorial Grants ........................................... $ 2,850

Total ..................................................... $133,719

visit DPS61.org/foundation for more information about the grants funded in 2009-10

Total grants and programs fundedin 2009-10 – $208,954

“The children greatly enjoyedthe new science center withthe variety of hands-onmaterial! The childrenespecially liked the insect andsink/float units. I will be usingthis center year after year.”

Karla Martins,Pershing Pre-Kindergarten Program

“Non-traditional opportunities like our all-school gardeningproject help students develop a better understanding of theworld around them. Thank you to the foundation for providingresources for these types of projects!”

Scott Davidson, Garfield Montessori School

“Students learned more about the technical aspects of theprinting process than I had anticipated! The team-buildingaspects of the project were very gratifying as students withdiverse talents came together.”

Gayle Bowman, Decatur Area Technical Academy

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DECATURPUBLIC SCHOOLSFOUNDATION

BOARD OF TRUSTEESChair – Janis E. Kirby

Vice Chair – Judge Lisa Holder WhiteTreasurer – David ButtsSecretary – Wole Adeoye

Our mission...... to acquire and distributeresources to Decatur PublicSchool District 61 to enhance,

enrich and encouragelearning opportunities for its

students, staff andcommunity.

Tom BinderBrian Byers

Gloria J. DavisJames ForresterT.J. Jackson

Jan KelsheimerWendy Morthland

Ron PuleraLucy SmithDanWinter

TRUSTEE EMERITUSAdele Glenn

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORJudy Taylor

TRUSTEES

Earth DayThank you to ADM for funding these Earth Day Projects:� Earth Day atWilliam Harris – students learned about gardening and how

to recycle and reduce waste.� Prairie Restoration at Thomas Jefferson – students created a model

garden plot using native prairie vegetation, then planted seeds followingthis model, which will continue to be maintained by Thomas Jeffersonstudents for the next 3-5 years.

� Reduce, Reuse, Recycle at John’s Hill – students brought in recyclablematerials for a Reduce, Reuse, Recycle party that involves various funactivities such as making phones from tin cans and string, 2-liter bottlebowling, and creating items from recycled materials.

� Flags and Flowers at Ben Franklin – students celebrated the installation of the new flagpole and Earth Day by creatingstepping stones to place near the pole and planting shrubbery and flowers.

� Wellness at Garfield Montessori – students planted fruit trees on the school property to make eating fruit more fun!� Outside Exercise at Enterprise – students created a new mulch walking trail for a fun place to take walks and get good

exercise.� Save the Earth Day at Muffley – students celebrated Earth Day with many Earth-friendly activities such as planting flowers,

flying kites, cleaning the school grounds, making bird feeders, and making and eating edible compost.

Health Care GrantsThank you to St. Mary’s Health Care for funding these wellness projects!

� Harris Fitness Club at Harris – students learned about healthy diets and activities,including their 10,000 step challenge, various movement activities, nutritious snacks,and nutrition lessons.

� Food for Thought at Garfield Montessori – students designed and planted orchardsand gardens at Garfield Montessori, engaged in activities such as following basicrecipes, basic gardening, starting seedlings, composting and nutrition to learn aboutgrowing health foods and incorporating it into a healthy lifestyle.

� Fun-N-Fit Club at Durfee – students participated in fun fitness activities anddiscussed healthy food options to become more aware of the benefits of a healthylifestyle.

� Wellness Education at Garfield Montessori – students were given fresh fruit andvegetables each morning and learned about the vitamins in each fruit or vegetable toencourage healthy food choices.

Donor In Honor of:Mark and Kathy Sorenson Jennifer RaleighMarcia H. Morey Barbara Morey ShadeCharlie Smith Mike Elben

“Do Half of What Mike DidYou’ll Be Successful”

Kathy and Kent King-Noble Nola Wilkinson

Donor InMemory of:Elizabeth Faye Davidson V. Kelley DavidsonPat Stark Gladys Stark (mother)

“I owe Eisenhower High Schoola lot for a great education,Class of 1963”

Betty Query Smith Jeffrey Scott DeBruineM. Stephen Huss Phillip Tinch

D ecatur High School, closed in 1975, will be rememberedforever through a beautiful Memorial Pavilion surrounding

the Stephen Decatur Statue in downtown Decatur, Illinois.Inscribed bricks may be purchased in honor of a favorite teacher or tocreate a lasting tribute to a classmate or family member. These bricks area perfect gift for parents or grandparents with fond memories ofDecatur High School!SKIP THE STEPS BELOWTOORDERONLINEAT:www.dps61.org/pavilion

____ 4” x 8” Brick (s) at $100 each $ _________

____ 8” x 8” Brick (s) at $250 each $ _________

____ 12” x 12” Brick (s) at $500 each $ _________

TOTAL PURCHASE $ _________

Decatur High School Memorial Pavilion

Name: _______________________________________________

Address: ______________________________________________

City: _________________State: _____ Zip Code: _____________

Phone Number: ________________________________________

Email: _______________________________________________

� This etched brick is being purchased as a gift for a loved one.

Please send a keepsake card/acknowledgment to the recipient below:

Name: _______________________________________________

Address: ______________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

4” x 8” Inscription: 2 lines with 16 letters (including spaces) per line8” x 8” Inscription: 3 lines with 16 letters (including spaces) per line12” x 12” Inscription: 4 lines with 19 letters (including spaces) per line

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Donor InMemory ofKenneth and Judy Johnson Leah ProctorRaymond and Debra BandyDavid and Mary Pat SmithKevin and Gayle SegerMark E. BlairDwight StrohlMichael and Mary SnowDeborah Beals PerryBetty L. RoseRonald and Janet DobbsRobert and Joan EthertonRoger and Roberta ProctorMary MerrimanRobert and Jamie CarrierWilliam and Dawn Shade

Mail this form along with your payment in the enclosed envelope.

Gifts to

the DPSF

have been

made

recently

in mem-

ory or in

honor of a

teacher,

classmate,

or loved

one.