News Updates
$20.12 In 2012 Campaign Begins
Fifty-six percent of Lawrence Township students qualify for free or reduced lunch. This is an increase of over 30% in just one decade. Studies show that kids who are on free and reduced lunch have limited life experiences. Therefore, in order for all children in Lawrence Township to excel, extra supports are needed. The Lawrence Township School Foundation exists to help generate the resources that make these extra supports possible. This year, the Foundation has launched the $20.12 in 2012 campaign to specifically support one of these key supports for kids. With a goal of raising $100,000 to support the MAC (My Achievement Centers) Program in each high school, the LTSF is calling upon all alumnae as well as the Community to give to this initiative.
The MACs give students valuable tutoring support as well as skills in studying, organizing and time management. Opening in 2005, the MACs are a critical tool helping LT kids to excel. Students from Lawrence Central (LC) and Lawrence North (LN) make approximately 40,000 visits to the MAC each year, which includes 1,500 discrete students. This support is FREE to all Lawrence Township students.
Last year, Lawrence North introduced the new “traveling MAC” that allowed MAC professional staff to visit various classrooms where supplemental assistance was needed for individuals or small groups of students. Visits to the Lawrence North MAC increased last year by over 25%.
Lawrence Central Junior, Krystal White says “I don’t really think (Lawrence Central) would function without the MAC. The tutors really know the tools and techniques that we need in order to retain what we learn when the classroom is not enough”.
The Lawrence Township School Foundation has raised funds to support the MACs for the last six years. Individual giving accounts for the success of these fundraising efforts. To fund the MACs for one semester takes 1000 people giving:
• $50 per year
• $4.17 per month
• 14¢ per day
Specifically, LTSF is asking alumnae and other community members to consider giving at least $20.12 in 2012 to support the MACs and help provide opportunities for all children to thrive. To donate to this campaign, log onto our website www.msdltf.org and click on the donate link at the top, or contact LTSF CEO and Executive Director, Ellen Robinson at 317.423.8300 or by email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
The Lawrence Township School Foundation ignites the power of community, connecting philanthropy and education to ensure ALL children in Lawrence Township have the resources needed to excel.
Make a Gift to the World’s Greatest Kid Campaign
In 2011, the Foundation launched the 1st Annual “World’s Greatest Kid” campaign to empower our young people to be their best, gain self-confidence, and put their visions into action. Make a gift to tell your favorite Lawrence Township kid that he or she is a miracle, and capable of accomplishing great things. Click here for more information and to download the forms.
Scholarships Available for Lawrence Township High School Seniors
As we all know, college education is essential in today’s career world, however, it can be cost-prohibitive in some cases. The Lawrence Township School Foundation has 12 different scholarships available to be applied for. These scholarships allow Lawrence Township students to apply for funds supporting post-secondary education. The criteria vary based on the individual scholarship from attending Crestview Elementary to pursuing a career in healthcare or playing boys basketball, these opportunities are available to help alleviate some of the financial burden.
Please encourage any High School Senior, you know of, to apply today! Click here for a list of scholarships and to view last year’s recipients.
Deadline to apply is March 30, 2012.
Lawrence Township Alumni Gathering
Please join us for this casual, decade-free event to share stories, successes, ideas and learn how the Foundation is an important part of our children’s success.
Date: Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Time: 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Location: Alibi’s - 7381 N. Shadeland Ave, Indianapolis
Appetizers will be provided. Beverages will be available for purchase. Please respond by Monday, March 19, so we can reserve enough space by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call 317.423.8300.
LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP SCHOOL FOUNDATION RECEIVES $100,000 GRANT FROM USA FUNDS
For the ninth consecutive year, USA Funds has made a significant gift to the Lawrence Township School Foundation to help fund the Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township’s AVID program. This year, the Foundation received a grant for $100,000 that will continue to support AVID in Lawrence Township.
AVID (Advancement via Individual Determination) is a national college-preparedness program getting results at over 4,500 schools throughout the country. AVID students are those who are in the academic middle – they are striving to achieve, yet falling short of their full potential. AVID provides the support and rigor needed for these students to be successful in high school and to be prepared for college.
In Lawrence Township, AVID is in place at Belzer Middle School, Fall Creek Valley Middle School, Lawrence Central High School and Lawrence North High School and currently serves over 600 students. AVID truly has been a life-changing experience for Lawrence Township students. Aside from encouraging students to enroll in more rigorous courses, practice note-taking and studying skills, and providing mentors to help them set and achieve personal goals, AVID also provides Lawrence Township students with a sense of family. 2011 Lawrence Central Senior and AVID graduate, Jamale West says “Homework, problems in school, problems out of school – no matter what the problem has been, the AVID family has helped us to help ourselves and made us all feel safe and comfortable discussing things we normally don’t discuss with everyday classmates.”
Perhaps the most important element that AVID provides is instilling a sense of self-confidence in young people that empowers them to be their best. For the 2nd year in a row, the AVID program at Lawrence Central has graduated a student within the Top 30 Academic students of her class. This 2011 graduate, Emily Thomas, says, “As a freshman, I did not think I would be among the academic elite, but through goal‐setting and the individual determination to reach these goals, I was able to recognize my potential and rise to it.”
The Lawrence Township School Foundation is thrilled and grateful to continue its long-standing partnership with USA Funds and expects more good news from the AVID program in Lawrence Township. The continuation of AVID in Lawrence Township is paramount to our vision of a strong and vibrant community where ALL children are supported and empowered to shine. For more information on AVID and how the Foundation is ensuring high school and post high school success in Lawrence Township, click here.
Join the Power of Community!
Families, educators, Alumni, and businesses are joining the Power of Community to support and empower ALL kids in Lawrence Township! Will you join today? Click here to download the Power of Community form. Complete the form and return it by following the instructions on the bottom. Let’s join together in a commitment to our children’s futures!
Foundation Office Moves to the MSD of Lawrence Township Education and Community Center
On July 18th, the Foundation moved its offices to the MSD of Lawrence Township Education and Community Center at 6501 Sunnyside Road, formerly Craig Middle School.
We are thrilled to be in a beautiful new space. Our office is located on the 2nd floor on the south side of the building with windows overlooking Sunnyside Elementary. We share the building with several other MSD of Lawrence Township entities, including the Welcome Center, the Operations and Food Service teams, Technology, Center for Special Services, the Magnet Coordinators, and plans are in place for many other tenants to move into the building throughout the remainder of this year and next. Read more about why Assistant Superintendent Jan Combs calls this a “great opportunity to reuse space” in the Indianapolis Star.
Please stop by and check out our new office anytime! Enter through Door 4 on the south side of the building. Go up the stairs and turn left to head to Suite 209. We look forward to sharing our new space with you!
For your records, our new address is (phone numbers and emails stay the same):
6501 Sunnyside Road
Suite 209
Indianapolis, IN 46236
Phone: 317.423.8300
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Lawrence Township School Foundation Announces New Board President and Board Members for 2011-2012
The Lawrence Township School Foundation is pleased to announce Tanya Overdorf as President of the Board for the 2011-2012 year. Prior to being named President, Tanya has served on the Foundation’s Board of Directors since 2008. Tanya has vast leadership experience as past President of the Indianapolis Art Center and the Junior League of Indianapolis and she’s been highly involved with several local organizations including the Championship Auto Racing Auxiliary, the Endangered Species Foundation, the Indiana Historical Society, and the 2012 Superbowl Arts and Culture Committee. Her leadership experience combined with her passion and devotion to the Lawrence Township community ensures that she will be an excellent leader and will transition smoothly into the role of President. As President, Tanya will head up the Foundation’s 2011-2012 Executive Committee including Ann Updegraff Spleth (Kiwanis International) as Vice President, Kris Rollison Billman (Due Doyle Fanning) as Secretary, Jeff Yu (Column Capital) as Treasurer, and Sally Rowland (Kraft) as Member-At-Large.
The theme of strong leadership continues with the Foundation’s newly elected Board Members for 2011-2012: Bryan Dandridge (Aerospace Account Manager at 3M Thermal Acoustic Systems), Emily Hawk (ProJuris, LLC), Suzie Kutz (Ulrich Chemical, Inc.), Stacy Reid (Community Health Network), and Dennis Trinkle (Provost and Chief Academic Officer at Harrison College). Executive Director of the Foundation, Ellen Robinson says, “I am so excited about our incoming Board Members and Executive Committee. They, as well as our entire Board, are a passionate group, dedicated and enthusiastic about our mission to ignite the power of community, connecting philanthropy with education in Lawrence Township. I am confident, that this team will make a huge impact, resulting in positive outcomes for kids.”
The Foundation would also like to acknowledge the dedication and commitment of outgoing Board President, Gil Standley (Midwest Benefits, Inc.). Gil has been a tremendous asset to the Foundation over the past two years – ensuring that we stay focused on our mission of providing the greatest amount of resources possible to Lawrence Township schools and children. Gil’s leadership and the expertise of our other outgoing Board Members: Adam Goldstein (MSDLT School Board), Jeff McKean (MSDLT School Board), Dr. Shawn Heidel (Eli Lilly & Co.), James Hinshaw (Bingham McHale), and Dr. Andrew Satz (Northside Anesthesia Services) are truly leaving a legacy at the Foundation.
Allen Whitehall Clowes Charitable Foundation supports LTSF with $100,000 Grant
We are truly grateful to the Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation (AWCCF) for their support of the Performing Arts at our middle and high schools over the past year. Their grant of $100,000 to the Lawrence Township School Foundation provided hundreds of private lessons and a variety of instrumental clinics to our students, and covered the necessary repair and purchase of instruments in order to help maintain the high quality performing arts programs we have here in Lawrence Township. AWCCF is helping us fulfill our mission to support and empower children with the resources they need to succeed. Since AWCCF was not listed in our annual report as we would have hoped, we wanted to take this opportunity to recognize and thank them for this important gift.
Lawrence Township School Foundation
What can YOU do to spread the word about the Lawrence Township School Foundation? It’s as easy as watching a video. Click here to watch our video and learn how the Power of Community will help us support and empower ALL children. Find the video on YouTube by searching for “MSDLT Video.” Share the video with those who can help build a commitment to support our children and public education!
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