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Grants help school programs surviveJames Edward Mills
In an innovative program made possible through a grant from the Foundation for Madison's Public Schools, Senson and his class are building a full-scale aircraft that will actually fly. "The airplane is the catch. It's not the end product, it's the catch," Senson said. "It's what makes the kids go, 'Wow I'd like to take that class.' " The Foundation for Madison's Public Schools provides grants to teachers who want to bring to their classrooms in-depth learning opportunities that are not included in the school district's annual budget. Through both private and corporate donations, grants totaling more than $43,000 were awarded in 2005. Since 2000 the foundation has raised more than $4 million to create endowments, fund short-term projects and provide the financial resources that bridge the gap between school budgets and scholastic excellence. The funds are used to support programs such as teaching deaf children to read through sign language, providing educational materials for the families of students who don't speak English and implementing the design and construction of a garden to monitor runoff in the Lake Mendota Watershed. Senson said building the aircraft gets his students excited about other subjects such as math, science, and even English. He said the specially funded course encourages the interest and enthusiasm of his students better than anything they learn from books. "It's these types of classes that really motivate the students in the classroom," Senson said. "This is a class they look forward to." Students throughout the Madison area can benefit from a variety of creative education programs like Senson's. Howard Landsman, coordinator of grants and fund development at the Madison City School District, said the Foundation provides money for programs that are often subject to budget cuts during tight financial times or would simply go without financial support. "It's really to enhance the core of what the public schools can do with their resources," Landsman said. "If a teacher has a great idea, a program or a project that can break new ground and help us to do our job better, then the foundation is very much there to try to support those kinds of things." Foundation president Martha Vukelich-Austin said funds are contributed by those who want to see Madison's schools flourish. "We look at ourselves as bringing in community partners to see where they can fit in to help out the district," she said. "I like to say our schools are the heartbeat of the community. If our schools are thriving, the community will thrive." Landsman said money donated to the foundation goes exclusively toward program grants, not to the district's general budget. "It's import for donors and donor prospects to feel that they're giving to a community-based organization," he said. "That as well as the whole issue of wanting to maintain taxpayer support of public education." Members of Madison's business community are especially encouraged to get involved through the foundation's Adopt-A-School and Principal-For-A-Day programs. Companies can donate time, professional expertise or materials to support a school of their choice. Or a senior executive can spend the day as a Madison school principal and get an idea of what it's like from the inside. Steve Goldberg, executive direct of the CUNA Mutual Foundation, said companies can get involved in ways that fall directly in line with their core competencies. "It's a relationship that can be customized to the specific needs of the school and the specific strength and resources and interests of the business," he said. Adopt-A-School partnerships include Heritage Credit Union, which adopted Sherman Middle School; Group Health Coopera-tive, which adopted Leopold Elementary school; and Wisconsin Physician Services, which adopted Frank Allis Elementary School. The companies provide support that ranges from donating money to providing volunteer tutors, to donating clothing and school supplies. Vukelich-Austin said by working with schools in the community, local businesses are not only securing the future of Madison, but the success of their companies as well. "The investment that we make in a kid now pays off in the long run," she said. "Because that kid will come out of school and go into the work force well educated, well equipped -- (he or she) becomes a taxpayer. You can just go down the line." For more information on the Foundation for Madison's Public Schools call 608-232-7820 or visit www.foundationmadisonschools.com. James Edward Mills is a State Journal reporter. He can be reached at jmills@madison.com. jmills@madison.com madison.com ©2009 Capital Newspapers. All rights reserved. |
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