Ann Arbor Public Schools Educational Foundation

Impact of Educational Foundation support at one school

IWe would have never been able to provide certain programs at Mitchell Elementary School this year if it weren’t for the Education Foundation. In the past, our classroom teachers haven’t spent a lot of effort trying to get grants; however, the grant we received this year has really inspired our teachers. The grant was awarded from AAPSEF for a program called “With One Voice: Building Community through Songwriting.” Local environmental musician, Joe Reilly, came into the class and wrote a song with the students about our community. The students all performed the song, and Reilly played more environmentally friendly songs. It was absolutely fantastic, has inspired both students and staff, and could have never been done without the support of AAPSEF.

The Village Fund has also been a valuable resource for us. We were able to purchase t-shirts for every student, which they received for the first day of school. The t-shirts had a huge impact in terms of inclusion. Every student felt welcome here and like they were all on the same “playing field.” The t-shirts are also worn for every field trip. Parents have been really impressed by them and it has been so helpful to our PTO.

The Village Fund has also made it possible for our students to go to Camp Storer, a YMCA overnight camp, and the Natural History Museum. These trips were very successful and helped build teamwork and a sense of community. AAPSEF has been an amazing resource for us and these programs would not have been included in our curriculum otherwise.

Kathy Scarnecchia, Principal of Mitchell Elementary School

Link to Mitchell’s website; click on “Ms. Padgen’s 2nd Grade Songwriters—My Community”

Fund Fact

The AAPSEF awarded a grant to the Trailblazer program that allowed 150 high school seniors to mentor over 200 elementary students in the Ann Arbor Public Schools. Bringing together high school seniors with elementary students creates a connectedness in the classroom that is making a difference in the whole community. The Trailblazers program is a yearlong mentoring program between Pioneer High School and five elementary schools in Ann Arbor. Pioneer seniors meet with the elementary students for half hour sessions, five days a week.

There is a significant increase in academic achievement among the elementary students because of the Trailblazer program. The program has an emphasis on the one on one relationship that is formed between elementary and high school students that create a sense of community.

AAPSEF has been able to help fund the program, assisting with photo expenses, craft and activity supplies, bus transportation and educational games. Because of these funds, the Trailblazers have been able to have more high school students participate, enabling them to reach a larger number of elementary students.

The Trailblazer program has shown to help with academics and self-confidence in the elementary students. For the high school students it has also been a time of personal growth and career exploration. High school students have had such positive experiences with the program. Many Pioneer students say that their mentee has taught them a lot. Others mention the self-esteem it has given them, to help someone who is really struggling with something.

This program has had a positive influence on classroom teachers, mentors, mentees and the mentees’ parents. Since 1995 the Trailblazers have been impacting our community, and they wish to continue and expand the program. The program has been in place so long, that now there are high school seniors that serve as mentors that were, at one time, mentee’s in the elementary classroom!

Saved by stimulus (From the 5/10/2009 Grand Rapid News)

It could be worse. The state is propping up its education spending -- the per-student aid that provides the bulk of a district's income -- by using federal stimulus dollars for two years. Without that money, state aid reductions likely would have been necessary, forcing even deeper cuts.

David Martell, executive director of the Michigan School Business Officials association, said districts are facing the worst financial situation since Proposal A was passed by voters 15 years ago.

The 1994 constitutional amendment shifted much of school funding from residential taxes, which skyrocketed during boom times, to sales and income taxes, which faded in a weak economy.
Complicating the picture is that 75 percent of Michigan districts have declining enrollments. That's mostly because the birth rate is falling, but also an increasing number of families are leaving for better employment, Martell said.

It adds up to fewer students and less funding for schools, Martell said.

"There comes a point when it's no longer feasible to offer the education you have been offering," Martell said.

"That's when expectations of what school is have to change, or the funding model."

About 950 people attended the MichiganSchool Business Officials conference in April -- the most ever -- seeking new ways to combine, partner and privatize in another round of budget trimming.

"You think of every little way you can cut, then hope it'll add up to a couple million dollars," West Ottawa Assistant Superintendent Dave Zimmer said.

The effort is more difficult when unknowns persist.

Many districts are still negotiating labor contracts and evaluating insurance bids. Charles Barker, superintendent at Belding Public Schools, is dealing with a larger-than-expected 17.5 percent increase in health insurance costs.

Additional ways to support The Ann Arbor Public Schools Educational Foundation:

Make a reservation at Mediterrano Restaurant for one of their monthly dinner specials, mention AAPSEF, and a contribution will be made to the Educational Foundation

Toner Solutions, Inc. – businesses and individuals initiating new cartridge exchange programs with Toner Solutions, Inc. can designate the Educational Foundation as a non-profit of choice to receive funds from Toner Solutions

Comerica Bank – Comerica Bank, through their Comerica Cash and Care program, makes a contribution to the Educational Foundation when new and existing customers