Ann Arbor Public Schools Educational Foundation

Fund Fact - Peter Stamos Scholoarship Fund

"Let me tell you a story about Pete," said Don Chalfant, a retired Physical Education teacher from the Ann Arbor Public Schools and close friend of Peter Stamos. "When Pete and I retired, he was already in a wheel chair. A lot of people came up to him at a retirement dinner to tell him how sorry they were. He said, 'Absolutely don't feel sorry for me. I have had a wonderful life and a wonderful career and if you want to feel sorry for someone, go to Mott Children's hospital and you feel sorry for the one-year old child who isn't going to see her next birthday.' And that was Pete. I never heard him complain."

Don Chalfant established the Peter Stamos Fund to honor Pete's memory and give students the opportunity to go to Michigan's KidSport camp to further explore sports and games, fitness activities and academics.

Peter taught physical education for over 30 years at Haisley Elementary school, influencing the lives of many. He was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS) a couple years before he actually retired and fought it for 13 years before he passed away.

"Pete was a really fun guy, he had a great sense of humor and was really dedicated to his students," said Chalfant.

The Peter Stamos Fund gives a 3rd and 4th grade girl and boy at Haisley the opportunity to attend KidSport. KidSport is a summer camp at the University of Michigan that offers children the opportunity to learn and refine non-competitive sport-specific skills, team building and social skills. Students also can attend Camp Explorations that expands kids' knowledge of world history through experiments, crafts and activities.

"Ann Arbor is a place of wonderful opportunities, but not all kids get those opportunities and we're trying to extend it to a couple more," said Chalfant. "It's a little piece, but it's something. It's something that perpetuates the memory of a fine, fine fine man."

Not only did Don work in the same department as Peter for over 30 years, but they ran together before school for 11 years. He said they never missed a day, and it gave them plenty of time to talk. "He's the kind of guy you'd want your kids to have as a teacher, especially a phys-ed teacher," said Chalfant. "That was his calling really, I don't think he every wanted to be anything else, and he was good at it. He loved his job and loved his students."

Peter pioneered quite a few things during his time. He incorporated the United States Presidential Awards into the program, advocated co-ed physical education, and promoted classes for kindergarten through 3rd grade. Together, Peter and Don made the curriculum far more engaging and entertaining, believing that fitness could be fun and a lifetime activity.

This fund honors a wonderful man and carries on his memory in our community. Students who have attended the camp have irreplaceable experiences and come back with lifelong memories.

"There's no question, fitness and activity should be a lifelong endeavor that starts as early as possible in life, and Pete tried to do that," said Chalfant.

You can make a contribution to the Stamos Scholarship Fund through the Ann Arbor Public Schools Educational Foundation web-site, www.aapsef.org.

Donate to Honor A Loved One or A Special Cause

Colors splash across the media center at Haisley Elementary School with a vibrant mural of children reading under yellow and orange trees. Students at Carpenter Elementary School tap their feet to the syncopation of the music, while Vincent York introduces them to the roots of jazz in African music.

Art and music touch these students’ lives, while the desires of Marcy Westerman live on.

"During Marcy’s cancer journey, we talked about ways she might continue to express her love for the school district after her death," said Scott Westerman, whose family expresses a strong commitment to the Ann Arbor Public Schools.

Scott Westerman established The Marcine (Marcy) Westerman Endowment for Art and Music Teachers in the Ann Arbor Public Schools to help students experience the wonder of art. The fund was established through the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation.

"The endowment benefits district art and music teachers in perpetuity while keeping alive Marcy’s lifetime commitment to be helpful," said Scott. "It also honors a remarkable woman whose amazing talents and selfless influence for good has made this a better world."

Scott and Marcy’s dedication to the Ann Arbor Public Schools began with their children who attended Eberwhite, Slauson and Pioneer. Scott worked for the school district for over ten years, with the last four as superintendent. Marcy was on the school board for a number of years as well.

Together they wanted to create a grant to reflect Marcy’s special interest in art and music, as well a way to keep her memory alive in our community. The annual grant provides art and music teachers the ability to purchase supplementary or instructional materials, support exhibits and performances, and finance special projects in the Ann Arbor Public Schools.

The grants that have been used so far, including the media center mural at Haisley Elementary and the interactive jazz session at Carpenter Elementary, are just some of the ways the funding has begun to influence our community.

"The reason I did it was because I wanted to do something in honor of Marcy, to perpetuate her memory here. So that was my goal, and that has been realized," said Scott. "I want it to become visible to the community that it’s honoring her, to refresh their memories of what she did while she was alive. She was very active in the community beyond her membership on the board."

Contributions to the Marcine Westerman Endowmnet for Art and Music Teachers in the Ann Arbor Public Schools can be made through the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation.

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

Purchase "College Admissions: From Chaos to Control, A Guide for Students and Families for Solving the College Admissions Puzzle", by John B. Boshoven, M.A., M.S.W., Debbie E. Merion, M.S.W., and Geraldine Markel, Ph.D. A portion of each sale will benefit 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