Saluting Oklahoma's Local Education Foundations
LEF News Roundup
EDITOR’S NOTE: The LEF News Roundup is designed to recognize LEF achievements and share ideas with others. To submit information for the LEF News Roundup, write to Brenda Wheelock, Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence, 120 N. Robinson, Suite 1420-W, Oklahoma City, OK 73102 or e-mail bwheelock@ofe.org.
Booker T. Washington High School Foundation for Excellence hosts an event each year featuring entertainment, a buffet lunch and a silent auction. Highlights of this year's event, "Gospel, Grits & Gershwin," are performances by the school's drumline and jazz band, and a drama presentation directed by BTW's drama and theatre teacher. Proceeds from the event provide funds for classroom needs and programs.
The Catoosa Education Foundation hosted a bunco party and silent auction with all proceeds going to the organization. Each participant paid $5 to play bunco, and prizes were awarded for first, second and third place.
In 2006, Cheyenne High School’s class of 1956 made a donation to the Cheyenne Education Foundation to provide scholarships to graduating seniors. Since that time, each class celebrating 50 years continued contributing to the foundation. The class of 2010 seniors each received $25 plus accumulated monies based on the grades they had earned since entering high school.
The Chickasha Public School Foundation encouraged school supporters to donate a portion of their tax rebates and tax refunds to support programs that benefit students, including grants to teachers and scholarships. The foundation provided a donation link on its Web site at www.chickashapsf.org.
To raise awareness of and money for its programs, the Choctaw-Nicoma Park Schools Foundation held "meet and eats" throughout the community. Participating restaurants donated a portion of their receipts from the evening, and school choirs performed for customers.
The Coweta Education Foundation joined the Coweta Chamber of Commerce. Since 2003, the foundation has awarded thousands of dollars in grants to local educators. “We want to thank our community for your support and your continued support of our foundation,” said CEF President Julie Anderson.
El Reno school supporters were invited to not attend the El Reno Public Schools Foundation's Phantom Ball. In lieu of "renting a tux, finding a babysitter and undergoing the many hassles associated with attending a fundraising ball," guests were able to choose their level of "uninvolvement." Member levels ranging from the $25 Black Tie Phantom to the $500 Masquerade Phantom were available.
The Fort Gibson Education Foundation offered an after-school art program for middle school students. The four-week program introduced students to the basics of drawing, color and portraiture. The foundation is committed to helping fund several special programs, including a middle school drama program, high school robotics program and advanced placement training for teachers.
Pioneer-Pleasant Vale Academic Foundation held a contest to find out "Are You Smarter Than a Pleasant Vale Student?" Contestants,competing against fifth- and sixth-grade students, had the opportunity to answer up to 10 questions in different school subjects with one grand prize question. The competition helped the foundation raise funds for it teacher grants program and establish an endowment.
For archived LEF Roundup stories, click on one of the categories below:
Alumni Involvement
Fundraising
Grants
Partnerships
Programs