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.
The Claremore Public Schools Foundation will soon celebrate the completion of its 2011 Technology Initiative. After meeting with district administrators to identify the district’s greatest needs, the foundation launched an initiative to provide and install LCD projectors in each district classroom that didn’t already have one. “Not only does it meet many teachers’ needs, but it also provides the ‘springboard’ piece of equipment for technology enhancements such as SmartBoards and MOBIs (mobile interactive whiteboards) without depleting grant funds,” said foundation director Marla Lillie. “Teachers who want those enhancements will have more grant funds available to purchase them because the cost associated with the LCD projector will already have been addressed. The district can purchase LCDs in bulk, saving money and standardizing the equipment and replacement lamps. Installations can be done with electrical runs over extended areas instead of ‘one at a time,’ resulting in cost savings and reduced classroom disruption. “
Marla Lillie, executive director of the Claremore Public Schools Foundation, and Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence trustee Frank Robson met with members of the Inola Education Enrichment Foundation, a relatively new organization. Lillie and Robson shared ideas and provided attendees with information about Claremore's 23 years of foundation history. Robson was instrumental in assisting Rosalie Griffith establish the foundation.
Jenks Public Schools Foundation hosted live and silent auctions, with proceeds benefiting foundation programs, such as Classroom Grants for Teachers, Vision of Excellence Awards, Employee Appreciation Banquet, Student Support and JA BizTown for all 5th grade students. The annual dinner and auction event, Treasure Island, was held at the Jenks Aquarium. An online auction was also available and included items such as spring break camp at Gilcrease Museum, a golf swing analysis, the opportunity for high school students to pick a teacher for the following school year, a variety of wines and a remodeling project by a residential design/build remodeling specialist.