LPS Education Foundation

Livonia Public Schools Education Foundation has once again been selected to be the recipient of MOD Pizza’s “Spreading the MODness” charitable campaign as the holiday season kicks off near the end of November.

MOD Pizza, located at 13229 Middlebelt, just south of Schoolcraft, will generously donate $1 for every pizza sold between Tuesday, November 22 through Sunday, November 27 to the LPS Education Foundation.

The LPS Education Foundation is non-profit organization that contributes to the success of Livonia Public Schools students and staff by providing funds for classroom grants and the unique Competitive Edge College Savings Program that is offered to all LPS kindergarteners as a way to kick start their college savings. The Foundation also supports literacy in the elementary grades, through a tutoring program that helps strengthen students’ literacy while making connections with caring adults in the community. For more information about the LPS Education Foundation, please visit lpsfoundation.org.

“We are hopeful that all LPS families find the time to stop by MOD Pizza at least once, between November 22 and November 27 to support this wonderful fund-raising opportunity offered to the Foundation,” said Diane Policelli, LPS Education Foundation president. “We’re so very thankful to MOD Pizza for selecting the Foundation as the recipient of its ‘Spreading the MODness’ campaign again this year!”

Recently the Foundation took part in an open house at the Livonia Recreation Center. Liz Jarvis and Paul Condon are shown here promoting the foundation with a poster, banner and literature hand outs.  Many people stopped by to get information about our Competitive Edge and Grant programs.  “We are grateful to the Parks and Recreation Department for allowing us to participate in this community event” said Condon.

DFCU Financial and the LPS Education Foundation are in perfect rhythm when it comes to providing learning opportunities for students in Livonia Public Schools.

Financial support such as that from DFCU Financial allows the LPS Education Foundation to offer classroom grants to teachers who vie for these coveted resources.

DFCU representatives saw, heard and felt, first-hand, the impact the classroom grants are making when they recently visited a Kennedy Elementary third-grade music class directed by teacher Don Stromberg.

Students played tubano drums, which were purchased through two grants from the LPS Education Foundation. The World Drumming program, designed by Dr. Will Schmid, is incorporated into the K-4 curriculum.

“The benefits of World Music Drumming involve many skills that will be required in the 21^st century workplace, which include critical thinking, creative problem solving, effective communication, and the value of self in the synergy of a group,” stated Stromberg in his grant application. “Drumming also requires students to practice their memorization skills and provides each child an outlet for self-expression. The mind-body-spirit activity has been proven to enhance social skills, mental and emotional health and increase academic performance.”

Research has also shown a strong correlation between music and the development of language arts and mathematical literacy skills.

The LPS Education Foundation’s Competitive Edge college savings program would not exist without the generous support from Livonia Public Schools employees, PTAs, PTSAs, citizens and corporate donors such as Drs. Shaw and Jane Orthodontics in Livonia.

Dr. Randall Shaw and Dr. Nicole Jane, Livonia Orthodontists, http://www.TheBigSmile.com, recently announced that their orthodontic practice, located on Seven Mile Road, west of Farmington Road, is continuing its long-term support of the LPS Education Foundation with a $1,000 donation, as part of a 10-year, $10,000 commitment to the non-profit organization that benefits Livonia Public Schools students, staff and families.

“It is this kind of support that makes a significant impact on our premiere program, the Competitive Edge college savings program, which now funds college savings accounts for more than 1,700 LPS students,” said LPS Education Foundation President Diane Policelli.

The unique Competitive Edge program offers a 529 educational trust account for families of kindergarten students who enroll in the program. The LPS Education Foundation contributes $100 on behalf of each student. Additional annual contributions are made by the Foundation as the budgets allow.

Dr. Shaw and Dr. Jane support the idea of giving local families a “competitive edge” in college savings planning and they truly value the importance of obtaining a college education – both having completed eight years of college in obtaining their bachelor’s and dental degrees, in addition to 2-3 years of additional orthodontic specialty education.

“It means a lot to us, to have the support of such fine business and community members like Dr. Shaw and Dr. Jane,” said Policelli. “Their ongoing commitment is truly valued and we are happy to call them our partners in the Competitive Edge program.”

To help bolster local education in southeast Michigan, Community Financial Credit Union announced it has donated funds to a number of school district foundations through the credit union’s Community Shares program.

Community Shares, founded in 1999 to serve communities in southeast and northern Michigan, facilitates donations to school projects, functions and foundations. The credit union has made $25,500 in donations spread among eight school districts in 2015.

Included in this donation were dollars to help fund grants through the Livonia Public Schools Education Foundation, the Northville Educational Foundation and the Novi Education Foundation.

Grants also helped the Plymouth-Canton Educational Excellence Foundation, including East Middle School’s music program.

“Our local schools are the backbone of strong communities here in Michigan, and so we feel it is important to give back to the communities that have been so good to us,” said Community Financial community relations manager Natalie McLaughlin. “We know that funding for our school districts is a constant challenge, so we’re happy to help support educational needs wherever we can.”

Working with school districts to identify programs in need of financial support, Community Financial also made donations to the Livonia Public Schools Education Foundation, the Northville Educational Foundation and the Novi Education Foundation.

Published by O&E Media 12/3/15

View photos of this event

The LPS Education Foundation recently attended a ribbon cutting and check presentation ceremony at the new MOD pizza located on Middlebelt road in Livonia.  The ribbon cutting event was sponsored by the Livonia Chamber of Commerce. The Schostak Family Restaurant Group held a “Pay What You Like” fundraiser a couple weeks prior and raised a total of $6,700.00 for the foundation.  That donation accompanied by the recent Applebee’s fundraiser put their total donation over $7,000.00. “We are thrilled and honored by the generosity of the Schostak Family Restaurants and the Livonia community for their support” said Paul Condon a member of the Foundation Board.

The LPS Education Foundation’s Competitive Edge college savings program would not exist without the generous support from Livonia Public Schools employees, PTAs, PTSAs, citizens and corporate donors such as DFCU Financial.

DFCU Financial has continued its long-term support of the LPS Education Foundation with a $10,000 donation – as part of its 10-year, $100,000 commitment to the Foundation, a non-profit organization that benefits Livonia Public Schools students, staff and families. The donation marks the eighth year of this commitment, and LPS Education Foundation President Diane Policelli couldn’t be more grateful.

“Their support has made a significant impact on our premiere program, the Competitive Edge College Savings Plan, which now funds college savings accounts for more than 1,400 LPS students,” said Policelli.

The unique Competitive Edge program offers a 529 educational trust account for families of kindergarten students who enroll in the program. The LPS Education Foundation contributes $100 on behalf of each student. Additional annual contributions are made by the Foundation as their budgets allow.

DFCU Financial supports the notion of giving families a “competitive edge” in college savings planning and promoting financial well-being at a young age.

“Financial literacy is important to our organization, so anything we can do to support that, as students are still learning, makes sense,” said Peggy Richard, director of public relations for DFCU.

She notes that the contribution to the LPS Education Foundation is part of the DFCU’s $500,000 commitment, over a 10-year period, to educational foundations all around Michigan.

“We really put our money where our mouth is,” said Richard. “Many foundations are using the funds for math programs and literacy, so it ties perfectly. It makes sense for a financial institution to support education and help children to have successful futures.”

DFCU Financial is a founding partner of the LPS Education Foundation.

“We are so grateful for their ongoing support that has been such a tremendous benefit to our students, families and our community,” said Policelli.

To learn more about the LPS Education Foundation or its Competitive Edge program, visit lpsfoundation.org.

Photo caption:

Smiling students in Michelle Adams’ kindergarten class at Buchanan Elementary were joined by: (From left) Mark Shobe, DFCU president and CEO; Michelle Adams, Buchanan Elementary kindergarten teacher; Theresa Aquino, DFCU vice president, Livonia branch manager; Patricia Kornylo, DFCU senior member relations representative and LPS Education Foundation Board of Directors member; Diane Policelli, LPS Education Foundation president; Laura Carino, principal, Buchanan Elementary; and Dr. Randy Liepa, Livonia Public Schools superintendent.