LPS Education Foundation

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

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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.

Building on its strengths, the LPS Education Foundation is raising its profile by bringing well-known community leaders on to its inaugural Honorary Board.

Members of the Foundation’s Operating Board, led by President Diane Policelli, celebrated the new partnership at a May 12, 2014 breakfast event at Andiamo restaurant. The 28 Honorary Board members were treated to a full overview of the Foundation – and, to plenty of gratitude from Foundation members.

“We want to thank you for showing the community that you support the mission of the LPS Education Foundation,” said Policelli.

The list of Honorary Board members spans local political, business, religious and educational sectors of the community, representing an array of civic and community influence.

The inaugural Honorary Board includes: Livonia Mayor Jack Kirksey, Westland Mayor Bill Wild, State Rep. John Walsh, State Sen. Glenn Anderson, Livonia City Clerk Terry Marecki, Livonia City Treasurer Dennis Wright, former Livonia Mayor Jack Engebretson, former Livonia Mayor Bob Bennett, Ruth Ann Brown, Jim Cambridge, Martin Carter, Steve Courtney, Chuck Dardas, Jim Fausone, Dr. Conway Jeffress, Sister Rose Marie Kujawa, John McElroy, Kathleen McIntyre, John Rogin, Fr. George Shalhoub, Mark Shobe, David Spivey, Carol Strom, Marty Talty, Kit Tennyson, Dan West, John Wilkerson and Brian Wolverton.

Livonia Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Randy Liepa said the LPS Education Foundation is one of the largest in the state, and bringing the Honorary members on board can only enhance its work.

“This is a pretty remarkable organization,” said Liepa. “Your efforts are going to allow us to take this to the next level.”

Liepa added that the recent external review for district-wide accreditation by AdvancED specifically noted the strong community partnerships that help support Livonia Public Schools.

The LPS Education Foundation was established a decade ago, and offers several key programs for students and staff of the school district, including the Competitive Edge College Savings Program, which now has 1,300 participants; and the newly established teacher classroom grants, which distributed $25,000 to 12 LPS teachers earlier this school year.

One of those grants went to Frost Middle School music director Michael Rais, for a Side-by-Side Classroom experience through Skype sessions with musicians. One session allowed students to participate in an instructional clinic with the composer of a piece the students were going to perform at a festival competition.

“(The grant) allowed me and my students to take education to another level,” said Rais. “I’m able to bring the world into my classroom with the click of a button.”

Other programs of the LPS Education Foundation include the ever-popular Bounce Back to School event, attended each year by more than 1,000 students and their family members. The event is a fund-raiser for the Foundation. This year’s event will be held Thursday, August 21 at Stevenson High School.

The Foundation also hosts a well-attended fund-raiser luncheon each school year, to help support the Competitive Edge College Savings Program.

Visit our Facebook page for more photos:  www.facebook.com/LPSFoundation

The LPS Education Foundation is stronger than ever, with continuous corporate and community support that reaches far to assist Livonia Public Schools students, families and educators.

The district is fortunate to have this growing support of the Foundation, which is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing financial assistance for innovative programs and services in Livonia Public Schools.

In keeping with that focus, the Foundation recently started a new and exciting teacher grant program.  In total, 12 teachers received a combined $25,000 to use for innovative teaching strategies, projects and programs in their classrooms.  The grants will benefit the district’s youngest preschoolers, all the way up through high school students.  They will be used for a variety of projects, including a World Music Drumming program at Grant Elementary; digital story-telling, using mini iPads; support for the Leader in Me initiatives and more.

Coinciding with the grant program this past fall, the Foundation also unveiled its new logo and its official new name, the LPS Education Foundation, as an outward sign of its strong pledge to supporting quality education provided by Livonia Public Schools.

“Our primary focus to date has been to fund the Competitive Edge College Savings Plan, which continues to be the premier program offered by the Foundation,” said Foundation president Diane Policelli.

That program offers a Section 529 college savings account for each new kindergarten student enrolled in the Livonia Public Schools.  The Competitive Edge plan establishes an educational trust account for participating students and a donation from the Foundation is deposited in their accounts.  Over 1,000 students presently have this unique savings account.

Both programs only exist due to the generous contributions by community partners, including; Alpha Group; Bill Brown Ford, Inc.; Bright House Networks, LLC; Cheryl Bowker Agency – Allstate Insurance; DFCU Financial; LPS Employees; LPS PTA’s/PTSA’s; Michigan Educational Credit Union; Michigan Educational Savings Plan – TIAA-CREF; The Orthodontics Office of Dr. Shaw and Dr. Jane; Parkside Credit Union; Ralph Thayer Automotive; Roush Industries; St. Mary Mercy Hospital – Livonia; St. Mary’s Cultural and Banquet Center; TRW Automotive; Westland Shopping Center.

“We are very thankful for the many individuals and institutions that have contributed to the Foundation over the past years,” Policelli said.

The primary fund-raisers for the Foundation are the luncheon (sponsored by St. Mary Mercy Hospital – Livonia and St. Mary’s Cultural and Banquet Center) and a carnival-like Bounce Back to School event in August.

Bill Brown Ford and Tennyson Chevrolet have both partnered with the LPS Education Foundation!  Each dealer will donate $200 to the Livonia Public Schools Education Foundation for every new or pre-owned vehicle purchased or leased from their dealership when you mention the Foundation. Click here for Bill Brown Ford details Click here for Tennyson Chevrolet details