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| 549 Family Foundation
Spring 2005 Newsletter |
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| The HIVE has ARRIVED! Check out the new membership board in the gym of Prairie Wind Middle School. The 549 Family Foundation dedicates this sign to the generous, caring people who have made education in the Perham-Dent school district a priority. GIVE TODAY and BEE part of the HIVE!
As neighboring schools strive to reach the high standards set in the Perham-Dent school district, opportunities and programs are widened and built on to raise the bar. Unfortunately, that job has become increasingly more difficult each year dealing with budget shortfalls and cuts and as time goes by, some of the very things that define this district as progressive may be in danger of disappearing. As this unprecedented financial crunch bites into districts across the state, a new trend has begun. Local foundations are being formed for K-12 schools similar to university foundations to help provide funds where funds are needed. Even though the 549 Family Foundation is new to Perham-Dent, it is not a new idea. Here are some of the surrounding communities that either have a foundation up and running, or are in process of getting theirs developed: Barnesville, Elbow Lake, Ashby, Detroit Lakes, Frazee, Hancock, Breckenridge, Wheaton, Underwood, Pelican Rapids, Alexandria, Moorhead, Fergus Falls, Battle Lake, Minnewaska, and Hawley. Most, if not all of you, will give to one or more charities this year. Doesn’t it make sense to start by giving to the one that helps our kids right here in our own community? Every tax-deductible penny that goes to 549 Family, goes directly to support the kids. The bottom line is 549 Family is about all of us trying to help the kids by giving them every possible advantage from an outstanding, well-rounded education in this district. And that means providing our teachers with the tools they need to do the best job possible. The spirit in which this foundation was formed is well intended. The potential of what we can do together as a village is unlimited. Please join the 549 Family TODAY! How to Direct Your Donation Contributors over $1000.00 may give to the general fund to be distributed as needs and priorities are recognized; or earmark their donation for any specific cause, program, or items they choose. Contributors under $1000.00 may give to the general fund to be distributed as needs and priorities are recognized; or earmark their donation toward one or more of the following 4 categories:
February 10, 2005 Dear 549 Family Members, We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for all the time and support you have been able to offer the 549 Family Foundation in the past. With your help, ISD 549 has been supplemented with over $142,700.00 in grants from 549 Family. Those grants have filled needs which were not able to be met by the school budget. In the future it is possible our funding will only become increasingly vital to maintain the high standards the communities within this district expect. As 549 Family grows and learns how to better communicate with the community, we realize we need to keep you, our members, better informed and up to date on plans. Several issues have been addressed and improved over the course of the past year including the grant application process, the website information, the publicity for name recognition, and finding imaginative ways to increase community support. It is now our intention to solidify a better system for communicating and housekeeping for our memberships. Since we prefer to spend contributions on the school and not postage, we are asking members to please provide us with an e-mail address so we can quickly, effectively and inexpensively pass on important information. The 549 Foundation will send out periodic bullets on activities, grants given and reunion information. The e-mail list will not be available to outside parties and the foundation will not abuse the privilege of your contact information with constant, bothersome mailings. Using e-mail to communicate also provides you, as members, an easy, quick way to give your input, share ideas, comment or ask questions. Your thoughts and insight can only enhance the efforts being made and we appreciate any input you may have. So please, e-mail the 549 Family Foundation right now at mjaj@eot.com with the e-mail address you wish us to use. We sincerely thank you for your continued support. Best Regards, Jo Strege 3 EASY Things To Help the School that
Honey Bee Gala – A Smash Hit! For a good time, the place to be was the 549 Family Honey Bee Gala – An Investment in Youth on April 23rd, 2005. The event made a big splash for area businesses, residents, alumni and school staff and students. It’s rare to gather to celebrate the good when sometimes all you hear about is the bad. With budget woes and cuts in the press, it’s hard to remember the awesome people that make this district superior to others academically, artistically, and opportunity-wise. And celebrate, we did! More than 250 guests packed into Lakeside Golf Course. Homecoming King & Queen, Tyler Anderson and Michelle Andreen and Snow Week King & Queen, Curt Palubicki and Kassia Pawlowski greeted guests as the event’s hosts and hostesses. Photographers were on hand for that formal picture you’ve always wanted with your honey. Students Randin Olson and Brian Neseth had geographic information system (aerial) photography available to purchase. Students Lee & Taylor Cavanagh and Joe Schornack ran a cool putting contest out on the green. And to add to the buzz of mingling, hors devours, and silent auction shoppers, the guests were entertained by the PHS Stingers Jazz Band, pianist Jennifer Strege, and vocalists Jim Stenger and Amy Kalina. Several student programs and highlights were displayed by an awesome CD compiled by 549 Family board member, Dean Bahls. Included in his work were the PWMS 8th Grade Laurentian Trip, PHS Science Research Team, PHS Environmental Field Research, PHS Gymnastics Team, PWMS 8th Grade Nitrates Testing, PHS Mock Trial Team and PHS Speech Team; many of which have benefited from foundation funding. There were also displays by the PHS Art Department and many PWMS National History Day Exhibits. Old and new trophies speckled the tables for alumni and guests to appreciate. Shonna Fulford, PHS Student Council President, emceed the awards program and kept things moving along smoothly. The crowd was awestruck by the touching and emotional speech of guest speaker, Jenny Aanenson, PHS Class of 1999, who recounted her battles and memories of her schooling at Perham, the teachers and mentors that helped her through it, and the affect and meaning it had for her even now. Jim Miller, PHS Class of 1975, added his brand of humor to the occasion, detailing his change in attitude over the years in regard to supporting the public school system. And he detailed how times have arrived where supporting the school is no longer optional, but required. His message was strong and the laughs were loud!
Special Acknowledgements Thank you to Digital Jam Web Development for sponsoring all the printing and design of our tickets, flyers, posters and programs. Thank you to Sue Eickschen for lending us her talents and patience throughout the planning of this event. Thank you to Nelson’s Confectionery for the wonderful chocolate treats our guests at the gala will enjoy after their meal this evening. They’re a true touch of class. Thank you to Lakes 99five Radio for all the sponsor appreciation ads and extra publicity for the event. Thank you to all our sponsors listed below for their continued support and commitment Last, but certainly not least, a huge thank you to the gala organizing committee who made this event possible and wonderful for the community. Holley Arvig Our Generous Sponsors: 549 SPONSORS: SPONSORS: Meet the Advisory Committee The 549 Family Foundation was formed to support the Perham-Dent school district. Dollars are raised with fundraising events and memberships; and are distributed through a grant application process available on this website. Community members make up the advisory board that decides which grants to support and the amount to use according to the foundation’s guidelines and by-laws. Any district community person can serve on the advisory committee for a 3 year term and may serve 2 consecutive terms. The advisory board meets formally 4 times each year in the months of March, June, September, and December and they have periodic short meetings to process submitted grants. The current advisory board members are David Arvig, Dean Bahls, Cyndy Huber, Brian Mort, Tom Spencer and Bob Wilkowski. Superintendent, Tamara Uselman serves to advise the board and Jo Strege is the foundation coordinator.
549 Family Foundation Golf Tourney Results
Fun Facts about things that happened in Perham School District 549 were placed on each hole sponsor sign and golfers were encouraged to fill out a form about all the great things that happened. All fully completed and correct entries were placed into a drawing. Lyle Bethel was the winner of the trivia contest. For a $5 entry golfers competed in a putting contest. They were given 3 opportunities to make a 20 foot putt to qualify. If no one made the qualifying putt the 549 Family Foundation kept all entries. If anyone made the first putt they were given an opportunity to shoot once at a 35 foot putt. Whoever came closest to making the second putt got half the money raised. Neil Wrangham, Jack Cavanagh and Bruce Hoekstra each made the first putt. Jack Cavanagh came the closest on the second putt and won the putting contest. We had 52 golfers which is up 12 from last year. We had 23 sponsors and increased the total dollars brought in through sponsorships by $200. All expenses haven't been turned in yet so net profit is not known but should exceed $4000. The 549 Family Foundation would like to thank all the golfers and especially our sponsors and ask everyone to please tell the sponsors thank you and to patronize them. Sponsors this year were: Arvig Communication Systems, Back 9 Engineering LLC, Bauck Busing LTD, Energy Services Group, KLN Enterprises, Napa Auto Parts, United Community Bank, Wells Fargo/DL, Ace Hardware, Aim North/ Dakronics, Dean's Country Market, Farmers State Bank, J C Electric, JH Signs & Desings, Karkela Law Office, Lakes Radio Inc, MAin Street Express, Overland Insurance, Perham Printing, The Pines Gifts & Collectables, Zorbaz, Royale Resources Inc, & Schmitz Auto Body & Repair. |
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Box Tops for Education are found on literally hundreds of General Mills products. Each little 1” wide coupon is worth 10c to the school. Schools can make up to $20,000.00 with the Box Tops program. Prairie Wind Middle School kicked off the Box Tops campaign last winter and made nearly $400.00 by March! For a full listing of products that have Box Tops coupons, visit their website at boxtops4education.com or pick up a list at the PWMS office. Box Tops can be dropped off at either PWMS or HOTL schools. Box Tops = Cash for the school!
Computers have become a household staple. Just about everyone has one and many people have several. The ink cartridges for our printers take more and more space in the landfills every year, but these cartridges can be recycled and make the school money at the same time. School District 549 takes part in the Cartridges for Kids program. Used cartridges are sent in to be refilled and the school is paid for the empties. CFK accepts all size cartridges, printer toner cartridges and even used cell phones. For a complete listing, visit their website at cartridgesforkids.com. There are several sites collecting the empty cartridges from the community where they are collected monthly and packed up and sent from PWMS by students. Drop sites include: All 4 district 549 school buildings, Perham Printing, Perham Area Chamber office, United Community Bank, Arvig offices, Farmers Bank of Dent, Carr’s Market in Ottertail, and Vergas State Bank. Please drop off your cartridges to help support the school!
Arvig Communications supports education in many ways. This program is easy and takes less than 1 minute. If you have an e-mail address that ends in eot, arvig, or djam dot com OR net, simply call Scott Lembke at 346-8696 or 500-241-8422 and tell him you wish to participate in the ACS School Partnership Program and designate the 549 Family Foundation as the recipient. As an ACS Internet customer, each month you pay your bill, ACS contributes $1.00 to the 549 Family Foundation. Foundation funds are spent entirely for needs of the school. As a SpeedLINE customer, ACS contributes $2.00 each month you pay your bill. ACS pays $10.00 for a new ACS Internet connection. These contributions do NOT get added to your bill! Register and earn your school CASH!
