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2013 BPSF District Awards Banquet |
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What is the Bethany Public School Foundation? |
An Educational Endowment... The Bethany Public Schools Foundation was established on October 15, 1997. It is a broad based,
non-profit, community organization whose purpose is to secure and distribute contributions from
individuals, corporations, and foundations for the benefit of the students in the Bethany Public Schools.
The Foundation's intent is to highlight the achievement of students, teachers, and district
administrators and advocate for what is positive in the public school system.
Mission Statement To provide Encouragement and Resources to Enhance and Enrich the Educational Opportunities of the Students and Faculty of Bethany Public Schools. 
The Importance of Education... Bethany is a community that believes education is vitally important and that the quality of education is reflected both in individual success and in the success of the community. Academic Projects... The Grants-to-Teachers Program provides teachers with grants for the development and implementation of innovative teaching projects. Teachers will submit ideas for the projects to the Allocation Committee who prioritize grants based on imaginative projects which inspire students, generate enthusiasm, and promote academic excellence. |
I love being able to serve on the Bethany Public Schools Foundation. In the capacity of Co-Treasurer, I enjoy seeing the efficiency with which the Foundation is able to return money to all three schools - the elementary, the middle school, and the high school. Our patrons simply work too hard supporting the Foundation, so we make sure the dollars are spent wisely.
On average, the Foundation raises about $30,000 each year, and returns roughly $15,000 each year in classroom grants, $8,000 in classroom money to teachers, $5,000 in other school support, and $2,000 in student scholarships. The grants are exciting because teachers or teams of teachers are passionate about custom proposals they have developed that will enrich the learning experience of our students. Classroom money to teachers allows teachers to obtain items for their rooms that otherwise would have come out of their own pocket. Other school support is provided to various student groups who assist with Foundation events. The student scholarship money is the capstone to the Foundation's support of academic excellence in the Bethany Public School system.
The Foundation uses four primary fund-raisers throughout the year to achieve these goals. The annual banquet and silent auction is an exciting and fun evening each May that raises approximately $20,000 for the school. The Fourth of July parking event and the Annual Philharmonic Concert in Bethany are the two other public events. The fourth primary fund-raiser is comprised of donations through either one time giving or through our convenient monthly bank draft and/or PayPal program.
I would encourage everyone to visit the new bpsforkids.org website to see the various Foundation programs in text, videos, and pictures. In this way, you can choose the best opportunity for you and your family to get involved. It's as easy as marking the date for the banquet and philharmonic concert, signing up for a $5/month donation, and giving a donation at the July 4th Eldon Lyon parking lot. Also, if you own a business or work for an employer who would like to become involved with Bethany Public Schools, please contact any one of your Foundation Trustees. We would be glad to identify specific projects or grants an employer could fund and for which we would provide specific recognition.
Your support will continue to help keep our school in the top 5% of the schools in Oklahoma, which will benefit all of our children, our community, and our collective future.
Respectfully,
David J. Long |
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