Foundation Public Schools Madison’s

Schools
Foundation for Madison’s Public Schools
455 Science Drive, Suite 130
Madison WI 53711
608-232-7820
fmps@fmps.org
www.fmps.org
Presorted
Non Profi t
US Postage Paid
Madison WI
Permit #47
Foundation for Madison’s Public Schools
Foundation for Madison’s Public Schools
Spring 2012
Carl’s Journey to College
Supported by FMPS
As an educator and FMPS board member, Bonnie Augusta
believes that every child should have equal access to educational
opportunities. As temperatures plummeted to frigid levels one
winter, school social workers called Bonnie when they noticed a
drop in attendance of one of their students, Carl*. When Bonnie
investigated his absence, she found him alone at a friend’s house,
unable to trudge through the snow and ice to school because
he did not own a coat. As their relationship developed, Bonnie
learned that Carl had been homeless for more than six months,
living on friends’ couches while working at a local retail store
to support himself. With all of the challenges in his life, school had
become less of a priority as he focused on putting food
on the table and making sure he had a place to sleep. Bonnie knew
Carl had great potential, and she made it her goal to ensure that
Carl graduated from high school and went to college.
Carl’s road to college
was full of obstacles.
Read how FMPS
paved his path.
FMPS has a wide range of funds to ensure that students walk across
the graduation stage in their caps and gowns. Bonnie used the
Foundation’s Nurses’ Emergency Fund to help Carl pay for doctor’s
appointments, she tapped into the Social Workers Fund to purchase
Carl food, and through the Transition Education Program, she was
able to purchase the coat he desperately needed for freezing winter
Thank you to Lindsay, Stone & Briggs for newsletter design and Park Printing House, Ltd of Verona for donating a portion of the printing costs.
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days. Made possible by generous gifts from FMPS donors, Bonnie
believes, “these funds help students, like Carl, overcome barriers and
ensure their future success.”
Thanks to the support Carl received during high school from both
school staff and the Foundation funds, he graduated from high school
and this May will graduate with a double major from the University
of Wisconsin-Madison. By supporting FMPS, you support bright,
promising students like Carl and help them to achieve their dreams. For
more information about how FMPS’ various funds improve students’
lives, both inside and outside the classroom, visit our website.
* “Carl’s” name has been changed to protect his identity and privacy.
Keep Our Schools Moving Forward
Donor Name____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
¨ I prefer my gift remain anonymous.
Address______________________________________________ City_______________________________ State___ Zip Code ______________
Email_______________________________________________________________________Telephone___________________________________
In honor of _____________________________________________________________________________________________ (teacher/educator)
I would like to donate: ¨$50 ¨ $100 ¨ $250 Other: __________________
Photo: Amber Arnold, BRAVA Magazine
Great teachers are the foundation of our schools, and great teachers need the support of the entire community. The Foundation recognizes
educators who go above and beyond to connect with their students. We seek to provide them with the resources they need to inspire
every student to excel. This spring show your gratitude for an outstanding educator who has made a difference in students’ lives. This
is a perfect opportunity for parents to thank a special teacher (or teachers) for helping their child. The Foundation will send the staff
member a personalized card noting that a gift has been made in their honor. The amount of the contribution will not be included on the
card,only that a donation was made in their honor. Please include any special messages you would like us to share with the teacher when
you return this form to the Foundation by Tuesday, May 15.
Moving the Foundation Forward
The Foundation is pleased to introduce Stephanie Hayden as our new Executive Director. She firmly believes that,
“Great schools are fundamental to a community’s strength, and FMPS plays a critical role in supporting schools so that
students have a bright future.”
Stephanie has a long history of working in education and youth-focused organizations. After graduating with a degree
in marketing from Marian University, she worked for various non-profit organizations before becoming the Director
of Communications and Public Affairs for the Racine Unified School District. While there, she directed public relations
efforts for Wisconsin’s fourth largest school district. In 2009, Stephanie moved to the Madison area to become the
Communications Specialist for the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families. During her time there, she worked to improve the lives
of children across Wisconsin by leading a statewide communications and outreach program.
In October 2011, Stephanie transitioned into her new role as Executive Director of the Foundation. She is very excited to lead the Foundation
as it moves forward so that our community and children continue to realize a brighter future. Stephanie is committed to bringing the community
together to support and improve Madison’s public schools and children’s experiences.
Outside of her professional life, Stephanie loves to read, travel, and above all, spend time with her two children Maddy, 9, and Noah, 7. She
remains active in her sorority, Alpha Xi Delta, where she has volunteered on the national, regional, and local level and is strongly committed to
mentoring young women towards professional success as well as actively working with the organization’s national philanthropy, Autism Speaks.
She loves hearing from those passionate about public education, so email her at shayden@fmps.org and share your ideas for the Foundation!
To the ______________________________________________________________________________________(educator’s school) Endowment.
¨ My check is enclosed (Payable to Foundation for Madison’s Public Schools.)
OR ¨ Please charge the amount above to the following credit card:
Visa MasterCard Card Number:________________________________ Expiration Date:______ 3 digit secure code from back of card: ______
To make a gift online, please visit our website: fmps.org.
Please note the teacher and school that the donation is in honor of in the comment section.
Keep up with the Foundation
Join our email list and we’ll share news, stories of success, special offers,
and much more. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter where we
share dynamic videos, photos, and more. Subscribe to our newsletter or link to
our Facebook and Twitter page from our website.
Visit our website
Go to www.fmps.org to learn more
about Foundation programs, fundraising
efforts and programs that make a positive
impact in our schools
Donor Honor Roll: Nick and Sue Dresen
FMPS Briefly
We Have Saved a Seat for You
The Red Trolley is on Track (to Deliver Grants)
Eleven years ago, community leaders and former educators came together to establish the Foundation
for Madison’s Public Schools, creating an organization dedicated to supporting and improving Madison’s
public schools.
Some people believe that good
things come in small packages.
Here at the Foundation,
however, we believe great things
come in big red trolleys. Be on
the watch Tuesday, April 17th
for our volunteers and staff
who will be traveling to schools
throughout Madison in the iconic
Red Trolley. Just as we have done every year since 2003, we will
surprise awardees with a big check for their creative and innovative
projects. This year, the Foundation will be awarding $49,208 to
enrich educational experiences for students across the district.
Educators are the Foundation
Every donor has a unique and personal reason for choosing to make a
gift to the Foundation for Madison’s Public Schools. Two of Madison
public school’s valuable educators, Nick and Sue Dresen, tell their
story about why they believe it is important to support the Foundation
and what it means for the future success of Madison’s students.
What do you do for the Madison public schools?
We are Program Support Teachers in the division of Special
Education. We support special and regular education teachers by
building staff to best support all learners, specifically those students
with disabilities. We are both based on the East side, Sue at the
elementary level and Nick at the middle school level.
Why do you feel it is important to give to the Foundation
for Madison’s Public Schools?
Our community’s most valuable resource is our children. As
budgets continue to dwindle, the funding for innovative, creative,
and progressive projects and programming no longer exists. The
Foundation ensures that teaching staff will continue to have access
to resources which increase student engagement and learning.
How do you think the donations from FMPS have made
a difference in the lives of the children you teach and work
with everyday?
In schools across the city of Madison, the positive effects of the
Foundation are abundant. Through investments in programming,
new system development, school gardens, and community
partnerships it is evident that the Foundation is helping to transform
our public schools. Most importantly, you can see the Foundation’s
impact in the eyes of our students. Their wonderment, excitement
and confidence says that they can accomplish anything!
What advice would you give to someone thinking about
donating to the Foundation?
There is no more important cause than our children, or for those
of us whose children have grown, grandchildren. The Foundation
provides resources, not otherwise available, to foster and grow a
young person’s world. A life-long learner instills those attributes to
their children and others around them. Why should you give? For
our children and their futures!
Join Nick and Sue in supporting Madison’s public schools and
inspiring students by making your gift today!
A simple thank you can never express our appreciation for the
work school district staff do every day preparing students for
success in life. The generosity of district staff extends well beyond
the classroom. The gifts from staff have been essential over the
past eleven years in helping the Foundation support our schools
and enrich our community. This year more than 400 district
employees contributed more than $50,000. Special recognition
goes to Spring Harbor Middle School for the highest percentage
of employees participating. Other schools with high percentages
of employees giving to the campaign were: Gompers Elementary,
Jefferson Middle, Schenk Elementary, and Lindbergh Elementary.
We are grateful for the impact MMSD staff make in our schools
both in the classroom and through gifts to the Foundation. The
generous contributions made by school district staff enables
students to succeed. It is an honor to work with you and we
thank you for your commitment to our schools and our children!
A Principal Experience: New Name, Same Impact
In the spirit of this commitment to education, the Foundation invites you to join us for our seventh
annual Circle of Friends luncheon. Held on Tuesday, May 1 at the Alliant Energy Center, the luncheon
provides guests with an opportunity to learn about the Foundation’s exciting and innovative initiatives
that support our schools and improve our community.
We look forward to celebrating the creativity and innovation in our schools by recognizing MMSD
teachers and staff who received grants from the Foundation for the 2010-11 school year and we’ll
highlight the impact the Foundation has made at Toki Middle School and Hawthorne Elementary School.
There is still time to host a table and invite seven friends to join you at this special event. Alternatively, you can register to be a guest at one
of the Foundation tables. We ask that all guests make a minimum gift of $100. Investments made today will benefit Madison’s public schools
for years to come. For more information, please call the Foundation at 232-7820.
Every gift to the Foundation is important and appreciated. By donating to this year’s Circle of Friends, you will be helping the Foundation
to achieve its goal of creating a brighter future for our students.
Thank you to the 2012 Circle of Friends sponsors and table captains who have already committed to investing in the future success of our
students and community.
2012 Circle of Friends Sponsors
Underwriter of
Madison’s public schools
Bob and Nan Brien
Herzing University
MG&E
Foundation
Supporter of
Madison’s public schools
Tom and Nancy Mohs
American Family
Insurance
University Research
Park, Inc.
Alice Benn
Special thanks to Andy
Garcia Productions, Full
Compass Systems and
Lindsay, Stone & Briggs.
Associated Bank
Boardman & Clark LLP
Summit Credit Union
MMSD
Management Team
Carousel Andrea Bayrd
Betsy Huebel
Mohs, MacDonald,
Widder, Paradise
& Van Note,
Attorneys
Jane Belmore
John Icke
Alice Benn
Sari Judge
Jane Boutelle
Mary Kay Johnson
Doug Bradley
Karen Knetter
Bob and Nan Brien
Lawrie Kobza
Darcy Burke
Howard Landsman
Mary Burke
Elaine Lohr
Carol Carstensen
Annette Miller
Karen Christianson
Joy Miller
Karen and Alan Crossley
Beth Moss
Sara Investment
Real Estate
Carl and Eve Degen
Deb Neff
Sue Denholm
Kathie Nichols
St. Mary’s Hospital
Peter Dohr
Darlene Olson
Stafford Rosenbaum LLP
Jessica Doyle
Stickney & McIlwain at
Lincoln Financial Group
Nancy Evans
Marveen and
Russell Phelps
UW Health
Clyde Gaines
WEA Trust
Peg Geisler
Wipfli LLP
Barb Gerlach
Woodman’s Food Market
Robert Gibson
Individual Table
Captains
Bruce and Marsha Gregg
Anne Arnesen
Sandy Gunderson
Physicians Plus Insurance
Corporation and
Meriter Health
Services, Inc.
The QTI Group
For the past eight years, the
Foundation has offered a
unique hands-on opportunity
for community leaders to
visit our public schools
and experience a day in
the life of our principals.
When FMPS held the first
“Principal for a Day” event,
we were assisted by an
2011 Principal Partner Steve Sparks
education organization in
from St. Mary’s Hospital and Lincoln
New York. Last year, we
Elementary Principal Deborah Hoffman
were notified by the New
York group that they had
trademarked the name “Principal for a Day,” and we could no
longer use it unless we paid an annual fee.
CUNA Mutual Group
In October, the Foundation’s Board of Directors voted to change the
name of our event to “A Principal Experience” and those community
leaders who participate referred to as “Principal Partners.” The
new name reflects the high esteem in which we hold our school
leaders and demonstrates our hope that the partnerships between
the school and community leaders lasts long after the day is over.
Plans have already begun for this year’s Principal Experience, which
will be held on Tuesday, October 16. If you would like to be a 2012
Principal Partner, please contact us. No matter the name, we are
confident this event will continue to lead to valuable communityschool partnerships that ensure Madison’s tradition of excellent
schools for years to come.
American Transmission
Company
Greater Madison
Chamber of Commerce
Anchor Foundation, Inc.
Johnson Bank
Barbara Arnold
Driftless Studio: Nature
Gallery & Gifts
Kammer Consulting,
LLC
Bonnie Augusta
Betty Harris Custer
and Corkey Custer
Sue Bakke
Steve Hartley
The Great Dane Pub &
Brewing Co., Inc.
Lindsay, Stone & Briggs
Mary Bartzen
Stephanie Hayden
Madison College
Foundation, Inc.
Mary Kay Battaglia
Liz Heiner
Godfrey & Kahn S.C.
Group Health
Cooperative of South
Central Wisconsin
Physicians Plus Insurance
Corporation
Stickney & McIlwain at
Lincoln Financial Group
Corporate Table
Captains
Access Community
Health Centers
Badger Rock Middle
School
Boardman & Clark LLP
Edgewood College
Stone House
Development
First Business Bank
Sub-Zero Wolf, Inc
Forte Research
Systems, Inc.
Advocate of
Madison’s public schools
J. H. Findorff & Son,Inc.
Full Compass Systems
RBC Wealth
Management
Karen Falkner
Mary Gulbrandsen
Chris Hodge
Hannah Pinkerton
Kathy Price
Charles and Helen Read
Judy Reed
Rae Rocca
Melissa Scholz
Dean and
Orange Schroeder
Carol Toussaint
Marlys Sloup and
Dale Wortley
James Tye and
Pam Reichelderfer
Martha Vukelich-Austin