Strong Schools. Strong Community. CAMPAIGN 2014-2018
Decatur City Schools
F o u n d at i o N
Our Purpose The Decatur City Schools Foundation works with the community to provide funding for innovative programs that go above and beyond the standard curriculum. We seek funding for projects that help increase student achievement and build accountability within Decatur City Schools.
$2 million+ in funding to Decatur City Schools since our founding in 1992.
HOW WE SELECT PROJECTS Does it meet our mission and current goals? Will it provide measurable results? Will it be sustainable?
HOW WE GET INPUT Board of Education Donors Central Office Teacher Advisory Council Community Superintendent Principals DCSF Board Members
HOW WE MEASURE PROGRESS The Foundation partners with the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama (PARCA) for annual analysis of our system compared to neighboring systems and peer systems across the state. We also receive data from DCS for individual projects.
Strong Schools. Strong Community. We believe that every student deserves a chance to succeed. And we believe that the future well-being of our community starts with our schools. That’s why, in 2009, we kicked off our capital campaign,
It Starts With Our Schools, that focused on increasing student achievement and addressing areas of need within our school system. Because of generous donors, collaboration with the school system, and the support of this community, we reached our goal of giving $1 million back to Decatur City Schools through innovative programs and initiatives that make a difference. Not only did we meet our financial goal, we saw positive and impactful results. As the It Starts With Our Schools campaign comes to a close, we can’t dream of stopping what we started. Our new five year campaign will capitalize on the accomplishments of It Starts With Our Schools, and take them one step further. We will continue to… strengthen our schools and our community as well.
2010 – 2014
Campaign Results
$1,152,547 TOTAL IMPACT Campaign Funds & Grants
INNOVATION PROGRAM
$162,810 FOCUS Increase student achievement in math and reading at the elementary level through Leader in Me, professional development and student intervention
SCOPE 5 elementary schools + 3 years
IMPACT
Significant increase in ARMT test scores
Through the initiatives of this program,
Austinville student Keyshauna Hall became a leader at her school. Keyshauna now works on a sixth grade math level, and is thought of daily as a student who can be trusted with leadership positions. Without the privilege of being a part of this program, Keyshauna and others may not have made such a dramatic change, both academically and socially. “Being a part of the Innovation Program has brought about many wonderful changes at Austinville Elementary School. Not only has the opportunity greatly increased test scores and encouraged student motivation, it has changed the overall climate and feeling of our school.”
—Beth Hales, Principal at Austinville Elementary
CLASSROOM TECHNOLOGY
$416,850 FOCUS Address and reverse trends of declining test scores, low attendance, and increased discipline referrals that traditionally begin in 5th grade through a 1 to 1 netbook program
SCOPE 805 netbook computers 805 5th grade students 12 elementary schools
IMPACT
Based on positive results, technology for every student is now in place for grades 4-8 with a true 1 to 1 in grades 5-8 and carts with netbooks for use in grade 4.
“Having netbooks in my room has had such a positive impact on my students’ technological knowledge and comfort level. Every day I hear at least one of my students explaining something that he or she has researched in class. They no longer wait for me to tell them about new things because they can look it up themselves.
This truly gives them the opportunity to be lifelong learners.” —Susan White, 5th Grade Teacher at Woodmeade Elementary
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT Grants & Funding
LEADER IN ME
$135,000 FOCUS Teach students leadership, accountability, responsibility, initiative, problem solving, and teamwork through the 7 Habits of Highly Successful People
SCOPE 4,250 students yearly 351 teachers and administrators 5 years
David Moore, a 5th Grade student at Woodmeade Elementary, has benefited from the Leader in Me program since he started Kindergarten.
IMPACT
Discipline reports have dropped 35% since 2008-2009 school year, 2 schools earned Lighthouse Status from Franklin Covey
Much of his enthusiasm for his school and his future can be attributed to the commitment to using the Leader in Me tools
at Woodmeade. These students are encouraged to reach their full potential daily. “I have learned so much about the 7 Habits and leadership. I came here in Kindergarten and didn’t know anything about being a leader; but I learned fast. Woodmeade has a made a difference in my life. Our school feels like a place where we are encouraged to use our talents and help others.”
OTHER INITIATIVES WE KNOW WE CAN COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVE, 2012: $5,700 The Foundation worked closely with DCS and the Chamber of Commerce to conduct 16 community conversations. Close to 700 citizens participated to give input on the future of the schools. The data gathered as a result of these focus groups was used as a starting point in developing the first ever system-wide strategic plan.
PRE-K GRANT: $100,000 This grant-funded classroom is one of several new Pre-K classrooms established throughout Morgan County for the 2014-2015 school year as part of Starting Strong, an initiative of the Chamber of Commerce. Analysis of existing Alabama reading and math test scores by the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama (PARCA) shows that students who participate in Alabama’s First Class Pre-K program academically outperform their peers once they reach elementary school.
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT Grants & Funding
ENGINEERING PROGRAMS
$105,680 FOCUS Provide real-world hands on engineering experiences for middle and high school students to encourage them to consider careers in STEM (Science Technology Engineering Math)
SCOPE Katie Spillers and Chandler Turner have experienced more than they ever thought through their involvement in engineering courses at Austin High School.
Both girls are considering careers in engineering as a result, and when given the chance to talk about what they’ve learned, their enthusiasm and appreciation for the program couldn’t be more obvious. Instead of thumbing through textbooks and reading about the concepts used in applying engineering skills - they actually get to experience it. From creating 3D models in CAD to helping design a downtown bridge, and creating materials used by NASA, this
Textbooks, robot kits, and materials 437 students 2 high schools 3 middle schools
IMPACT
More and more students are signing up for these classes in our schools resulting in a projected increase in classes offered.
program provides real-life experience and hands-on learning that the students do not soon forget.
ACT PREP: $9,043 Materials and professional development for one classroom at each high school.
DECATUR AUSTIN ROBOTICS COALITION (DARC): $20,000 Through this funding, the DARC team excelled in local, state, and national competitions year after year.
FUND-A-NEED CLASSROOM GRANTS: $14,000 Established Fall 2012 as a vehicle for donors to give directly to classroom needs. Since its establishment over 40 projects have been funded in 14 schools.
FOCUS AREAS Student Achievement Classroom Technology Career Tech Data & Accountability
Strong Schools. Strong Community. Continue Partnership with Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama (PARCA) to ensure data-based measurement and accountability of all initiatives
Expand Grants & Programs to Increase Student Achievement including: Innovation Program to Middle and High Schools Drop-out Prevention Early Learning Opportunities And more‌
Enhance Classroom Technology with Teacher Training and Pilot Programs to Drive Innovation Career Tech to Prepare Students for Local STEM Careers
Help us raise $1 Million over the next 5 years MEASURES OF PROGRESS
Increase in Student Performance Increase in Graduation Rates Decrease in Discipline Rates Increase in College & Career Ready Graduates
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” —Nelson Mandela
The Decatur City Schools and its School Board have initiated a 5-year Strategic Plan that contains aggressive goals for increasing student achievement measured by data such as test scores and graduation rates. The Foundation supports this effort and has developed the
Strong Schools. Strong Community. Campaign to help our students and schools achieve these goals and to establish a culture of innovation throughout our school system. BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2013-2014 Jeff Brown
Mary Ila Ward
Angie Morris
Doug Shoemaker
PRESIDENT
VICE PRESIDENT
TREASURER
SECRETARY
Viveka Awasthi John Coon Ellen Didier Lynn Fowler Charlotte Gregory Beth Jackson
Lisa Jones Lee Lott Will Pebworth David E. Scott Wally Terry
Ex-Officio Dr. Ed Nichols SUPERINTENDENT
Karen Duke BOARD OF EDUCATION PRESIDENT
Lorrianne Curtis-Sparkman CITY PTA PRESIDENT
Jesslyn Reeves EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
www.decaturcsf.org PO Box 1224 | Decatur, AL 35602 | 256-616-1734 The Decatur City Schools Foundation is a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit organization. All contributions are tax deductible as allowed by law. Photography donated by Ellis B. Chenault Studios | Design donated by Red Sage Communications, Inc.