IMPACT NEWSLETTER
May 2021
President's Message
Check out the May President's Message by Cindy Morris below.
Sign Up Today for the 24th Annual Golf Outing!
Calling all golfers - there's still time to sign up for the PPS Foundation's 24th Annual Golf Outing that is coming up on June 21st!

All the money raised at this event is used by the Foundation to provide everyday essentials for Peoria families. Our Little Free Pantries, emergency funds for students in need, classroom grants, career readiness programs and our college scholarships for graduating seniors all depend on the funds raised at this event as well as our Horizons and Adopt-a-School programs.

Register your foursome online by CLICKING HERE or download a copy of the registration to mail in to our office HERE.
Congrats to our Deirdre Purcell Collins Award Recipients!
Two seventh grade girls from each middle school in the Peoria Public Schools District are selected annually for this recognition. Their selection is based on test scores, classroom performance, and potential for achievement in math-related fields. The Deirdre Purcell Collins Award was established in 2007 and is named in memory of Deirdre Purcell Collins who grew up in Peoria and attended Whittier, Washington, and Manual High School. This award is funded by the Purcell family and administered by the PPS Foundation.
On April 21st we held a socially distanced award reception to recognize the achievements of these amazing young women. We were so happy that we were able to hold this event in person this year!
Check out the list of recipients below, and if you see any of these young ladies, be sure to congratulate them on their awesome achievement!

Also, a star next to a name means that this recipient was also awarded a scholarship to attend ICC's College for Kids this summer. This scholarship is available to any of the current year recipients and allows them to attend a full session of College for Kids classes.

Calvin Coolidge Middle School:
Aniah Douglas* & Tylea Kirkwood
 
Glen Oak Learning Center:
Deriah Cooper & Kiandra Green
 
Harrison Community Learning Center:
Daralee Maciel & Kimberly Fernandez Nieto*
 
Lincoln K-8 School:
Amy Alvarado & Estrella Gutierrez
 
Lindbergh Middle School: 
Miley Ngo & Addison Sharpe
 
Mark Bills Middle School:
Jasmine Bisping & Alisha Lovingood
 
Rolling Acres Middle School: 
Mireya Montesdeoco* & Gabriela Romero*
 
Roosevelt Magnet School:
Aniya Johnson & Nahayven Stringer
 
Sterling Middle School:
Nakyia Owens & Kyleigh Rauen Bouchez
 
Trewyn K-8 School:
Nyanna Payton & Kiara Snow
 
Von Steuben Middle School:
Kayla Little & Riyannah Wright
 
Washington Gifted Middle School:
Lillian Arvin & Lluvia Rodriguez
Congrats to the 2021 PPS Foundation's
Scholarship Recipients!

This year we were able to award a total of $33,250 across 29 scholarship awards for students pursuing education after high school! Next school year's scholarship applications will be available from November 1 - March 1st on our website. Be sure to check out the opportunities available then!
A Special "Take 5" from our 8th Grade Horizons Students!
Each month our Take 5 section highlights different members of our community who support our programs. This month we decided to do a special Take 5 to to share some of the thoughts, hopes, and goals of our 8th grade Horizons students. After a year of change and pivot, it is time to send these amazing students on to high school. We are so proud of each and every one of them and all that they have accomplished!
PPS Foundation HERO of the Month:
Geri Hammer
The PPS Foundation was so pleased to be able to present this well deserved Shero of the Month Award to Geri Hammer. Geri is the Director of Employee Services at Peoria Public Schools and has worked in the district for 39 years. Geri was taken by surprise the morning that we presented the award to her. She is one of the hardest working employees we have in this district, and she is often a behind the scenes leader! The PPS Foundation team has loved working with Geri over the years too. She has helped with making sure our school badges are working properly, getting our email accounts set up for new staff, and runs our staff payroll deductions for our 365 Breakfast. She also provides referrals for our fundraising events and much more. It truly was a special day to give this award to Geri. Congrats and THANK YOU for being so wonderful to work with!
Check Out all the Parks in the Peoria Park District!
 
In the spirit of Discover Peoria, the Peoria Park District has a variety of parks for you and your family to visit for a summer adventure to add to your To-Do list. Hello Summer!
Check Out Buzz Chats: a PPS Foundation Video Series!
Every month we connect with different members of our community to talk about our public schools and how they interact with current events in Peoria.

We recently caught up with Barbara Dawson, Rebecca Shulman, and Karla Wilkinson to talk about activities available for PPS kids this summer. We also chatted with Hedy Elliott-Gardner, a teacher at Lincoln K-8 School and recent Classroom Grant recipient.

Buzz Chats is held on select Thursdays at 6:30 PM and can be viewed via our Facebook page. The conversations are both fun and informative. Check out our Facebook page for more information!
Buzz Chats with Derrick Boothe and Demario Boone from Peoria Public Schools and Peoria County's Regional Superintendent Beth Crider
Another Way to Support the PPS Foundation
Little gifts can be very meaningful. For a $25 donation, you can gift a set of note cards to family and friends to show them how much they are appreciated. Each set contains six note cards (plus envelopes) with exclusive artwork created by a PPS student. We currently have five different sets of note cards available. Plus, your donation will go towards our Right Now Fund which is used for where Peoria Public Schools needs it the most.
Hy-Vee on Sheridan:
an Amazing Partner and Supporter!
One of the big challenges our community is facing during this time is making sure families in need have enough food to eat. The PPS Foundation would like to send a HUGE thank you to Hy-Vee on Sheridan for working with us to provide food and grocery deliveries to PPS families most at risk. We are truly in awe at the amount of support they have provided. Thank you for being so wonderful to work with, Hy-Vee!
PPS Foundation's Board of Directors:
Andre Allen, Ruth Bittner, Solivian Dismuke, Maarten de Haas, Alex Elger
Scott McCord, Daniel Musisi, Cheryl Sanfilip, and Cathy Wiggers

PPS Foundation's Staff:
Cindy Morris (President), Jen Adler (Administrative Director),
Sarah Oakford (Adopt-A-School Coordinator), Trish O'Shaughnessy (Director, Community Engagement & Horizons Program), Allison Coulter (Horizons), and Ella Dancey (Horizons)