Mid-Del Public Schools Foundation: established 1989
Executive Director: Lindse Barks
District Serves: 14,334 students (2018) with 15 elementary schools, 5 middle schools, 3 high schools
Great Idea to Share: Foundation Friday T-Shirts
The Mid-Del Public Schools Foundation was excited to celebrate their 30th anniversary as an organization this year. Executive Director Lindse Barks was looking for ways to celebrate, and also to increase visibility in the community.
"Though the foundation has been around for 30 years now we are not always well known in our community or even in our schools. I was blown away my first year when I had teacher after teacher tell me they had no idea we existed or about our teacher grant program," Barks said.
Looking to make an impact district wide, the foundation decided to update their logo, and make T-Shirts for all Mid-Del staff for free to celebrate the 30th. In addition, the district agreed that the first Friday of each month could be Foundation Friday T-Shirt day, with employees free to wear their new shirts. It has been a huge success. Photos of the Friday challenge were shared extensively on social media, providing another visibility boost in the community.
"Foundation Fridays were awesome, but what was better was seeing our shirts constantly, not just on Fridays. I can't think of better way to advertise our new logo in the community. We had shirts available to purchase but we mostly gave them away at parades, football games, or different Mid-Del events. I also ordered shirts for every board member, and they would wear them to any Mid-Del event, or just around town," Barks said.
The success of Foundation Friday T-Shirts has helped transform teacher and community perception, as they now understand the role of the foundation and see it as a group that works hard for Mid-Del success.