IMPACT NEWSLETTER

May 2022
President's Message
Check out the message below from PPS Foundation President, Cindy Morris!
Join us for our Annual Golf Outing!
NEW THIS YEAR - 9 Holes in the morning OR 18 holes in the afternoon!

We are looking forward to another fun year of golfing to support Peoria Public Schools. Click the button below for more information or to register your team today!
Meet our New Adopt-A-School Coordinator!
We are very excited to introduce Janet Ham as our new Adopt-A-School Coordinator! Janet is a PPS parent who was recently president of Whittier Primary School's PTO. She has spent over 18 years working for big 4 audit companies in management consulting, doing everything from operational audits to business process improvement to internal regulatory compliance. In the last few years, Janet has dedicated her time to her kids' school activities and advocating for a new playground at Whittier Primary School, which was installed in the summer of 2021. We are confident that Janet brings a strong skillset to help reenergize our Adopt-A-School program.

We recently sat down with Janet and asked her some questions so that our PPS community could get to know her better.
 
Thanks for talking with us today! Do you have a favorite meal?

I love the Citrus Salad Salmon at Cyd's, I could eat this every day! 

How about the last movie/TV show you watched and loved?

"Kiss the Ground", It's a documentary that had a profound impact on how I view the urgency towards climate change. 

Do you have a favorite type of music or favorite band?

I'm actually not a big music person but do enjoy a variety of genres from classical to pop! 

If you could only have three apps on your smartphone, which ones would you pick?

Amazon, because there's always something I need. Facebook, to see how my friends and family are doing and such a great way to connect with friends. Lastly, the weather... I probably check the weather more than I need to, but things change so fast around here! 

What advice would you give to your high school self?

Not that I would want to hear it then, but I would tell myself not to worry so much about the things you can't change. Just be confident about your choices and don't sweat the small stuff. 

Thanks, Janet! We are so happy to have you as part of the PPS Foundation team and are excited to see your work with the Adopt-A-School program!
For more information or any questions about our Adopt-A-School program, you can contact Janet at (646) 872-9347 or e-mail janet.ham@psd150.org.
Congrats to our 2022 Scholarship Recipients!
This year we were able to provide a total of $39,550 across 32 scholarship award 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!
Deirdre Purcell Collins Math Reception
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 20th we recognize the achievements of these amazing young women. Thank you to Manual High School for allowing us to use their auditorium for the reception this year. In addition, seven of the recipients were also awarded a scholarship to attend classes at ICC's College for Kids this summer. Congrats to all of the recipients!

Check out the list of recipients below (a star next to name means the recipient was also awarded a scholarship to attend ICC's College for Kids):

Calvin Coolidge Middle School:
Aliyah Aguster & Mitrease Chappell
 
Glen Oak Learning Center:
Oliviya Brown & Jasmine Farish*
 
Harrison Community Learning Center:
Ziaja Phillips & Joanna Sebastian Juan
 
Lincoln K-8 School:
Anaya Pallares-Crawford & Amari Williams
 
Lindbergh Middle School: 
Kyrie Bright* & Linda Han
 
Mark Bills Middle School:
Alyssa Anderson & Stacy Lee*
 
Rolling Acres Middle School: 
Kaylen Leary* & Taylor Stokes Johnson*
 
Roosevelt Magnet School:
Natalee Mattern & Robrianna Thompson
 
Sterling Middle School:
Marley Clark* & Jaliyah Williams
 
Trewyn K-8 School:
 KyNaiya Crawford & Quanijah Hall Crawford
 
Von Steuben Middle School:
 Layana Harris* & Gakarias Jenkins
 
Washington Gifted Middle School:
Lilianna Jones & Skye Woo

If you see any of these young ladies, be sure to congratulate them on their awesome achievement!
Congratulations to Jessica Oberholtzer, or Miss Jessica as she is known, for being selected as our Hero of the Month! Miss Jessica is the Family School Liaison at Calvin Coolidge Middle School and is so kind, passionate, and impactful. She is always willing to step in and help as a PPS Foundation liaison for her school. She attends all our Horizons field trips and is instrumental in making those a reality for the Calvin Coolidge students. She is a rockstar HERO for sure! 
Notecards Available for $25 Donation
The PPS Foundation has notecards available with a $25 donation. Keep in touch with your family and friends and support a good cause! The donation will be applied to our Right Now Fund to help students and schools where it is needed most.

A set contains six note cards (plus envelopes) with exclusive artwork created by PPS students. These fantastic pieces were entered into our HeART Facebook Contest and displayed at the Peoria Riverfront Museum!

Notecards can be picked up at the PPS Foundation's office in Junction City Shopping Center. We will send you an email when they are ready!
WE TAKE ONLINE DONATIONS!
Click the picture below to donate.
Ad spots are available on the new electronic sign located on the PPS Stadium property. The sign has great visibility for both eastbound and westbound traffic on War Memorial Drive. $300 per week or $1,000 per month spots are available. Artwork must be in a 2100 x 900 jpg file. The sign is 14 feet wide by 6 feet tall.

All proceeds for sign advertisement go directly to help Peoria Public School's campaign to improve the stadium property. For more information, contact jennifer.adler@psd150.org.
PPS Foundation's Board of Directors:
Dan Adler, Andre Allen, Ruth Bittner, Solivian Dismuke, Maarten de Haas, Alex Elger, Daniel Musisi, Cheryl Sanfilip, and Cathy Wiggers

Ex Officio Board Members:
Dr. Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat (PPS Superintendant) and Mike Murphy (PPS Board of Education)

PPS Foundation's Staff:
Cindy Morris - President
Jen Adler - Administrative Director
Trish O'Shaughnessy - Director of Programming & Community Engagement
Janet Ham - Adopt-A-School Coordinator
Matt Violet - Data and Programming Logistics Coordinator
Annalee Anderson - Career Tech Advocate
Sara Montgomery - Career Tech Advocate
Olivia Smith - Career Tech Advocate