IMPACT NEWSLETTER
April 2020
President's Message
We know things are very different right now, but the PPS Foundation is still working hard to ensure that PPS students, staff and schools are getting what they need. Check out the video below to hear about what we've been up to this past month!
The PPS Foundation's primary mission is to support the well-being of our students and families. During these unprecedented times, we are asking for your help to do this. An important food resource for our community is our Little Free Panties, which are located at many of our schools. We keep these stocked for the use of our community and students. If you would like to help, please consider donating to the Little Free Pantries Fund by clicking on the button below.
A list of Little Free Pantry locations can be found HERE .
Horizons Students Receive Fun Surprise in Mail!
Our Horizons staff is incredibly dedicated to their Horizons students and miss them very much. A few weeks ago, each of our nearly 800 middle school Horizons students received a DIY comic book in the mail. Many staff members also sent personal notes to the students in their class to check in. We look forward to hopefully seeing everyone in person next school year!
The PPS Foundation's annual Golf Outing is on Monday, June 22nd. All the money raised at this important 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.

We are currently accepting registration for golf foursomes and event sponsorships. Click on the image above to register online or visit the PPS Foundation's website at www.ppsfoundation.org/events to print off a copy of the registration card to mail. Thank you in advance for your support of this event!
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.

Typically, we hold an awards reception in April to recognize the achievements of these amazing young women but this year we decided to cancel in order to keep everyone safe and healthy. If you see any of the young ladies listed below, please be sure to congratulate them on this achievement! We hope to have pictures of the recipients for next month's newsletter.

  • Calvin Coolidge Middle School: Alex Kelly & Cherish Martin
  • Glen Oak Community Center: Nina Owens & Sarah Serrato
  • Harrison K-8 School: Emily Gabriel & Noemi Ochoa
  • Lincoln K-8 School: Kira Holloway & Londynn Rich
  • Lindbergh Middle School: Madison Adler & Leyna Tafoya
  • Mark Bills Middle School: Emma Copes & Kaliyah Jackson
  • Rolling Acres Middle School: Samantha Ash & Ailon Gallion
  • Roosevelt Magnet School: Christina Marie Hill & Aaliyah Morgan
  • Sterling Middle School: Hannah Carruthers & Lexi Satchfield
  • Trewyn K-8 School: Elizabeth Bartholomew & Lon Haevyn Williams
  • Von Steuben Middle School: Tajyhia Johnson & Dynasty Smith
  • Washington Gifted Middle School: Olivia Hauri & Xia Sykes
The Randy Simmons Scholarship Fund is held at the PPS Foundation. This Golf Outing is raising money so that this fund can continue to annually award scholarships to a graduating senior from each of the PPS high schools. Please consider participating in this fun event.

Not able to attend? You can still donate to the scholarship fund by CLICKING HERE.
Keeping Connected through Facebook
One of the ways the PPS Foundation is staying connected to our PPS families is through our Facebook page . Be sure to like our page to stay up to date with our activities and events. We've also been running weekly contests so be sure to check those out. Congrats to our contest winners from this past month!

  • Spring Art Contest - Winner of an art kit: Kobbina Techie (PPS 1st Grader)
  • PPS Teacher Appreciation - Winner of a gift card to CxT: Sarah Hall (Valeska)
  • TikTok Contest - Winner of a gift card to Avanti's: Chrissy Smith & kids (PPS family)

Update on this year's Classroom Grant funds
If you are a current PPS Foundation grant recipient, originally you were suppose to use your classroom grant funds by April 30th. However, we want to provide flexibility for you during this time. If you have not used your funds yet, we will extend the deadline for you to use them to September 30th. Please e-mail jennifer.adler@psd150.org so she can make a note on your grant file. Thanks!
PPS Foundation's Board of Directors:
Andre Allen, Ruth Bittner, Solivian Dismuke, Maarten de Haas, Scott McCord,
Daniel Musisi, Josh Newell, 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), Anne Kennedy (See it. Be it. Coordinator),
Allison Coulter (Horizons), Ella Dancey (Horizons), and Jen Maushard (Horizons)