IMPACT NEWSLETTER
May 2020
President's Message
The PPS Foundation is so grateful for the generous and continued support from the Peoria community that has allowed us to help thousands of students, even during these uncertain times. Check out the video below to hear an update from Foundation President Cindy Morris.
Sponsors Needed for our Little Free Pantries!
Through the generosity of private donors and grant funds, we have been able to keep our 17 Little Free Pantries well stocked for families in need. Currently, we have sponsors for 13 of our pantries, and would love to find four more!

Sponsors are responsible for checking on and filling the pantries with non-perishable food and/or hygiene products. We also have some organizations who collect items for the pantries and we arrange a pick up. If you're interested in helping, we'd be grateful for whatever support you can provide.

For more information on how to get involved, p lease e-mail our Adopt-A-School coordinator at sarah.oakford@psd150.org . Click below to see a current list of pantries and their sponsors or to donate funds for the pantries.

Congratulations to our 8th Grade Horizons students!
To our 8th grade Horizons students -

We've watched you grow over the last three years and couldn't be more proud of the young adults you are becoming. We will miss you at our middle school Horizons classes next year but know that you will all do well in high school. Congratulations on completing your middle school years and keep reaching for your goals!
Congrats to our Deirdre Purcell Collins Award Recipients!
(First set of pictures: Hannah Carruthers, Samantha Ash, and Leyna Tafoya. Second set of pictures: Dynasty Smith, Madison Adler, and Xia Sykes)
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 at the end of 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!

  • 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
Congrats to the 2020 PPS Foundation's
Scholarship Recipients!
Another Way to Support PPS Students
The PPS Foundation now has sets of 8 note cards available for $25. All proceeds go to support Peoria Public School students. Each of these cool note cards features a drawing of a cactus or flower done by a PPS student. Get yours today by clicking the button below.
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)