Message from Peoria Public Schools President, Cindy Morris
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On January 9th, we proudly hosted our 5th Annual 365 Breakfast. It was truly amazing for so many reasons. The wonderful breakfast was prepared by our own culinary students, many community stakeholders were present, as well as the first rate district leaders and staff, elected officials, and Foundation leaders and staff.
A true highlight was having Dr. Marquita Furness Davis, of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, as our keynote speaker. She radiated this vibrance and light as a
VERY PROUD
PPS Alum, and super size Manual High School graduate. Hearing her speech about growing up in Peoria Public Schools spoke to me personally. These photos were taken while Dr. Davis and her sister, Solivian Dismuke, toured Manual High School after the breakfast. They walked through the school, with this passion and excitement while reminiscing about the 80's and all the wonderful memories they had made there. These ladies are out there changing the world, and this reinvigorated me beyond measure.
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Thank you for all those who attended our 365 Breakfast on Thursday, January 9th. We have raised nearly $45,000! These funds will provide so many wonderful opportunities for the students of Peoria Public Schools!
Couldn't make it to the breakfast? Check out the video below to find out more information on how your donation helps Peoria Public Schools. Click the button below to send your tax deductible donation to us securely online.
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Congrats to Jitske Miedema-Fox, a PPS Foundation SHERO!
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Our January PPS Foundation "Shero of the Month" award goes to Jitske (Jetty) Miedema-Fox, who is in charge of the Culinary Program at Woodruff Career & Technical Center. Jetty always goes above and beyond with her leadership of this award winning program. Recently, the culinary students provided the breakfast for our 365 Breakfast fundraiser, and it was delicious and very professionally done. Thank you, Jetty, for your dedication to the Culinary Program and all you do for Peoria Public Schools!
This award will be given once a month to an unsung hero or shero in our schools. All heroes and sheroes will be recognized at our Appreciation Reception that will be held on May 14, 2020.
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Foundation Spotlight: Anne Kennedy, "See it. Be it." Coordinator
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The "See it. Be it." career exploration program for PPS primary school students was first piloted last year by Align Peoria. This year the program is now under the Horizons wing of the PPS Foundation. Anne Kennedy is our new coordinator for this program, and she is doing a wonderful job!
Anne is no stranger to District 150 schools. She taught at Charter Oak School for several years prior to "retiring" to raise her family. She and her husband, Tim, have six children ranging in age from seven to twenty-four. Tim is also in education, having worked in several positions in Peoria Public Schools. Now, he is an educational consultant, specializing in assistive technology. Anne never really left teaching when she decided to stay home with her children. During all those years, she ran a tutoring business from her home, working one-on-one with over 100 students. She is excited to be a part of the Peoria Public Schools Foundation this year and coordinating their "See it. Be it." career exploration program.
Welcome to the PPS Foundation, Anne! Please contact anne.kennedy@psd150.org if you would like more information on getting involved with this career exploration program for primary school students.
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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)
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