Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year! Check out the video below from the PPS Foundation President, Cindy Morris. |
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Our 26th Annual Golf Outing was a Success! |
We had an amazing time at this year's annual Golf Outing on June 26th, which was hosted at the Country Club of Peoria. It was also our most successful year yet! This event is our largest fundraiser, raising funds to support our classroom grants, career exploration programs, basic needs assistance, and so much more.
We are so grateful for the generous support of our sponsors, participants, and supporters. Thank you all so much! Be sure to check out pictures from the event below.
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Grant Opportunities for PPS staff are Now Available! |
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The PPS Foundation, in collaboration with the Community Foundation of Central Illinois, has grants available for PPS staff now through October 1st. Click on the picture below for more information on this program and for the links to apply online today! |
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We're In Search of Virtual Career Speakers! |
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As part of our work in career readiness, we are working with the district to bring live, virtual career speakers via MS Teams to students across PPS on designated SIP half days. We have several spots for speakers on Wednesday, September 27th with four morning timeslots available for speakers to select for their presentation.
Also, be on the lookout for sign-up opportunities to be a part of our middle school career exploration program, Horizons Clubs. We will be looking to incorporate in-person career speakers for this program in October.
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Adopt-A-School Update
Check out the amazing things happening in this program!
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As we jump into the 2023-2024 school year, we are so thankful for our Adopt-A-School partners and the support they provide to our schools! Our partners help provide supplemental food, read with our students, provide support to our teachers and staff and so much more!
At the moment, we are looking for more volunteers to help support Trewyn with their “High Five Fridays”. This would consist of 4-8 volunteers on the first Friday of the month to cheer our students on as they enter the school building through encouraging words and a smile. Sign-up here if you are interested.
Von Steuben Middle School is looking for more partners to help bring in more school spirit. They are in need of balls and equipment for recess and any other support you are willing to provide.
Our next Garden Day is scheduled for Tuesday, August 15th starting at 4:30pm at Dr. Maude A. Sanders Primary School. All community members are welcome. We will continue to pick a different school during the gardening season on the 3rd Tuesday of the month.
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We recently talked with Peoria Public Schools' Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction & the Executive Director of High Schools, Dr. Michelle Hassan. Dr. Hassan recently rejoined the PPS family as she served as the Executive Director of High Schools during the 2019-2020 school year.
Hi Michelle, thank you so much for chatting with us today! Can you give us a little bit about your background?
Yes, I appreciate the opportunity to share! I'm originally from the westside of Chicago and grew up in Maywood, IL and have 34 years of experience in PK-20. I've taught adult technical education, high school, college, and even co-taught a graduate-level course for a combined total of 11 years. I've also initiated a dual-credit program at Roosevelt University.
I've been a central office administrator serving students, families, communities, teachers, staff, and administrators for nine years. Having worked for Chicago Public Schools (CPS), as a Manager for Student Support, I led a team of 30, who served up to 10,000 students city-wide. For nine years, I was a principal serving elementary, middle, and high schools, PK-12.
I have two masters degrees, a certificate of advanced study, a superintendent’s endorsement, and a doctorate in leadership, equity, and inquiry. I'm a member of New Leaders for New Schools cohort 8 and am the national membership chair for Black Women Education Leaders (BWEL). I believe every student can learn and achieve at high levels and am passionate about ensuring every child has the high-quality education they deserve. I'd say my greatest joy is being the mother of my daughters, Jasmine and Sharee, and the grandmother of Riley.
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Your experience is so inspiring, and we are excited to have you back with Peoria Public Schools. To get started, what’s your favorite thing about the Peoria area?
My favorite thing about the Peoria area is the mayor, Mayor Dr. Ali. I love having a mayor who looks like me who I see regularly and can talk to.
Do you have a favorite go-to weekend activity?
My go-to weekend activity is walking along the river front. I love the water, so I love the fact that the river is so close and easy to get to (with free parking, LOL...that is a wonderful bonus).
How about a favorite band or concert you’ve been to?
One of my favorite concerts was at the RiverFront during Soul Fest with Brian McKnight. Although I have seen him before, this night under the stars was awesome. The sound was crystal clear. There were vendors selling great products. I remember that night and the perfect weather. It is one of my best memories.
If you could only have three apps on your smartphone, which ones would you pick?
One of the three apps that I must have on my phone is my banking app, it allows me to bank anywhere at any time. The second app that I really enjoy is Pandora because it allows me to listen to various musical artists. From time to time, they play a variety of songs that I have not heard recently. It brings back some good old memories. The third app that I would choose if I could only have three is Twitter. I know the idea of Twitter is a little shaky these days; however, it allows me to connect with people from all over the country. I absolutely love Sarah Jakes Roberts, and I was able to see her journey to becoming a pastor on Twitter. I have seen celebrities but most importantly, every day people share their stories. I am member of Black Women Education Leaders (BWEL), and we have monthly chats with women across the nation. Earlier this year, I led a chat on educational equity, and it is absolutely thrilling.
And lastly, if you could snap your fingers and immediately learn to do anything, what would it be?
It sounds idealistic, but if I could snap my fingers and immediately learn to do anything, I would want to learn how to bring an end to issues of race. Race is a social construct. We all have the ability to be great and soar. I would want to know how to convince more people of this so we can all live our best lives.
Thank you again, Michelle, for chatting with us. We truly appreciate all you do for our community and Peoria Public Schools!
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WE TAKE ONLINE DONATIONS!
Click the picture below to donate.
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PPS Foundation 2023-2024 Important Dates |
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Tuesday, August 1 — PPS Foundation & CFCI Classroom Grant Applications Available
Tuesday, September 19 — Principal Experience
Sunday, October 1 — PPS Foundation & CFCI Classroom Grant Applications Due
Wednesday, November 1 — PPS Foundation Scholarship Applications Available
Monday, November 13 — Classroom Grant Reception at BOE Meeting at 5:30 PM
Thursday, January 11 — 9th Annual PPS Foundation 365 Breakfast
Saturday, February 3 — 6th Annual Peoria Schoolhouse Open
Friday, March 1 — PPS Foundation Scholarship Applications Due
Wednesday, April 17 — Deirdre Purcell Collins Math Reception at 6:30 PM at TBD
Tuesday, May 7 — Principal Experience
Monday, June 24— 27th Annual Golf Outing at the Country Club of Peoria
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New Buzz Chats starts September 14th! |
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We are so excited for our new season of Buzz Chats for this school year! Each monthly episode will feature a chat with a PPS alum and Cindy (a 1985 Woodruff grad herself!) and can be viewed live on our Facebook page at 5 PM on the 2nd Thursday of the month.
Join us for our first episode on Thursday, September 14th as we kick off this new season, and stay tuned for more information on the amazing alumni we'll be chatting with!
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PPS Foundation's Board of Directors:
Dan Adler, Andre Allen, Beth Crider, Solivian Dismuke, Maarten de Haas, Alex Elger, Kim McGhee, Cheryl Sanfilip, and Doug Shaw
Ex Officio Board Members:
Dr. Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat (PPS Superintendent) and Mike Murphy (PPS Board of Education)
PPS Foundation's Staff:
Cindy Morris - President
Trish O'Shaughnessy - Director of Programming & Community Engagement
Jen Adler - Administrative Director
Janet Ham - Adopt-A-School Coordinator
Matt Violet - Data and Programming Logistics Coordinator
Annalee Anderson - Career Tech Advocate
Olivia Smith - Career Tech Advocate
Leilani Lee - PPSF Student Intern
Allison Coulter - Volunteer Career Tech Advocate
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