For staff: The Foundation makes a difference and so can you!

Since it was established in 2000, the Foundation for Madison's Public Schools has made a commitment to provide funding for creative and innovative projects.  Over $100,000 is available to MMSD staff through the Foundation's Unrestricted Grants program and the Individual School Endowment Initiative for this school year. 

To help support future efforts, consider a contribution to the Foundation through the annual Employee Giving Campaign. 

The Campaign runs from February 8 through March 12 - look for more details in your school mailbox.  For further information, contact your building's Captain, or Martha Vukelich-Austin at the Foundation (232-7820 or mvaustin@fmps.org) or visit the Foundation website (www.fmps.org). 

These are some of the FMPS-funded programs that are enriching the educational opportunities for our children this year:

Engage, Empower & Enlighten - Teaching and Learning Foundation Grant 

Along with resources and information, the Play and Learn Literacy and Math Family Nights provide opportunities for caregivers to make connections with each other. 

At the Play and Learn Literacy and Math Family Night – a program funded in part by the FMPS, participants align to demonstrate how an infant’s brain makes connections. 

During the professional development portion of the fall Family Nights, caregivers also formed another connection...the photograph is a human model demonstrating how an infant's brain makes connections!

Judy Ballweg

MMSD Preschool Math Resource Teacher

 

Trout in the Classroom - East High ISEI grant

Our Trout in the Classroom project is a hands on learning experience that provides a concrete way for all students - from those with special needs and those that speak English as a second language to very advanced honors-level kids - to  understand the complex and interrelated topics in our  science class.  The ISEI funding was critical to purchase the equipment necessary to keep the trout healthy.

Erin Parker

Earth Sciences Teacher

Stephens Writing Project - Glenn Stephens ISEI grant

Last year there was not a budget for a school writing club. This fact limited the number of local authors I could bring in to talk with the group and the writing supplies I could offer to the writers. This year I hope to schedule more author visits, and perhaps even engage one author to work with the group on an ongoing basis.

This experience is invaluable for the students. They are able to hear about the writing process from a "real" author, have their work evaluated and receive constructive feedback. The ISEI money will also allow us to publish the students' work (such as the sample below).

Kathy Swenson

4/5 classroom teacher

'Rie Remembers

Alone on a hill,

skin glowing like stars.

In her chest

her heart beats,

scarred with love,

filled with dreams

She thinks back

to the moon, to the sky, to her mom, who sent her love,

and one faint hug on her heart.