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Greendale Education Foundation

Bringing together community support for youth, families & schools since 1998.

Meet the Secretary of the Education Foundation of Greendale - Judy Foster


Judy Foster
Meet the Secretary of the Education Foundation of Greendale: Judy Foster

Judy Foster is our 2012-15 Education Foundation of Greendale Secretary. She does a great job of keeping our board informed with complete meeting minutes, and helps volunteer for the Foundation whenever she can!

Q.   Hi Judy! Tell us about your family.

A. My husband is Wayne Foster. We have a daughter, Jocelyn, who was a 1994 GHS graduate, and Jon, a 1990 GHS graduate (deceased 6/7/98), and two grandchildren.

Q. What is your occupation?

A. I'm retired now, and enjoy being a grandma. I’m a former high school Family and Consumer Education teacher. I started my career at Greendale High School and also taught at Nathan Hale.

Q.  What do you like to do in your free time?

A. I help facilitate Grief Groups and book studies at our church.  I’m a caregiver for my loving mother. I’m an enthusiastic genealogical researcher for my family, and I’m writing my mother's story.

I love nature photography! A friend who loves writing Haiku poetry and I are combining our talents into cards and a book. She is writing poetry in response to the photos I have taken. I’ve creating several memorial quilts, and I enjoy reading memoirs.

Q. What’s your favorite restaurant in Greendale?

A. Ricardo's Pizza - The best pizza anywhere. We remember the "original" Ricardo's when we ate at the picnic tables in the back!

Q. What are your hopes and plans for the Education Foundation, going forward? 

A. I look forward to realizing the day when the entire village population knows the organization and the priorities of EFG and is motivated to participate. Our marketing plan will direct us in this effort. As we seek new ways to reconnect with our alumni both in the Milwaukee area and in the nation, our alums and residents can be united in supporting the grants which create opportunities for teachers, students and the district to develop their fullest potential. I hope everyone will say, "Yes, for Greendale kids."
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Meet the VP of the Education Foundation of Greendale - Mindy Anderson



Meet the Vice President of the Education Foundation of Greendale: Mindy Anderson
Mindy Anderson has been a dedicated member of the Education Foundation for the past few years. As a Greendale alum from kindergarten through high school, she has unique perspective on the schools and the Village. I sat down with Mindy to learn a little more about her, and what she sees in the future for Greendale Schools and the Foundation.

Here’s what I learned:
 
Q.   Tell us about your family.
 A. My husband is Steve, and we have three children – Brock (15), Mitchel (11) and Libby, (10) .

Q.  Do you have children in the Greendale School District?
 A. Yes, I have one at each level! Brock is at the high school, Mitchel is at the middle school, and Libby goes to Canterbury.

Q. What is your occupation?
 A. I’m the Community Outreach Coordinator for the Greendale School District. I help parents get connected to their schools. I’m also the coordinator for PCA, Partners for Community Action. The Greendale School District established Partners for Community Action to form partnerships, and help create programs and initiatives geared toward improving the odds for success for Greendale youth.

Q.  What do you like to do in your free time?
 A. What free time?? I like to spend time with my family!

Q. What’s your favorite restaurant in Greendale?
 A. Ricardo’s Pizza, but I’m looking forward to trying the new Bartolotta’s Restaurant, Joey Girard’s.

Q. Do you have a favorite memory of a Greendale Schools event?
 A.  Oh, there are too many to list. Some that come to mind are the Elementary Open Houses, GMS Literacy Night, and the Nourish event at the Greendale High School.

Q. What are your hopes and plans for the Education Foundation, going forward? 
 A.  As a board, I want us to think Bigger, Broader and Bolder – to build capacity and awareness in the Village and beyond. I’d like to help establish partnerships to enable greater collective impact,  and I’d like to build an alumni outreach program for  the Foundation.

Q. Favorite Quote…?
 “Doing nothing for others is the undoing of ourselves.”  Horace Mann
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Avoid Summer Brain Drain! Book Ideas for Kids

Ahhh, the lazy days of summer. Swimming, softball and summer camp keep kids' bodies active, but what about their brains? Summer "brain drain" is a real phenomenon. Research has shown that kids' study skills, especially reading, can take a tumble over the long summer break.

The good news is, even 15 minutes a day of reading can help keep kids' brains in the game until school starts again. Here's some good recommendations for wiling away those summer days in the hammock:

Look for these books at your friendly neighborhood Greendale Public Library, a local bookstore like Half Price Books, or even download them on your iPad or Nook. Happy reading!

Did you know... the Education Foundation of Greendale supports reading in Greendale Schools such as Reading is Fundamental (RIF), Lunch Bunch book clubs, and author visits? Keep up to date with news about the Foundation by joining our email list at www.efgreendale.org (complete the form on the right).
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Meet the New President of the Education Foundation of Greendale: Grant Johnson


Grant Johnson, EFG Board President
At our June board meeting, we elected the new foundation Board President – Grant Johnson – for a three-year term. Grant takes over the position from Ron Irwin, who served as president, and will continue to be on the board as a director. 

I sat down with Grant to learn a little more about him, and his plans for the Foundation. Here’s what I learned:

Q.  Tell us about your family.

A. My wife is Maria and we have four children – Morgan (20), Mason (18), Maddie (16) and Emma (13). 

Q.  Do you have children in the Greendale School District?

A. Yes, two have graduated, and one is currently at the high school.

Q. What is your occupation?

A. I’m the CEO of Johnson Direct, a Measurable Marketing Agency.

Q.  What do you like to do in your free time?

A. I like attending concerts, listening to music, and I’m a Civil War history buff. I also enjoy reading, and most of all, hanging out with friends and family.

Q. What’s your favorite restaurant in Greendale?

A. Ricardo’s Pizza.

Q. Do you have a favorite memory of a Greendale Schools event?

A. Yes, my children’s graduations, and the Celebration of Education event come to mind.

Q. What are your hopes and plans for the Education Foundation, going forward? 

A. Greendale’s schools are outstanding, and I hope to increase awareness nationally of the district and raise additional funds to help the district continue to improve and be the absolute best district in the nation. It’s all about the kids and preparing them for the next chapter in their lives.

Stay tuned for more feature stories about the special people who help the Foundation continue to support excellence in education at Greendale!
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Great Schools Make a Great Community


Happy Fourth of July, Greendale!
What makes a community a desirable place to live? People working together. What makes Greendale a wonderful place to live and raise a family? I believe Greendale Schools are at the heart of our community, and our great schools add to the high quality of life in the village.

This Fourth of July, I'm thankful for the liberty, rights and freedoms that we have as Americans. I'm also thankful for our public education system in America. It's not perfect, but it's ours. Working together, we can make it better and stronger. The beauty of our democracy is that each citizen can participate in the education of our young people in different ways, and help Greendale continue to be a vibrant and progressive place to live, work and play.

On behalf of the Education Foundation of Greendale, I'd like to say "thank you" to the teachers, students, parents, taxpayers, volunteers, board members, community leaders and businesses who contribute in large and small ways to Greendale Schools, and to the Education Foundation of Greendale. Keep up the great work, and God Bless America!

View our 2011-12 Grants Highlights video here.
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Thanks for a great Celebration

Dear Community Members, Teachers, Parents, Staff and Students,

Thank you for all your support of our Celebration of Education on June 1. We had a memorable evening, and raised funds for Greendale Schools. I appreciate everyone's willingness to spread the word about Celebration, and I thank those who helped us out with donations and contributions.

Be sure to check out our Grants Highlight Video below. Special thanks to Sandy Spear, and the MacPac kids, for their production help on this summary of the grants we were able to fund in our last fiscal year.

Education Foundation of Greendale 2011-12 Grant Highlights


- Kate Winckler, Executive Director
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A great night out for a great cause-Celebration of Education June 1

Buy tickets online: www.efgreendale.org
Q. What is the Celebration of Education? 

A. It’s the Education Foundation of Greendale’s annual fundraiser on June 1 (formerly Night of the Arts). 

Q. What is the Education Foundation of Greendale? 

A. The Foundation is a 501c3 organization that raises money to fund innovative educational programs and opportunities for Greendale Schools. We’ve been around since 1998, and donated more than $270,000 in that time for classroom projects.

Q. What does the Foundation do for Greendale schools?

A. There are many needs in our district that the Education Foundation helps meet when teachers write grants. From Lunch Bunch Book Clubs for elementary students, to iPads for middle school math, to college scholarships for Greendale seniors, we support children and schools. 

The main grants we funded this past year were:
• Greendale High School auditorium sound system upgrades-$20,000
• 26 iPads for 8th grade math - $10,000
• Love & Logic parent training - $3700
• Digital Music Creation and Recording Studio - $2300

Q. Why should I attend the Celebration of Education night? 

A. By buying a ticket for Celebration, participating in a raffle or purchasing an auction item, you are supporting classroom projects in Greendale Schools. Plus, you’ll enjoy live music from the Greendale High School Jazz Band, hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. Today’s TMJ4 news anchor Vince Vitrano will be our emcee.  We'll have a special tribute to our retirees and to outgoing Superintendent Dr. William Hughes. It's a great way to mingle with friends and neighbors, all for a good cause. 

Q. Where can I buy tickets for Celebration of Education?

A. Tickets are $30 each, and can be purchased at Greendale High School, Greendale Park and Recreation Department, the Greendale Visitor Center, or from our website, www.efgreendale.org. Email us at kate.winckler@greendale.k12.wi.us or call Kate at 414-507-9952.





THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE IN GREENDALE!
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Grant Gives iPads to Math Class at Greendale Middle School

A grant from the Education Foundation
provided 26 iPads for Guided Math
Eighth graders at Greendale Middle School are using 26 iPads in math class, thanks to a grant from the Education Foundation of Greendale. Teachers Jane Patterson and Laura Smyczek are happy to have these extra resources to enhance their curriculum in the classroom.


"Using iPads for guided math really helps the students learn how to engage and collaborate," said Jane Patterson. They're learning from each other and from the lesson at the same time!" 


Students use the iPads to access Class Zone, an online math textbook with resources such as videos, practice quizzes and texts. They can also use the iPad to research class projects, such as the Cell Phone Web Quest. This was a tri-variate graphing project, where students gathered data to compare the cost of different cell phone plans, and then graph the results; connecting math concepts to real-life applications. 


"Students can get answers and feedback right away," said Patterson. The devices are portable and convenient, and help inspire new instructional strategies in the classroom. 


ABOUT THE EDUCATION FOUNDATION
The Education Foundation of Greendale was established in 1998 to generate financial support to provide educational opportunities for students. Our efforts have resulted in funding more than $270,000 in student projects and learning opportunities.


The Foundation has funded classroom technology, arts and theater programs, Empty Bowls at GHS, Love & Logic Training, enhancements to the GHS Auditorium sound system, music programming, FACE, Music Therapy, Arts in the Community and other projects that strengthen programs crucial to student education and development. 


We are grateful to the Greendale community for their continued support - THANK YOU. Visit our website for information, donation and volunteer opportunities: www.efgreendale.org


Like us on Facebook!
Follow us on Twitter @GreendaleEdFund


CELEBRATION OF EDUCATION - ANNUAL FUNDRAISER - June 1, Tuckaway Country Club - Tickets $30
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Ruby Tuesday Community Giveback Fundraiser - May 20


Greendale Ruby Tuesday
Fundraiser May 20



We're excited to announce that the Education Foundation of Greendale is partnering with Ruby Tuesday's Community Giveback Program on May 20, to help raise money for Greenland Schools. Visit the Greendale Ruby Tuesday May 20 to help out.

Click here to download the flyer with the donation code (you must present this at the restaurant to earn the donation!).

On Sunday, May 20, between 10am and 10pm, when you eat at Ruby Tuesday, 5320 S. 76th Street in Greendale, 20% of that day's proceeds will be donated directly to the Education Foundation. Bring in this flyer to redeem the donation.

Thanks for supporting academic excellence in Greendale!


Ruby Tuesday
5320 S. 76th Street
ph 414-423-0530 for reservations and hours

Like us on Facebook!
Follow us on Twitter @GreenlandEdFund
www.efgreendale.org










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What can you give?

Raffle and Auction Donations Needed
Can you make a killer cheesecake? Create beautiful jewelry or artwork? Have a membership or tickets that could be raffled off? Consider donating to this year’s Celebration of Education fundraiser!

We need your help to make this event a success, so we can continue funding our mission to bring innovative educational opportunities to the classrooms in Greendale Schools.
 
Contact Kate Winckler, Executive Director to find out how to contribute your time or talent to our annual event: kate.winckler@greendale.k12.wi.us or mobile 414-507-9952.

We are hosting our biggest fundraiser of the year on Friday, June 1 at Tuckaway Country Club. The Celebration of Education is a fun and informal event where we celebrate the successes of the past year, and honor those who have helped us along the way. The evening includes live music from the Greendale High School Jazz Band, raffle items, limited auction items, hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. We are happy to welcome back Vince Vitrano as our emcee again this year!

Tickets for the Celebration are $30 each and can be purchased online at www.efgreendale.org. All the event details are on the website. Or, contact one of our board members to buy tickets. .

Thank you for your support of Greendale Schools, named one of southeastern Wisconsin's Best School Districts in the April issue of Milwaukee Magazine!
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