Dear Parents, Alumni, and Friends:

There has never been a better time to demonstrate your support for the children and teachers in Columbia’s excellent public school system. The Columbia Public Schools Foundation established an endowment to fund classroom and curricular materials and innovations that serve children in our school district. Because community tax dollars barely cover “fixed overhead” – salaries, benefits, utilities – there are few dollars left to invest in innovative materials, experiences and other necessary programs that contribute to an excellent public school system.

Commencing with the 1997-98 school year, the Foundation has awarded over $500,000 in grants to the Columbia Public Schools. Grants have funded projects such as school library books, classroom technology, animal excursion program (Critters), outdoor science projects, and programs enhancing math and literacy. In 2009 the Foundation awarded over $53,000 in grants. This year the Foundation was able to allocate a special grant to fund travel for all fourth-grade social studies students to the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City. Thanks to the generous support of people like you, this part of the Public Schools Social Studies Program, Studying Missouri History, is able to continue for 2010.

I invite you to mark your calendars for a special evening recognizing the accomplishments of our Hall of Leaders awardees and featuring some of the best of Columbia’s student talent, “Annual Foundation: Night of Stars” on October 14, 2010.

Together we can make a significant difference in the lives of our children and our community. We hope you will be part of this exciting year for the Foundation and our schools by donating to the Columbia Public Schools Foundation.

Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Patti Coffelt, President
Columbia Public Schools Foundation