Vision & Mission Statements

Our Vision:

A dynamic and responsive foundation that supports enhanced learning opportunities for Grande Prairie Public School District students.

Our Mission:

The Foundation provides grants, scholarships and recognition to support students in striving for excellence.

Contact UsLaura LaValley, Executive Director

10213 99 Street

Grande Prairie, AB T8V 2H3

Telephone780 532 4491Ext #1006

Fax780 539 4265

Website

Facebook:

Registered Charity #888846037RR0001

Charitable receipts are issued for all donations over $20

Donations can be made by cash, debit, credit card or cheque.

Board of Directors

George Malcolm, Chair

Angus Sutherland, Vice-Chair Jeff Olson, Treasurer

Ken Belke, Director

Jun Bibangco, Director

Clyde Blackburn, Director

Sandy McDonald, Director

Dave McRae, Director

Karen Prokopowich, Director

Lorne Radbourne, Director

Laura LaValley, Executive Director

Executive Summary

The Grande Prairie Public School District Education Foundation continues to be dedicated to providing resources and services that foster educational experiences and opportunities for students in our community.

As a charitable organization, the Foundation strives to fundraise for these initiatives through viable projects and supportive partnerships. Throughout the year the Foundation submitted grants, partnered with local professional organizations, hosted a major event, acquired private and public donations that all contributed to the organization’s overallpurpose.

Striving for Excellence Awards ceremony is our signature event and one of the main reasons the GPPSD Education Foundation was created. This year, the 15th annual Striving for Excellence Awards event celebrated 107 successful students from grades 4 through 12. Students were nominated based on one of three categories; outstanding student, service award or striving for excellence award. The SFE Awards Dinner was held at the Bowes Family Gardens at Revolution Place on October 7th, 2015, with over 350 family members, teachers and dignitaries applauding student achievement. During the event the Foundation was pleased to recognize and award scholarships to thirteen graduating students pursuing post-secondary studies.

Throughout the school year, the Education Foundation takes pride in being able to support projects and initiatives which enhance the learning experience for the students in our District. Through our annual School Grants Program, the Education Foundation was able to disburse over $12,000 to support programs, activities, and materials that enriched learning for these students.

Nutrition for students was a very important initiative for the school district. With the economic downturn the need was great. Through support of the United Way and Rotary Partnerships, we were able to expand our support to 3 local schools, providing breakfast, snacks and lunches to elementary students in need. In association with the school district the Foundation worked to access community funding dollars, corporate and private donationsto support the program.

Feed the Kids

Feed the Kids was initiated by Image Design as a fundraiser to help champion the Nutrition & Wellness Programs. This year’s event was held on June 15, 2016. It was hampered by severe weather, but surprisingly we still had a great turnout and supportive donors. People braved the rain to line up to one of five food trucks to experience local and cultural cuisine. Attendees were asked to provide a donation for the “Feed the Kids” event in exchange for lunch, which was paid for by Image Design.

Feed the Kids will be an annual fundraiser benefitting both the GPPSD Education Foundation and the Catholic School District. This year funds raised for GPPSD Education Foundation totalled $4,326.00

We are truly grateful for the time, energy and planning that goes into this event, and of course the financial contribution! Thank-you Image Design!

Financial Summary

2014-2015 / 2015-2016
Total Assets / $195,265 / $184, 884
Total Liabilities / $141,422 / $101,273
Total Equity / $53,843 / $83,611
Total Revenue / $143,364 / $195,414
Total Expenses / $151,257 / $159, 984
Budget Surplus (Deficit) / ($7893) / $35, 430

Fundraising Initiatives

The Foundation continues to participate inunique fundraising initiatives that will provide a sustainable revenue source.

Activity / Grants / Partnerships / Events / Donations
50/50 Lottery / $21,432
Jet Away Raffle / $9,500
Feed the Kids / $4,326
Cars for Christmas / $5,000
Cash & Camping / $5,000
Dream Home / $5,220
United Way / $13,250 / $2,625
Parkside Playground / $8,515.
Striving for Excellence / $1,750
KMSC Charity Golf / $4,636
Other Donations / $12,267
Community Foundation / $8,745
Total / $13,250 / $19,856 / $35,258 / $33,902

Fundraising Summary

  1. The 50/50 Lotteryis generously supported by the GPPSD staff and continues to grow each year. This year the lottery pool of $21,432 was sharedbetweenthree winners each month. Draws began in October and finished up in June with two final draw dates.
  2. WestJet donated two return travels tickets to anywhere they fly for the annual Jet Away Raffle. The raffle targeted GPPSD staff mainly and raised an impressive $9,500!
  3. Feed the Kids was a great success! The event was organized by Image Design as a fundraising endeavor to support the Nutrition & Wellness Program earning $4,326 in donations. Five local food trucks lined up in front of Image Design. Attendees were asked to make a donation on behalf of the Education Foundation in exchange for lunch, all lunches were paid by Image Design. Aztec Engineering donated $1,500 and brought a bus with their staff to enjoy the variety of lunch options!
  4. Rotary accepted our partnership application for the Cars for Christmasticket sales. The Foundation Board members and volunteers sold tickets at the Prairie Mall outlet in December 2015.Our partnership raised $5,000in revenue.
  5. We were also fortunate enough to take part in Cash & Camping lottery. Again volunteers from the Board of Directors and District staff members sold tickets and yielded $5,000.
  6. The 2016 Dream Home Lottery netted $5,250. Again volunteers helped with selling tickets at the Dream Home and were excited to be involved!
  7. The Foundation was the recipient of a United Way grant which provided the Foundation with $13,250 for the Nutrition & Wellness Program. Funds for the program were allocated quarterly in 2015-2016 and put towards nutrition needs at 3 schools.
  8. The Foundation coordinated private donations for the Parkside Playground Project totaling $8,515.
  9. Striving for Excellence Awards generated $1,750 in additional ticket sales and family donations.
  10. KMSC Charity Golf Tournament was held in July and was very prosperous for all the not-for profit groups who were accepted to participate.The Foundation had a team of four playing in the charity golf event. Each not for profit was assigned to host a hole on the golf course and provide a fun activity for the golfer. We had beautiful weather so participants loved our water gun game! Our participation produced a cheque for $4,636
  11. Other Donations includes $12,267 from private, community and corporate donors
  12. Community Foundationsupport totaled $8,745 through Community Impact grants.

Future Gifts

A special thank you to our kind donors who have committed to bestowing a life insurance policy to the GPPSD Education Foundation.

*Helen & Stan Neufeld

*Lorne & Donna Radbourne

Investing in Students

Scholarships

The GPPSD Education Foundation awarded thirteen graduating students with scholarships at the annual Striving for Excellence Awards Dinner. Graduating students are encouraged to apply through their high school for the various scholarships. Teachers and administrators select students based on scholarship criteria and the student achievement.

Scholarship / Value / Quantity
Career Technology Studies –Communications / $2,000 / 2
Career Technology Studies – Automotives / $1,000 / 1
Career Technology Studies –Design Studies / $1,000 / 1
Career Technology Studies - Cosmotology / $1,000 / 1
Croken Scholarship – Academic Achievement / $ 500 / 1
Chris Gonnet – Leadership / $ 500 / 1
ASBOA / $1,000 / 2
Leah Podollan Scholarship / $ 500 / 1
Morgan Brian J Diesel / $ 500 / 1
Weyerhaeuser / $1,000 / 1
FNMI – Aboriginal Achievement / $ 500 / 1
Total Scholarship Allocation / $9,500.00 / 13

School Grant Programs 2015-2016

At the beginning of each new school year the Education Foundation accepts grant applications from the schools in our District. The school grant program helps to fund various school projects and programs that do not fall under the basic education funding criteria. The Board of Directors reviews the applications and allocates funds based on the school need and criteria. This year, the Board provided $12,220.00 for 9 projects and programs that helped enhance the learning experience for our students.

School/Organization / Project Description / Approved for 2015-2016
Avondale School / Orff Instruments / $ 1,000.00
Swanavon School / Music for Kids / $ 1,000.00
Crystal Park School / SEVEC – Youth Exchange / $ 1,000.00
Ecole Parkside / After School Learning Program / $ 1,680.00
GP Christian School / Lego Mindstorm / $ 1,500.00
Aspen Grove School / Telus World of Science – Science in Motion / $ 1,000.00
GP Composite High School / First Responders / $ 2,500.00
FNMI / Spirit Seekers Youth Conference / $ 1,540.00
Ecole Parkside / Ukeleles / $ 1,000.00
Total / $ 12,220.00

Community Knowledge Campus Sports Fields

The GPPSD Education Foundation was part of the Tri Partnership Group working in collaboration with the City of Grande Prairie and the Grande Prairie Catholic School District to establish a fundraising and sponsorship campaign for the CKC Sports Fields. The purpose of the group was to work together to develop a sponsorship and fundraising campaign to raise funding dollars for the much needed infrastructure to complete the football field (lights, score clock and bleachers). Currently, the City of Grande Prairie has approved the construction of this facility through debenture financing of the3.14 million dollar grandstand. This facility would encourage more people to engage in sport through spectating, and would allow for our city to host provincial level competitions, encouraging excellence in sports among our students and community.

Striving for Excellence

The annual Striving for Excellence Awards Dinner recognizes student dedication and hard work in the pursuit of student achievement. This year, 107 students and 350 guests attended the 15th Annual Striving for Excellence Dinner on October 7th, 2015 at the Bowes Family Garden Centre featuring guest speaker Natalie Harper. Natalie shared her experiences as an award winning advertising and public relations guru. The event aimed to recognize excellence and celebrated each individual’s success and achievements.

Nutrition & Wellness Program

The Nutrition and Wellness Program is offered to students in threepublic schools within the GrandePrairie community (Avondale, Hillside, and Alexander Forbes School). The target population is elementary students (ECS-Grade 6) however, the program is open to any student in need. These schools have a recognized demographic of mid to low income, aboriginal families and a high level of single parent homes.

There are many reasons that prevent children from attending school well-nourished and ready to learn. The Nutrition & Wellness Program is a positive way for students to start their day with the good nutrition they need. Proper nutrition is critical to a child's physical, emotional and healthy development. Children who have access to consistent healthy meals do better in school, academically and socially. The Nutrition & Wellness Program was designed to provide students with access to healthy food choices in a welcoming environment.

Each school tailors the Nutrition Program to their student need. It can include the following:

  1. Breakfast is available to children who have not eaten before arriving at school
  1. Classroom snacks, every classroom has a basket of fresh fruit, granola bars, cereal snacks and all children are welcome to have a snack as needed.

3. Lunches are available to students who do not have a lunch.

“I have no food at home and I am hungry so I come here”

GPPSD Student

(referring to coming to the staff room to have breakfast)

“It provides students a healthy start to their learning day. It exposes students to different types of foods which they may not have the opportunity to try otherwise.”

Parent Council President

The GPPSD Education Foundation will direct its’ resources to fundraising initiatives that support striving for excellence and enriching the learning experience for our students.

  1. Striving for Excellence Awards Dinner
  2. Nutrition & Wellness Program
  3. Scholarship Sponsorship
  4. Student Grant Programs
  5. Literacy/Numeracy
  6. Student Success
  7. Learning Enhancement Initiatives
  8. Music Programs

Strategic Plan 2015-2016

Community Giving in the Grande Prairie Public School District

Thank you to our corporate sponsors and private donors for their abundant support of the GPPSD Education Foundation. All ourvalued contributors help the Foundation to promote education and student achievement in our community. Your partnership in support of education is much appreciated!

A sincere thank you to the Grande Prairie Public School District staff, Board Directors/Trustees and volunteers who support the GPPSD Education Foundation throughout the year. We could not help our students strive for excellence without you!

Respectfully submitted,

Laura LaValley

Executive Director

GPPSD EDUCATION FOUNDATION - ANNUAL REPORT / 2015-2016