1. BUILDING
THE QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER OF THE DECATUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION blocks SUMMER
2012
Celebrate! The Legacy of Learning
T
he Decatur Public Schools Foundation is seeking Lakeview or the old Decatur High School who has made
nominations for Outstanding Alumni of Decatur significant contributions in The Arts, Science, Technology,
Public Schools. Winners will be honored at the tenth Academic Achievement, or in their field of work, call the
annual "Celebrate! The Legacy of Learning" award ceremony Foundation for a nomination form at 424-3300 or visit
on Saturday, November 10th, 2012. www.dps61.org/foundation for more information.
If you know a graduate of Eisenhower, MacArthur, Nominations are accepted until July 27th, 2012!
Why Donors Give to the Decatur Public Schools
Foundation - A Message from the Trustees
“Our growing donor base understands that a donation to the DPSF directly places creative learning processes into our
students hands. I've seen the excitement the teachers and the students feel!” – Jan Kelsheimer
“The following quote by Linus Banks has been the driving force in my family’s community giving, beginning with my
grandfather.” – Lucy Smith
“For the cause that lacks assistance, for the wrong that needs resistance, for the future in the distance, and the good that
we can do.”
“The DPSF recognizes how important it is for donors to be able to see their generous gifts at work in District #61.
Working in partnership with administrators and teachers, the DPSF has funded more than three million dollars in
grants and programs since forming fifteen years ago. We are making a positive impact on the quality of education our
young citizens receive and preparing them to work and live in a global community. Every gift, large or small, makes a
positive impact!” – Marilyn Davis
“Because we are a community of families, and our donors become involved to strengthen educational programs which
keep our families strong!” – Valdimir Talley
“As a parent of students whose school received funds from the DPSF I was able to experience first-hand the level of
enthusiasm, excitement and gratitude my children, their peers and teachers had surrounding their project. Many donors
share this same sense of delight and pride in the students, the projects and the Decatur school system after seeing what
their contribution helped accomplish.” – Tiffany Lukis
“The DPSF hears directly from the frontline workers in Education (teachers) on their needs, then makes teacher
initiatives in the classrooms a reality. It is great to hear about student successes so we can continue to focus donor
resources on projects that work.” – Tom Binder
“The public schools are the foundation of our community’s future. Providing enrichment activities for our children and
students gives them the tools they will need to maintain their foundation and build on it.” – Wendy Morthland

2. 2 BUILDING blocks SUMMER 2012 •
$214,327 in Grants and Programs Were Funded
$214,327 in Grants and Programs Were Fu
by the DPSF in 2011 - 2012!
T
he Decatur Public Schools Foundation supported teachers and schools throughout District #61 with funding for
T
innovative and creative Schools Foundation supportedinterest in learning. Thank you to District #61 for your continued
he Decatur Public projects designed to stimulate teachers and schools throughout our donors with funding for
support – your donations projects designed to stimulate interest support for each student in District #61 this year!
innovative and creative have provided twenty-three dollars of in learning. Thank you to our donors for your continued
support – your donations have provided twenty-three dollars of support for each student in District #61 this year!
ADM Earth Day Grants $1,350
Pickin at Owl Pellets 1 Squirmy Worms
Pickin at Owl Pellets 2 Raised Flower Bed
Growing Veggies for the Zoo Planet Protection
Pickin’ at Owl Pellets – TJMS Squirmy Worms – Pershing Early Learning
STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering and Math $29,500
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks Caching in on Wellness:
TumbleBooks-ebooks for Kids Common Core Math Stations
Math Manipulatives in the Classroom CO2 Sequestration and Its Applications
Enhancing Communication Skills with iPads Seeking Solutions
Sharks-Sinking our Jaws into Math Fluency I Explore
Enhancing Communication Skills with iPads Family Engineering Nights
Scholastic World Math and Reading Comes Alive
Family
Engineering
Sharks Sinking Jaws Nights – 8
into Math – French Elementary
Academy Schools
To lear n more ab out the DPSF

3. 2 • SUMMER 2012 BUILDING blocks 3
Funded by the DPSF in 2011 - 2012!
Schools and Community $8,116
Career and Goal Setting Career and Goal Setting 2
Food, Sewing, and Culture Duct Tape Accessories and Shoes
African American Culture Depicted through Photo Essays Home/ School Connection
Real Baby Project Parenting Bullying Prevention
Project Social Emotional Learning Kids Fitness Club
Grants to New Teachers School Assemblies
Bullying Prevention
The Arts $5,359
Music Students are Listening Hope and Peace (Global Art Project)
Cats and Dogs World Music Drumming
Group Ukulele Class and Projects Go Dog Go Theatre Arts
Group Ukulele
Academic Enrichment $7,502
Leaping for Reading Evaluating Art through History
Nooked on Reading Language Publishing Program
The Readers Choice Program Three R’s of Reading
SDMS Student – Led Book Club Exercise Balls as Chair Replacements
Abraham Lincoln Workshop Newspapers in Education
Donor Advised Projects $162,500
DPSF donor advised funds support projects designed to meet the specific needs of our students and staff. Thank you to
our donors who provide funding in these important areas!
I The DPSF Musical Instrument Library, in partnership I The Bob Jones Music Fund purchased and repaired
with the Symphony Orchestra Guild of Decatur, instruments, provided private lessons, and awarded a
provided more than 120 loaner instruments to students $2,000 scholarship to a MacArthur senior
I Creative Science Investigations offered exciting hands- I The Athletic Fund allowed more students to participate
on opportunities for all elementary students and in sports
professional development for teachers I The Second Grade Art Fund supplied much needed
I The Ellen Spycher Teachers Fund supported numerous materials to our second graders
everyday needs in our classrooms through grants to I The South Shores Music Grant supported more days of
twenty five teachers music learning
S F, v isit DPS61.org/foundat ion

4. MacArthur High School Alumni Wall
D
o you fondly remember your days at next to the event entry. What a meaningful gift for
MacArthur High School? A limited parents or grandparents this could be! A lovely
opportunity to commemorate that keepsake card depicting the plaque is also
special time is now available through the available, making the gift very personal.
Decatur Public Schools Foundation. MHS Go to www.dps61.org/mhsalumni for
Alumni can be part of the newly remodeled ordering information and pictures of the project.
exterior of MHS through the purchase of a Or call the DPSF at 217-424-3300 to request a
beautiful plaque permanently affixed to the wall brochure and order form.
Memorial Donations
Memorial Donations to the Decatur Public Schools Foundation pay
lasting tribute to friends and family members who worked in Decatur
Public Schools. The following donations have been made recently:
Donor In honor of
Mark & Kathy Sorensen In honor of Jennifer Raleigh
Joan Jack In memory of David Jack
Ruth Cortright In memory of Eunice Dansby Gingrey
Melanie Escott In memory of Gloria Gebhart Mercer
T. J. & Paulette Jackson In memory of Wandie Sain
Melanie Escott In memory of Gloria Gebhart Mercer
Capt. & Mrs. Gerald A. Fulk In honor of the DHS Class of 1952
Betty Query Smith In memory of D. Christopher Eldridge
The DPSF strives for accuracy but sometimes misspellings do occur and we apologize for
those made in the last issue. Corrections are below.
Mary Durnil In memory of Patricia A. Durnil
Carol & Jerome Pelz In memory of Carl Brink
DECATUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION
Our mission...
BOARD OF TRUSTEES TRUSTEES
... to acquire and distribute Chair Tom Binder Tiffany Lukis
Wendy Morthland
resources to Decatur Public Gloria J. Davis Lucy Smith
Vice Chair Marilyn S. Davis Valdimir Talley
School District 61 to enhance, Brian Byers
T.J. Jackson David Weber
enrich and encourage learning Treasurer Shirley Kistler Dan Winter
David Butts
opportunities for its students, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Secretary
staff and community. Jan Kelsheimer Judy Taylor