Newton Community and Healthcare Foundation: What's New

Newton Ccommunity and Healthcare Foundation

Education is Benefitting from a Lesson on Sharing in Newton

As a result, the USD 373 Education Endowment Fund has nearly doubled in value over the past 12 months.

It's all due to contributions from alumni and others plus proceeds from basket auctions, fun walks, sampler suppers and other fund-raisers.

The permanent endowment fund has been established with the Newton Community & Healthcare Foundation.

One of the major contributions this year was a $2,000 gift from the class of '56. Class members raised the money during their reunion in October.

"We had members send in donation cards with their registrations, and we also had an auction during the reunion," said RaeAnn Anderson, reunion organizer.

"I'm seeing a more sustained interest in the fund," said Dr. John Morton, USD 373 superintendent. "We're getting better established, and the word is getting out."

Designed to nurture USD 373, the fund was established just over three years ago to provide students and staff of the Newton public schools with academic programs, enrichment activities and professional opportunities not otherwise allocated within the budget restrictions of the Newton school district.

"This year the endowment board authorized $1,000 for our Excellence in Education grants, doubling last year's amount," said Morton. "We had six applications representing elementary, middle and high school levels. And we were pleased to award two grants at our annual endowment dinner in April.

Amber Brunswig and Kristi Link, second and third grade teachers at South Breeze Elementary, received a $500 grant for their "Animals! Animals! Animals!" program.

Their grant will utilize technology and cooperative grouping to address district science standards.

JoAnn Thaw and Jeff Werner, physical education teachers at Santa Fe Middle School, received a $500 grant for their "Physical Education/Personal Digital Assistants" project.

They will use personal digital assistants (Palm Pilots) as a means of enhancing the middle school physical education curriculum.

For more information on the endowment, contact Loren Friesen.
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