BULLETIN BOARD
LAUREL HIGHLANDS SCHOOL DISTRICT
Academic Foundation
ACADEMIC FOUNDATION
LAUREL HIGHLANDS ACADEMIC FOUNDATION
Mission
The mission of the Laurel Highlands Academic Foundation is to acquire and distribute resources to the Laurel Highlands School District for programs and projects aimed at enhancing, enriching, and/or supplementing learning opportunities for the students.
About Us
The Laurel Highlands Academic Foundation was established on April 22, 1996, by friends of the Laurel Highlands School District. The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, governed by a volunteer Board of Trustees who operate independently from the Laurel Highlands Board of Education. The goals of the Trustees are to provide resources for additional enrichment activities, programs, and unique student learning needs by holding fundraising events and soliciting individual and corporate contributions. The Trustees are responsible for determining guidelines for project funding, the selection of programs to fund, and the raising, dispersing, and reporting of the funds. To apply for funding from the Foundation, district teachers submit a grant application and present their desired program at a Trustee meeting.
Programs and Services
During the past 17 years, the Foundation has awarded over $273,000 toward the sponsorship of a variety of educational programs, scholarships, and creative classroom projects throughout the Laurel Highlands School District. Some examples include the following:
LH Outdoor School at Jumonville
LH Academy of Fine Arts - music workshops, instruments, and audio equipment
Elementary Family Reading Nights
Family Literacy Game Night
Smithsonian Plant and Development Study
Battle of the Books Program
NASA Challenger Learning Center Program
Carnegie Science Center Programs
Touchstone Center for Crafts Program
Triple B Farms Programs
State Theatre for the Arts Programs
Junior Achievement
Quiz League
Classroom math games
Books for all 1st-grade students
In addition, the Foundation was instrumental in helping to establish the following scholarship and education funds: James E. Tobal Education Fund, Michael S. Carbonara Memorial Educational Fund, the LH Music Education Fund, and the LH Mustang Academic Scholarship Fund. Application forms for the scholarship funds are available on the Community Foundation of Fayette County’s website.
Special Events and Community Participation
All monies raised from the Foundation’s special events are returned back to the School District by way of teacher mini-grants and the sponsoring of various educational programs throughout the District. Examples of fundraising events sponsored by the Foundation in current and prior years include Community Spirit Day in the fall, and the Musical Dinner, Auction, and Concession in the spring.
Ongoing opportunities exist for the community to become involved with the Foundation. We welcome volunteers to apply to join the Board of Trustees or to help with our various programs and projects. To become involved, please contact Mr. Vince Soom at (724) 438-6611. Your time and ideas are welcome! If you would like to help support the Foundation’s educational efforts monetarily, tax-deductible contributions can be made to:
Laurel Highlands Academic Foundation
c/o Mrs. Joanne Phillian, Treasurer
70 Wiggins Lane
Uniontown, PA 15401
Laurel Highlands Academic Foundation Board of Trustees
Vince Soom – President
Joanne Phillian – Treasurer
Judy Gallis – Secretary
Ed Kolencik – School Board Representative
Dr. Jesse Wallace – School District Representative
Bobbi Downs – School District Recording Secretary
Matthew South - Student Representative
Cathy Brady
Gary Carter
Ira Chrise
Karen Chrise
Corey DeHaas
Inez Felix
Shawn Golden
Susan Golden
Rob Hartsek
Pam Hughes
Adele Packrone
Heather Peccon
Meg Radolec
Casey Sirochman
There is currently one open Student Representative position.
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