Foundation for Dubuque Public Schools Highlights of 2018

The past year was a busy one for the Foundation for Dubuque Public Schools. We received more than $160,000 in gifts to grant back to programming in the Dubuque public schools. No matter how you give, you make a difference — thank you.

Your support has enhanced student learning through many projects, including:

Green Dot Violence Prevention Program
Since 2010 the district has worked to create a culture in which violence is not tolerated and everyone does his or her part to stop it. The school district has robust support for the program, including a grant from the United Way, and is working to be one of the first official K-12 “Green Dot” districts.

Burgart Library Grants
The Burgart Fund for Educational Excellence was funded to enhance district collections and support initiatives promoting literacy and the love of literature.

Beverly Hodge Endowment
The Beverly R. Hodge Fund distributed its first grant of $1,230 to the Dubuque Community School District in support of new resistance training kits for use in gym classes.

Falb/Kendall Hunt Instrumental Music Fund
Thanks to Falb/Kendall Hunt funds the school district has been able to place musical instruments in the hands of students for whom music education seemed out of reach. Allison Cress Endowment for Art Education Funds from this endowment support art education at Hempstead High School, empowering students to develop their creativity and artistic skills.

Judi Chandlee Tribute to Teachers Classroom Grants
On May 8, teachers throughout the district received a total of $4,200, which will provided much-needed funding for supplies and innovative educational experiences.

Dine Out for Public Schools
Two days a year, local participating restaurants donate 10 percent of their sales to support programming in the public schools. For example, each  elementary school received $500 last year for snacks at a community event. This year’s proceeds will be distributed at a later date.

Project Based Learning Fund
This year, over $35,000 has been raised to support the Alternative Learning Center Tiny House project, through which students will build a functional dwelling. Money from the sale of the house will support other project based learning activities.

Scholarships
FDPS helped facilitate 11 scholarships to graduating seniors from the three high schools. Grants also supported many other items and initiatives, including the middle school energy science program, Hempstead Women’s Empowerment Conference, classroom yoga program, high school robotics team, ALC Open Closet, Prescott Mobile Learning Lab, structured therapy equipment at Hempstead, and high-quality text for reading instruction at Prescott.