Schuyler Community Schools

Message from the Superintendent

Superintendent’s Comments
12/21/11


A GRANDSON, CHRISTMAS AND SCHUYLER COMMUNITY SCHOOLS FOUNDATION


My Grandson – Boone - recently turned four. For his birthday, Grandma and Grandpa Stevens offered an overnight trip to a hotel with a water slide as our gift. When the day arrived for us to pay up on the birthday present, Boone made a startling decision – he wasn’t going to go unless his two year old little sister – Bodey - could join in the fun.

My mind immediately started wondering, “Why such a change of heart?” I figured he needed someone to pick on, wrestle or swim with as he’s beginning to find grandpa a bit slow and possible grumpy. Instead, he explained, “Grandpa, it’s Christmas. I want to share this with my sister because Christmas is a time of sharing.”

WOW! After a difficult swallow, I was filled with amazement. A four year old, my grandson, was beginning to understand the meaning of Christmas.

While sharing this wonderfully true story, I also want to emphasize the purpose of the Schuyler Community Schools Foundation – the gift of sharing.

Did you know that the SCS Foundation even existed? Allow me to re-introduce the SCS Foundation.
• As mentioned – the purpose is sharing. More specifically sharing our good fortune with students of the Schuyler Community Schools.
• The Schuyler Central High School Foundation (certified in 1997) and the Schuyler Elementary Schools Foundation (certified in 1995) joined forces in 2007.
• In 2009, the Schuyler Area PTA dissolved into the SCS Foundation.
• There is a Board of Directors that is made up of 7 members.
• Over the years, the SCS Foundation has provided:
o Scholarships to students
o Stipends for education enhancement activities
o Technology purchases
o School signage
o Scoreboards
for the advancement of education goals (not an all inclusive list).
• Most recently the Chamber and the SCS Foundation have agreed to create a partnership that will increase the opportunity to collect and distribute information related to alumni activity by communicating with the Chamber office. Note: The Chamber will not organize alumni activities.
• Schuyler Economic Development has created a Schuyler Community Schools Alumni website (schuyleralumni.net). This is a very exciting website that contains nearly all yearbooks from 1959 to 2006. This is only one of many neat activities. A person must apply to be part of the website (672 current members). But the best part – the application is free.

Back to the purpose of this article – sharing our good fortune. The SCS Foundation Board of Directors encourages your donation. Let’s restate that…The SCS Foundation Board of Directors challenges you to share. Here is how. Ask yourself, “Why should I share?” If you can’t think of a reason, return back to your school days. Is there someone you would like to honor by sharing a cash gift? A teacher who challenged you! Mom and/or Dad who encouraged you! A best friend who helped you through a difficult time! A coach/sponsor who motivated you!

Once you have answered the question “Why should I share?” tell us who you are honoring by your gift. We will earmark your gift for scholarships for our students now and in the future. (Of course, you can identify another area of giving as well). The SCS Foundation contact is Superintendent Robin Stevens – 401 Adam Street – Schuyler, NE 68661; 402-352-3527 Ext. 200; rstevens@esu7.org



Robin Stevens – Superintendent Schuyler Community Schools