District 58 Education Foundation Hosts 10th Anniversary Open House

The Education Foundation of Downers Grove Grade School District 58 will celebrate its 10th anniversary Thursday with a community open house.

The event will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Herrick Middle School, 4435 Middaugh Ave., and is open to the public. There will be a brief presentation on the foundation’s history, mission, activities and goals at 7 p.m.

Foundation President Jay Stocki said the purpose of the open house is both to celebrate the organization's 10th anniversary and teach the community about what they do.

"This anniversary is special because we've been able to do a lot for District 58 over the past decade," Stocki said. "We want to celebrate and invite the public to learn more about what we do, and how they can get involved."

The District 58 Education Foundation was established in 2002 to obtain and distribute financial and other resources for the enhancement of education programs at the 13 schools of District 58, according to the foundation's website. 

The foundation's mission is to enrich education for District 58 children by providing additional resources, outside the scope of the regular district budget.

"There's only so much you can do with the state and local funding provided to public schools," Stocki said. "Our role is to secure funds outside the annual budget, that way we can provide grants to teachers for technologies and programs that enhance the academic experience of our students."

Over the past decade, the foundation has awarded more than $500,000 in the form of grants, gifts and special events for the district.

Programs supported by the District 58 Education Foundation include: Select 58, a program that recognized 58 eighth-grade students who have shown themselves to be good citizens and positive role models; Sneak Preview, a midde school orientation for seventh-grade students; Reaching New Heights, a $500 donation given annually to District 58 schools to be used in any way deemed appropriate by the principal; and Welcome Luncheon, an annual event for new full-time district employees. 

The foundation also provides an annual scholarship, and recognizes two employees each year with the Distinguished Service Award. 

Stocki said supporting the grade schools is one of the most important responsibilities of the Downers Grove community.

"Our school districts are our most important assets as a community," Stocki said. "I think we need to do everything we can to support the teachers and students so they have the best learning experience possible."

For more information on the open house, contact Stocki at jay@stocki.com.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

There are plenty of ways to keep up on Downers Grove news:

• Sign up for our daily email newsletter

• Like us on Facebook for a slightly different take.