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2013-2014 Annual Report

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Message from the Chair

Dear Friend of the Foundation: !On behalf of the Board of Directors and the staff of the Liberty School District Foundation, I am pleased to present the 2013-2014 annual report. !Our Foundation’s mission is to generate and guide alternative resources for new and expanded educational opportunities for the benefit of students, teachers, employees and residents of the Liberty School District. In short, our goal is to “fill the gap” where other resources and budgets cannot. !Over this year, we have continued our programs of Honoring Outstanding Personal Efforts (H.O.P.E.), Excellence in Education Grant(s), Learning Enrichment Grants, and Run. For the Kids. All of which are detailed later in this report. !In addition to our programs, this Foundation has utilized the past year to reflect on how we can continue to meet our mission. As the Liberty School District grows and expands, our Foundation must do the same. We have identified opportunities that will allow us to continue to provide resources and support for a much larger audience. !Without your amazing donations, our programs and efforts to support the Liberty Public School District would not be possible. We sincerely thank you. !Beth M Paul Board Chair 2013/2014

Through your support, LSDF works to fill the gap.

Our mission is to provide a continuing organization, outside the public school system, which generates and guides alternative resources for new and expanded educational opportunities for the benefit of the students, teachers, employees, and residents of the Liberty School District.

Working collaboratively with the Liberty Public School District, community partners and through our Board of Directors, we distribute funds to meet the needs of educators and students attending Liberty Public Schools.

55 Grants awarded

63 Students recognized

115 Classrooms impacted*

$6,000 Scholarships awarded

Who we are and What we DO

How YOUR contributions helped Liberty

students!*Estimated number of classrooms, many grants effect multiple classrooms or individual students within a classroom

$$ 10,135 Money granted

33 Projects Funded

97 Classrooms Impacted

Visit www.LSDF.org for a list and description of funded LEG projects.

Learning Enrichment Grants are mini-grants aimed to support the creativity and innovation of Liberty Public Schools’ teachers and nurses. Because of your support, we were able to fund 33 classroom projects ultimately enriching the education of thousands of Liberty students!

Learning Enrichment Grants: LEG

The Excellence in Education grant program awards up to $10,000 per grant - to support innovative learning projects. Grant funds have been used to purchase needed technology or materials as well as capital improvements to learning spaces; many projects have a potential of impacting future students. $

$ 12,669 Money granted

4 Projects Funded

Critical Thinking, Creativity, & Collaboration in the 21st Century - $5,000 Franklin  Elementary Through the purchase and integration of 20 iPads, this project will demonstrate a 100% increase in student-centered learning and creative publications and increase the depth and differentiation of student learning in the classroom. !iLearn in Kindergarten - $2,500 Kellybrook  Elementary Through the purchase and integration of 12 iPads as part of a new blended learning approach that allowed teachers to embed technology in all content area units of study to promote student achievement and higher order thinking skills in kindergarten students. !LC Sensory Room-$2,815 Lewis  &  Clark  Elementary Through the purchase of therapeutic items, a sensory room - “Chillville” was created to provide a supportive, calm environment for students who lack skills for self-managing sensory input. !Whatever it Takes - $2,354 Liberty  Academy This project was designed to inspire and equip students to find their voice and realize their unlimited potential. Project funds were used to send 60 students to the Tucker Leadership Lab which provides experiential education to develop team building and leadership skills.

Excellence In Education Grants

Thanks to your donations, the following innovative projects were implemented in the 2013-2014 school year!

Realizing there are many students with special attributes that may not qualify for academic or musical recognition, HOPE Awards are meant to convey to students that we appreciate the time, effort and progressive achievement they make in becoming they best they can be and to encourage them to endure their own individual struggles to the best of their abilities. With your support, 63 students, representing EVERY school were presented with their awards and acknowledged in front of loved ones.

H.O.P.E. Awards: Honoring Outstanding Personal Effort

ScholarshipsThe Liberty School District Foundation provides oversight and management of 7 scholarship funds. Through your generous support, we were able to award $6,000 in scholarships to Liberty students graduating in 2014.

Social Workers Fund

The Social Workers Fund helps meet the needs of families of our most vulnerable students when financial hardships occur. This fund was established to allow social workers and LPS Student Services help those families through financially hard times when all other options have been exhausted. The Liberty School District Foundation houses the Social Workers Fund; LPS Student Services sets the criteria and determines how these funds are directed to families on an emergency basis.

Close to 200 runners signed up to run and in the process designated an LPS school. Thanks to those runners the top three schools were selected to receive a mini-grant!

On September 28, 2013, LSDF hosted the 6th Annual Run. For the Kids. It was a resounding success raising just over $6,000 to support LSDF grants and programs! !

RUN. For the Kids

Kellybrook $500

Lewis & Clark $350

Shoal Creek $150

$$ 6,000

Money raised

Major Saver Campaign

$$ 61,680 Money raised

$ 30,840 Money granted

$ 30,840 Program support

of

the money

raised in

each scho

ol building

was given

right back

to that s

chool bui

lding!

1/2

of the money raised

supports LSDF programs.

1/2

Thanks for YOUR participation!

Liberty School District Foundation Leadership

• Beth Paul, Chair • Kent Peterson,

Vice Chair • Susan Rhodes,

Sec/Treasurer • Jeff Akright • Ward Brown • Mary Coogan • Jason Foust • Clayton Gray • Brett Horn

• Kristin Leitze • Mike Shipley • Amanda Slaton • Carrie Swetnam • Heather Wolesky • Dr. John Jungmann,

ex-officio • Scott Connor,

ex-officio

Board of Directors• Sandy Dyser, Admin Assistant

2013-2014 Staff

• Nicolette Loutsch, Executive Director • Sandy Dyser, Business Manager

NEW 2014-2015 Staff

THANK YOU for your volunteered time and

talents!

A search was conducted for a NEW Executive Director.

Thank You!We have said it many times, but once again THANK YOU for choosing to support Liberty educators and students. Your contributions allow us to fund educational efforts that positively impact Liberty students and their futures. We are pleased to announce that we have highlighted your giving on our website - www.LSDF.org.

2013-2014 Financials at a Glance

Contributions/Money Raised $129,925

Total Assets $724,645

Liabilities $225,008

Grants and Scholarships

$60,644

*Printed prior to completion of FY2014 financial review.

Gifts made to the Liberty School District Foundation, which is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, are tax-deductible. We gladly accept donations via cash, checks, credit cards and Pay Pal. For more information visit www.LSDF.org or contact Nicolette Loutsch at 816-736-7119.

How YOU can help us meet the needs of Liberty students!

Annual Fund Contributions A gift to our annual fund campaign supports the programs listed in our annual report.

Gifts in Honor Consider a gift to the Foundation in honor of an outstanding teacher or that life-changing mentor. A letter will be sent to the honoree on your behalf.

Bequests Leave a gift to us in your will, estate, or life insurance.

Gifts in Memory Pay tribute to someone who valued education or was influenced by attending Liberty Public schools. Your gift will be acknowledged with a letter to the honoree's family.

LPS Staff Contributions District employees have the opportunity to support the Foundation with automatic payroll deductions.

Contact UsNicolette Loutsch, Executive Director !8 Victory Lane Liberty, MO 64068 !816.736.7119 !nloutsch@liberty.k12.mo.us

Join us on this journey!

www.LSDF.org