October 2021
The purpose of the St. Joseph Public Schools Foundation is to raise, steward and distribute resources to enrich the education of students in the St. Joseph Public Schools District.
Thank you, Whirlpool Corporation!
The SJPS Foundation was one of six local nonprofit organizations named recipients of the 2021
Whirlpool Community Charity Golf Event. Despite a cancellation of the August event due to COVID-19, Whirlpool and its donors maintained their contributions, allowing full support benefitting kids in our community.

WE ARE GRATEFUL!
GRANT RECIPIENTS ANNOUNCED
The SJPS Foundation Project Committee reviewed 22 grant applications, and with approval from the Board of Directors, announced the funding of $122,000 in projects.
Thank you donors! Your contributions make these projects possible and
enrich the education of all SJPS students!
Kristina Allen, Upton Builder's Club Advisor: Builder's Club Offsite Project
Bryan Arbut, SJHS English Teacher and Club Advisor: Project Lit Book Club
Tracy Becker and Joyce Hunter, SJHS English Teachers: Senior Service Project Presentation Day Materials
Lauri Berry, SJHS Culinary Arts Teacher and Club Advisor: Key Club Service Leadership Conference
Greg Blomgren, SJHS Principal: Outdoor Metal Tables on Lakeshore Drive
Kimberly Borlin, Upton MS Special Education Teacher: Flexible seating options for students
Carrie Brunsting, SJPS Robotics Coach: SJ Robotics Funding
Callie Campbell, SJHS Special Education Teacher/ Club Advisor: SJHS Photography Club Field Trip
Amy Dirlam, Director of Secondary Curriculum & K-12 Library/Media Services: Project Wayfinder -- SEL Curriculum for SJHS
Amy Dirlam: Building Book Love Year 3 and Beyond
Colleen Elkins, SJHS French Teacher: Grand Valley State University French Day
Kelly Gaideski, Assistant Superintendent: Professional Learning Communities at Work (PLCs) Refresh II
Daniel Hernandez, Brown Elementary 4th Grade Teacher/Club Advisor: Spanish Club
Colette Jasiak: Social Emotional Learning Applied Through Games
Craig Jeffers, Upton MS Assistant Principal: Intervention and Restorative Practices Programming
Nevine Khalil, Lincoln Elementary Title I: Checkmate Chess Club
Kelly Kietzerow, Upton MS Science Teacher: Science Olympiad
Claire Krieger, SJ Virtual Academy Teacher: Fostering Love for Literacy in Virtual Students
Claire Krieger: Virtual Field Trips for Virtual Elementary Students
Burke Lokey, SJPS Orchestra Director: Large Instrument Rental for Spain Trip
Chad Mandarino, Upton MS Principal: Sarrett Nature Center Pond Ecology Field Trip
Brittany Mohney, M.S. CCC-SLP, SJPS Speech Language Pathologist: Cricut Maker 3 to use with materials geared toward targeted speech and language goals with students.

Mr. Arbut, SJHS Project Lit Book Club Advisor, shared the news of the Club's $2,300 grant at their meeting this week. Members are committed to improving the reading culture at SJHS and plan to use the grant for additional book purchases, and to expand it's impact and outreach to Upton Middle School and our elementary schools.
Superintendent's Circle - Donor Appreciation Event
Harbor Shores Golf Club, October 13, 2021
"It was great to meet with our donors and thank them in person for their generosity. The event was a celebration of our great district, and our continued support of SJPS students, who are a source of pride for all of us. GO BEARS!
~ Sam Abdelnour, President, SJPS Foundation
A Special Thank You To
  • Mr. Doe and the SJHS Marching Bears and Drumline for the entertainment
  • The SJHS Jazz Band and Vocalists for the lovely background music
  • Mrs. Berry and the SJHS Culinary Arts Students for the delectable desserts
  • Coaches Anna and Kelsie, and the Varsity Sideline cheerleaders for the warm welcome and spirit cheers
  • Bill and Jane Marohn for the flower centerpieces
  • Kathie Adams, Nancy Kodis, Ginny Antonson and Anna Abdelnour for the decorations
The Giving Pump: An Easy Way to Support SJPS Students
Fill up your tank...and raise funds!
Thank you, Fleming Brothers Oil Company
"We are pleased to announce that we will be extending this program thru May 2022 in all of the communities which we proudly serve."
~Andrew Fleming, President
Fleming Brothers Oil Company
Watch the video, and see how it works!
Visit either location in St. Joseph and look for the purple pump!
222 Hilltop Road (corner of Hilltop and Cleveland Ave)
2600 Niles Road (Corner of Niles and Lincoln Ave)
Nominations Due December 15

The St. Joseph Public Schools Foundation Distinguished Alumni Award Committee, is accepting nominations for its 2022 awards. Established in 2012, the Distinguished Alumni award recognizes St. Joseph High School Alumni who have excelled in their professions and made significant contributions to their communities. Each year, the committee undertakes the rewarding and challenging task of reviewing nominations and selecting deserving honorees.

Robert Ehrenberg, Class of 1971 and chairperson notes, “Our Distinguished Alumni honorees are members of a group of exceptional alumni, who have excelled in their career paths and contributed to the betterment of their communities and, in many cases, our nation.”

Nominations can be made until December 15, 2021. Information about the Distinguished Alumni Award, past honorees and a nomination form can be found at SJPS Distinguished Alumni.
Thank-a-Staff Certificates
Make a donation to the SJPS Foundation in honor of your favorite teacher, student, coach, staff member, administrator, bus driver or school volunteer. Your kindness will mean more than you know!
Retired SJHS French Teacher Ginny Antonson honored Board of Education President Barry Conybeare for his service to the district.

LAST CALL! Submit your favorite recipes by October 29 for inclusion in our cookbook.

We Can Offer No Greater Gift to our Children than to dedicate ourselves to educational excellence.
September Memorials

In Memory of Lois Lewis
Glenna Collins

In Memory of Laura Spencer and Tracy Starks
Barbara Harte
September Donors
Bruce and Lee Ann Bartz
Andrew and Kim Batson
Kris '89 and Sean '85 Ebbert
Keith Johnson '84
Ronald and Eva Kinney Family Foundation
Denise Reisig
Patricia Taplick & Daniel Groteke
SJHS Class of 1958
John Slawson
Sue Stewart '81
September SJPS Teacher and Staff Giving
Thank you teachers, administrators and staff for all you do for our students.
Your support means the world to us.
GO BEARS!
Bryan Arbut
Kristen Bawks
Alaina Brady
Gandalf Church
Linda DeLapa
Kristin DeVore
Kim Dilley
Amy Dirlam
Kelly Gaideski
Brenda Graham
Kevin Guzzo
Craig Hubble
Jamie Huber
Jason Huber
Susan Hunnell
Cindy Igoe
Craig Jeffers
Carolyn Kodis
Amber Lange
Stephanie Lear
Ann LeClear
Becky Lokey
Anne MacDonald
Mary Ann Milletics
Kara Nicholson
Tracy Olson
Amy Peterson
Natalie Rank
Kathy Reck
Sara Smothers
Brianne VanHekken
Gail Wadel
Amanda Wallace
SJPS Foundation | 2580 S. Cleveland Avenue, St. Joseph, MI 49085 | 269-926-3252 | sjpsfoundation@sjschools.org | www.sjpsfoundation.org

The St Joseph Public Schools Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not for profit corporation.