February 2025

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.

Riemland Announces Retirement

Sue Riemland, Executive Director of the SJPS Foundation, has announced her plans to retire at the end of the school year.

"It's been an honor to serve our great district in this capacity since 2013. Thinking back on the Foundation’s achievements, I’m filled with pride and gratitude to the SJPSF Board, our donors, volunteers, and SJPS educators who so passionately believe, as I do, that our work has a powerful and positive impact on the community.”

Sam Abdelnour, SJPS Foundation President, will lead the search for Sue’s replacement and commented, “Sue leads our organization with integrity, professionalism and passion. We wish her well in her retirement and look forward to hiring our next Executive Director soon.”

Notable accomplishments during Riemland's tenure include;

Over $10 Million dollars in educational grants awarded to SJPS

Construction of the Edward J. Todd Innovation Center

Steinway Select District Status

Expansion of the SJPSF Scholarship program

SJPS FOUNDATION

Executive Director Job Posting

Autism Visual Exercise System Grant

$3,128.40

The fast-paced nature and rules of sports can make it challenging for students with special needs to participate. This adapted sports pack is a friendly, inviting, non-intimidating segue into a wide range of sports, presenting an entire curriculum's-worth of adapted activities. Brightly-colored gear, softer balls, large visuals, and more all serve to engage students instead of deterring them, making it easy to learn and execute skills.

This grant will benefit students with autism, and also assist a wide range of diverse students who may learn differently or have unique needs in physical education classes.

~Denise Reisig

Director of Special Education

Library Special Collections for World Language Classrooms

$1,000.00

The special collections allow students studying French or Spanish to read Young Adult books in their language of study, thereby deepening into the language and immersing themselves in a variety of texts beyond their typical textbook readers.

~Dr. Jamie Culver

Teacher/Librarian

Mrs. Elkins and one of her French classes checking out these new books in French.

They were so happy to start reading!

CLASS OF 2025

Scholarship Applications Due March 9

11 SCHOLARSHIPS - $55,000

Paul W. and Rose Suchovsky Memorial Scholarship (6)

Yeager Family Foundation Scholarship (1)

The Bill Marohn Leadership Scholarship (1)

Spirit of Community Service Scholarship (1)

The SJPS Foundation Health and Education Scholarship (1)

The Mattox Williams Legacy Scholarship (1)

SJHS STUDENTS,

JOIN THE FUN!

Feb. 20th at 3:00 pm

Special Message for

Superintendent Circle Members

Your complimentary GO FAN pass can be used for school plays, concerts and musicals in addition to sporting events. Show your GO FAN pass to the usher for free admission.

We can offer no greater gift to our children than to dedicate ourselves to educational excellence.

January Memorials

We offer our sincerest sympathies in your bereavement. Gifts to the SJPS Foundation in memory of loved ones are a fitting tribute, and will assist the Foundation in our mission to raise, steward and distribute resources to enrich the education of students in the St. Joseph Public Schools.

In Memory of Patricia Coscia

Ginny Antonson

In Memory of Tony DeLapa

Dorothy Scollon

In Memory of Robert Puma

Dale & Connie Kubicki

In Memory of Sarah Baker Yircott

Maria Madison

January Donors

Donor names in blue indicate membership in the SJPS Foundation Superintendent's Circle

Tom & Jamie Birris

Bruce C. Conybeare

Jim Darnton

Mike & Amy Dirlam

Cecilia Diaz & Luis Lopez

Kris '89 & Sean '85 Ebbert

Arnold Fege '62

Fleming Brothers Oil Co.

Tom & Nancy Fowler

Dan Hopp

Bryan Lubeck

Pat and Carol Moody

Dr. Rob & Amy Nolan

Peter and Jamie Paximadis

Kristopher and Kelley Rich

Marie Shane

Stephen & Mary Schuler

Darcy Stuck

Wolf Advisory Services

SJPS Teacher and Staff Giving

Thank you teachers, administrators and staff for all you do for our students.

GO BEARS!

Morgan Altergott

Bryan Arbut

Connie Bacolor

John Bacolor

Heather Bartz

Kristen Bawks

Lauri Berry

Kimberly Borlin

Lauren Borre

Alaina Brady

Erica Brown

Kristin Burnette

Rachel Cabanilla

Heather Caid

Gandalf Church

Lara Crawford

Jamie Culver

Matt Culver

Deborah Darr

Heidi De La Foret

Linda DeLapa

Amy Dirlam

Megan Dongvillo

Colleen Elkins

Gary Etter

Kimberly Fordham

Jennifer Francis

Kelsey Froelich

Brenda Graham

Kevin Guzzo

Gabby Hardy

Jenna Hawkins

Joseph Haydon

Daniel Hernandez

Kristina Hernandez

Amber Higdon

Jennifer Hill

Alli Hoskins

Jill Hubble

Jamie Huber

Jason Huber

Joyce Hunter

Cindy Igoe

Kaitlyn Karpus-Lawrence

Sarah Keener

Maria Kern

Kelly Kietzerow

Alex Klunder

Lisa Knuth

Allison Koch

Carolyn Kodis '13

Jesseca Lafayette

Dan LaFond

Amber Lange

Stephanie Lear

Ann LeClear

Kent Lignell

Burke Lokey III

Bridget Lorenz

Katie Mandarino

William McComber

Keith McLaughlin

Angela Mellott

Samantha Miller

Mary Ann Milletics

Kim Mishler

Dana Morris

Nita Nicholie

Kara Nicholson

Tracy Olson

Amy Peterson

Andrew Pratley

Natalie Rank

Joe Rommel

Stephanie Rugg

Sara Smith

Traci Smith

Sara Smothers

Alexandra Udell

Tina Uzelac

Brianne VanHekken

Gail Wadel

Tracy Wagner

Amanda Wallace '12

Dana Walsworth

Ashley Wells

Ryan White

Lauren Wiltsie

Melanie Wolf

Jeanna Younger

Coming in March

2025 Distinguished Alumni Announcement

DONATE ONLINE

SJPS Foundation | 2580 S. Cleveland Avenue, St. Joseph, MI 49085 | 269-926-3252 | ww.sjpsfoundation.org

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

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