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.
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As the Season of Giving shines upon us, Our President would like to express his heartfelt gratitude.
This year, we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the SJPS Foundation. In reflection, we are grateful for how far we've come and the countless students whose lives have been touched over the years. For over three decades, the Foundation has been a heartfelt supporter of the bright futures of St. Joseph students.
The St. Joseph Public Schools provide a vibrant and nurturing environment where every child is encouraged to grow academically and personally. Our Foundation is dedicated to supporting this mission by providing grants and scholarships that help bridge the gap between limited funding and the real needs of our students and teachers. Recently, we have focused on enhancing education in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics) and Literacy, vital areas that open doors to endless possibilities.
We believe that investing in our students today blossoms into a stronger, more hopeful tomorrow. Your support can make a meaningful difference. You can enable our schools to nurture the potential of each student and help them become who they aspire to be.
Please take a moment to look at the attached flyer and visit our grants page at https://sjpsfoundation.org/grants/. There, you will see the variety of projects your generosity can empower. Every gift, no matter the size, has the power to change lives and create lasting impact.
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Thank you for being a vital part of our community’s journey and for helping us nurture the future leaders of tomorrow. I hope I can count on your support!
Warm regards,
Sam Abdelnour
President
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ROBOTICS
HIGHLIGHT!
CONGRATUATULATIONS
TO OUR LITTLE AND SUPER JOES!
A message from Morgan Brunsting - Robotics Coordinator SJHS
"This weekend we had our K through 5th grade programs participate at Lancer-Bot Mania - our local FLL (FIRST LEGO League) celebration event/home competition.
Our 10 FLL Explore teams we call Little Joes held their celebration event and each team was recognized for an award where they excelled.
Our FLL Challenge teams called Super Joes participated in the competition where they presented their Innovation Project and Robot Design to judges. They also competed in a LEGO robot game were they tried to complete as many missions as possible in 2 and 1/2 minutes."
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SPECIAL FUND REQUEST
BIG CHECK
DELIVERY DAY!
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$235,098.57 AWARDED!
GRANTS DELIVERED BY OUR STUDENT FOUNDATION MEMBERS
| | Special Fund Requests are awarded twice a year to administrators and club advisors. These grants are used for school projects that typically don’t happen in the classroom under the direction of one teacher. Grants may be for after school groups, special interest projects or district wide initiatives. | | |
Upton WEB Mentoring
The WEB (Where Everybody Belongs) mentoring program is a structured, peer-led middle school transition
initiative that creates a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive environment for incoming 6th graders. By
training 8th grade students to serve as WEB Leaders, the program builds early connections across grade
levels and intentionally fosters relationships that reflect the diversity of the student population. WEB
Leaders act as mentors, guides, and role models, helping younger students navigate the social, academic,
and emotional challenges of middle school—with a particular emphasis on equity, belonging, and mutual respect.
Submitted by: Dave Fooy
Assistant Principal
Upton Middle School
$10,800.00
| | | “Our 52 eighth-grade WEB Leaders have risen to the challenge, taking intentional action to make every sixth grader feel welcomed, seen, and safe. Through their leadership, they’re not just growing themselves—they’re building a culture where every member of the Upton family truly belongs.” - Dave Fooy | | | | |
Inspiration Through Imagination: Laurie Keller Visits Our Elementary Schools
Bringing author Laurie Keller to our elementary schools will provide students with an unforgettable
opportunity to connect reading, writing, and creativity to the real world. Laurie Keller’s award-winning books
are known for their humor, imagination, and ability to engage even the most reluctant readers. Meeting the
author behind the stories will not only inspire students to read more but also encourage them to see
themselves as storytellers and creators.
Submitted by:
Sarah Hassenger, Brown
Connie Bacolor, Lincoln
Cody Saroni, E.p. Clarke
Teacher Librarian
$7,900
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Upton Baking Club and Craft Club
Students are invited to be members of the Baking Club and the Craft Club. Our Baking Club will make food products to share with each other, the school, and as a community service. Our first project will be Halloween themed sugar cookies that are decorated, individually bagged, and then "trick-or-treated" to peers during Bear Time. A service project will be to make dog biscuits and cat treats to donate to the shelter. We will brainstorm other food items and ways to share them with others (mini pies for first responders, ranch pretzel sticks for assisted living, etc).
Submitted by: Robyn Kubsch
Upton, FCS, 6-8th grades
$500
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Early Childhood Furniture Refresh Kindergarten and Young Fives - District wide
Our Early Childhood Classroom Refresh project is a strategic investment in our district's work to implement robust instructional practices. The acquisition of new, durable student furniture will significantly enhance our curriculum delivery and student engagement by fostering cooperative learning and enhancing small group work.
Submitted by: Jesseca LaFayette, Lisa Knuth, Dan Hernandez - Elementary Principals
$50,661.00
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Italy Instrument Rentals
"This recent grant will make a remarkable impact on our performing arts program. Thanks to this support, we will be able to cover the cost of renting instruments during our tour of Italy in June 2026—a crucial expense that will ensure every student can participate fully and perform at their best. This opportunity will not only elevate the musical experience for our students, but also allow them to share their artistry on an international stage. We are deeply grateful for the generosity that helps make this unforgettable educational experience possible." - Burke Lokey
Submitted by: Burke Lokey, Josh Doe, Elizabeth Gray, Rachel Cabanilla-Sinnett
$23,841
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Grants awarded by the Foundation are prioritized by those requests that support the district’s resolve to create a diverse, equitable, inclusive and safe learning environment for all learners,
as stated in the SJPS strategic plan.
| | None of this is possible without your generous donations. Please check out these highlights from our year end appeal and consider giving today! | | |
We can offer no greater gift to our children than to dedicate ourselves to educational excellence.
| | November gifts will be listed in the December online edition of our newsletter. | | |
September - October Donors
Donor names in blue indicate membership in the SJPS Foundation Superintendent's Circle
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Kevin and Brenda Bird
Victor and Nicole Coar
Renee Cooper
Aicha Coultes
Christopher and Diana Davis
Cecilia and Luis Lopez Diaz
Rick '76 and Pam Dyer
Kris '89 & Sean '85 Ebbert
Jack and Cathy Edinger
Jeff and Marcia Fettig
Fleming Brothers Oil Co.
William Hagarbome
Dr. David & Shayleen Burgoyne Kraklau
Marc & Cathy '80 Mavis
Pat and Carol Moody
Abraham Ravitch
Steven Reed and Susan Dietrich-Reed
Silver Beach Pizza
Stephanie Slye
Elizabeth Upton
Molly & Jimmy Van De Wege
Allan & Betty Westmaas
Whirlpool Corporation
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September - October Memorials & Honorariums
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.
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In Memory of Sarah Yircott (Baker)
Maria Madison & Steve Block
In Memory of Lynn & Dennis Bowen
Bill Ritchie
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SJPS Teacher and Staff Giving
Thank you teachers, administrators and staff for all you do for our students. Please email the Foundation office if you are a SJPS graduate and would like your graduating year added to your name.
GO BEARS!
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Morgan Altergott
Julia Appel
Bryan Arbut
Connie Bacolor
John Bacolor
Heather Bartz
Kristen Bawks
Lauri Berry
Kimberly Borlin
Lauren Borre
Alaina Brady
Erica Brown
Avery Burnette
Kristin Burnette
Rachel Cabanilla
Heather Caid
Jessica Chivell
Gandalf Church
Ashley Chynoweth
Lara Crawford
Jamie Culver
Matt Culver
Linda DeLapa
Amy Dirlam
Colleen Elkins
Gary Etter
Kimberly Fordham
Jennifer Francis
Kelsey Froelich
Brenda Graham
Kelsey Griffith
Kevin Guzzo
Jaime Hall
Gabby Hardy '18
Sarah Hassenger
Jenna Hawkins
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Joseph Haydon
Daniel Hernandez
Kristina Hernandez
Amber Higdon
Jennifer Hill
Alli Hoskins
Jamie Huber
Jason Huber
Joyce Hunter
Cynthia Igoe
Benjamin Jager
Kaitlyn Karpus-Lawrence
Sarah Keener
Maria Kern
Alex Klunder
Lisa Knuth
Allison Koch '90
Carolyn Kodis '13
Robyn Kubsch
Jesseca LaFayette
Dan LaFond
Amber Lange
Darcie Lawrick
Stephanie Lear
Ann LeClear
Burke Lokey III
Bridget Lorenz
Kimberly Lottridge
Mindi Mach
Katie Mandarino
William McComber
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Keith McLaughlin
Angela Mellott
Samantha Miller
Mary Ann Milletics
Kim Mishler
Dana Morris
Kara Nicholson
Tracy Olson
Amy Peterson
Chelsea Pollyea
Andrew Pratley
Troy Pratley
Natalie Rank
William Rath
Joe Rommel
Stephanie Rugg
Abigail Schmidt
Jill Scroggins-Hubble
Elizabeth Seering
Sara Smith
Traci Smith
Sara Smothers
Jennifer Suarez-Marquez
Alexandra Udell
Tina Uzelac
Brianne VanHekken
Ryan Vree
Tracy Wagner
Amanda Wallace '12
Dana Walsworth
Amy Wells
Ashley Wells
Ryan White
Lauren Wiltsie
Melanie Wolf
Jeanna Younger
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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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