January 2024

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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NEW YEAR, NEW GOALS!


2023 ended with a record fiscal year in revenue, and the number and dollar amount of grants awarded to SJPS. The SJPS Foundation is energized and ready to seek new opportunities to enrich the education of students in our district. Thank you, donors!

 

Congratulations Cory Hafer

SJHS Class of 2005


2024 Delaware State

Teacher of the Year


Pictured is Cory and his wife Jocelyn Hafer, formerly Jocelyn Frey, also a SJHS alum and currently an assistant professor at University of Delaware.

"When I reflect back on my time in St. Joseph Public Schools, I have excellent memories and am grateful for the high-quality education I received and the dedicated staff that facilitated that education. At Upton, I had the opportunity to explore a lot of different disciplines, like woodworking, metalworking, cooking, and sewing, which I still use today!


At SJHS, my passion for math, science, music, tennis, and learning in general was sparked by so many teachers (Mr. Foster, Ms. Wadel, Ms. Anderson, Ms. Nic, Mr. Luckritz, Mr. Guzzo, Coach Hoffmann, Mr. Cole, Mr. Prince, Ms. Nealer, et al). The concepts we learned in Ms. Anderson's biology classes inspired me to major in cellular and molecular biology in college and ultimately helped me decide to start teaching biology.


I would not be who I am without the support of St. Joseph Public Schools."

~Cory Hafer

Congratulations Gabby Hardy

SJHS Class of 2018


Current SJHS Science Teacher



Hydroponic Garden Tower

Grant Recipient

Last spring, Ms. Hardy applied for a teacher grant stating,

"I’m requesting an indoor hydroponic growing tower and necessary accessories for use in Honors Biology and Foods & Nutrition classes. This tower would allow us to grow up to 30 plants hydroponically in just two square feet of floor space year round." The $1,350 grant was unanimously approved!

"Honors Biology students have LOVED growing all sorts of plants in our vertical hydroponic garden! We were able to grow cherry tomatoes, jalapenos, sweet peppers, and a variety of leafy greens and herbs. Each student group chose their plant and cared for it as it developed from seed. Students also learned how to maintain and harvest each plant. It's brought so much life to our classroom and has prompted questions about plants and the food we eat. We're really excited to see what else we can grow!"

~Gabby Hardy

This hydroponic system hits on two major units: Plants/Photosynthesis and Environmental Science. The

students germinate the seeds, learn about harvest times, see the saplings at all stages of life and care for the plants. The system comes with LED lights, bright enough to sustain life even during a Michigan winter.


With a bountiful harvest, this project naturally lends itself to a collaboration with Mrs. Berry's Foods & Nutrition class and the opportunity for Foods students to use fresh herbs and greens in their cooking.

$50,000 for the Class of 2024

Seniors: Visit our scholarship page to apply!


Applications due Friday, February 23, 2024

SJPS Foundation

Photo Contest





The People's Choice Award wins the cover of the 2024-25

school calendar!





Visit our website


for additional information and

TIPS FOR WINNING PHOTOS!

STEINWAY DLB DEDICATION CONCERT

Tuesday, March 19 at 7:00 pm

Watch our social media outlets for more information!

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

December 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 Dave Edmunds

Lynn Bowen

Judith Fowler

Bill and Jane Marohn

David and Cathy Schaffer

December Donors

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

Todd Ankli

Ginny Antonson

Barbara Bannow

David Bartz & Margaret Johnson

Anthony & Judith Belski

William E.Benner '64

Georgia Boerma

Steve and Michele Borre

Barbara L.Brehm

Clem Brueck

Nancy Burch

Jeff & Jessa Calderwood

Todd & Beth '87 Christy

Barry & Jody '86 Conybeare

Sherry Conybeare

Karen Cox

Michael & Phyllis Damschroder

Cecilia Diaz & Luis Lopez

Mary Dooley

Pamela Dorgelo

Bill Downey & Lisa Cripps-Downey

Kris '89 & Sean '85 Ebbert

Bob '71 & Cindy Ehrenberg

Tom '74 & Cynthia Ellspermann

Ken & Mary Eppelheimer

Jenny & Michael Fee

Arnold Fege

Judy Felland

Karin Fields

Fleming Brothers Oil Co.

Tom & Nancy Fowler

Liz & Mike '71 Garey

Ron Gaynor

Bob & Anne Gottlieb

Jeff Hall

Tereck & Emily '94 Halsey

Jim & Peg Harmon

Barbara S. Harte

Reid Jaeger '70

Andrea Johns

Douglas Johansen, DDS

Maria & Nathan Jordan

John & Shawn Kim

Kathy & David Knight

Dr. David Kraklau & Shayleen Burgoyne

Ted & Lynn Kramer

JP & Holly LaPorte

Janet & David Mack

Eric & Bette Mallen

Jim & Beth Mandarino

Bill & Jane Marohn

Linda McConville

Sharon McFall

Morris McMurray

Roger Menchinger

Meryle M. Merritt

Pat and Carol Moody

Anna Heileman Murphy '81

Peter and Jamie Paximadis

Kenley & Carla Penner

Jenny & Toan Pham

Sue Plummer

Clay Reddig

Jonathan L.Reed

Jillian Rehder

Kristopher and Kelley Rich

Werner and Jill Riedel

Jim '81 & Sue Riemland

RMB Capital

Rumsa Family

Steven & Cheryl Schadler

David and Cathy Schaffer

Gary and Becky Schaffer

Patricia Scott

Sue Stewart '81

Carol E. Syles

Paul Taglia

Patricia Taplick & Daniel Groteke

Paulo & Solange Teixeira

Christopher Thomas & Kristin Hosbein

Peter Tolhuizen

United Federal Credit Union

Charley Upton

Christopher Vogie

George & Lainie Von Behren 

David Whitwam

Brett and Kristin Wier

Steve & Deda Winkler

Tiffany Wood

Kerry and Erin Wright

Tim Zindler

SJPS Teacher and Staff Giving

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

GO BEARS!

Kristina Allen

Connie Bacolor

John Bacolor

Heather Bartz

Kristen Bawks

Lauri Berry

Greg Blomgren

Kimberly Borlin

Lauren Borre

Alaina Brady

Erica Brown

Kristin Burnette

Heather Caid

Gandalf Church

Michelle Cohoon

Andrea Confer

Jenna Covert

Christine Crandle

Jamie Culver

Matt Culver

Lara Crawford

Deborah Darr

Heidi De La Foret

Linda DeLapa

Megan Dongvillo

Colleen Elkins

Gary Etter

Michael Finnigan

Kimberly Fordham

Melissa Foster

Jennifer Francis

Kelsey Froelich

Brenda Graham

Kevin Guzzo

Jenna Hawkins

Joseph Haydon

Daniel Hernandez

Allie Hoskins

Jill Hubble

Jamie Huber

Jason Huber

Joyce Hunter

Kaitlyn Karpus

Cindy Igoe

Maria Kern

Lisa Knuth

Carolyn Kodis '13

Laura Kovnat

Jesseca Lafayette

Amber Lange

Stephanie Lear

Ann LeClear

Bridget Lorenz

Katie Mandarino

William McComber

Angela Mellott

Samantha Miller

Mary Ann Milletics

Kim Mishler

Dana Morris

Nita Nicholie

Kara Nicholson

Tracy Olson

Amy Peterson

Sara Petrosius

Andrew Pratley

Natalie Rank

Kathy Reck

Joe Rommel

Susan Schweir

Sara Smith

Traci Smith

Sara Smothers

Tina Uzelac

Brianne VanHekken

Gail Wadel

Tracy Wagner

Amanda Wallace '12

Dana Walsworth

Ashley Wells

Ryan White

Melanie Wolf

Jeanna Younger

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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