With a new logo and programming, the Las Cruces Public Schools Foundation has “a new look with the same mission,” said LCPS Community Outreach Liaison Brigitte Zigelhofer.
The Foundation, a nonprofit created in 1998, continues to offer important programs to fulfill its mission of partnering with LCPS to provide funding to students and staff “to support and enhance the educational experiences of students, promote innovation in the classroom, increase community involvement in education and pursue and recognize excellence in teaching and learning.”
Here are the Foundation’s major programs:
- Scholarships. With support from community partners and donors, the Foundation is offering 24 scholarship opportunities for LCPS seniors in 2022. Scholarships range from $500 to $2,000. The Foundation has awarded nearly $100,000 in student scholarships since 2014 and awarded $18,500 to 20 students in 2021. Only one application is necessary for a student to be eligible for any of the scholarships. Applications must be summitted by midnight Friday, April 8, at www.lcpsf.smapply.io.
- Innovative teacher grants. Since 2014, the Foundation has awarded nearly $78,000 through competitive grants to LCPS teachers, counselors and other school staff for classroom projects that enhance student learning literacy, math, science, technology and the arts. The maximum that an individual or group can apply for has been increased to $10,000.
- Teacher mini-grants. $40,000 will awarded during the 2021-22 school year in $100 grants to teachers so they can purchase classroom supplies at Alpha Teaching Tools, an educational supply store at 1114 E. Lohman Ave. – keeping the money in the local economy.
- Celebration of Excellence. The Foundation hosts LCPS’ annual Celebration of Excellence dinner, honoring the LCPS teacher of the year and other student and staff award winners. This year’s dinner will be held in May, and sponsors are welcome.
The Foundation’s community grant partners include the Stocker Foundation, El Paso Electric, Walmart/Sam’s Club, Nusenda and Lockheed Martin, along with many others.
“We are fortunate to have so many giving people in our community,” said Foundation Board President Brandy Darden. “Many of these donors have chosen to create endowments to ensure the sustainability of their specific scholarships. Additionally, the LCPS Foundation, in conjunction with the generosity of the Tucker Family, announces the J.W. and Mary Tucker Memorial Grant Scholarships. Annually, four $2,000 scholarships will be awarded to a student at each comprehensive high school who has participated in at least two varsity sports and has the highest GPA,” Darden said.
“One of the major goals of the LCPS Foundation is to provide teachers that ‘little extra’ to ensure they can meet the needs of their students,” said LCPS Foundation Executive Director Amy McCarty. “We do this in two ways: by providing $100 supply mini-grants and innovative teaching grants ($500- $2,000-plus). We are always looking for new ways to support the educators in our community and appreciate the generosity of those who help us continue to do so.”
In addition to Darden, board officers and members are Farrah Marquez, vice president; Miguel Ruiz, treasurer; Oida Aday, secretary; and directors Stacie Allen, Mary Armijo, Tara Binns, Sheila Bullock, Van Bullock, Laura Conniff, Rico Gonzales, former LCPS Board of Education member Barbara Hall, Jerry Humble, Gabe Jacquez, Grady Oxford, Katy Petermeier, Eric K. Pfeifer, Branda Porter, Greg Smith, Chris Woods, Catherine Zaharko and Zigelhofer. Ex-officio members are McCarty, Foundation Development Director Michael Valenzuela, Lupita Barrio and current LCPS Board of Education member Carol Cooper.
The Foundation welcomes volunteers, donors and event sponsors.
For more information, contact Foundation Executive Director Amy McCarty at 575-527-5888 and lcpsfoundation2@hotmail.com.
Visit lcpsf.org. Students wishing to apply for scholarships can visit lcpsf.smapply.io.