About the Foundation
Thank you for visiting the West Des Moines Community Schools Foundation
Web site. We are happy you are interested in learning more about
the work we do and how it impacts teachers and students within our
district!
The West Des Moines Community Schools Foundation Board of Directors
stands behind our chosen tagline of Expanding Opportunities for
All Our Students. We support our mission:
To actively seek private funds (and to coordinate funds entrusted
to its care) that ensure each student – regardless of his
or her means – has the opportunity to reach his or her fullest
potential.
We are a not-for-profit corporation formed in 1988. We are an
independent organization, yet work closely with the school district
administration and Board of Education. Our role is to provide
funding for all 14 schools in the West Des Moines Community School
District (West Des Moines, Clive, Windsor Heights and Urbandale)
to encourage student development and participation, creative teaching
and community/school partnerships.
The Foundation places special emphasis on the Removing the Barriers
Campaign and growing our endowment.
Removing the Barriers has raised approximately $200,000 since
its launch in December 2002. It is estimated that the lives of
more than 200 students annually are postively impacted by Removing
the Barriers. To read more about the impact of the campaign,
please go to the Removing the Barriers
Campaign page.
Today, the Foundation manages more than $400,000 in assets entrusted
to its care. The Foundation umbrella also extends over several
organizations with which you may be familiar. These include the
following:
Dollars for Scholars conducts numerous fundraising
activities. Profits provide nearly $40,000 a year in scholarship
payments (about 75 scholarships) to graduating seniors from Valley
High School and Walnut Creek Campus.
Valley High School Alumni Association (VHSAA)
maintains an alumni database and mailing lists, and assists in
reunion activities and planning all-school reunion events. VHSAA
activities are funded by annual dues of $20 per member.
The Staff Recognition Program is a citizen-based,
not-for-profit committee that organizes an annual reception to
honor teachers and school staff personnel who have been with the
district more than 15 years.
The Valley After Prom Committee provides a well-chaperoned,
safe and substance-free evening at a public place for all juniors
and seniors and their dates. The event is funded by contributions
from the business community and parents.
Friends of Valley Debate secures financial support
so all students, regardless of economic situations, can participate
in debate and forensics team activities.
The Speakers’ Bureau provides a Foundation
speaker who will talk with members of your club, organization
or civic group about our activities and the children whom we serve.
Please go to the Contact Us page to
request more information from The Speakers' Bureau.
The Foundation also works with the Valley Athletic Boosters and
the Valley Band Boosters in the sale of commemorative bricks displayed
at Valley Stadium. Please go to the Commemorative
Brick page to learn how you can have your own piece of history.
|
