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Staff Campaign Results

Staff Campaign Results

1,288 staff and board members or 85% gave a total of $91,183


GIPS Foundation Press Release

The Grand Island Public Schools Foundation proudly announced the remarkable results of its 21st annual Add it Up to Opportunity! staff and board member fund drive during a news conference held at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, May 13. The event took place at the prestigious Bill Marshall/Five Points Bank Champions Hall, within the iconic Memorial Stadium/Jack Martin Field, symbolizing over two decades of unwavering dedication and support from the GIPS staff.

With gratitude, the GIPS Foundation acknowledged the outstanding generosity of its staff, who presented 9,990 reasons to invest in student opportunities. A significant highlight of this year's campaign was the heartfelt gesture from Cheryl and Douglas Jensen who provided a $5,000 challenge gift. Their pledge served as a matching fund for all new and increased contributions towards the 2024 Add it Up to Opportunity Staff Campaign. Cheryl and Douglas have been involved with the Grand Island Public Schools since 1971. Cheryl as a Title 1 Perceptual Motor Specialist and Elementary Physical Education Teacher and Douglas as a Speech/Language Pathologist, Program Coordinator of Special Education at the Secondary Level, and a Grand Island Senior High Administrator.

The Foundation has given Cheryl and Douglas many memorable experiences. Cheryl and Douglas have had the opportunity to participate in nearly all of the committees associated with the Foundation and to see the impact it has provided the students and staff of the Grand Island Public Schools. Cheryl was able to see a teacher selected as a Legendary Educator that she helped nominate. Douglas personally saw the results of the Foundation’s recognition when he was awarded Administrator of the Year in his final year as Grand Island Senior High Principal.

The Jensen’s note that the Foundation is a vehicle for change that supports not only the students at all levels within the district but also the people who keep our facilities clean, work as aides, teach, and administrate. It is important to do those things that bring you joy, and supporting innovative teachers and their students brings us joy.

Running from March 25 to April 22, the campaign witnessed remarkable engagement, with a 85% participation rate. Together, the staff and board members of Grand Island Public Schools and the GIPS Foundation raised an impressive $91,183.59.

The proceeds from the campaign will further enrich Foundation programs, including the Academic Aristocrat Scholarship and Teacher of the Year initiatives. Additionally, the funds will bolster Foundation operations, endowment efforts, and the Classroom Grant program. During the 2022-2023 school year alone, the Grand Island Public Schools Foundation invested an extraordinary $1,418,061 into various programs, scholarships, and grants benefiting students.

Jensen Challenge Gift

YOU make the difference!

The campaign included a $5,000 challenge gift from Douglas and Cheryl Jensen to encourage the staff at Grand Island Public Schools to continue giving to the Foundation. 

The Jensen Challenge Gift was used to encourage staff to give new or increased gifts to the campaign.

495 staff donors qualified for this matching opportunity. This was 37% of the gifts received. 

T-shirt Challenge

All who pledged $72 or more received a free T-shirt. We encourage staff to wear their shirt on May 13, the day of our press conference. This year 530 staff members earned a t-shirt!

100% Giving

There were 30 teams that had 100% or more as a giving rate! As promised, the Foundation delivered candy bars to the following teams: 

  • Kneale - West
  • GIPS Special Education
  • Dodge Elementary
  • Engleman Elementary
  • Jefferson Elementary
  • Newell Elementary
  • Seedling Mile Elementary
  • Shoemaker Elementary
  • Starr Elementary
  • Wasmer Elementary
  • West Lawn Elementary
  • Barr Eights
  • Barr Sixers
  • Walnut 1
  • Walnut 2
  • Walnut 3
  • Walnut 4
  • Walnut 5
  • Walnut 6
  • Walnut 7
  • Westridge Sevens & Custodial
  • Westridge Office & Food Service
  • Westridge Explore & Paras
  • Westridge Eighth + Media
  • Senior 1 Freshman Academy
  • Senior 2 Education & Business
  • Senior 5 Global
  • Senior 8 ELA Student Support
  • Senior 9 Custodial & Food Service
  • Success Academy

Campaign Contest Winners

Jensen Challenge

Qualifying as "new or increased" and meeting the Jensen Challenge Award – includes a traveling trophy and a building prize (something fun or tangible to be worked out with their team leaders)... Walnut Middle School Team 1 led by Erin Brooks. Walnut Middle School Team 1 reached 178% participation! Raised $1,847.91 from 32 participants. 78% of the team's gifts qualified for the challenge.

T-Shirt Challenge

Qualifying for the T-shirt Challenge - per contest rules this award is something tangible for the team that wins. Congratulations Walnut Middle School Team 1 led by Erin Brooks. Walnut Middle School Team 1 gave at a rate of 100% with 78% of their gifts at the $72 or more level.

Honorable Mentions

There are some people who always go above and beyond. The Kneale South team (aka Team Love), lead by Cat Love, brought in the highest dollar amount by any team this year - a whopping $8,037.55! In her second year as a Team Leader, Cat felt strongly about the mission of the GIPS Foundation so she made a point to connect one-on-one with each team member to encourage them to give.

Senior High Team 9, lead by Al Hayman, had a giving rate of 203%! It is because Al is so passionate about investing in kids that he asks everyone he knows to give and he personally gives in honor of all of his kids and his grandkids. Al bleeds purple and gold and we wanted to recognize his effort. 

Personal Day Drawing

All Staff Members who give $132 or more were entered into a drawing to win an extra personal day to be added to next year’s contract. Leadership for Learning Administrators will substitute for certified staff who require a sub. Classified staff are also eligible to win.

Three winners were drawn:

Dave Woods, Senior Team 10 Admins + Counselors + Office
Kathy Boroff, Barr Sevens Team
Jill Lenners, Dodge Elementary Team

Event Photos

Click image below to view photos

© 2024 Grand Island Public Schools Foundation
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