News

The Grand Island Public Schools Foundation is pleased to offer the first round of the 2020-2021 annual mini-grant cycle. “The GIPS Foundation Board is committed to investing in students. The pandemic has created different realities for learning. We know GIPS Teachers and Staff are creative and resilient. We look forward to helping them invest in students in these times,” said Kirk Ramsey, GIPS Foundation Board President.

The 13-minute video news release featured GIPS Staff Campaign Co-Chairs sharing the results of the campaign that was moved to a virtual platform this year as schools began teaching online.

This year’s campaign has been themed “I give HOPE. I give GIPS. We are Better, Stronger, TOGETHER.” The campaign included a $5,000 challenge gift from Orv Qualsett in memory of his wife Mary.

For the seventh consecutive year, the Grand Island Public Schools Foundation has earned the 4-star rating from America’s largest national independent charity evaluator, Charity Navigator. The four-star rating is the highest award for sound fiscal management practices and commitment to accountability and transparency.

The GIPS Foundation has launched a special give week coinciding with the last official week of school this year to invite community members to express appreciation for, and solidarity with, the phenomenal teachers and staff of the Grand Island Public Schools.

The enormity of the effort to move school to a virtual environment with little training or warning, all while continuing to support students has been nothing short of amazing. Teachers and staff of the Grand Island Public Schools rose up and with determined spirit, delivered a continued curriculum to keep students connected, learning, and even eating!

Hello GIPS family! There are so many reasons to give to the GIPS Foundation, definitely far more than reasons not to give!

So many reasons come to mind for why to give. One major reason that stands out during our new reality, the GIPS foundation stepped up big time to give to families immediately when our district announced the shutdown. They are here to help provide what students and families need as soon as it arises!

I have always thought about mini-grant funding when donating, but that's only a small part of what the foundation actually does! It is amazing to hear things from helping with basic needs, to helping a family pay a bill, or paying the application fee for a student to apply for college, the list goes on and on. The opportunities our GIPS foundation makes possible for us and our community is why I wanted to be a Team Leader last year and a Co-Chair for the foundation this year.

Times are tough for so many people right now, but many are also still able and willing to help others...so #whyNOTgive? It's easy to do.

The contest will run April 17 – May 15. Although contributions will be accepted at any time, May 15 will be the last day contributions will be eligible for the contest. There are 44 teams. Teams are divided by building. Each campus is a team. Barr, Walnut, Westridge, Senior High, and the Kneale Administration building have been split into 4 or more teams.

The team that has the highest percentage of gifts meeting the challenge (gifts qualifying as new or increased) and highest percentage of giving will win the Grand Prize.

The team that has the highest percentage of gifts meeting the t-shirt challenge ($60 or more) will win the Building Prize.

We want to see you! The team with the highest percentage of their staff heroes posting selfies of their new reality in virtual classrooms, or home office/couch/kitchen table with the hashtags #igivehope #igivegips @GIPSFoundation @schoolname will win the Student Success Grant.

It’s all about the kids for me. The GIPS Foundation is all about providing better opportunities for our students. 100% of the donations collected go back to the kids. Teachers do amazing things every day and sometimes they want to provide enrichment opportunities that can not be funded by the district. Kids benefit through teachers who apply for mini grants. I am one of those teachers. 2 years ago I received a mini grant and my students are still utilizing the equipment today!

Grand Island Senior High in partnership with the Grand Island Public Schools Foundation and Home Federal Bank honored the top-ranked graduating seniors from Grand Island Senior High during an academic recognition reception on Thursday, April 30 in a Facebook Live Presentation from the Grand Island Public Schools Foundation Facebook Account. The presentation started at 7:00 p.m.

All students at Grand Island Senior High who graduate Summa Cum Laude or Magna Cum Laude, and have submitted a GIPS Foundation scholarship application, were awarded at least one scholarship through the Grand Island Public Schools Foundation’s Academic Aristocrat Scholarship Program. Honor students received a total of $45,150 at this presentation.

The choice to donate to the GIPS Foundation is a simple one for me. In normal times, it is easy to see how my donations have a direct, positive effect on my students, schools, and community. Grants provide teachers and students with much needed resources and opportunities. Scholarships provide opportunities for young men and women to better themselves after leaving Grand Island Public Schools. Simply put, donations to the GIPS Foundation allow the people, schools, and city that I feel passionate about grow and prosper.

Hello GIPS Staff, I hope all is well with each and every one of you. Our custodial team is busy cleaning GISH and it is very weird not having anyone here. We have been able to get a lot of deep cleaning done. Just want to let you all know that we miss you and can hardly wait for the day that we will all be together here at GISH again.

The Grand Island Public Schools Foundation Board voted to suspend Round 1 of the annual Classroom Grant Program at their regular board meeting on Wednesday, April 15. Board Chair, Kirk Ramsey relayed that “the GIPS family needs us more than ever to focus resources on the current emergencies related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Foundation is responding to this new reality. We hope to resume the classroom grant program when school resumes in buildings.”

The Grand Island Public Schools Foundation is accepting nominations for Teacher of the Year and Staff Member of the Year. The program is sponsored by First National Bank. The deadline for 2020 school year nominations is May 21, 2020.

Welcome to the March edition of Rise Grand Island the alumni newsletter for Grand Island Senior High published every other month by the Grand Island Public Schools Foundation. Rise is where we connect with thousands of Islanders across the globe, keeping you and them informed on what’s happening in Purple and Gold land, and reminiscing a little bit as well.

This is Volume 5, Number 2, as we move smartly in this new decade as the official publication for alumni of Islander Nation. Thanks for reading us and for your comments and support.

For the sixth consecutive year, the Grand Island Public Schools Foundation has earned the 4-star rating from America’s largest national independent charity evaluator, Charity Navigator. The four-star rating is the highest award for sound fiscal management practices and commitment to accountability and transparency.