summer 2021 newsletter
TRANSCRIPT
President’s Comments:
What a year it has been! When I prepared this note last Spring, Rockridge Schools, like the rest of the world, was in a very different place. The message talked about the drive-in graduation and the challenges our students, teachers, and administrators had gone through finishing the school year in a remote learning environment. Who could have imagined what the next school year would bring!
Looking back, I think we can be very proud of how our community handled this once-in-a-lifetime pandemic. I am also excited that after an unprecedented school year, graduation was once again in person!
As a Foundation, we had to postpone our in-person fundraising event like everyone else. However, our community stepped up and filled the gap, answering our “virtual” appeal with generous donations from individuals and businesses. We raised over $10,000 which went right to essential items for the classrooms and unique technology needs to ensure our students were successful in the remote, hybrid, and modified classroom environments required this past school year.
Please take a moment as you review this newsletter to note our business sponsors and when you see them around the community, thank them for the support, their generosity is critical to our success.
Like the rest of the world, we are hopeful that the Fall of 2021 we will have some normalcy back in our routines and we are planning for an in-person THANKSgiving event on Thursday, November 18, 2021 at the High School. More details will come as the school year begins.
However, no one has to wait to donate to the Foundation! As a partner with the Moline Foundation, we utilize their secure website donation link donorbox.org/rockridge-schools-foundation-fund where you can designate donations in memory of someone special or to celebrate a milestone event. We also accept donations through the mail to our Post Office Box #3 in Taylor Ridge, IL.
In addition, we are fortunate to be one of the sponsored charities through the John Deere Classic Golf Tournament. Using this vehicle to make a donation allows us to receive additional matching funds from John Deere as well as make you eligible for prizes from the Tournament. You may utilize the form in this newsletter or go directly to birdiesforcharity.com/donate and enter our Birdies # 2222 for the Rockridge Schools Foundation Fund. No matter how you donate, all funds go to projects in the Rockridge School District, making an impact on the academic success of our students.
Lastly, this is my final newsletter. My term as part of this dynamic organization comes to an end in June. I thank you all for the many years of friendships and blessings that the Rockridge Community has given me and my family. I look forward to participating in future events and continuing to give back to this wonderful Community. Go Rockets!
Thank you!
Heidi Schultz, President
Along with Rockridge Schools Foundation Fund Board Members: Lori Frackes, Vice President; Tara Huntley, Treasurer; Tracy DeClerck, Secretary; Officers: Kent Buckrop, Jan Fuhr, Tyler Fuhr, Teresa Richhart, and Jeff Widdop
Summer 2021 Newsletter
Photo credit
Meg McLaughlin
2021 GRADUATION IMAGE HERE
Congratulations Class of 2021 Graduates! They toss their caps in celebration as their challenging senior year of school has come to a successful end!
$10,000 in Educational Projects were funded in 2021!
We are pleased that we were able to raise over $10,000 from the virtual THANKSgiving event held in November!
We put that money to fund over a dozen projects between our schools! Here are the projects you supported!
Taylor Ridge Elementary
Kindergarten: Hands-on Materials and Manipulatives
1st grade: Paddle Boards, Pocket Mouse, Wobble Stools 2nd Grade: Tables and Stools, Grammar Support
Andalusia Elementary
4th Grade: HP Flip, Stylus, Docucam, and Chromcast
Rockridge Jr. High
6th grade - Social Studies: Ancient Civilizations Project
7th grade - Social Studies—Nearpod
Rockridge Junior/Sr Music Dept
iPad for recording and editing videos
JR/Boomwhackers and Ukuleles
Rockridge High School
Chemistry: Periodic Table
Spanish: Pear Deck Subscription
Art: Supplies and Crafts
Computer/Tech: 3D Printer
Nearpod “Nearpod was one of the best instructional tools that I used all year! It was a great way to turn a traditional worksheet into a fun and engaging lesson. Students were able to draw, collaborate, and play games using the learning concepts. It worked out great for online learners as well. Thank you so much for supporting this instructional tool and my classroom!” —Amy Benac, Social Studies
LCD writing tablets wobble stools, and whisper phones
“Thank you so much for the Foundation money I was able to use for my classroom. The items I ordered have recently arrived and we have been enjoying them. The students have been using the new wobble stools, LCD writing tablets, and whisper phones. I was able to also purchase some laminating pouches and posters to help with my planning and instruction. The extra money you provide really is a huge help and allows us to purchase resources the entire class can benefit from.
Thank you again!”
—Kristie Schwigen, 1st Grade Teacher Taylor Ridge Elementary
What the teachers are saying...
What the kids are saying...
Social Studies Ancient Civilizations Project Materials…
“The Mayan foil art project was the best because it was fun to color and be creative.”
“I liked the Mayan foil art best because I did it on foil and got to trace a picture with a pencil. I also liked this because I got to color it when I was done tracing it. The picture was displayed in the hallway.”
“Making the Egyptian masks was my favorite activity in 6th grade because we got to color them and decorate them. I also like learning about the CSI mystery about how King Tut died.”
“I liked the Mesopotamia cuneiform the most because I learned something new and it was a fun project! We got to write our name in clay using cuneiform.”
“The Egyptian mask was my favorite 6th-grade project because my mom and I worked on it together. My mom and I had fun when we built it because we use too much glitter. I enjoyed showing it to the class and having it hang in the hallway.”
Donors June 2020– April 2021
PLATINUM (GIFTS OF $500 PLUS)
Anonymous ACC, Inc
Allan Fuhr Lance & Pam Fuhr
Leland & Nellie Ziegenhorn Markman Peat Corp.
Reynolds Telephone Co. Tyler Fuhr Real Estate Sales
GOLD (GIFTS OF $250-$499)
Bill & Ruth Anne Hartman
Jim & Judy Fuhr Rod & Tara Huntley
Lori Lund
Blackhawk Bank & Trust IMEG Corp
Midwest Bank Herb & Heidi Schultz
Yes! I want to support the Rockridge Schools Foundation Fund help meet the needs of students at Rockridge! Fill out this form and mail with your
check to us at PO Box 3, Taylor Ridge, IL 61284, or donate online at www.rockridgeschoolsfoundation.org
Please accept my donation in the amount of $_______________
Honor (up to $49) Bronze ($50 $99) Silver ($100 $249) Gold ($250 $499) Platinum ($500 +)
The Rockridge Schools Foundation Fund is an affiliate of The Moline Foundation, an IRS designated 501 c 3 nonprofit. Your gift may qualify as a charitable deduction for federal income tax purposes. Consult with your tax advisor to determine if your gift will qualify.
Make check to: Rockridge Schools Foundation Fund, and mail it with this completed form to: PO Box 3, Taylor Ridge, IL 61284
Check any that apply:
THANK YOU FOR INVESTING IN QUALITY EDUCATION!
On behalf of the Rockridge students who are positively impacted by your gift, we say a heartfelt THANK YOU! Your investment will help Rockridge build great community members for generations to come!
SILVER (GIFTS OF $100-$249)
Jennifer Ehrhardt
Lane & Joyce Freyermuth
Carl & Shirley Johnson
Lori & Roger Rohlfing
Linda Buckrop
Ericka Figanbaum
Randy & Brenda Heisch
Matt & Kay Wynn
Amy Bower
Virginia Brady Charlies Tax Service LLC
Tom & Tracy DeClerck
Martin & Janet Flaherty
Tim & Gayle Flynn
Friends of Halpin Tom & Katy Hasson
Jim & Mary Nichols
Larry & Susan Parchert
Don & JoAnn Rursch
Wayne & Janice Siebke Cynthia & David Stewardson
Pat & Char Verschoore
Josh & Mindy Wheatley
Jason Wolfe
BRONZE (GIFTS OF $50-$99)
Janette Watkins
Brent & Kathy Johnson
Ruth Adams
Ferdinand & Marlene Bayer
James & Joyce Bohnsack
Barb Downey
Wayne & Carol Erickson
Steve & Debbie Faith
Steve & Lori Frakes
Wyatt & Karrie Fuhr
Jon & Margaret Gundling
George & Delora Hall
Gary & Ruth Hund
John & Pam Krantz
Mary Ann Vroman
Anna Whitcomb
Todd & Judy White
Liz Furlong
HONOR (GIFTS UP TO $50)
Paul Plagenz
Molly Cook
Mel Block
Kent & Becky Buckrop
Robert & Alice Crawford
Rich Janik
Jeff Overson
Mary Beth Watkins
Anonymous
John Deere Classic
Non-Profit
US POSTAGE
PAID
ROCKISLAND, IL
PERMIT NO 74
LOCAL
POSTAL CUSTOMER
PO BOX 3, Taylor Ridge, IL 61284
www.rockridgeschoolsfoundation.org
You can Support the Rockridge Schools Foundation Fund through Birdies for Charity When you chip in to help area charities, you can win some great prizes. But we will be the real winner because we receive 100% of the
donations pledged to us in this program, plus a bonus from the Birdies for Charity Bonus Fund which is a guaranteed 5% match. A grand prize will be given to one person who guesses the correct number. In case of ties, winners will be randomly selected. Deadline is June 21 to be eligible for prizes (or July 9 for non-prize eligible donations.)
Make your donation online! Visit https://birdiesforcharity.com/donate Type in our bird number 2222: Rockridge Schools Foundation Fund in the box. The minimum online donation amount is $20. All donations made online will be guaranteed the bonus promise of at least 5%.
To make your pledge by mail Cut out and complete the attached pledge form and mail to the Birdies office: 15623 Coaltown Rd, East Moline, IL. 61244
Rockridge Schools Foundation Fund
2222
The Moline Foundation 1601 River Drive, Suite 210, Moline, IL 61265 The Rockridge Schools Foundation Fund is a partner with The Moline Foundation, an IRS designated 501 c 3 nonprofit.
Thank you 2020 Virtual THANKSgiving Sponsors!
PLATINUM $1,000
ACC Mobile Accessories Markman Peat
Tyler Fuhr, RE/MAX River Cities
Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home
SILVER SPONSORS $250
Blackhawk Bank
IMEG
Midwest Bank