Strong Schools. Strong Community.

C A M P A I G N 2 0 1 4 - 2 0 1 8

The Decatur City Schools Foundation works with the community to

provide funding for innovative programs that go above and beyond the

standard curriculum. We seek funding for projects that help increase

student achievement and build accountability within Decatur City Schools.

$2 million+ in funding to Decatur City Schools since

our founding in 1992.

Our Purpose

HOW WE MEASURE PROGRESS

The Foundation partners with the Public Affairs Research Council

of Alabama (PARCA) for annual analysis of our system compared

to neighboring systems and peer systems across the state. We also

receive data from DCS for individual projects.

Decatur City Schools

Foundati oN

HOW WE GET INPUT

Board of Education

Donors

Central Office

Teacher Advisory Council

Community

Superintendent

Principals

DCSF Board Members

HOW WE SELECT PROJECTS

Does it meet our mission and current goals?

Will it provide measurable results?

Will it be sustainable?

2010 – 2014

Campaign Results

$1,152,547

We believe that every student deserves a chance to succeed.

And we believe that the future well-being of our community starts with our

schools. That’s why, in 2009, we kicked off our capital campaign,

It Starts With Our Schools,

that focused on increasing student achievement and addressing areas

of need within our school system. Because of generous donors, collaboration

with the school system, and the support of this community, we reached our goal

of giving $1 million back to Decatur City Schools through innovative programs

and initiatives that make a difference. Not only did we meet our financial goal,

we saw positive and impactful results.

As the It Starts With Our Schools campaign comes to a close, we can’t dream

of stopping what we started. Our new five year campaign will capitalize on the

accomplishments of It Starts With Our Schools, and take them one step further.

We will continue to…

strengthen our schools and our community as well.

Strong Schools. Strong Community.

TOTAL IMPACT

Campaign Funds & Grants

FOCUSIncrease student achievement

in math and reading at the elementary level through

Leader in Me, professional development and student

intervention

SCOPE 5 elementary schools + 3 years

IMPACT Significant increase in

ARMT test scores

—Beth Hales, Principal at Austinville Elementary

Through the initiatives of this program,

Austinville student Keyshauna Hall became a leader at her school.

Keyshauna now works on a sixth grade math level, and is thought of daily

as a student who can be trusted with leadership positions. Without the

privilege of being a part of this program, Keyshauna and others may not have

made such a dramatic change, both academically and socially.

“Being a part of the Innovation Program has brought about many wonderful

changes at Austinville Elementary School. Not only has the

opportunity greatly increased test scores and encouraged student motivation,

it has changed the overall climate and feeling of our school.”

$162,810

INNOVATION PROGRAM

FOCUSAddress and reverse trends of declining test scores, low

attendance, and increased discipline referrals that traditionally begin in

5th grade through a 1 to 1 netbook program

SCOPE 805 netbook computers 805 5th grade students 12 elementary schools

IMPACT Based on positive results,

technology for every student is now in place for grades 4-8 with a true 1 to 1 in grades 5-8 and carts with

netbooks for use in grade 4.

$416,850

—Susan White, 5th Grade Teacher at Woodmeade Elementary

“Having netbooks in my room has had such a positive impact

on my students’ technological knowledge and comfort level. Every day I hear at

least one of my students explaining something that he or she has researched

in class. They no longer wait for me to tell them about new things

because they can look it up themselves.

This truly gives them the opportunity to be lifelong learners.”

CLASSROOMTECHNOLOGY

David Moore, a 5th Grade student at Woodmeade Elementary, has

benefited from the Leader in Me program since he started Kindergarten.

Much of his enthusiasm for his school and his future can be attributed to the commitment to using the Leader in Me tools at Woodmeade. These

students are encouraged to reach their full potential daily. “I have

learned so much about the 7 Habits and leadership. I came here in

Kindergarten and didn’t know anything about being a leader; but I

learned fast. Woodmeade has a made a difference in my life. Our

school feels like a place where we are encouraged to use our talents

and help others.”

STUDENTACHIEVEMENT

Grants & Funding

FOCUSTeach students leadership,

accountability, responsibility, initiative, problem solving, and teamwork through the 7 Habits

of Highly Successful People

SCOPE 4,250 students yearly

351 teachers and administrators 5 years

IMPACT Discipline reports have dropped

35% since 2008-2009 school year, 2 schools earned Lighthouse Status

from Franklin Covey

LEADER IN ME

$135,000

WE KNOW WE CAN COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVE, 2012: $5,700 The Foundation worked closely with DCS and the Chamber of Commerce to conduct 16 community conversations. Close to 700 citizens participated to give input on the future of the schools. The data gathered as a result of these focus groups was used as a starting point in developing the first ever system-wide strategic plan.

PRE-K GRANT: $100,000This grant-funded classroom is one of several new Pre-K classrooms established throughout Morgan County for the 2014-2015 school year as part of Starting Strong, an initiative of the Chamber of Commerce. Analysis of existing Alabama reading and math test scores by the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama (PARCA) shows that students who participate in Alabama’s First Class Pre-K program academically outperform their peers once they reach elementary school.

OTHER INITIATIVES

Katie Spillers and Chandler Turner have experienced more than

they ever thought through their involvement in engineering

courses at Austin High School. Both girls are considering careers in engineering as a result, and when given the chance to talk about what they’ve learned, their

enthusiasm and appreciation for the program couldn’t be more

obvious. Instead of thumbing through textbooks and reading about

the concepts used in applying engineering skills - they actually get

to experience it. From creating 3D models in CAD to helping design

a downtown bridge, and creating materials used by NASA, this

program provides real-life experience and hands-on learning that

the students do not soon forget.

ACT PREP: $9,043Materials and professional development for one classroom at each high school.

DECATUR AUSTIN ROBOTICS COALITION (DARC): $20,000 Through this funding, the DARC team excelled in local, state, and national competitions year after year.

FUND-A-NEED CLASSROOM GRANTS: $14,000Established Fall 2012 as a vehicle for donors to give directly to classroom needs. Since its establishment over 40 projects have been funded in 14 schools.

STUDENTACHIEVEMENT

Grants & Funding

FOCUSProvide real-world hands on engineering experiences for

middle and high school students to encourage them to consider careers

in STEM (Science Technology Engineering Math)

SCOPE Textbooks, robot kits, and materials

437 students2 high schools

3 middle schools

IMPACT More and more students are signing up for these classes in our schools resulting in a projected increase in

classes offered.

ENGINEERING PROGRAMS

$105,680

ContinuePartnership with Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama (PARCA)

to ensure data-based measurement and accountability of all initiatives

ExpandGrants & Programs to Increase Student Achievement including:

Innovation Program to Middle and High Schools

Drop-out Prevention

Early Learning Opportunities

And more…

EnhanceClassroom Technology with Teacher Training and

Pilot Programs to Drive Innovation

Career Tech to Prepare Students for Local STEM Careers

Strong Schools. Strong Community.

FOCUS AREASStudent Achievement

Classroom TechnologyCareer Tech

Data & Accountability

Help us raise $1 Millionover the next 5 years

MEASURES OF PROGRESS

Increase in Student PerformanceIncrease in Graduation RatesDecrease in Discipline Rates

Increase in College & Career Ready Graduates

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

—Nelson Mandela

Photography donated by Ellis B. Chenault Studios | Design donated by Red Sage Communications, Inc.

PO Box 1224 | Decatur, AL 35602 | 256-616-1734

The Decatur City Schools Foundation is a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit organization. All contributions are tax deductible as allowed by law.

The Decatur City Schools and its School Board have initiated

a 5-year Strategic Plan that contains aggressive goals for increasing student

achievement measured by data such as test scores and graduation rates.

The Foundation supports this effort and has developed the

Strong Schools. Strong Community.

Campaign to help our students and schools achieve these goals and

to establish a culture of innovation throughout our school system.

Jeff BrownPRESIDENT

Mary Ila WardVICE PRESIDENT

Angie MorrisTREASURER

Doug ShoemakerSECRETARY

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2013-2014

Jesslyn ReevesEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

www.decaturcsf.org

Viveka Awasthi

John Coon

Ellen Didier

Lynn Fowler

Charlotte Gregory

Beth Jackson

Lisa Jones

Lee Lott

Will Pebworth

David E. Scott

Wally Terry

Ex-Officio

Dr. Ed NicholsSUPERINTENDENT

Karen DukeBOARD OF EDUCATION PRESIDENT

Lorrianne Curtis-SparkmanCITY PTA PRESIDENT