Background
Established in 1987, the Putnam City Schools Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization managed by a board of trustees and comprised of involved patrons in the Putnam City School District and two paid staff members. The foundation works closely with the district to identify needs and develop relationships with local businesses, foundations, individuals, and alumni in order to garner resources and energies necessary to address pressing needs within Putnam City Schools.
Putnam City was established more than 100 years ago. It provides high quality education for students in preschool through high school. The district, the fifth-largest in the state, has 19,000-plus students attending 18 elementary schools, five middle schools, three high schools and one alternative school. Poverty level is at 76%. ACT composite scores are higher than state and national averages.
Impact
The Putnam City Schools Foundation has invested over $3 million in Putnam City Schools. We do this through our many initiatives designed to fulfill our mission and meet the needs of the entire district. Accomplishments for fiscal year 2017-18 include:
- Funded $21,000 for STEM labs at 12 elementary schools.
- Invested $10,000 in the Early Birds school-readiness program that benefited 700 Putnam City families.
- 85+ adults benefited from our English Language Literacy (ELL) program, while their school-aged children received tutoring.
- Adopted 1,140 children at Christmastime through CareShare, and Penny's Closet provided 208 coats and 159 pairs of shoes to children in need.
- Awarded 28 YES! Grants to teachers totaling $20,138 impacted 6,215 students this year alone.
- Recognized outstanding staff and patrons through Golden Apple awards, Excellent Educator/Teacher of the Year, and Super Star Teacher awards.
Our goals for fiscal year 2018-19 are:
- Continue focus on our core programs: STEM, Early Birds, and English Language Literacy Classes.
- Increase reach and brand awareness with teachers, staff, and the community that we serve.
- Finalize the Strategic Plan which will guide the organization through the next three to five years.
Needs
Early Birds – equips parents with knowledge and tools to become their child’s first teacher. Parents are encouraged to talk, sing, read, play and interact with their children. This program encourages parents to be a part of their child’s education and provides a resource kit filled with educational tools for parent and child to engage in the learning process together.
Elementary STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Labs – enables students to use and further develop their natural creativity and problem solving skills through Science and Math activities that can be applied to real-world applications in engineering and technology. Students are more likely to pursue a career in these areas when they are exposed at an early age.
English Language Literacy (ELL) Classes for Putnam City Parents – provides classes for parents in our district to improve their English language skills. These classes are centered in citizenship and financial literacy. They aim to remove the language barrier that can prevent parents from engaging in their child’s success, the school system, and the community.
YES! Grants – awarded to our talented teachers to benefit students and classrooms.
Community Fund – provides assistance to students in need of medical necessities, including eye exams and glasses, prescriptions, hearing exams and dental care.
Awards – in recognition of excellence, the Golden Apple, Teacher of the Year and Excellent Educator awards are given to teachers, staff and volunteers throughout the district each year.
CareShare – provides coats and shoes throughout the year and gifts during the holiday season to students and families in need.
Board Chair Statement
Since 1987, we have been working to focus public attention on academic excellence. The State provides funds for basic education. The Foundation provides support for additional programs that enrich and enhance education. It is our objective to educate the community about opportunities to help the district provide the best education possible. We are confident that our programs have an immense and lasting impact on the quality of public education in Putnam City Schools.