|
|
|
Commerce Schools Educational Enrichment Foundation
|
 |
The annual Boots & BBQ fundraiser hosted by the Commerce Schools Educational Enrichment Foundation at Commerce High School April 17 was deemed a success by organizers having brought in over $11,000 to benefit the Commerce Independent School District.
Foundation President Jack Pirkey said 45 gifts of $200 or more earned donors the distinction of being called Foundation Champions.
This year's grant recipients showcased projects funded by the Foundation at the fundraiser. Kindergarten teachers Karen Davis, Samantha Bland, Nancy Hill, Heather Kilgore, Susan Lampe and Sonya Mathews used grant funds to purchase iPod Touches to enhance vocabulary skills in their classrooms.
Elementary music teacher Angela Neal used funds to bring percussion musicians into the schools in her Peanut Butter Jammin' Around the World concert series. Fifth graders performed at the fundraiser using drums purchased with grant funds.
Fourth graders were able to again visit Austin through funds provided by the Foundation. The day-long trip features stops at the State Capitol and the Bob Bullock Museum. The trip enhances the students' study of Texas history.
Digital cameras, Flip cameras and other technological equipment was purchased for use at A. C. Williams Elementary School by Technology teacher Kelly Cotton. Students use the equipment to make learning personal using pictures and videos to explain concepts they learn in the classroom, according to Cotton.
Books for the Drop Everything And Read (DEAR) program at Commerce Middle School were purchased with grant funds awarded to Principal Patrick Just and teacher Sherry Rector. Every day students at CMS spend 30 minutes reading for pleasure to enhance their skills.
Third grade students visited the Nature and Science Museum of Dallas using grant funds. Hands-on experiments at the museum enhanced learning for the third graders which are taught by Sondra Feduccia, Kathy Black, Jackie Orr, Teresa Robinson, Lucinda Rodriguez and Keiondra Simpson. Digiscopes and GoTemps were also purchased to enhance math and science instruction.
At Commerce High School, science teacher Wes Roberts was awarded a grant to replace laptops for student use.
"I heard more comments this year about the quality of the presentations by the grant recipients. It's great to know our work is paying off to help student achievement," Pirkey said.
Pirkey also said he was pleased to see people at the event who had not previously been involved. "I was happy to see new faces," he said noting he was glad the Foundation's work was being noticed and appreciated by a larger group.
Recently the Foundation received a $50,000 check from the Lowell Lebermann Jr. estate, fulfilling a pledge made by Lebermann prior to his death.
Dr. Pirkey said the Foundation plans to continue offering grants in the fall. The Foundation awards $20,000 to $25,000 each year to benefit instruction in math, science, technology and the fine arts. Over $163,000 has been awarded during the last five years.
Persons wishing to contribute to the Foundation for grants to CISD teachers may do so at anytime by sending a check to CISD, PO Box 1251, Commerce, TX 75429 or by calling Dr. Pirkey at 903 408-9600.
|
|
2009 grant awards total over $23,000 The Commerce ISD Board of Trustees recognized the CSEEF for presenting over $23,000 to Commerce ISD teachers who proposed initiatives to enhance instruction in math, science, fine arts or technology.
CSEEF Board of Directors Member Jean Appleton (left holding check) made the presentation to CISD teachers and Superintendent Blake Cooper at the November Board of Trusees meeting.
Click here for more information
|
|
2009 Boots & BBQ Dinner/Fundraiser a great success!
The Commerce Schools Educational Enrichment Foundation annual Boots & BBQ Fundraiser was a huge success, according to its organizers. The event, held April 18 at CHS, brought in over $16,000, surpassing last year's total and contributions and pledges are still coming in. The Foundation honored 41 Foundation Champions for giving $200 or more. Over 140 people attended and the goal is to greatly increase that number at the 2010 event, according to Loretta Kibler, Foundation Board member.
Superintendent Blake Cooper thanked the Foundation for the work they do to support our students by providing for needs outside the school budget in the areas of fine arts, science, math and technology.
Students gave presentations explaining how grant funds were used to enhance instruction. Fourth graders described their annual trip to Austin and how it helped in their study of Texas history. Middle school students showed how technology purchased with grant funds was used in the classrom. Teachers exhibited displays showing how grant funds were used.
The CHS Jazz Band provided entertainment during the event.
The CSEEF has provided over $173,000 to Commerce schools since 2005 (10/27/2009).
More Boots & BBQ photos
|
|
|
|
 |
Educators receive $24,919 in instructional grants |
|
|
|
The Commerce Schools Educational Enrichment Foundation presented $24,919 in grant awards to teachers at the CISD Board of Trustees November 2008 meeting. Grant funds will be used to purchase technology to enhance math and science instruction, fund a trip to Austin for all fourth graders and provide a professional jazz performance for elementary students. Foundation Board members attending the meeting were Jack Pirkey, president; Jerry Keeble, treasurer; Jerry Lytle, Loretta Kibler, Janet Peek, Wyman Williams, |
|
|
 |
|
Patty Doster and Alicia Hulsey. Grant winners were Stephanie Critchlow, Travis Milsap, Susan Erwin, science at CHS; Mardi Leist, Celia Reid, Nicole Timmons and Bob Pugh, math at CMS; Sarah Jones, technology at CMS; Cadi Collins, third grade teacher at ACW; Julie McLeroy, Tina Bronson, Karen Hubbert, Donna Barton, Laura Finley, and Amy Scaff, fourth grade teachers at ACW; and Angela Neal, CES/ACW music. |
|
|
|
|
Vendors give $10,000 donation |
A total of $10,000 was received from Walsh, Anderson, Brown, Schulze & Aldridge, P.C.; Perdue Brandon Fielder, Collins & Mott, LLP; Claycomb Associates, Architects; and W. B. Kibler Construction Co., LTD to benefit the Foundation. |
|
|
|
 |
Lebermann pledges $50,000 |
The Commerce Schools Educational Enrichment Foundation received a $50,000 pledge from Lowell H. Lebermann, a Commerce ISD alumnus who resides in Austin (shown at left). This gift is given to honor the memory of his parents Dr. Lowell Lebermann and his wife, Sue, former Commerce residents. The pledge will be paid in three increments beginning in November 2008.
“It is particularly pleasant for me to make this contribution in the names of my father, Dr. Lowell Lebermann and my mother, Sue Lebermann, because of their long-standing interest and involvement in Commerce. My dad owned and managed Lebermann Hospital from 1939 until his death in 1958. My mother continued to live in their Commerce home until she relocated in Austin. They had many good friends in Commerce and at the University (then East Texas State, now Texas A&M University-Commerce). I am proud for their names to live on in a meaningful way in Commerce and for the benefits that this grant will provide”
Lebermann is the owner and chairman of the board of Centex Beverage, Inc., a multi-county wholesale distributor of Miller Brewing Company products and a wide assortment of imported malt beverages. He is a former board member of Valero Energy Corporation and was inducted into the Texas Business Hall of Fame in 2004.
Currently, Lebermann is vice-chairman of the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority, trustee for the National Public Radio Foundation, and on the Board of Directors of the Aspen Music Festival and School. An extraordinarily active community volunteer, he serves or has served on numerous local and statewide boards including Envision Central Texas, the State-Capitol Restoration Committee, Opportunity Austin, and the Lady Bird Johnson National Wildflower Center. He is a former member of the University of Texas Board of Regents and served three consecutive terms on the Austin City Council.
“The Foundation is extremely fortunate to have a person of Lowell’s intense business acumen and knowledge of foundations to bestow this meaningful contribution in memory of his parents. This gift will have a lasting influence on the lives of Commerce ISD students,” stated Jack Pirkey, president of the Foundation. |
|
|
|
|
|
The Commerce Schools Educational Enrichment Foundation (CSEEF) was established by former CISD students to enhance opportunities for students in math, science, fine arts and technology. Since 2005, the Foundation has distributed over $140,000 to teachers who have presented proposals for funding.
For more about the Foundation and its goals to enhance opportunities for Commerce students,
submit contact information here.
Each year fourth graders from A. C. Williams Elementary travel to Austin via charter bus to visit the
Capitol and the Bob Bullock Museum. Funds for the trip are provided by the Foundation.
|
|
|
|  |
|
 |
Grant Winners for Spring 2008 |
Foundation grant winners for 2007-2008 were Ryan Weyrick, CHS math teacher; Kevin Shaw, CHS math teacher; Marilyn Thompson, CHS art teacher; Mike Bessonett, CHS science and math teacher; Debora Lytle, CMS art teacher; Jerry Keeble, Foundation Board Treasurer; Janet Peek, Foundation Board member; Casey Chaney, CHS math teacher; Janet Duncan, Foundation Board member; Pam Cole, CMS social studies teacher; Toni Hamlin, CMS social studies teacher; Janet John, CMS social studies teacher; Angela Neal, elementary music teacher; Julie McLeroy, ACW fourth grade teacher; and Jack Pirkey, Foundation Board President. |
|
 |
|
Jack Pirkey, President email |
|
|
|
