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Vestavia Hills City Schools Foundation
VHCSF Executive Director Ashley Thompson and board members Alison Smith, Anita Turner, Buffie Hymer and Alissa Padgett stand in front of Vestavia Hills High School. Photo by Karim Shamsi-Basha.
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Stasi Bara, © 2014 Stasi Bara
Dinner & Diamonds
Area residents enjoy last year’s Dinner & Diamonds event benefiting the Vestavia Hills City Schools Foundation. Photo courtesy of Ashley Thompson.
Walk into a local elementary classroom, and you’ll find students engrossed in research, swiping their fingers across iPad screens.
Gone are the days of paper book reports and poster projects; students can now create multimedia presentations, applications and blogs using the latest technology.
Although they may not realize it now, these children are equipping themselves for a myriad of careers that lie ahead.
The Vestavia Hills City Schools Foundation (VHCSF) makes these innovations possible. The nonprofit organization works steadily behind the scenes to ensure students have up-to-date learning resources. This month, the Foundation will host its flagship fundraiser as well as the Pitch In for Education campaign, with proceeds fueling resources for local classrooms.
Making an impact
The Foundation began in 1996 when a group of parents got together and decided the Foundation was necessary as an alternative means of funding for the school system’s academic needs.
Today, the Foundation board is composed of volunteers from the community who serve three-year terms. The Foundation functions as a nonprofit organization that maintains an education endowment. This endowment provides grants, which enable the schools to have access to funds that go beyond the local, state and federal resources.
Over the past 18 years, the Foundation has grown its education endowment to more than $2 million. Interest generated from this investment has enabled the Foundation to grant nearly $667,000 to the eight schools in the system. In 2014 alone, VHCSF awarded 11 grants totaling $60,000 to the system and the Board of Education.
“Our goal is to grow the education endowment to $5 million to make dreams and innovations possible,” said VHCSF Executive Director Ashley Thompson. “As Superintendent Sheila Phillips has said, the school system budget may fund the day-to-day expenses, but the grants fund the system’s innovations and dreams.”
Innovative grants
The Foundation provides grants that go toward classroom enhancements, professional development and technology.
For example, due to the joint grants from the Foundation and Wells Fargo, Pizitz Middle School and Liberty Park Middle School are now using a Full Option Science System (FOSS).
Each middle school science class received two FOSS modules this year. The FOSS program is a research-based program that focuses on hands-on learning and investigation.
“The FOSS kits have everything a teacher needs to help students experience science first and then explain the concepts,” said Pizitz science teacher Aimee Farrar. “The students love the hands-on approach to science class.”
Furthermore, with a grant from the Foundation, the school system purchased the Lucy Calkins Units of Writing system to enhance the writing curriculum. Every elementary school teacher in Vestavia received a grade level copy of the program.
The grants not only provide technological resources for students but also fund professional development training for teachers that helps them successfully integrate those resources into the classroom.
February campaign
This year, the Foundation will host the 9th annual Dinner & Diamonds event, which serves as the organization’s flagship fundraiser. Last year’s event drew more than 500 people, and Thompson said they moved this year’s event to Regions Field to accommodate the larger crowds.
“The event provides an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of the Foundation, and funds the operating budget, which ensures the Foundation has the resources it needs to keep working to support our schools and teachers,” said Thompson.
The event includes live music, food, and silent and live auctions. Auction items include jewelry from Paul’s Diamond Center, sporting events, dining and art from local artists. Sponsorships are also available.
Also this month, the Foundation will launch the 6th annual Pitch In for Education campaign. The campaign gives students an opportunity to personally make a difference in their schools.
By “pitching in” loose change or bills, students help grow the Foundation’s education endowment. The class in each school that contributes the most during their Pitch In campaign wins a Bruster’s Real Ice Cream party, and the teacher wins a $50 classroom grant.
Last year’s campaign raised more than $40,000 for Vestavia Hills City Schools.
“We’re raising money for all students, not just one specific program,” said Thompson. “This is for the kids.”
Visit vestaviafoundation.org or email Ashley Thompson at director@vestaviafoundation.org.
9th Annual Dinner & Diamonds
benefiting the Vestavia Hills City Schools Foundation
Saturday, Feb. 28
7 p.m., Regions Field
Tickets are $80 per person. The event will feature live music, food, and silent and live auctions that include jewelry from Paul’s Diamond Center and art from local artists. Sponsorships available.
