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Jasper Public
Schools Foundation

The Jasper Public School Foundation was created to provide enhanced opportunities for alumni of Jasper schools to participate in the activities of the Jasper Independent School District. The Foundation will also help fill the need for some method allowing alumni who live at a distance from Jasper to keep in touch and to maintain relationships with classmates and friends.

The Public School foundation became a reality in August 2002 when it was organized as a 501c3 entity. A board of directors was formed in 2003 and officers were elected. The first president was Scott Stover with Tas McGraw serving as secretary and "Pete" Dean as treasurer. Dr. James Warner succeeded Stover as president in 2004 with McGraw and Dean continuing in their positions.

Goals selected by the Foundation include:

1) raising funds to supplement selected curricular and extra-curricular programs offered to JISD students and considered worthy of support by Foundation members;

2) providing incentives to JISD faculty and staff to explore creative teaching techniques and projects; and

3) considering financial requests that provide opportunities for student exposure to the fine arts, enhance student community service opportunities, support after school programs, explore health and safety issues and focus on cultural diversity.

An additional purpose being considered by the Foundation is the development of a process to give recognition to outstanding Jasper public school graduates and/or former educators in the Jasper school system.

Presently the Foundation is focusing on planning in two areas: fund-raising and supplementing classroom instructional needs as identified by JISD faculty and staff. Fund-raising activities will center around a membership drive and the creation of an Alumni Plaza somewhere on present school district property. The plaza will feature inscribed paver bricks memorializing Jasper alumni.

The supplementing of instructional projects identified by JISD faculty members will feature the Give a Gift project. Give a Gift  is an internet-based clearinghouse of classroom needs and projects where givers can select for themselves how their contribution to a tax-exempt organization will be spent, knowing that 100% of their donation will go to the actual project. Teachers will describe their projects and proposals on the Give a Gift page at the Jasper ISD web site (www.jasperisd.net). Donors may then review the projects and select the one/s/ to which they wish to contribute.

Membership in the Foundation will provide an opportunity for Jasper public school ex's to continue to enjoy and contribute to that special Bulldog spirit. The membership of all Jasper ex's is encouraged. Additional information may be obtained by contacting Tas McGraw at 382-1389 (TMcGraw@jasperisd.net)