Foundation Raises over $26,000 at Annual Dinner to Benefit Educational Grant Programs!

The Elmbrook Education Foundation's Annual Foundation Dinner was sponsored by Boldt Construction, C.G. Schmidt Construction, and Plunkett Raysich Architects and hosted by the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts on 2/28/10. 

A district-wide crowd of approximately 200 guests enjoyed dinner prepared on-site by Carrabba’s Italian Grill, coffee service by Caribou Coffee (Bluemound), and casino games sponsored by Casino Party Specialists. Got Gold? Parties was on hand to purchase gold at unheard of prices from those that brought in their unwanted or broken gold for cash.

Guests had the opportunity to win a myriad of different gifts donated by area businesses and residents for the benefit of our Elmbrook Schools!



At the end of the evening, Bob Dolan (Dolan Productions) and Chris Thompson (SDE, CIO) provided a short overview of the SMART Response systems to be funded by the Foundation to assist with the implementation of the new middle school math curriculum.   SMART Response provides staff with real time assessments that help them differentiate daily lesson plans for the benefit of all students.  See prior blog post on this project.  

Fourth grade teachers (Dan Gebauer, Kristin Olson, and Shane Radosevich) and students (Riley, Leah, and Zack) participated in a round of "Are You Smarter Than a Fourth Grader' against Elmbrook administrators (Dr. Matt Gibson, Keith Brightman and Eileen Depka) using SMART Response.  The Fourth Graders won hands down!  The audience played along to get a feel for what our students will experience once the new SMART Response systems are implemented. 

A reverse auction was held to raise funds specifically for SMART Response.  To date, the Foundation has received nearly $10,000 in directed donations towards this $30,000 campaign.  Please contact the Foundation if you would like to contribute or become a sponsor of the SMART Response campaign.   

It was great to see so many people from across the District come out to socialize and support the Foundation at such a beautiful venue!  The Sharon Lynne Wilson Center of the Arts continues to be a true facility partner of the School District of Elmbrook.  

The Sharon Lynne Wilson Center will once again sponsor two continuing education scholarships administered by the Elmbrook Education Foundation to a 2010 graduate from each High School who has been active in the arts. 

On behalf of the entire board of directors, the EEF would like to extend sincere appreciation to the event committee (Jennifer Morales, Shelley Botchek, Michelle Uczen, Rachel Lyon, Mardi Kemp, and Laura Schmidt) for providing the leadership for this year's event.  The Foundation is excited to invite everyone back to attend this event again next year!

The Foundation depends on the generosity of its annual sponsors, event sponsors, raffle/auction donors, event guests and volunteers to reach its goals every year and is very appreciative of their ongoing support.  The Foundation would also like to recognize Mike & Mary Altschaefl who acted as a Scholar level sponsor for this event.

Foundation Leadership Giving Circle

The Foundation would like to recognize those that have provided a leadership gift to the Foundation in the 2009-2010 school year to date:

• Brookfield Rotary Club
• Waterstone Bank
• Pasternak & Zirgibel, S.C.
• School District of Elmbrook Staff
• Sharon Lynne Wilson Center of the Arts
• McKinley Lodge
• Johnson Bank, Brookfield
• Brookfield Junior Woman's Club
• First Weber Foundation
• Tonawonda Elementary PTO
• Brookfield East High School PTO
• Brookfield Central High School PTO
• Bill & Sandy Haack
• Tom & Debbie Brucker
• Warren & Denise Haeberle
• Jeff & Kathleen [Muldowney] Kalenak
• Daniel Neuens Memorial (BEHS, Class of 1965)
• Boldt Consulting
• C.G. Schmidt Construction
• Plunkett Raysich Architects

For More Information

• Website: www.elmbrookeducationfoundation.com 
• Email: elmbrookeducationfoundation@gmail.com 
• Executive Director:  Laura Schmidt, 262.785.6659

* all pictures are compliments of Babboni Photography, Brookfield.  Babboni provides special discounts and a $50 donation to the Elmbrook Education Foundation for any client who mentions the Foundation at time of sale.