Investing in Community Education
The Elmbrook Education Foundation supports the students at all 11 of the District's public schools through its Continuing Education Scholarship, Innovation Grant and Super Grant Programs. In addition, the Foundation has established an endowment held by the Waukesha County Community Foundation to provide a source of permanent support for Foundation programs. For more information, please refer to the Foundation's web site.
In memory of Irven C. Hoesly .....
In Memory of Irven Hoesly .....
Irven “Irv” Hoesly passed away on May 5, 2010 at the age of 87. Irv had a long career as a teacher and served as the first principal of Pilgrim Park Middle School from 1958 until he retired in 1985.
The following quote was taken from an article published about Irven's announcement to retire in 1985:
"Today there is more interaction with students than there was 20 years ago. Formerly, we thought students were recipients of knowledge we tried to pour into them. Today, they are more of a partner. We are also reaching a greater cross section of students today through the development of special and alternative programs. In order to have a good education program, you cannot allow students with behavioral problems to supercede the rights of students who want an education. Students have to know the rules are and what the consequences are for not following them. You can't teach if you don't have the students' attention. The thing I have enjoyed most is working with my staff. I try my best to involve them in decisions. It is important to get input and delineate the guidelines by which something is to be implemented. Then everyone feels a commitment, it is a team effort. You have to have a good team to carry on a good program. I have been fortunate to have had a good staff of people who have been interested in improving the school. I have also had the cooperation of parents. The parents are interested in their children's education. It has been a joy!" Irven Hoesly.
Even in retirement, he was forever learning and forever the educator. He was an active part of our community and served as a member of the Elmbrook Golden K Club, the VFW Post, and the American Legion Post. All three of his children and four of his 6 grandchildren (Lingle family) graduated from Elmbrook Schools.
A memorial fund has been established within the Elmbrook Education Foundation to honor Irv’s passion for education. This fund will provide a continuing education scholarship for a graduating senior from both Brookfield East High School and Brookfield Central High School for a minimum of four years. In addition, a leadership gift will be made to the Foundation's Elmbrook Staff Lead the Way Fund in his honor. This fund is part of the EEF's permanent endowment and is being developed through donations by Elmbrook staff or donations made in honor of Elmbrook staff who have made an impact during their time in Elmbrook. The endowment will provide support to both the Foundation's Grant Programs as well as the EEF's Lancer-Spartan Scholarship Program which was started in 1958 at the start of Irv's career in Elmbrook. Remaining funds will be held in reserve and will be directed by the family at a later date.
Memorials can be directed the Foundation at P.O. Box 206, Brookfield 53008. All gifts to this fund will be acknowledged with the family.
In addition, Pilgrim Park Middle School has decided to rename it's Principal's Award (given to students achieving a 3-year cumulative 4.0 grade point) to the Irv Hoesly Student Achievement Award. Students earning this honor are presented with a plaque at the PPMS Spring Promotion Ceremony and past winners are displayed on a plaque in the PPMS main office. The first Irven C. Hoesly Student Achievement Award will be awarded at the end of the 2010-11 school year.
Irven Hoesly's full obituary can be found on JSOnline.
