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SPECIAL PROJECTS
GRANT RECIPIENTS
special Projects
The
Foundation is pleased to be able to support students and programs in
the district by working with other local organizations. Using the Foundation's
501(c)(3) not-for-profit status, donors are able to direct their tax-deductible
gifts to a specific fund at the Foundation. The Foundation assists
the following special projects in Blue Valley:
Wilderness Science Center 
Photo: Students birdwatching at the Wilderness Science Center |
The Blue Valley Educational Foundation has more than $400,000 for the Wilderness Science Center (WSC), an outdoor
educational facility created with the primary goal of providing authentic
learning opportunities and environmental education for the students
of Blue Valley Schools. This success has been led by a $200,000 donation
from the Victor and Helen Regnier Charitable Foundation, a $20,000
gift from Patrick and Caroline Davidson, $8,500 from Capitol Federal
Foundation and $5,000 from the William T. Kemper Foundation. Over
$19,000 has been received from Blue Valley's PTAs, PTOs, Parent Clubs
and Booster Clubs. The Blue Valley Educational Foundation matched
parent group donations dollar for dollar.
Located at 163rd Terrace and Nall, the site includes wooded trails and study areas, a 12-acre native prairie area, a large wetland area, butterfly garden and bird feeding station. In 2002, the Victor & Helen Regnier Learning Center, a two-room classroom, opened, allowing two separate classes to learn at the center simultaneously. In the fall of 2003 a bridge was built that completes the loop of trails around the WSC. Much more of the WSC is now accessible to disabled students, and the bridge also secures students' safety with easier access for emergency vehicles. The Dixon Family Foundation donated $20,000 for the construction of this bridge.
Another addition to the WSC in the fall of 2003 was
a Kansas Natural History Wall. The Gould Family Foundation donated
$25,000 to the Blue Valley Educational Foundation for this six panel
prairie life and geological wall. Students are able to see and learn
from this visual display. More than 6,000 students visited the Wilderness
Science Center during the 2007-08 school year. |
High School Basketball Programs
Photo: Students
participate in basketball at BVHS |
In 1997 the Foundation received a gift of more
than $41,000 from the Blue Valley Basketball Club. The club had
disbanded and wished to direct its remaining treasury toward the
boys' and girls' high school basketball programs in the Blue Valley
School District. The Foundation was able to continue the club's generosity
by giving $8,000 each year to Blue Valley high school basketball
programs. The life of this program was extended in 2004 with a contribution
from Dave and Megan Leathers.
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ACCESS House
Photo: Access House |
The Foundation formed a partnership with ACCESS
House (Adult Cooperative Community Education Services and Support)
in 1997. Donors can make restricted gifts to the Foundation, and
these donations are then passed onto ACCESS House. This partnership
helped build ACCESS House, a place where students with disabilities
can feel at home and learn life skills. Nearly $100,000 has been
funneled to ACCESS House due to their partnership with the Foundation. |
Broadcast Technology Center
Photo: BVTV student working in TV studio |
In the fall of 1998 the Sprint Foundation granted
$25,000 and SBC granted $20,000 to the Blue Valley Educational Foundation.
This grant was given for the specific purpose of purchasing equipment
for the Blue Valley School District's Broadcast Technology Center,
which began operations in the spring of 2000. This donation to the
Broadcast Technology Center would not have been possible without
involvement by the Foundation. |
ACT/SAT Preparation Materials
| The
Blue Valley Educational Foundation has contributed $32,400
since 1996 to assist the
district with yearly funding in the purchase of books for
the ACT/SAT preparation course. |
After Prom/Post Graduation
| Since
1999, the Foundation has supported these non-alcoholic activities
in each of the Blue Valley high schools. |
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