Archived News
Fayette Education Foundation Rewards Two Schools for Closing Achievement Gaps
Lex., KY - May 19, 2006
LEXINGTON-KY—The Fayette Education Foundation awarded $5,000 to both Cassidy Elementary and Jessie Clark Middle Schools today during a ceremony held at Cassidy. Students and faculty were recognized and rewarded for their hard work in closing achievement gaps and raising overall student achievement.
Criteria for the awards are based on scores from the state accountability and testing system,(CATS). Both of these schools eliminated achievement disparities between different groups of students, while raising overall performance and meeting high standards. To qualify for the cash awards, schools must have narrowed more than 80 percent of existing achievement gaps, earned an academic index of 70 or higher on CATS and either posted a 10 or more point gain in either reading or math, or have reading math scores above 90.
Stu Silberman, superintendent of the Fayette County Schools said, “Our goal is to continue to raise student achievement and close the gaps at the same time. Both of these schools have done that and we are very proud of them. We are very thankful that our local Foundation is recognizing them for their efforts.”
The Foundation, a private, non-profit corporation, was established to work in partnership with the Fayette County Public Schools. Last year the Foundation established a goal to raise $1million by mid-2006. That goal was reach by December, 2005 six months ahead of schedule. In addition, in May of 2005, James Lane Allen and Veterans Park Elementary schools were the recipients of $5,000 cash rewards. “The Education Foundation congratulates Cassidy Elementary and Jessie Clark Middle School on their outstanding work.
Thanks to tremendous corporate and individual support in our community, the Foundation will continue, in partnership with the Fayette County Public Schools, to promote world-class achievement for all students”, said Steve Byars, Foundation board chair.
In addition to rewarding schools that both narrow achievement gaps and raise student achievement, the Foundation will support innovative, research-based educational opportunities so that success stories may be modeled and repeated throughout the district. The Foundation will also begin offering grants to schools to help pay for the kinds of programs and services that the 2020 Vision project recommends. The Foundation is comprised of business and community leaders and educators who recognize the importance of a high quality public school system and are passionate in their belief that all students deserve the opportunity to reach their highest academic potential.
Fayette County School Superintendent to Ride Bicycle to Every School in Fayette County
Lexington, KY -- Remember riding your bike to school? Stu Silberman loved it so much, he's going to do it again.
Lex., KY - May 17, 2006
On Friday, May 19, and Monday, May 22, the Superintendent of Fayette County Schools will take personal vacation to ride his bike to every school in Fayette County -- a total of 100 miles. The purpose of the "Ride for Kids," sponsored by Aquafina, is to raise awareness for the Fayette Education Foundation.
The Foundation is a private, non-profit corporation established in 2003 to work in partnership with the Fayette County Public Schools. The Foundation is comprised of business and community leaders and educators who recognize the importance of a high quality public school system and are passionate in their belief that all students deserve the opportunity to reach their highest academic potential.
On Friday, May 19, Silberman, accompanied by several other riders including Police Chief Anthany Beatty, will depart at 7:30 a.m. from the IAKSS building, 701 East Main St. The riders will travel to 31 schools, finishing around 2:21 p.m. One of the highlighted stops will be Cassidy Elementary, at approximately 8:14 a.m., where the Fayette Education Foundation will present two schools with $5,000 for succeeding in closing achievement gaps. Cassidy is located at 1152 Tates Creek Road.
On Monday, May 22, the riders will complete the journey visiting 22 schools, beginning at 8 a.m. at 701 East Main Street.
Students and teachers will have an opportunity to show their support for the Foundation through donations. Collection cans are available at schools for students to pitch in their change. Teachers will have the opportunity to make a donation through the district payroll system or a one-time donation. Donations from students and teachers will eventually make it back to the classrooms in Foundation grants. “With the creation of the Foundation, the community has stepped to the plate to help our schools, and we need to do our part," Silberman said.
Other riders include Steve Byars, Chairman of the Fayette Education Foundation; Leslie Fannin and Mark Pimentel, Foundation board members; and Vince Mattox, Sam Condor, Mike Burke and Mike Kennedy, Fayette County Schools.
Fayette Education Foundation Reaches $1 Million Campaign Goal Ahead of Schedule
Lex., KY - Dec. 21, 2005
Posted at 10:27 p.m. on December 27, 2005.The Fayette Education Foundation announced today that it has reached its goal of raising $1 million to help make the Fayette County Public Schools a world-class system, six months ahead of schedule. The Foundation announced in May its goal to raise $1 million for the “It’s About Kids” campaign by June 2006. That goal was reached this week.
“We have hit the $1 million dollar mark and we are not stopping,” said Steve Byars, chairman of the Fayette Education Foundation. “Thanks to tremendous corporate and individual support in our community, the Foundation was able to accomplish this goal. We want to continue to extend an invitation to every business in Fayette County to partner with us in the efforts to help make Fayette County Public Schools one of the best in the nation.”
The Fayette Education Foundation was established as a private, non-profit corporation to work in partnership with the Fayette County Public Schools to help close achievement gaps and to raise student achievement at all levels. The Foundation is comprised of business, education, and community leaders who believe passionately in education. Board members have shown their commitment through 100-percent participation in personal donations to the Foundation. Major contributors to the Foundation include: Nisource Charitable Foundation, parent company of Columbia Gas of Kentucky, $130,000; Lexmark International Inc., $40,000 cash contribution and $500,000 in-kind contribution; Toyota Motor Manufacturing of Kentucky, $85,000; Keeneland Foundation, $60,000; J.M.Smucker Company, $50,000; Kentucky Utilities Company/LG&E Energy, $32,500; Alltel, $26,000; and National City Bank, $25,000. "We are truly blessed to have the Fayette Education Foundation working to help our students succeed. I am so thankful to all of our community partners for their help to better educate our kids," said Stu Silberman, Fayette County Public Schools Superintendent.
The Fayette Education Foundation Board will continue its fundraising campaign along with organizing fund raising activities in the next several months. For more information, call, 226-1602.
The following is a complete list of contributors:
Gold Star ($50,000 - $100,000+)
Columbia Gas of Kentucky (Nisource Charitable Foundation)
Lexmark International, Inc.
Toyota Manufacturing of Kentucky
Keeneland Foundation, Inc.
J.M. Smucker Company
Silver ($10,000 - $50,000)
National City Bank
Kentucky Utilities Company/LG&E Energy
Alltel
Ashland Inc.
William T. Young, Jr.
WTVQ-TV
Galls Inc.
Hilliard Lyons, Inc
Kimbrough & Associates LLC
Thomas & King
Bronze (under $10,000)
Ken James
Tim Haymaker
Gess Mattingly & Atchison, PSC
Lexington Diagnostic Center
Wyatt Tarrant & Combs, LLP
Greenebaum Doll & McDonald PLLC
Webasto Roofing Systems Inc.
Moore Stephens Potter, LLP
Greg Phillips
Brent Boyd
More News
Lexmark To Donate Products, Services Valued At $500,000 To New Bryan Station High School
Company will create a national printing showcase for the school
Lex., KY - Oct. 10, 2005
Lexmark International, Inc. (NYSE: LXK) today announced a donation of products and services valued at $500,000 to the Fayette Education Foundation for the new Bryan Station High School.
The gift will include 130 Lexmark products, ranging from single-function monochrome laser printers to color multifunction laser printers that can print, copy, scan and fax all in one machine. In addition, Lexmark will provide ongoing professional services, such as installation, training and project management, giving the school’s staff and students access to sophisticated printing capabilities.
“Lexmark and our employees are committed to helping Fayette County Public Schools achieve educational excellence. This donation supports that commitment by sharing our technology and our expertise,” said Paul A. Rooke, Lexmark executive vice president and president of its Printing Solutions and Services Division.
Fayette County Public Schools Superintendent Stu Silberman said. . . . (Read more)
Fayette Education Foundation Announces $1 Million Campaign - 5/3/05
