Partnership Letter

The District 230 Foundation is expanding its Community Partnership Program, and we hope you will join us! We would be proud to work with you as we help build a future workforce that is passionate, skilled, and confident.

Our Support.

For 17 years, the District 230 Foundation has been granting educational opportunities and services to students of Sandburg, Stagg, and Andrew high schools that focus on student wellness and leadership. These grants encourage growth in all academic disciplines, as well as Special Education, the Performing Arts, English Language Learners, College Prep and the Building Trades.

Their Success.

The enhanced learning programs created by our teachers and funded by our foundation inspire academic, social, and vocational excellence in thousands of D230 students. These experiences contribute to success well beyond high school.

We have a variety of promotional opportunities for all of our partnership levels, and we can create specific opportunities to best support your vision.

Please join us in supporting the students and teachers at District 230!

Become a Community Partner today!

Credit card payments can be made online at www.d230foundation.org.

Checks made payable to D230 Foundation and mailed to: Attention D230 Foundation 15100 S. 94th Avenue Orland Park, IL 60462

Partnership Levels FRESHMAN: $500+ Admission for 2 to selected event SOPHOMORE: $100+ Admission for 4 to selected event JUNIOR: $2,500+ Admission for 4 to selected event Prominent placement on event signage and apparel

District 230 Partnership Program Through annual giving, Community Partners increase their visibility and reinforce their commitment to our future workforce. The funding they provide goes directly to grants for

SENIOR: $5,000+ Admission for 8 to selected event Prominent placement on event signage 30 second video spotlight for social media PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE: $10,000+ Admission for 10 to selected

our students and teachers.

event

ALL Partnerships include:

Dedicated Signage at Event

Recognition during D230 Foundation events Listings in event PR/Promotion Links on D230 Foundation website and e-newsletters Welcome on D230 Foundation social media pages and school video displays Opportunity to pay in installments Grant updates Additional benefits per level

Option of Title Sponsorship/ Prominent placement on event signage Feature Article in D230 Foundation newsletter

Learn how donations are helping students !

District 230 Foundation helps students gain work skills through grant Calculating hours worked, stocking shelves, measuring items, and making change are all part of the real-life experiences learned by transition-aged special education students at Sandburg High School thanks in part to the District 230 Foundation’s We Grow…Up the Ladder of Success grant.

Last spring, Carl Sandburg Special Education teacher Kendra Jelcic applied for a teacher grant from the District 230 Foundation. She was awarded $4,850 to support students as they learn vocational skills and grow the school’s micro businesses.

Some of the experiences incorporated through the grant include: clocking in and out work uniforms task boxes that simulate work experiences a school closet where students can purchase items of their choice with their "Sandburg Bucks" paycheck.

Jelcic said, “I am really proud of the skills, real-life experiences, and learning experiences the grant has allowed our students this year.”

Every two weeks, students bring their time sheets and calculate their work hours. Students know what skills they are working on and are “paid” by reaching milestones.

There is ownership and drive to continue to work on these work-related skills.

Some of the tasks include stocking shelves, checking expiration dates on products, measuring items, sorting items by likeness, working a cash register, making change, organizing mail, and more.

Students work at job sites, including the Sandburg Barkery, a school micro business where students make dog treats and sell/deliver to staff, and the Steaming Eagle, a school coffee shop, where students sell and deliver coffee orders to staff.

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...continued The grant supports a motivation system for students in the work program to hone vocational skills and ultimately apply those skills at job sites in the community. Students earn rewards once they acquire different employability skills in a work environment, increasing students’ confidence before they transition independently into the workforce.

The system is tailored to each student’s needs, ability level, and source of motivation. The first rung of the ladder focuses on basic work skills such as attendance, clocking in daily, and wearing their assigned uniform. The next rung may include greeting customers appropriately and performing assigned job tasks, and so on.

Workstations mimic work sites and allow a safe, controlled environment for students to practice new skills. Staff provide direct feedback and alternative strategies to help students learn these skills. Once students learn these new skills, they can apply them at the school micro businesses and community jobs.

Jelcic noted that students can see what it is like to be an employee in the real world with the most authentic learning experience. It allows students to feel connected with their same-aged peers and to have the same opportunities as students in competitive employment. If the students have a positive work experience, they can interact with people within the community, break barriers, and help eliminate stereotypes that exist against students with disabilities.

“Students with special needs are phenomenal employees. They have great retention rates and are impactful members of their community,” she added.

We Grow…Up the Ladder of Success is just one of 10 grants awarded last spring by the Foundation totaling approximately $30,000. Other grants have supported social studies, art, foreign language, sports medicine, special services, science, literacy, college preparation, character development, international studies, environmental awareness, business, physical education, family and community connections, and so much more.