2026 Spring Newsletter
ALL IN FOR LPS
GROWING POTENTIAL
Rooted in Curiosity: The Todd Francis Creative Research Grant Story
Norwood Park Students
Experience the Arts
2026
Inspire AwardS
Dear Friends and Supporters,
In my first full calendar year as President of the Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools, I’ve had the opportunity to see our work across seasons, school moments, and community milestones. What stands out most is not just the scale of support, but the consistency of care this community shows for its students and educators. Lincoln continues to show up in meaningful ways, and this commitment is shaping real outcomes across our schools.
At the Foundation, we often say that public funding provides stability, while philanthropy provides flexibility. It is that flexibility that allows us to respond to needs in real time and create opportunities that might not otherwise exist.
As we look at the 2025–2026 school year thus far, we are already seeing that impact in action:
• Fund a Need: $109,560 raised to support educator-led projects across LPS classrooms and schools
• Student Emergency Fund: $152,348 distributed to support 2,865 students and family members during times of urgent need
• Educator Awards: 19 LPS staff members recognized, with nearly $30,000 awarded to support their continued growth and impact
• Inspire Awards: One student and one staff member honored from each LPS school and program, representing meaningful district-wide recognition
• Scholarships: 118 scholarships awarded, totaling $158,350, helping LPS seniors take their next steps after graduation
Each of these represents more than a number. They reflect real moments where students were supported, educators were empowered, and our schools were strengthened.
We are also seeing incredible momentum through All In for LPS, our inaugural community-wide giving effort. This first year showed what is possible when Lincoln comes together with a shared purpose, rallying around students and educators across our district. That energy now carries us into Give to Lincoln Day and the May 1–28 giving period, creating an opportunity to build on this momentum and expand our impact even further.
With your support, we can continue meeting immediate needs while also investing in long-term opportunities.
Thank you for being part of this work and for your continued belief in Lincoln Public Schools. Because of you, students are not just supported, they are given the opportunity to thrive.
With gratitude,
Natalia Wiita President
Norwood Park Students Experience the Arts From Classroom to Curtain Call:
When an unexpected opportunity came her way, Norwood Park Elementary Principal Monique Ruiz knew it was one she could not pass up.
After being contacted by the Lied Center about a free performance viewing opportunity for K–3 students, Ruiz immediately began thinking about what this could mean for her school community. As a Title I school, Norwood Park’s staff is deeply committed to ensuring students have access to enriching, diverse experiences that go beyond the classroom.
“This opportunity allowed students to experience a connection to performance arts, strengthen their comprehension and emotional learning skills, and extend social studies learning to a broader range of the community,” Ruiz shared.
The only barrier was transportation.
To get more than 160 students to the Lied Center to see Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical!, Norwood Park needed funding for bussing, about $800. Ruiz turned to the Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools’ Fund a Need platform, and the response from the community was immediate.
Fund a Need is the Foundation’s crowdfunding platform that allows teachers and school leaders to connect directly with the community to fund classroom needs. From bussing for field trips to basic supplies and program support, it creates a simple way for donors to step in and make a direct impact.
The request was fulfilled quickly thanks to generous community members who recognized the value of the experience.
This opportunity allowed students to experience a connection to performance arts, strengthen their comprehension and emotional learning skills, and extend social studies learning to a broader range of the community.
Monique Ruiz, Park Elementary Principal
“When we think about not only reducing barriers, but providing those really rich educational opportunities, that was an opportunity I could not pass up,” said Ruiz. “Because I think most of our students probably have not had an experience at the Lied Center.”
With support secured, more than half of the school was able to attend the performance, many for their very first time experiencing live theater.
“With the partnership and support of the Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools, we are now able to provide that really awesome extension opportunity to our students,” Ruiz added.
“This is exactly what Fund a Need is designed to do,” said Natalia Wiita, President of the Foundation for LPS. “It gives our educators a way to share their needs and gives our community a direct way to show up for students. When those two things connect, opportunities like this become possible.”
Moments like these show the power of community driven support, turning a simple need like transportation into an experience students will carry with them long after the final curtain call.
See all active Fund a Needs from any school!
How the Lincoln Community Showed Up for Students
One city. One district. One community. All In for LPS.
Lincoln Public Schools serves more than 41,000 students across over 70 schools and programs, supported by over 6,000 dedicated staff members. Together, they work every day to prepare all students for successful careers, lifelong learning, and civic engagement.
While public funding makes much of this work possible, it cannot meet every need, especially as student and classroom needs continue to grow. In recent years, the district has seen an increase in emergency needs among students and families, coupled with shifts in federal funding that place additional strain on already limited resources. That is where the Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools steps in. The Foundation fills critical funding gaps by supporting student needs and opportunities that fall outside the district’s general fund commitments.
Our mission is to support students, empower educators, and strengthen our schools through philanthropy. This mission comes to life through investments in scholarships,
This year, that vision became a reality through the launch of All In for LPS, a community-wide giving day kicked off by an inaugural evening event on February 26. What began as an idea quickly became something much bigger. Thanks to the generosity of our community, more than $82,000 was raised to directly support students and educators across Lincoln Public Schools.
That impact is only possible because of the people who showed up. From businesses that sponsored tables, to donors who contributed auction items, to individuals who gave, shared, and attended, this effort was a true reflection of a community coming together for a common purpose. Every dollar raised helps fund meaningful opportunities, from removing barriers for students to supporting classrooms and programs that enhance learning experiences across the district.
Held at the AKRS Champions Club, the kickoff event brought that spirit to life. Over 200 guests participated in a silent auction featuring items from local partners, enjoyed interactive experiences like a wine pull and
We’re proud to be part of and supported by a community that truly champions public education. Lincoln Public Schools is powered by people who care deeply about our students and their future.
photo booth, and heard from community leaders including Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird and Superintendent Dr. John Skretta. The evening concluded with a vibrant performance by Los Mariachis de la Ciudad Estrella, an All-City ensemble of middle and high school students from across Lincoln.
Leading up to the giving day, a social media countdown helped build excitement and engagement, inviting the community to take part in a new tradition of giving back.
“We’re proud to be part of and supported by a community that truly champions public education. Lincoln Public Schools is powered by people who care deeply about our students and their future,” said Natalia Wiita, President of the Foundation for LPS.
And this is only the beginning. All In for LPS represents what is possible when a community rallies around its schools. Together, we are creating opportunities, removing barriers, and ensuring every student has the support they need to succeed.
Natalia Wiita, President, Flps
Each year, the Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools is honored to recognize one student and one staff member from every LPS school who inspire those around them.
Winners
The Inspire Awards reach all 69 school communities, highlighting individuals who lead with compassion, dedication, and a commitment to making their schools better places every day. Recipients are selected in collaboration with school principals and staff, ensuring each honoree reflects the spirit of their unique school community.
The Inspire Awards celebrate these outstanding students and educators for going above and beyond, lifting others up and creating a lasting impact. Each Inspire Award winner also receives a special goodie bag, made possible by the generous support of local sponsors.
Scan the QR code to view this year’s Inspire Award recipients and celebrate their incredible achievements.
Huntington Elementary School Named 2026 Inspire School of the Year
The Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools is thrilled to announce Huntington Elementary School as the 2026 Inspire School of the Year. This award is the highest honor given to an LPS school or program, recognizing outstanding academic achievement and progress toward school improvement goals.
In addition to being named Inspire School of the Year, Huntington Elementary will receive $5,000 for its Fund for Excellence, which can be used at the principal’s discretion for staff appreciation, classroom supplies, student experiences, or other initiatives that enhance its positive impact on students, staff, and the broader community.
Huntington Elementary School earned this recognition for its extraordinary commitment to student and staff wellbeing, academic growth, and a culture grounded in connection. While the school proudly celebrates its official transition out of the Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) designation from the Nebraska Department of Education, what sets Huntington apart was not simply a change in status; it was the transformational journey behind it. Faced with a designation that could have defined them, Huntington’s staff instead focused on possibility, grounding their work in strong relationships, high expectations, and the belief that every student can succeed.
“While moving out of the CSI designation is a milestone we’re proud of, our true success isn’t found in a label we lost; it’s found in the pride, belonging, and confidence our students and staff have gained,” said Kristi Schirmer, principal of Huntington Elementary School. “We made a collective commitment to ensure every child feels seen,
valued, and capable of tackling hard things. The growth we’ve experienced, academically and as a community, proves that when students know they belong, they rise to meet their full potential.”
That commitment has produced measurable results. Since 2022, Huntington has significantly increased proficiency rates across subjects, including language arts, math, and science, as well as among English Learners. The school has also reduced behavior support calls by more than half and decreased chronic absenteeism through intentional relationship-building efforts. Most powerfully, the percentage of students reporting a true sense of belonging soared from 58% to 85% in just one year. Through schoolwide implementation of AVID Elementary strategies, strengthened professional collaboration, and a sustained focus on creating a safe and welcoming environment, Huntington has built not only academic momentum but also a strong foundation for long-term success.
“Huntington Elementary exemplifies what it means to inspire,” said Natalia Wiita, President of the Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools. “Their journey shows what is possible when a school community rallies around both excellence and opportunity for every student. The academic gains are impressive, but just as powerful is the culture of belief they have built, a belief in their students, their educators, and their shared future.”
Huntington Elementary students and staff were presented with this award at a surprise assembly, Tuesday, February 24, with remarks from Wiita and Superintendent of Lincoln Public Schools, Dr. John Skretta.
Rooted in Curiosity: The Story Behind the Todd Francis Creative Research Grant
Chuck and Barb Francis
Chuck, born in Monterey and raised in Modesto, always knew he wanted to farm and teach. He studied agronomy at UC Davis and plant breeding at Cornell, served in the Army, and eventually built a distinguished career advising national corn programs and working in cropping systems and food systems research, including more than 40 trips to Ecuador and 25 trips to Africa.
Chuck and Barb Francis have lived a life that reads like an atlas. Their lives took them from the California redwoods to the rice paddies of the Philippines, from the highlands of Colombia to the quiet rhythms of rural Norway. Their careers in education and agricultural research took them across the globe and back again, many times over.
Barb grew up walking through California’s redwoods to school. She graduated from UC Davis (where she and Chuck met), taught fourth grade in Sacramento and later in village schools in the Philippines, and spent years teaching in Norway each fall for 25 years. Together, they raised four children: two sons born in Ithaca, New York, and two daughters adopted in Colombia, though Chuck would say Barb did most of the raising.
It was a remarkable life, shaped by a shared belief in education, curiosity, and the power of learning by doing.
Their son, Todd, embodied those values completely. Born in Ithaca in 1967 and raised in part in Colombia, Todd graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Grinnell College. He was fluent in Spanish, conversant in French, had worked on a farm in Spain, translated computer software, and served as an intern studying prairie ecosystems at The Land Institute. He was, by every measure, exactly the kind of curious, committed young person his parents had spent their careers nurturing in others. Todd died in 1990, at 22 years old.
“As long as they’re remembered, they’ll never die,” Chuck reflected during a recent conversation.
So in 1991, Chuck and Barb established the Todd Francis Creative Research Grant at the Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools. They wanted to do something meaningful in Todd’s memory; something that reflected who he was. What they wanted was to give students the chance to do something: to ask a question, chase an idea, and contribute something real to the world.
The grant supports students in grades 9–12 pursuing significant, extended learning projects in the sciences and liberal arts. Awards of up to $500 support individual students, with larger awards available for teams with exceptional ideas. Over 400 students and several hundred projects have been funded since the grant’s founding.
The stories that have come back are the kind that stay with you. Chuck and Barb still show up every year to meet the students who receive the grants, connect them with mentors at the university, and hear what they’re working on.
“They want to do things, and that’s important,” Barb said. “They want to learn more and contribute to the world.”
That instinct, to give young people the tools and the trust to pursue what matters to them, is the throughline of Chuck and Barb’s lives. And it’s the living legacy of Todd Francis.
Celebrating Excellence in LPS 2026 Educator Award Recipients
Each year, the Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools recognizes outstanding educators and staff who go above and beyond to inspire students, strengthen their schools, and make a lasting impact across the Lincoln community. These awards honor excellence in academics, multicultural education, and leadership.
This year, 19 educators and staff members were recognized, with more than $30,000 awarded to support their professional and personal growth.
Many of these awards were established in honor of former LPS educators by students, colleagues, and family members whose lives were shaped by their influence. Today, their legacy continues through the educators who carry that same passion and commitment forward.
Recipients are nominated by peers, school leaders, parents, and community members, making each award a reflection of the deep appreciation and respect held for LPS professionals.
These recognitions are made possible through the generosity of private donors who believe in celebrating and investing in the people who make a difference every day.
2026 Winners
Courtney Fitzgerald-Stevens
Brownell Elementary School
Dolores N. Mather Award for Language Arts Teaching
Elizabeth Tenney
Scott Middle School
Florence J. Clark Award for Excellence in Middle School Teaching
Cara Walz
Irving Middle School
Florence J. Clark Award for Excellence in Middle School Teaching
Sheryl Woodward
North Star High School
Helen Krieger Outstanding Healthcare Provider Award
Trish Fitzgerald
Yankee Hill Education Center
Jill Oestmann Reading Educator Award
Monica Ash
Hartley Elementary School
John Prasch Health and Physical Fitness Award
Dwight Brown
Bryan Community Focus Progra m
Leola Bullock Multicultural Educator Award
Stephanie Aylward
Lincoln High School
Marian Battey Andersen/Charles Wheaton Battey Outstanding Teacher Award
John Matzen
Southwest High School
Marie Bourke Leadership Award
Kristen Tangen
Southeast High School
Mike Troester LSE Outstanding Educator Award
Lori Payne-Falcone
Scott Middle School Music Educator Award
Alicia Davis
Scott Middle School
Myrtle Clark Outstanding Math Educator Award
Stephen Duffy
Scott Middle School
Nancy Muehlhausen Counseling Award
Jocelyn Crabtree
The Career Academy
R.L. Fredstrom Leadership Award
Mackenzie MacDonald
McPhee Elementary School
Ruth Eickman Outstanding Early Childhood Educator Award
Tiffany Wiley
Scott Middle School
Union Bank & Trust Award for Excellence in Financial Literacy Education
Brian Wandzilak
Lincoln North Star
Union Bank & Trust Award for Excellence in Financial Literacy Education
Patty Daberkow
Zeman Elementary School
Victor Vaughan Award for Special Education-Elementary
Tyler Mathers
Southeast High School
Victor Vaughan Award for Special Education-Secondary
Staff
NATALIA WIITA
President
ANGELINA CUNNING
Director of Operations
KAYLA JACOX
Director of Engagement
ALIA HURST
Development Specialist
SUSAN CARR
Development Specialist
RUKHSHONA ISLAMOVA
Marketing Specialist
Board Members
Dr. Kris Baack, Ph.D., Chair
Alex Cassidy, Chair-Elect
Trent Fellers, Secretary
Andy Martz, Treasurer
Dr. Amy Clark
Patrick Beans
Mo Boyd
Ginna Claussen
Brent Comstock
Draper Daniel
Our Partners
Acklie Charitable Foundation
Ameritas Charitable Foundation
April’s Kids
Assurity Life Foundation
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska
BOLD Charitable Giving Fund
Chesterman Co.
D F Dillon Foundation
Dolezal Family Foundation
Hugo A. and Thelma Aspegren Trust
James Huntington Foundation
James Stuart III Family Foundation
John C. & Catherine S. Angle Charitable Trust
Krieger Family Foundation
Labcorp Charitable Foundation
Lancaster County Community Corrections
MARY WEIXELMAN
Communications Impact Specialist
JORDAN HAVLAT
Operations Specialist
ALLISON BOCK
Operations Coordinator
Betsy Grindlay
Craig Haszard
Nancy Hove-Graul
Dr. Marilyn Johnson Farr
John Laflin
Jeffrey Owusu-Ansah
ASILA AL RAHAWI
Operations Coordinator
JAME CARTWRIGHT
Spark Co-Director
SHELBY DOWDING
Spark Co-Director
Deb Rasmussen
Dr. John Skretta
Mike Tavlin
Dr. J.J. Toczek
Guy Trainin
Russ Uhing
James Walbridge
John Wirtz
Sarah Wischhof
Lancaster County Human Services
Lee and Debbie Stuart Family Foundation
Lincoln Babe Ruth Baseball Association
Lincoln Community Foundation
Lincoln Industries
Mark T. & Margaret L. Seacrest Family Charitable Foundation
MidwayUSA Foundation Inc.
Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
Nextera Energy
Olsson
Olsson Family Foundation
Pace Woods Foundation
Pinnacle Bank
Robert D. Carstens Charitable Trust
Rogers Foundation
Schmieding Foundation Inc.
TeamMates of Nebraska
The Brown Family Foundation
The Hampton Family Foundation
Union Bank & Trust Company
Valentino’s
Zoetis, Global Manufacturing & Supply
