Programs of FMCCS

The following programs or projects are supported in full or in part by donations made to the Foundation of Monroe County Community Schools. Descriptions provided below.

Grants

Since awarding its first grant in 1976, the Foundation of Monroe County Community Schools has awarded 1,032 grants to MCCSC teachers, administrators and students for educational projects to improve and enhance the educational development of students. Grants projects are required to impact student learning and support state educational standards. Currently, the Foundation offers five different grant programs:

• School and Classroom Grants funded in part by an anonymous donor
• Professional Development Grants for teachers and administrators
• Elementary School Library Grants funded by a gift from an anonymous donor
• Physical Fitness Challenge Grants funded by the Indiana University School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation in cooperation with the President’s Challenge program
• Healthy Kids Mini-Grants funded by Southern Indiana Pediatrics

FMCCS Science Initiative

The FMCCS Science Initiative is a multi-phased effort to improve and enhance science education in MCCSC. Generous donations from local businesses and organizations have allowed the Foundation to fund an MCCSC science content coordinator, to underwrite a Science Resource Center, and to purchase equipment for a science equipment loan program. The MCCSC science content coordinator is responsible for aligning and articulating curriculum system-wide, for supporting teachers in the instruction of science, and for working with institutions of higher education and local employers to develop a stronger curricular tie between classroom content and career preparation. The MCCSC Science Resource Center was opened to support classroom science instruction and a science equipment loan program was begun to offer teachers access to sophisticated equipment that would not otherwise be available for use in classrooms. The Science Initiative is made by possible by:

Jerry and Catherine Arthur
Lynn and Uta Coyne

Student Health and Fitness Initiatives

Health and Fitness Initiatives of the FMCCS
The Foundation of Monroe County Community Schools recognizes the importance that the health and physical well-being of students and staff plays in K-12 education. Research has shown that healthier students are better able to learn than those that are less healthy. Diseases such as childhood obesity and related conditions can directly impact the ability of our students to learn on a daily basis. In recognition of this risk, the FMCCS is proud to provide resources to our schools that enhance the health, fitness, and overall wellness of our children.

• Fitness, Health and Wellness Challenge Grants: This grant program was established in 2002 and is supported annually by the Indiana University School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation in cooperation with the President’s Challenge program. Grants are available to MCCSC employees or students to develop and implement projects to educate students on the benefits of physical fitness, to encourage increased physical activity and to improve student physical fitness. A secondary focus area for this program is student health and wellness as impacted by fitness. Priority in funding is given to collaborative efforts between physical education curriculum and content in other subject areas.
  
• Fitness Trails: The fitness trails initiative is supported through an agreement between MCCSC, FMCCS, and the IU School of HPER/President’s Challenge. This agreement "paves" the way for a minimum of three fitness trails to be constructed at MCCSC schools. These trails are in addition to one previously completed at University Elementary which served as a pilot project. Under this agreement all agencies will work to construct a trail at one school per year for three years with the intent of making this an annual commitment within the district.
  
• Healthy Kids Mini-Grants: Sponsored by Southern Indiana Pediatrics this program focuses on general health education, improving nutrition, and increasing physical activity. Special emphasis is placed on impacting the overall health of MCCSC students.
  
• MCCSC Curriculum Support: FMCCS supports the school district not only by providing funding for grants but also for health and fitness curricular needs. The Sweat Every Day program was established with support from the Bloomington Hospital, the Community Foundation and the IU School of HPER/President’s Challenge. This program encourages students and staff to log their physical activities and earn the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award of the President’s Challenge. Additional support by FMCCS was provided to help purchase materials for the Michigan Model health curriculum and to obtain the curriculum and professional development to implement the new physical education curriculum, Physical Best.

Educating Our Children In and For the 21st Century

With the support of 15 local businesses and organizations, the Foundation has convened a series of community conversations about the future of public education locally. Speakers and panelists representing international, state and local perspectives have engaged our community in thought-provoking conversations about our expectations for education in a rapidly changing 21st Century. For more information about these important community events and upcoming opportunities to participate, visit BloomingtonEducates.org. Our sponsors include:

Read 180

Scholastic’s READ 180 is a comprehensive, research-based intervention program for students in grades four and above whose reading achievement is below the proficient level. The program, based on the work of Dr. Ted Hasselbring and Janet Allen, addresses students’ individual needs through adaptive and instructional software, high interest and age appropriate literature, and direct instruction in reading skills. The program offers additional support for English Language Learners and Special Needs students. READ 180 was implemented in seven MCCSC schools in the fall of 2006. FMCCS is pleased to financially support this innovative approach designed to proactively address concerns that 34% of our high school students read at least one year below grade level. After one semester of implementation in MCCSC, Read 180 students averaged growth in reading skills equivalent to what we normally expect in one year; a significant accomplishment considering that the students participating in Read 180 enter the program because they are reading from one to six years below grade level. Donations to support this program have been received from the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County and an anonymous donor.

Community Partners in Reading

This reading program was piloted in 2005 and has now been expanded into four elementary schools: Fairview, Templeton, Grandview and Summit. Community Partners in Reading (CPR) is a program designed to help struggling 2nd graders reach their reading potential before the 3rd grade. Research tells us that students that cannot read at grade level by the 3rd grade are not likely to ever reach their academic potential. CPR was designed to help these students, who would benefit from extra reading instruction and personal attention, read at an appropriate level as early in their academic careers as possible. In 2006-2007, more than 200 volunteers from 14 different organizations spent 1 ½ hours a week reading with 70 second graders. We wish to thank the following organizations and businesses, who allowed their employees time during their business day to read with a child:

Author House

Nurturing Each to Success (NETS)

Generous support from The United Way of Monroe County allowed the Foundation to help fund this joint effort between MCCSC and The Franklin Initiative. NETS is a program designed to provide a safety net to those students most at risk for dropping out of school. By working with schools and students, this program aims to help keep students in school or, as a last alternative, help them move directly into the work force when dropping out cannot be prevented.

Bradford Woods

Since 1957, fifth graders throughout our school system have been spending part of a week in the woods with their teachers and classmates at Bradford Woods, an auxillary program of Indiana University. It is an invaluable outdoor learning experience for these young people and one that the Foundation believes no child should have to miss because of financial constraints. FMCCS has been providing scholarships for the last 25 years to children who otherwise would be unable to attend Bradford Woods. For more information on the curriculum and outdoor experience at Bradford Woods, please follow the link provided above. Funding made possible by generous individuals throughout our community and the Bradford Woods Endowed Fund at FMCCS.

Scholarships and Awards

The Foundation of Monroe County Community Schools manages and administers 29 scholarships and awards to support a variety of educational opportunities for high school students. Recipients are chosen by teachers, administrators or counselors at area high schools. For information on establishing a scholarship or award, please contact the Foundation at 330-7700. To apply for a Foundation scholarship, please visit your high school guidance office. A detailed list of Foundation scholarships and awards can be accessed by clicking on the link above. The names of recent recipients are also provided.

Personal Achievement Awards Banquet

Each year, the Foundation and the Bloomington Central Lion’s Club sponsor a banquet to honor a group of exceptional students. Each of the award winners has chosen to persevere in the face of adversity in their life in order to continue pursuing an education. These young people are selected for this honor by their teachers, who nominate them and make the awards presentation. A list of our most recent award winners is linked.

Vision Screening

Since 1980, the Foundation has been underwriting the expense for vision screening for every first grade student in the school corporation. Vision screening is provided by the Indiana University School of Optometry. Generous advertising support for this program is provided by Ivy Tech Community College of Bloomington.

Endowment Funds

The Foundation maintains a number of professionally managed endowment funds established by individuals and organizations in the community for the purpose of sustaining long term funding for various programs to benefit students. For more information on establishing an endowed fund, contact the Foundation at 330-7700. Donations to previously established endowed funds are accepted at any time. For a list of current endowed funds, please follow endowment funds link above.

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