Okemos Education Foundation |

Announcing the
2009 OEF Award Recipients!

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Video "Thank you" from
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April 12, 2010
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Attention Okemos Alumni!

Are you a graduate of Okemos High School? The OHS Guidance department would like to hear about your life after graduation and your thoughts about your OHS experience. Please take a few minutes to fill out their survey: OHS Alumni survey

Latest Newsletter

Fall 2009:

Become our Partner in Education!

The OEF Partners in Education fundraising campaign is in full swing, and we hope we can count on your support for OPS kids again this year! Although the OEF Partners in Education play a critical role in providing much-needed funding for our schools, the OEF gratefully accepts donations of any amount, at any time of the year. Our Partner in Education program offers many types of recognition based on donation level. These levels are detailed on the Partners in Education information sheet. The Donation Pledge sheet can be printed and mailed in at your convenience, however it must be received before Nov. 1st for Partner recognition in the Awards Banquet program. Thank you for your support!

(Please note: only Michigan residents are eligible for our online fundraising campaign.)

News Release: The Okemos Education Foundation Begins 25th Year with Partners in Education Campaign

NEWS RELEASE: Contact: Terry Hughes

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 517-353-2222

OCTOBER 13, 2009 hughests@comcast.net

The Okemos Education Foundation Begins 25^th Year with Partners in Education Campaign

Okemos, MI –The Okemos Education Foundation (OEF) launched its 2009 Partners in Education Campaign on October 1, 2009—an initiative to raise funds to support innovation and recognize excellence in Okemos Public Schools.

The OEF, in partnership with Okemos Public Schools since 1984, is a non-profit volunteer organization that provides awards, educational grants, and professional development fellowships at all levels of the school district.

“The impact of OEF grants are felt throughout Okemos Public Schools,” said Superintendent Cheryl Kreger, “It is particularly critical in these challenging economic times, when we are stretched to support the many programs that make the Okemos school district a leader in the nation.”

In its 25 year history, the OEF has provided hundreds of thousands of dollars in support to Okemos Public Schools. Last year alone, the OEF provided over $36,000 in grants and awards to teachers ranging from preschool to high school, supporting a wide array of programs in all areas of the curriculum.

“We hope this year’s campaign is one of our most successful. It is a wise and worthy investment in the future, “said Dean Bolton, Chair of the OEF. “The OEF is proud of its role in making the Okemos School District one of the best, and this campaign is vital to continuing the OEF’s support of our schools. However, we could not do it without the community and we hope that the community will step forward to support our campaign.”

With many of the new kindergartners in Okemos this year likely to be around to usher in the 22^nd century, the classroom innovations that are funded by the OEF today will continue to shape the world far into the future. With the support of the Okemos community, the OEF can continue to make a difference in classrooms and help prepare Okemos students for the challenges and opportunities they will face throughout their lives.

For more information on how to become an OEF Partner in Education please visit www.oefsite.org.

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2009 Award Recipients Announced

Each year outstanding educators of the Okemos Public Schools are nominated by students, parents, and/or colleagues for their outstanding ability to inspire and motivate students, implement innovative and/or creative ideas, promote the welfare of students, and provide leadership within the school community. The Recipients of the 2009 Commitment to Excellence Award will receive a commemorative plaque and a $1,000 cash grant from the OEF. All recipients in the various categories will be featured in an OEF newsletter and honored at the OEF Awards Banquet. Congratulations to everyone!!

Based on the nomination packets submitted, the following educators were chosen as recipients for the
2009 Commitment to Excellence Award recipients :

· Bob Bullock, Assistant Principal at Chippewa Middle School

· Jennifer Holcomb, Fifth Grade Teacher at Cornell

· Beth Josephson,Guidance Counselor at OHS

· Christopher Smith,Social Studies Teacher and Department Chair at OHS

· Deborah Sprecher,Music Teacher at Central and Edgewood

· Marc Vickers, English Teacher and Drama Coach/Director at OHS

The Special Recognition Award is presented to support staff who demonstrate a passion for excellence and whose support elevates the Okemos district. Recipients will be honored at the OEF Awards Banquet and receive a commemorative plaque.

2009 Special Recognition Award recipient:

· Todd Sharp, Director of Transportation

The Dan C. Wertz Founder's Award is presented to an individual or business that has demonstrated a commitment to quality in education through its generous financial support of the Okemos Education Foundation.

2009 Dan C. Wertz Founder's Award recipients:

· Kathy and Richard Schalter, Okemos parents

The Volunteer Service Award honors individuals who have a significant positive impact on students, staff, and/or the school community through their extraordinary volunteer service and will be honored at the OEF Awards Banquet and receive a commemorative plaque.

2009 Volunteer Service Award recipient:
· Rekha Sambamurthy, Debate Coach at Kinawa Middle School

The Alumni Award honors an alumnus of Okemos Public Schools who demonstrates exceptional dedication and achievement as well as humanitarian contributions. This year, we are honoring a very distinguished group of Okemos alumni who prove that an Okemos education can indeed have a "world-wide" impact. We are pleased to pay tribute to the following Okemos graduates who have served our country in the military.

2009 Alumni Award recipients:
      ·    John Comar, Lieutenant Commander, Coast Guard (OHS '84)
      ·    Joseph Comar, Lieutenant Commander, Coast Guard (OHS '94)
      ·    Kimberley (Koons) Gipson, Lieutenant Colonel, Air Force (OHS '83)
      ·    Charles R. Miller Jr., Lieutenant Colonel, Army (OHS '86)
      ·    Matt Minnick, Captain, Army (OHS '92)
      ·    James Pocock, Lieutenant Colonel, Air Force (OHS '77)
      ·    Leanne (Bjornstad) Seguin, Captain, Army (OHS '92)

We hope you will join us in honoring the recipients at the annual OEF Awards banquet, to be held at the Country Club of Lansing.

OEF Awards Banquet
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Country Club of Lansing, 2200 Moores River Drive, Lansing, MI 48911

Social Hour 5:30 p.m.
Dinner 6:30 p.m.

Ticket prices for this exceptional evening are:
Adult $30.00
Children (12 and younger) $12.00.

Tickets will be available in schools October 1 through Wednesday, November 11, or by mailing us the Ticket Order form, or by calling 517-655-6307. Tickets are limited-- so don't miss out!

OEF Thank You

Rob Stephenson, a 3rd grade teacher at Wardcliff Elementary School, received an OEF grant for Elementary Engineering Program Robotic Equipment and Materials for his classroom this year. Check out Mr. Stephenson's website for a very powerful video "thank you" from his students, as well as many videos and photos of his "future" engineers at work!

Our Mission: "Recognizing Excellence and Promoting Innovation in Okemos Public Schools."