$4 Million Awarded to Hopkins Schools Since 1995
HEF Executive Director Emily Wallace-Jackson presents a check for $4 million to Hopkins Public Schools Superintendent Rhoda Mhiripiri-Reed and Assistant Superintendent Nik Lightfoot, representing the total that HEF has given Hopkins Schools in its 30-year history.
Hopkins Education Foundation (HEF) is excited to announce that, after awarding 13 Spark Grants for teachers at the end of October, we have given more than $4 million to Hopkins Public Schools since 1995. As we close out our 30th anniversary year, this is an exciting milestone we want to celebrate!
A Generous Gift
HEF was able to increase the amount of grants awarded this fall, thanks to the largest gift ever made to the foundation, which came from the estate of Joan Lundgren. This helped push HEF over the finish line to get to $4 million.
“We are very pleased with HEF’s creation of The Lundgren Mission Fund in honor of Joan Lundgren,” says her daughter Katie Lundgren Weisenberg. “It is a wonderful way to remember Joan and her legacy.”
“Joan had two great-grandchildren and a grandson in Hopkins schools and wanted to strengthen education in the school district. We asked our son, a senior at Hopkins High School, how he thought we should use Joan’s gift. He was adamant that the funds should go into the classrooms and to the teachers. We agree. HEF’s Lundgren Mission Fund will help educators and scholars, and we couldn't be more pleased!”
Investing in Education
Twice a year, the Hopkins Education Foundation funds grant proposals from Hopkins educators to bring creative projects, learning opportunities, and educational tools to the classroom. In addition to these Spark Grants, HEF also partners with the school district on a large-scale special project and funds modest grants for student clubs with its Awesome Fund. In total, HEF has invested $4 million into the Hopkins school district to kickstart learning opportunities.
“Over 30 years, HEF has proudly invested in the creativity and curiosity of Hopkins teachers and students,” says Bryan Kreske, HEF Board President. “Each grant represents a spark—an idea that grows into something that inspires learning and builds community. Reaching $4 million in grants is a celebration of what’s possible when we rally together around our love of learning.”
HEF’s fall grants, totaling $57,168, will fund innovative projects and tools to help in Hopkins District 270 classrooms. These 13 Spark Grants will kickstart great ideas from educators at Glen Lake, Alice Smith, and Tanglen Elementary Schools, the Transitions Plus and COMPASS programs, both middle schools, and Hopkins High School. We are excited to see these projects come to fruition over the next year.
Sher Unruh-Friesen, COMPASS teacher at Glen Lake Elementary School, shows an example of a voice-output switch.
Bringing Ideas to Life
Spark Grants this fall include “Hear My Voice,” which provides non-verbal students in the COMPASS program at Glen Lake Elementary School with personalized voice-output switches that allow students to express themselves, make choices, and connect with peers like never before. “The students in my class are unable to speak, yet they have so much to say,” says Sher Unruh-Friesen, a COMPASS teacher. “My goal is to empower my students with their own unique voice while encouraging the entire district to see and hear my students as the beautiful individuals they are. Through this HEF grant, my students will truly be heard.”
West Middle School students will benefit from “Things I Wish They Taught in School,” a grant that focuses on teaching real-world skills including budgeting, and how to write a resume or complete a job application.. “Teachers have so many amazing ideas and yet are stifled by lack of funding,” says teacher Kim Campbell, who is also dean of students. “What HEF does, by providing grants, allows an innovative idea to come to life."
Teacher Kim Campbell and her advisory students at West Middle School
“I am proud that HEF has provided resources to Hopkins schools over our 30-year history,” says Emily Wallace-Jackson, HEF Executive Director. “We have wonderful, creative teachers who know how to inspire our students and engage them with innovative, hands-on projects. Given the reality of limited school budgets, I love that HEF can put funds directly into the classroom to provide teachers with educational tools that they need and allow them to pilot new ideas. HEF has funded a wide range of projects over the years, from core curriculum, books and literacy, technology, science equipment, music and the arts, health and wellness, special education, career and technical education, and more.”
VIDEO: Step inside the journey of our Big Check at Glen Elementary School as we presented two Spark Grants.
You can now search our directory of past Spark Grants by category, school, etc.
