Author: Kelly Christianson

ECPSF celebrates Teacher Appreciation Week: May 3-7, 2021

Posted on by Kelly Christianson

Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation is proud to partner with Ramone’s Ice Cream Parlor and an anonymous donor to celebrate Eau Claire Area School District’s teachers and staff for Teacher Appreciation Week, May 3-7, 2021. Teacher Appreciation Week has been a national institution since the 1950’s. This year, each of the 1,200+ teachers and school building staff members in Eau Claire Area School District (ECASD) are receiving a custom coupon for a free waffle cone from Ramone’s Ice Cream Parlor, in appreciation for their work with students. The idea came…

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New scholarship honors legacy of beloved North High School grad/staff member

Posted on by Kelly Christianson

Mai Kou Lee The Mai Kou Lee Scholarship Fund of the Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation has been established by ECASD staff members in memory of Mai Kou Lee, a beloved North High School graduate and staff member. Mai Kou began her work as a Bilingual Education Assistant at North High School in 2018, and served in the role until her passing in February, following a courageous battle with cancer. She also served as a General School Assistant for North High School in the summer months.…

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ECPSF announces its millionth dollar granted!

Posted on by Kelly Christianson

Jeff Thompson Photography [EAU CLAIRE, WI] Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation has reached a unique milestone: its millionth dollar granted in support of Eau Claire Area School District schools and students. Established in 2011, Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation (ECPSF) is the charitable giving partner of Eau Claire Area School District (ECASD). Since its inception, ECPSF has provided over $1 million to supplement the tax-based funding of ECASD schools. The support comes in the form of classroom grants, special projects, annual teacher and staff Golden Apple…

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Solar on Eau Claire Schools honored in City’s Sustainability Awards

Posted on by Kelly Christianson

The City of Eau Claire has announced their 2020 Sustainable Eau Claire Awards, naming Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation's Solar on Eau Claire Schools as a winner in the category of Energy: Renewables, Efficiency or Conservation. The fifth annual awards were celebrated virtually this year, amidst the pandemic. The awards recognize individuals, businesses, and organizations that are making a difference and creating a more sustainable Eau Claire.   The solar arrays atop North and Memorial High Schools are scheduled for turn on December 1. Solar on Eau Claire Schools, launched in December…

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ECPSF announces endowment of Memorial student emergency fund

Posted on by Kelly Christianson

Jeff Thompson Photography [EAU CLAIRE, WI] Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation has announced the endowment of a fund designed to provide an annual source of monies for emergency situations faced by students and their families at Memorial High School. Greg and Claudia Niemuth started the Niemuth Family Giving Tree Fund with the Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation in 2018. “It has been steadily growing, and the Niemuths recently contributed the balance needed to fully endow the fund,” said Sarah French, ECPSF Executive Director. “Once a fund…

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ECPSF meets fundraising goal for Solar on Eau Claire Schools, ribbon cutting will celebrate project’s pending completion

Posted on by Kelly Christianson

The Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation has raised the final monies needed for the Solar on Eau Claire Schools project! Thanks to match challenges and the community’s advocacy, the project has completed its fundraising, and the solar arrays’ installation is nearly complete. A ribbon cutting is scheduled for Wednesday Oct 28 at 3:00pm atop Memorial High School’s roof. The celebration has limited attendees due to the local public health order, though will be broadcast live via Zoom. The public is invited to attend virtually and can access the link here,…

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ECPSF receives Solar Moonshot grant, announces final match campaign to raise last dollars needed for Solar On Eau Claire Schools project

Posted on by Kelly Christianson

ECPSF receives Solar Moonshot grant, announces final match campaign to raise last dollars needed for Solar On Eau Claire Schools project              Solar power system expected to save schools $20,000 annually                                                 [EAU CLAIRE, WI] Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation will receive a $25,000 grant from the Solar Moonshot Program to support the Solar On Eau Claire Schools project. The grant will match all gifts made through October 9, finalizing the funds needed for the project’s costs. "We applaud the Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation for…

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School Board makes final approval for solar project, on track to begin installation this month

Posted on by Kelly Christianson

The Eau Claire Area School District Board of Education made the final approval at the August 3rd board meeting to accept the second gift of 360 panels for the Solar on Eau Claire Schools project, a fund of the Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation. The action paves the way for the arrays’ installation atop Memorial and North High schools, 360 panels at each building, beginning this month. All 720 panels for the project have been generously donated by the Couillard Solar Foundation. “Couillard Solar Foundation emphasizes educating Wisconsin students on…

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ECPSF meets Pablo Foundation match challenge for Solar on Eau Claire Schools, project on track for late summer install

Posted on by Kelly Christianson

Kayla Midthun, Ramone's Ice Cream Parlor co-owner, left; and Sarah French, Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation executive director, right.    6/9/2020  After a successful match challenge in April, Pablo Foundation issued an additional match challenge for the Solar on Eau Claire Schools Fund for the end of the school year. With a deadline for challenge gifts of June 5, the community again came together, and raised $26,464 to meet the match!   In celebration of Earth Day, the Pablo Foundation offered the same match for gifts made…

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Solar on Eau Claire Schools: Update!

Posted on by Kelly Christianson

We are almost there! On May 18, ECASD school board approved the contract for the electrical engineer for the Solar on Eau Claire Schools Project, making way for summer installation. The project has made incredible progress through the spring months despite the pandemic. Donors believe in the value of incorporating solar education into the STEM curriculum for North and Memorial high schools, and the project has seen great momentum in recent weeks. This is what has been happening: 360 panels have been donated generously by the Couillard Solar Foundation. If…

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