and Strategic Initiatives 2008–2009 - Laramie County School District ...

Stakeholder Communications & Relationships
Community Partners
Adopt-A-School
The Adopt-A-School program began in Cheyenne
in 1988 as a cooperative effort between Laramie
County School District 1 and the Greater Cheyenne
Chamber of Commerce Education Committee. In
2008–2009, there were approximately 126 school
and classroom adoptions by companies. The program
promotes community support for education
by developing links among schools, businesses and
public agencies in addition to providing expanded
educational opportunities for students.
The program goals are as follows:
•To establish cooperative partnerships,
•To match the resources of professionals with
schools so they can collaborate successfully on specific
projects identified by the schools,
•To supplement classroom studies with relevant
learning experiences in business, industry and government,
•To help business and community leaders understand
the local educational system.
Each partnership is a creative, collaborative effort.
The program is administered by schools and the
LCSD1 Community Relations office.
Operation Back-to-School
Operation Back-to-School is a Cheyenne community
project coordinated by LCSD1, New
Futures, F.E. Warren Air Force Base/Embry-Riddle
Aeronautical University, Needs Inc., Community
Action of Laramie County, Laramie County Community
College and Wyoming Kid Care CHIP. The
program provides basic school supplies to begin
the school year. Generous donations and a Needs/
Community Action grant enables the organizations
to provide supplies throughout the school year
and serve all segments of the population including
elementary, junior high, high school and collegebound
students. In August 2008, more than 800
students and nearly 400 families were helped.
Starbase Academy
Starbase Academy supplemented math, science
and technology training with on-site classes at the
Wyoming Air National Guard Base in Cheyenne.
All LCSD1 fifth-grade classes attended Starbase.
The program also focuses on teamwork and goal setting,
thereby encouraging young people to avoid actions
that would interfere with achieving life goals.
(Funded by a federal grant through the Wyoming
National Guard Bureau.)
Service Clubs
Local service organizations such as Rotary, Kiwanis
and the Lions clubs work in conjunction with
LCSD1 in a variety of capacities. These dedicated
volunteers provide everything from teacher recognition
programs to book donations and mentor reading
programs.
Cheyenne Schools Foundation
The Cheyenne Schools Foundation (CSF) is a
nonprofit, tax-exempt Wyoming corporation. Its
mission is to engage community interest and support
for enhanced academic, personal and vocational
opportunities for LCSD1 students beyond the
capacity of the local school district budget.
Each year, the grant program provides several
“Excellence in Education” grants of up to $3,000
for innovative district-wide/school-wide projects
that benefit large groups of students. In addition,
“Mini-Grants” of up to $750 are awarded to teachers
for innovative classroom projects that address
student needs.
CSF’s grant program is designed to have a lasting
effect on the community by encouraging involvement
and enriching the quality of LCSD1’s educational
services. All board members are volunteers.
Funds are raised at the annual walk/run, from
community member donations and the local business
community. During the fall of 2008, four “Excellence
in Education” grants for a total of $9,818
were awarded. In addition, 19 “Mini Grants” for a
total of $13,772 were awarded.
28 • Report Card 2007–2008 www.laramie1.org