- Mission
Dedicated to supporting, enhancing, and promoting quality educational opportunities for students and residents of the Claysburg Area.
Vision
The Claysburg Education Foundation is designed to bring together people with a shared vision for the advancement of education in the Claysburg Area from birth through adulthood.
Goals
Provide for student enrichment and scholarships
Nurture educational improvement
Provide funding for innovative programs for academic, extra-curricular, staff professional development, and other educational needs
Leverage accomplished individuals who are willing to share their expertise and knowledge
Encourage donations, grants, fundraising, and bequests that support the purpose of the Foundation
Foundation's Goal
Our goal is simple:
To help create learning success stories,
one student at a time.
Since we formed just nine short years ago in 2014 the Foundation has striven to become a "Learning Center" helping students fulfill their educational potential needs. Initially we did this through STEM programs with personalized instruction working hand-in-hand with the students and their classroom teachers for the most efficient learning.
Overall since 2014 we have promoted a Career Day, covered the expenses of teachers to learn about STEM through professional growth, purchased I-pads and technology equipment for the Claysburg-Kimmel School District, promoted the Arts through an art show and musical program, supplied money for teachers for Venture grants, sponsored field trips, supported reading competition programs for Bedford County, supported the CK Backpack program, worked with Catalyst Space for a STEM field trip program, covered tutoring for students, adult technology classes and worked with the FBLA students on their projects assisted them on their endeavors to the FBLA Nationals.
We established a working relationship with Penn State - Altoona to establish an entrepreneur class set-up at no cost to the school district. We also established a relationship with Mt. Aloysius College to work with students from Claysburg-Kimmel in STEM and also in other educational areas, and we have established a continuing relationship with St. Francis University. Previously we had their staff come to Claysburg-Kimmel at no charge. This year we are sending older students in grades 10-12 for a five day STEM class to St. Francis and also sending students in grades 5-10 to St. Francis for a two day STEM class. We are also currently working on a relationship with Indiana University of PA to establish similar type relationships.
The Foundation has collaborated with the foundations at all surrounding schools in Blair and Bedford County as well as the Intermediate Unit 8 to further satisfy the growing needs of today's students.
Through the years we held Summer STEM and the Arts sessions in Claysburg. Unfortunately for 2020 due to Covid-19, we ran a virtual class. For 2024 we will have Summer STEM in Claysburg. Watch for more upcoming information While most students are from the Claysburg area, there typically are about 10% from other school districts. Our philosophy has been that we want to reach out beyond the Claysburg area if we can help students.
We employed teachers and most were from Claysburg with a few others from other school districts. It has always been a big success. There are some STEM and Arts photos that have been posted on the STEM and Arts web page.
Going forward into 2024, the Foundation is financially poised to continue supporting the Claysburg-Kimmel School District. This is mainly due to the generosity of our local businesses contributing through PA EITC tax credits. We want to thank them for their support of our Claysburg community. We encourage you to talk to us about these opportunities to help the Foundation and school district. This year we will also be working with individuals and couples on PA EITC tax credits.
In addition to the continued focus on STEM and the Arts, the Foundation will be expanding its role with funding for trips for students to colleges and other locations so students can see the types of careers and additional educational experiences are available. There will be an increased emphasis on STEM especially in the high school after school and during school with additional training and special projects with more rigor involved. Leadership, Clubs, Student and Community Projects will also focus on working with the entrepreneurial aspect of student leadership. We have provided funding as a means of promoting student goodwill in the school district. A Technology Grant for Video and Editing Technology has been very successful with students broadcasting athletic events and other special occasions and making them available on YouTube for those who have not been able to attend.
As we mentioned the Foundation and Claysburg-Kimmel School District had met with and cemented a relationship with Penn State University last year. Going forward, we will have a renewed and even greater emphasis on these projects in several potential areas of leadership during the current school year and also with a summer program. Also we have formed an alliance with Mt. Aloysius College as well as St. Francis College and Penn Highlands on Dual Enrollment for our Claysburg-Kimmel students since financially this is a problem for many students.
The Foundation's success begins with the donations from businesses and individuals. Without these funds and much of it PA EITC funds, we would never be able to finance many of the projects needed by the district.
Local businesses such as NPC and their staff continually work with us both financially and with their employees interfacing with our students and Claysburg-Kimmel teachers and staff. One of the best examples has been the success of our Claysburg-Kimmel FBLA group and NPC working together to critique their state and national competitions and providing co-op opportunities for students. We want to thank each and everyone involved for their contributions to the Foundation and the Claysburg-Kimmel School District.
Also our unpaid volunteers have been a key part of our success. They contribute their time, financial resources, food for STEM and in many other ways. We are always looking for more volunteers.
Join us, assist us, support us with your time, talents and finances as we continue to work with the Claysburg-Kimmel School District on making it a progressive, technology driven school.