“Working Smarter by Working Together”

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The Claysburg Education Foundation was created by a five-member Board of Directors to address the educational needs of students attending a high poverty, low achieving school district. Board members identified a mission, vision, goals and By-Laws for the Foundation. The logo “Working Smarter by Working Together” summarizes the framework upon which the Foundation was developed.

A plan was developed to create a collaboration that united the Claysburg-Kimmel school district, businesses, corporations and community resources to enhance, enrich and improve educational opportunities for students in grades k-12. If successful, CKSD students will graduate from high school prepared for college and career success, and they will become productive future citizens.

The Claysburg Education Foundation became a charitable organization under the 

Laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal

Revenue Service.

The Claysburg Education Foundation was approved for PA Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) funds. 

To accomplish the Foundation’s mission and goals, the Claysburg Education Foundation focuses upon providing all students with high quality science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) educational opportunities. Fostering imagination, creativity, communication, collaboration, and critical thinking skills, students are encouraged to try something new and to take risks. For example, many of the advances in science today would not have been possible without the powerful combination of large-scale computing with interactive graphic color 3-D rendering of results. The rapid advances in STEAM create a challenge for school districts to provide students with resources and training to prepare them for college and career success. The need for increased STEAM resources and educational student opportunities is great, but school district funding is limited. Therefore, Claysburg Education Foundation initiatives are needed to provide students with STEAM resources and educational opportunities that otherwise would not be available within their basic educational experience.

Claysburg Education Foundation Board members collaborate with the high school administration to provide college and career exploration opportunities for students in grades 7-12. In preparation for High School ‘Career Day’ programs, Foundation Board members contact approximately 50 career representatives arranging for them to share their expertise with students. Board members also provide contact information for teachers who wish to invite presenters to their classrooms to provide specific career information to their students. 

The Claysburg Education Foundation created a Life’s Choicescomputer-assisted, instructional career exploration program for students in grades 7-12. The program was designed to present career awareness that will assist students to make wise career choices. This program exposes students to cost of living expenses as they relate to career income choices. Students become aware of the costs of living expenses and importance of making responsible career choices that will support their desired standard of living.

To promote collaboration with Bedford and Blair County Education Foundations, the Claysburg Education Foundation organized a meeting attended by eleven school district foundations to discuss ways to collaborate and support each other. Claysburg Education Foundation members were invited to attend a meeting with the Blair Country Chamber of Commerce to share ideas and concepts for developing STEAM programs with school districts throughout Blair County.

To provide students world-class knowledge and experiences, the Foundation has created strong collaborative relationships with local universities. A collaboration with the Penn State Altoona Campus and Sheetz Corporation provided students in grades 10-12 the opportunity to attend a college level entrepreneur education class. Mt. Aloysius University professors provided scientific instruction for students during the Foundation’s annual summer STEAM Camp. Foundation Board members collaborated with Mt. Aloysius University and St. Francis University to provide educational field trips for high school students. Collaborative relationships between the Claysburg Education Foundation and Universities continue year-after-year to address the educational challenges and instructional needs of students. Each year, the Foundation has paid tuition costs for students to earn college credits while taking high school courses through a dual enrollment program.

Partnerships with local business and corporation leaders is proof that the Foundation’s logo “ Working Smarter by Working Together” is accurate. Without their financial support, the Foundation would not be able to provide resources and educational initiatives for students. A local corporate leader and donor meets with Foundation Board members and School leaders to brainstorm ways to improve education for students. Corporations have also provided field trips opportunities and employment for high school youth. News Printing Organization employees assist FBL A students with their State and National presentations. The Foundation is happy to support a newly created School District/Corporation student mentoring program. Relationship building is a constant process as each new school year brings renewed and expanded collaborative opporitunitories..

 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.  

The Claysburg Education Foundation’s success is due to the financial contributions from individuals and businesses. The Foundation is extremely thankful for the support of our PA EITC donors for their generous donations. Donations to the Foundation provide students in a low-income school district with the same high quality of educational experiences enjoyed by students in wealthy school districts. The quality and quantity of opportunities for students depends upon the amount of charitable donations.

Join us, assist us, support us with your time, talents, and finances, as we continue to support, enhance, and provide quality educational opportunities for students!

Please contact us if you would like to help in anyway.