Newsletter - Volume 3, No. 1
Chico Outlaws "Bidwell Night"Hits a Homerun!
Bidwell and the Foundation were invited to participate in "Bidwell Night" at the Chico Outlaws baseball home game at Nettleton Field. The challenge to Bidwell was to sell tickets to the game. The reward for Bidwell was to receive $3.50 for every $7 ticket sold. Full credit should be given to Principal Brian Boyer and all the Bidwell folks, as over $1500 in Bidwell sales resulted in a donation to the Foundation of $784.
But, WAIT! There's more! This was great for the Foundation, but there was a bigger surprise to come. We had not realized that there was a competition among the participating schools and other non-profit organizations to see which could sell the most tickets. Since we were not aware of the contest, it came as a complete surprise to find out that Bidwell had taken second place. It was an even greater surprise when they sent us a check for $1500! If there is an opportunity for another "Bidwell Night" in 2011, we will make an even greater effort to sell tickets to Bidwell folks and other local Friends of Bidwell.
The John Schulz Memorial Endowment
The Endowment was established in 2007 with a $2,000 grant from the BJHSF General Fund, and has grown to over $10,000! The purpose of the Endowment is to establish a permanent source of funding for Bidwell Junior High School. Our long-range goal is to increase the value of the Endowment to the level that dividends can be used while maintaining the principle..
The Endowment grows in three ways: direct donations from Friends of Bidwell (you), interest earned on the principle, and a yearly grant from the BJHSF General Fund of up to 20% of donations for that year, as per Board policy. This Fund, like our General and Operations Funds, is maintained and administered by the North Valley Community Foundation for a modest fee. The Board seeks and welcomes donations directed to the Endowment.
Your Donations at Work!
SmartBoard
My Smart Board is wonderful for myself and all the students who come into room 202. Many, many thanks!
-- Angela Ravetz/Math
Tickets to see Science:CSI performance at CSU, Chico
Twenty very happy special-need students and one enthusiastic teacher!
-- Maggie Daugherty/Special Education
White Boards
Because of the grant, I am able to have students use the boards to show me how much they understand during a lesson. I am VERY thankful that I was given the money to purchase these because I really think they help in the student's learning process. (It helps keep them on track and holds them accountable). They have also been FUN to use in class. Kids like to do things that aren't in the "norm" of the regular routine of math. So, thanks for allowing me to put a little fun back into math!
-- Kim Battaglia/Math
Walmart Donates $500
Our most faithful and generous commercial donor has been Walmart. Foundation Vice President Dick Cory is our contact person with Walmart and on December 15th, he brought us a check for $500. That $500 given in each of the last several years has been a great help in allowing us to fund all approved classroom grant requests. Thank You, Walmart!
Bidwell Junior High School Foundation Sets Record
The BJHS Foundation has set records, both in donations received and in funds granted to classrooms in 2010. Donations for the year far surpassed the previous record, totalling over $8,000! The Friends of Bidwell continue their great support even in difficult economic times. The total in 2010 was bolstered by a large donation from "Bidwell Night" at the Chico Outlaws baseball game.
The Foundation also set a record with grants awarded to classrooms. We provided over $6,000 for supplies, materials, and equipment in 2010. The need continues to grow as school budgets continue to shrink.