Best of 2022: District 196 Foundation Highlights
It was a busy year for the all-volunteer District 196 Foundation Board of Directors. We’re honored to support the work of the District and proud of our shared achievements in 2022:
$15k Raised Through Annual Fundraising Event: District 196 staff, parents, community members and friends joined the Foundation at our second annual District 196 Foundation Celebration on October 14, 2022 – raising more than $15,000 to eliminate barriers to learning. Guests enjoyed a tour of the Vikings museum, live music and hors d’oeuvres. The highlight of the evening was hearing from representatives of the three core programs the foundation supports: Jan Kruchoski from Every Meal; 196 teachers Nicole Tschol and Maren Wallenberg who coordinate Summer Books, and Band for All coordinator Josh Becker. Their inspirational stories showed how important the Foundation’s work is and just how impactful a bag of food, a book or a band instrument can be in the life of a District 196 student.
Summer Books Funding Reinstated: The foundation stepped up to provide funding for the Summer Books program after a hiatus due to federal Covid-19 funding. As that federal funding ended in 2022, the foundation partnered closely with the district to understand top priorities and meet important needs like age-appropriate books for students to read over the summer.
Period Poverty Initiative Advanced: On February, 14, 2022, Eagan High School students Tori Robarge and Evelyn Gore testified in the Minnesota House of Representatives, requesting that schools implement period poverty programs across the state. District 196 Foundation provided $14,000 in startup costs to supply free feminine care products in bathrooms across the district.