Owosso Public Schools Foundation

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Owosso Public Schools Foundation

The Owosso Public Schools Foundation was created out of the passion to extend cutting-edge initiatives that go beyond the school's budgetary constraints.

The Foundation is a charitable nonprofit 501 (c) (3) organization dedicated to supporting and enhancing quality educational programs that are synonymous with Owosso Public Schools. To accomplish our mission, the Foundation welcomes all segments of the community to actively contribute to public education. Additionally, we will join together with other civic entities in promoting the general welfare

of education. The Foundation values community stakeholders and seeks opportunities to showcase the advancement of student education through specialized events throughout the year.

01/31/2025

Five years ago, the Owosso Public Schools Foundation began a program to honor exceptional district employees with awards for Teacher of the Year and Support Staff Member of the Year. Each year, the foundation board receives several nominations for teachers and the support staff team from students, parents, community members, administrators, teachers, and support staff members. While the foundation would like to have honored everyone nominated, they select one individual annually to receive each of these awards.

The 2024-2025 Support Staff Member of the Year is Mrs. Kim Klapko, Central Elementary Executive Secretary!

The 2024-2025 Teacher of the Year is Mr. Lance Little, Owosso Middle School teacher and District International Baccalaureate Coordinator!

The Support Staff Member of the Year award is given to an individual who:
• Is an exceptionally dedicated, knowledgeable, and skilled member of the Owosso Public Schools’ team
• Goes above and beyond the call of duty
• Is supportive of the learning environment
• Develops relationships with students and staff

This year’s recipient checks all those boxes. Mrs. Klapko has been working at Central Elementary School for over 20 years and is an Owosso Trojan through and through. She graduated from Owosso High and has dedicated her career to Owosso students. According to the nomination packet:
• She is respected as a leader at Central Elementary and excels in building meaningful relationships with students and staff operating with both professionalism and grace.
• She consistently goes above and beyond to create a supportive and inclusive atmosphere within the school.
• She welcomes new students and families to Central Elementary, ensuring a smooth transition and integration into the school community. She is a vital part of the kindergarten registration team every spring, supporting new families in the transition to school.
• While her phone is ringing off the hook, she pulls teeth, puts on band aids, solves students and staff members’ challenges, and so much more.
• A quote from her nomination packet read, “She is the sweetest and kindest person one will ever get the privilege of working with.”

The Teacher of the Year award is given to a teacher who:
• Is an exceptionally dedicated, knowledgeable, and skilled member of the Owosso Public Schools’ team
• Goes above and beyond the call of duty
• Is supportive of the learning environment
• Develops relationships with students and staff
• Teaches using International Baccalaureate philosophies and engages students while creating a love for learning

After reviewing and discussing several nominees, the OPS Foundation board unanimously selected Mr. Lance Little.

Mr. Little has been with Owosso Public Schools for over 30 years and is commonly known as the historian of all things Owosso Public Schools. Some of his work includes:
• Science teacher and department leader at Owosso Middle School
• District International Baccalaureate Coordinator and visit leader
• Quiz Bowl Coach
• Mentor Teacher
• Member of the OMS Early Warning Systems Team and OMS Threat Assessment Team
• Owosso Education Association President and negotiation team member
• 2017 school bond planning committee volunteer
• Author of Echoes of the School Bell: The Story of Owosso Public Schools

Mr. Rich Collins, Owosso Middle School Principal stated that, “His leadership, organizational skills, and problem-solving abilities make him an invaluable asset to Owosso Middle School and our district.” Another Owosso Middle School team member summed up his letter of his support by saying, “he has made our district a better place to teach and for our kids to attend, and I couldn't think of a more deserving person for this award.”

Congratulations Mrs. Klapko and Mr. Little!

01/22/2024

Four years ago, the Owosso Public Schools Foundation began a program to honor exceptional district employees with awards for Teacher of the Year and Support Staff Member of the Year. This year, the foundation board received several nominations for teachers and the support staff team from students, parents, community members, administrators, teachers, and support staff members. While the foundation would like to have honored everyone nominated, they could only select one individual to receive each of these awards.

The 2023-2024 Support Staff Member of the Year is Mrs. Pam Giffei, Emerson Elementary Student Facilitator!

The 2023-2024 Teacher of the Year is Mr. Christopher Bird, Owosso Middle School Teacher!

The Support Staff Member of the Year award is given to an individual who:
• Is an exceptionally dedicated, knowledgeable, and skilled member of the Owosso Public Schools’ team
• Goes above and beyond the call of duty
• Is supportive of the learning environment
• Develops relationships with students and staff

This year’s recipient checks all those boxes. Mrs. Giffei has been working in the district for nearly 25 years. According to the nomination packet:
• Mrs. Giffei serves as a beacon of care, guidance, and support for students. She handles student behaviors with compassion and a personal touch that fosters an environment of understanding, empathy, and growth.
• Her strong communication skills extend to parents and staff members alike.
• Mrs. Giffei’s ability to create comprehensive plans to address individual student needs is a testament to her commitment to ensuring every student thrives.
• Beyond Mrs. Giffei’s duties directly related to student behavior, she takes on a myriad of responsibilities that contribute to the positive culture at Emerson Elementary School. She organizes the Citizen of the Week and Student of the Month recognition programs, ensuring that students’ achievements are celebrated. Her thoughtful gestures extend to baking for the staff and creating a warm and appreciative atmosphere within the school.
• The nominator concluded, “Pam is a pillar of support, compassion, and dedication to the success of every student and the well-being of our school community. Her multifaceted contributions make her an outstanding candidate for the Support Staff Member of the Year award. I wholeheartedly recommend her for this well-deserved recognition as she epitomizes the values and spirit of excellence at Emerson Elementary School.”

The Teacher of the Year award is given to a teacher who:
• Is an exceptionally dedicated, knowledgeable, and skilled member of the Owosso Public Schools’ team
• Goes above and beyond the call of duty
• Is supportive of the learning environment
• Develops relationships with students and staff
• Teaches using International Baccalaureate philosophies and engages students while creating a love for learning

This year, the foundation received nominations for several teachers. After a review process and discussion, the board chose Mr. Christopher Bird.

Mr. Bird has been with Owosso Public Schools for 20 years. According to the nomination packet:
• Mr. Bird is a vital part of Owosso Middle School, the school district, and the community. His leadership and organizational skills are invaluable to Owosso Middle School and Owosso Public Schools as he is a highly respected member of the Owosso team.
• He was a key component in the passage of our district bond, which relocated Owosso Middle School to the 6th- 12th Grade Campus on North Street.
• Mr. Bird is instrumental in the middle school’s innovative International Baccalaureate endeavors and diligently prepares students for academic success. With his vision and leadership, his pedagogical style has become the center for the practice of student achievement.
• He is a caring, highly recognizable community member who participates in and leads numerous fundraising activities that engage students in service learning.
• Mr. Bird supports Owosso Public Schools’ team members with his service as a Mentor Teacher, Student Council advisor, and all-around volunteer at Owosso Middle School.

11/28/2023

**UPDATE: OPS Foundation President Mr. Matt Van Epps has secured a matching grant from The Cook Family Foundation to make the giving season even more exciting! Any contribution to the foundation between now and the end of the year will be matched by the Cook Family Foundation up to $3,000.

Giving Tuesday has arrived! “Give Where You Live” is the theme for this year’s Raise Up Shiawassee Campaign where local non-profit organizations work together to raise awareness and much-needed funds to serve the needs of the community.

The Owosso Public Schools Foundation acts as ambassadors of the school district and secures funding to encourage and promote innovation and world-class opportunities for students while inspiring our students to be highly-competitive problem solvers in the global economy.

Learn more about the OPS Foundation at https://www.owosso.k12.mi.us/opsfoundation

Donate to the OPS Foundation on Giving Tuesday at http://raiseupshiawassee.org/

01/28/2021

Owosso Public Schools Foundation Announces Teacher and Support Staff Member of the Year

Owosso Public Schools Foundation President Matt Van Epps announced the Teacher and Support Staff Member of the Year recipients on January 18, 2021 during Superintendent Dr. Andrea Tuttle’s annual State of the District address. Brena Irelan received the Teacher of the Year honor. The Support Staff Member of the Year was awarded to Heidi Lorigan.

OPS Foundation President Matt Van Epps shared, “Last year, the Foundation began a program to honor our exceptional employees with awards for the Teacher of the Year and the Support Staff Member of the Year. Students, parents, community members, teachers, and support staff members were encouraged to submit nominations and the community responded. While we would like to have honored everyone who was nominated, the Foundation board could only select one individual to receive each of these awards.”

The criteria for the Support Staff of the Year award is as follows: is an exceptionally dedicated, knowledgeable, and skilled member of the Owosso Public Schools’ team; goes above and beyond the call of duty; is supportive of the learning environment; and develops relationships with students and staff. Mrs. Lorigan, who has worked at Bentley Bright Beginnings for 11 years teaching 4-year-old preschool, clearly met the criteria. Her preschool classes are highly sought after by parents due to her ability to form last connections with young students while inspiring them to explore their interests at a young age. Both students and parents nominated her and her nomination was supported by fellow staff members.

The Teacher of the Year award is given to a teacher who: is an exceptionally dedicated, knowledgeable, and skilled member of the Owosso Public Schools’ team; goes above and beyond the call of duty; is supportive of the learning environment; and develops relationships with students and staff. This year’s award recipient, Mrs. Brena Irelan certainly meets that criteria. Mrs. Irelan has been a special education teacher at Owosso Public Schools for over 20 years, serving in various leadership positions throughout her career. She currently serves on the Owosso Band Boosters board and has been an active supporter of Owosso Middle School and Owosso High School swim programs for over 10 years. Mrs. Irelan’s nomination was supported by fellow teachers, administrators, parents, and staff.

“Mrs. Irelan and Mrs. Lorigan are superb educators and individuals,” Dr. Tuttle said. “They prioritize building meaningful relationships with their students, going above and beyond to ensure their success. They are caring, always willing to put forth the extra effort for their students, and valued members of the Owosso Public Schools team.”

The Owosso Public Schools Foundation will host a celebratory reception honoring both Mrs. Irelan and Mrs. Lorigan, along with the 2020 award recipients, Mrs. Karen Michalec and Mrs. Amy Parsons, when COVID-19 guidelines permit.

12/06/2019

Bryant Elementary Teacher Mrs. Bekah Gute was an OPS Foundation Mini-Grant recipient this past spring. She purchased a 3D printer for student use. Mrs. Gute reports that she is using the 3D printer in a Blue & Gold After School program with 5th grade students from across the district. The photos show Brenna Gute and Khloe Shattuck holding their creations next to the 3D printer.

11/04/2019

Emerson Teacher Mrs. Jenny Verlinde shared, “Emerson Kindergarten classes would like to thank the Owosso Public Schools Foundation for granting us money to fund materials for our classrooms. Kindergartners at Emerson now have MANY more STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) supplies to use for our learning. Through exploration, set tasks and planning, our kiddos can create and build what they have planned. This provides our students with much more hands-on and engaging activities that encourage kiddos to be thinkers, risk-takers and become more knowledgeable. Thank you to all those who support Owosso Public Schools Foundation and putting our kids first!”

10/28/2019

"Owosso Public Schools Foundation granted my first grade classroom $1,600 for 8 Chromebook computers. My students having access to this technology is giving them valuable computer skills that will be used for the rest of their academic journey as well as their future careers. The laptops have allowed me to run balanced literacy and math centers where students work with me, on their own, on the technology, and with partners on their reading and math skills.

Thank you to the OPS foundation for supporting me and my students by giving us access to working technology."

Jamie Lumsden
First Grade Teacher
Central Elementary

09/12/2019

We were proud to partner with Crest and the OHS Career and Technical Education Program on this valuable fundraiser again this year!

07/15/2011

Welcome to the Owosso Public Schools Foundation page!

The Owosso Public Schools Foundation was created in 2007 out of the passion to extend cutting-edge initiatives that go beyond the school district's budgetary constraints.

Support 21st century learning by getting involved or making a donation today!

Address

Owosso, MI
48867

Telephone

+19897238131

Website

http://www.owosso.k12.mi.us/

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