command – Vermillion Public Schools Foundation

Athletics

command — Mon, 06 Feb 2017 18:54:20 +0000

With the Athletic Booster Club, the Foundation provides funds for equipment, facility improvements and additional support for student athletes. Participation in youth athletics has been shown to enhance leadership skills, improve time management and foster positive social interaction. Through the Foundation’s partnership with the Booster Club, we have helped fund such projects as new scoreboards in the high school gym, an updated outdoor concession stand and football field upgrades.

Music

command — Mon, 06 Feb 2017 18:54:04 +0000

The Foundation works closely with the Vermillion Music Boosters to support music activities in our schools. The Vermillion Music Boosters organization fosters and encourages a high standard of musical excellence in the music program in the Vermillion public schools. We strive to facilitate good communications among parents, students and others interested in school music activities and offer support to music groups and programs from kindergarten through high school.

While the Vermillion Music Boosters accepts donations to support our activities, monetary contributions are only one way to be a music booster. A music booster is a parent who patiently listens to a student practicing her musical instrument, a grandparent who faithfully attends every concert, or a community member who claps when the Pride of Vermillion marching band passes by at a parade.

Our fundraising efforts also support music programs with financial assistance. For example, the Music Boosters organization purchases recorders for elementary students, pays for instrument repairs for the middle and high school bands, and helps students to attend music festivals such as All-State Choir and Honor Band. Through the Vermillion Public Schools Foundation, the organization has also received grant funding to purchase a new band trailer and choir risers. With the support of parents and the community, the Vermillion Music Boosters supports and celebrates the musical achievements of all students in the Vermillion School District.

Visual Arts

command — Mon, 06 Feb 2017 18:53:37 +0000

The Vermillion Public Schools Foundation is committed to supporting visual arts education from pre-school to high school. Involvement in the visual arts has been found to enhance skills in reading, math, critical thinking and verbal skills. As stated by the South Dakota Department of Education, “Through the visual arts students are provided an opportunity to discover, develop, and actualize their unique potential.”

The Foundation has designated elementary arts education as a fundraising and programming focus. One of the ways we are bringing arts education to our elementary students is through a program called “Arts Attack,” which provides high-quality video-based lessons designed by an arts educator.

Instructional Enhancements

command — Mon, 06 Feb 2017 18:53:20 +0000

In order to fulfill our mission of supporting opportunities for learners to succeed confidently in a diverse world, the Foundation provides funding for a wide variety of in-school and co-curricular activities. The award-winning Vermillion Area Robotics Club receives financial assistance from the Foundation to help the team travel to tournaments around the country. To enhance our students’ appreciation for their community and the concept of service, we help buy t-shirts for the annual Tanager Volunteer Day. Four graduating seniors now receive scholarships for higher education pursuits. Through our sponsorship, Leslie Blauman, a national literacy consultant, trained elementary school teachers on reading comprehension strategies and writing skills.