President’s Comments:

What a year it has been! When I prepared this note last Spring, Rockridge Schools, like the rest of the world, was in a very different place. The message talked about the drive-in graduation and the challenges our students, teachers, and administrators had gone through finishing the school year in a remote learning environment. Who could have imagined what the next school year would bring!

Looking back, I think we can be very proud of how our community handled this once-in-a-lifetime pandemic. I am also excited that after an unprecedented school year, graduation was once again in person!

As a Foundation, we had to postpone our in-person fundraising event like everyone else. However, our community stepped up and filled the gap, answering our “virtual” appeal with generous donations from individuals and businesses. We raised over $10,000 which went right to essential items for the classrooms and unique technology needs to ensure our students were successful in the remote, hybrid, and modified classroom environments required this past school year.

Please take a moment as you review this newsletter to note our business sponsors and when you see them around the community, thank them for the support, their generosity is critical to our success.

Like the rest of the world, we are hopeful that the Fall of 2021 we will have some normalcy back in our routines and we are planning for an in-person THANKSgiving event on Thursday, November 18, 2021 at the High School. More details will come as the school year begins.

However, no one has to wait to donate to the Foundation! As a partner with the Moline Foundation, we utilize their secure website donation link donorbox.org/rockridge-schools-foundation-fund where you can designate donations in memory of someone special or to celebrate a milestone event. We also accept donations through the mail to our Post Office Box #3 in Taylor Ridge, IL.

In addition, we are fortunate to be one of the sponsored charities through the John Deere Classic Golf Tournament. Using this vehicle to make a donation allows us to receive additional matching funds from John Deere as well as make you eligible for prizes from the Tournament. You may utilize the form in this newsletter or go directly to birdiesforcharity.com/donate and enter our Birdies # 2222 for the Rockridge Schools Foundation Fund. No matter how you donate, all funds go to projects in the Rockridge School District, making an impact on the academic success of our students.

Lastly, this is my final newsletter. My term as part of this dynamic organization comes to an end in June. I thank you all for the many years of friendships and blessings that the Rockridge Community has given me and my family. I look forward to participating in future events and continuing to give back to this wonderful Community. Go Rockets!

Thank you!

Heidi Schultz, President

Along with Rockridge Schools Foundation Fund Board Members: Lori Frackes, Vice President; Tara Huntley, Treasurer; Tracy DeClerck, Secretary; Officers: Kent Buckrop, Jan Fuhr, Tyler Fuhr, Teresa Richhart, and Jeff Widdop

Summer 2021 Newsletter

Photo credit

Meg McLaughlin

2021 GRADUATION IMAGE HERE

Congratulations Class of 2021 Graduates! They toss their caps in celebration as their challenging senior year of school has come to a successful end!

$10,000 in Educational Projects were funded in 2021!

We are pleased that we were able to raise over $10,000 from the virtual THANKSgiving event held in November!

We put that money to fund over a dozen projects between our schools! Here are the projects you supported!

Taylor Ridge Elementary

Kindergarten: Hands-on Materials and Manipulatives

1st grade: Paddle Boards, Pocket Mouse, Wobble Stools 2nd Grade: Tables and Stools, Grammar Support

Andalusia Elementary

4th Grade: HP Flip, Stylus, Docucam, and Chromcast

Rockridge Jr. High

6th grade - Social Studies: Ancient Civilizations Project

7th grade - Social Studies—Nearpod

Rockridge Junior/Sr Music Dept

iPad for recording and editing videos

JR/Boomwhackers and Ukuleles

Rockridge High School

Chemistry: Periodic Table

Spanish: Pear Deck Subscription

Art: Supplies and Crafts

Computer/Tech: 3D Printer

Nearpod “Nearpod was one of the best instructional tools that I used all year! It was a great way to turn a traditional worksheet into a fun and engaging lesson. Students were able to draw, collaborate, and play games using the learning concepts. It worked out great for online learners as well. Thank you so much for supporting this instructional tool and my classroom!” —Amy Benac, Social Studies

LCD writing tablets wobble stools, and whisper phones

“Thank you so much for the Foundation money I was able to use for my classroom. The items I ordered have recently arrived and we have been enjoying them. The students have been using the new wobble stools, LCD writing tablets, and whisper phones. I was able to also purchase some laminating pouches and posters to help with my planning and instruction. The extra money you provide really is a huge help and allows us to purchase resources the entire class can benefit from.

Thank you again!”

—Kristie Schwigen, 1st Grade Teacher Taylor Ridge Elementary

What the teachers are saying...

What the kids are saying...

Social Studies Ancient Civilizations Project Materials…

“The Mayan foil art project was the best because it was fun to color and be creative.”

“I liked the Mayan foil art best because I did it on foil and got to trace a picture with a pencil. I also liked this because I got to color it when I was done tracing it. The picture was displayed in the hallway.”

“Making the Egyptian masks was my favorite activity in 6th grade because we got to color them and decorate them. I also like learning about the CSI mystery about how King Tut died.”

“I liked the Mesopotamia cuneiform the most because I learned something new and it was a fun project! We got to write our name in clay using cuneiform.”

“The Egyptian mask was my favorite 6th-grade project because my mom and I worked on it together. My mom and I had fun when we built it because we use too much glitter. I enjoyed showing it to the class and having it hang in the hallway.”

Donors June 2020– April 2021

PLATINUM (GIFTS OF $500 PLUS)

Anonymous ACC, Inc

Allan Fuhr Lance & Pam Fuhr

Leland & Nellie Ziegenhorn Markman Peat Corp.

Reynolds Telephone Co. Tyler Fuhr Real Estate Sales

GOLD (GIFTS OF $250-$499)

Bill & Ruth Anne Hartman

Jim & Judy Fuhr Rod & Tara Huntley

Lori Lund

Blackhawk Bank & Trust IMEG Corp

Midwest Bank Herb & Heidi Schultz

Yes! I want to support the Rockridge Schools Foundation Fund help meet the needs of students at Rockridge! Fill out this form and mail with your

check to us at PO Box 3, Taylor Ridge, IL 61284, or donate online at www.rockridgeschoolsfoundation.org

Please accept my donation in the amount of $_______________

Honor (up to $49) Bronze ($50 $99) Silver ($100 $249) Gold ($250 $499) Platinum ($500 +)

The Rockridge Schools Foundation Fund is an affiliate of The Moline Foundation, an IRS designated 501 c 3 nonprofit. Your gift may qualify as a charitable deduction for federal income tax purposes. Consult with your tax advisor to determine if your gift will qualify.

Make check to: Rockridge Schools Foundation Fund, and mail it with this completed form to: PO Box 3, Taylor Ridge, IL 61284

Check any that apply:

THANK YOU FOR INVESTING IN QUALITY EDUCATION!

On behalf of the Rockridge students who are positively impacted by your gift, we say a heartfelt THANK YOU! Your investment will help Rockridge build great community members for generations to come!

SILVER (GIFTS OF $100-$249)

Jennifer Ehrhardt

Lane & Joyce Freyermuth

Carl & Shirley Johnson

Lori & Roger Rohlfing

Linda Buckrop

Ericka Figanbaum

Randy & Brenda Heisch

Matt & Kay Wynn

Amy Bower

Virginia Brady Charlies Tax Service LLC

Tom & Tracy DeClerck

Martin & Janet Flaherty

Tim & Gayle Flynn

Friends of Halpin Tom & Katy Hasson

Jim & Mary Nichols

Larry & Susan Parchert

Don & JoAnn Rursch

Wayne & Janice Siebke Cynthia & David Stewardson

Pat & Char Verschoore

Josh & Mindy Wheatley

Jason Wolfe

BRONZE (GIFTS OF $50-$99)

Janette Watkins

Brent & Kathy Johnson

Ruth Adams

Ferdinand & Marlene Bayer

James & Joyce Bohnsack

Barb Downey

Wayne & Carol Erickson

Steve & Debbie Faith

Steve & Lori Frakes

Wyatt & Karrie Fuhr

Jon & Margaret Gundling

George & Delora Hall

Gary & Ruth Hund

John & Pam Krantz

Mary Ann Vroman

Anna Whitcomb

Todd & Judy White

Liz Furlong

HONOR (GIFTS UP TO $50)

Paul Plagenz

Molly Cook

Mel Block

Kent & Becky Buckrop

Robert & Alice Crawford

Rich Janik

Jeff Overson

Mary Beth Watkins

Anonymous

John Deere Classic

Non-Profit

US POSTAGE

PAID

ROCKISLAND, IL

PERMIT NO 74

LOCAL

POSTAL CUSTOMER

PO BOX 3, Taylor Ridge, IL 61284

www.rockridgeschoolsfoundation.org

You can Support the Rockridge Schools Foundation Fund through Birdies for Charity When you chip in to help area charities, you can win some great prizes. But we will be the real winner because we receive 100% of the

donations pledged to us in this program, plus a bonus from the Birdies for Charity Bonus Fund which is a guaranteed 5% match. A grand prize will be given to one person who guesses the correct number. In case of ties, winners will be randomly selected. Deadline is June 21 to be eligible for prizes (or July 9 for non-prize eligible donations.)

Make your donation online! Visit https://birdiesforcharity.com/donate Type in our bird number 2222: Rockridge Schools Foundation Fund in the box. The minimum online donation amount is $20. All donations made online will be guaranteed the bonus promise of at least 5%.

To make your pledge by mail Cut out and complete the attached pledge form and mail to the Birdies office: 15623 Coaltown Rd, East Moline, IL. 61244

Rockridge Schools Foundation Fund

2222

The Moline Foundation 1601 River Drive, Suite 210, Moline, IL 61265 The Rockridge Schools Foundation Fund is a partner with The Moline Foundation, an IRS designated 501 c 3 nonprofit.

Thank you 2020 Virtual THANKSgiving Sponsors!

PLATINUM $1,000

ACC Mobile Accessories Markman Peat

Tyler Fuhr, RE/MAX River Cities

Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home

SILVER SPONSORS $250

Blackhawk Bank

IMEG

Midwest Bank