Melanie Lucks
Golf Fore Grants 2023
You’re invited to ‘chip’ in and show your support for Elkhorn Public Schools!
Join us for a day of golf, games, and fun at our annual Golf Fore Grants event at Champions Run Golf Course on Monday, June 5th, 2023!
⛳Who: You and your coworkers, friends, or family.
⛳What: Golf Fore Grants is an annual fundraiser hosted by the Elkhorn Public Schools Foundation.
⛳Where: Champions Run Golf Course – 13800 Eagle Run Dr, Omaha, NE 68164.
⛳When: Monday, June 5th, 2023.
Check-in at the event begins at 11:00 a.m. with a noon shotgun start.
⛳Why: This exciting event is a vital component to the success of our Classroom Grants Program which provides supplementary educational items to all 20 Elkhorn Public Schools, impacting thousands of students.
In the 2022-2023 school year, the Foundation funded 63 Classroom Grants totaling $157,000. These grants funded literacy assistance kits, eBooks, community field trips, anti-bullying presentations, career readiness public speakers, play productions, Vivi presentation systems, robotics equipment, and more.
Read a Classroom Grants Story:
Foursome Registration
$1,000 per Foursome
(Foursome registration has increased from $800 to $1,000, but now includes an Eagle Card Package for every player (+$300 value)!
Team Registration now includes:
🚩18-Hole Golf Round for four participants
🚩Grill-Out Style Lunch
🚩19th Hole Social/Dinner Buffet
🚩Flag & Tournament Prizes
🚩4 EAGLE CARD PACKAGES
Each Eagle Card Package includes:
🦅5 Raffle Tickets
🦅5 Mulligans
🦅Golf Poker Participation
🦅2 On-Course Games (Does not include Putting Green Contest).
2023 GOLF FORE GRANTS RAFFLE
MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN! Extra raffle tickets WILL be sold at the event this year (cash only). The winner of the raffle will be drawn after the event at the 19th Hole Social/Dinner Buffet.
2023 Golf Fore Grants Sponsorship Opportunities
In 2023, the support of our community is more important than ever in order to reach our fundraising goals as the District’s needs continue to grow with over 11,000 pre-kindergarten to high school students across 20 schools.
Being a Golf Fore Grants sponsor comes with many great perks including exposure across the event in addition to our website, social media channels, and email communications. Sponsorship packages will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis and can be viewed and purchased through our Golf Status event website. Sponsorships must be secured by May 5th, 2023.
*If you prefer to mail in a check rather than pay by credit card or ACH payment via Golf Status, please give us a call so we can keep our registration numbers and sponsorship opportunities up-to-date and accurate.
Download a complete 2023 Golf Fore Grants Sponsorship Outline
(Does not indicate which sponsorships are sold out).
If you have questions regarding event sponsorships, please feel free to give us a call at (402) 289.1727.
Thank you for supporting Elkhorn Public School students and teachers. We appreciate your generosity and hope to see you on the golf course this summer!
THANK YOU TO OUR 2023 SPONSORS!
Hole Sponsors:
Pinnacle Bank
Eide Bailly
Lamp Rynearson
Join our team!
We are looking for a Marketing & Communications Coordinator to join our team!
POSITION TYPE: 4-Month Internship with opportunity to transition to full-time position
TITLE: Marketing & Communications Coordinator
REPORTS TO: Marketing & Development Manager
WORKSITE: 20272 Veterans Drive | Elkhorn, NE 68022
START DATE: February 2023 | SCHEDULE: Flexible, 20 hours/week
WHO WE ARE
The Elkhorn Public Schools Foundation is a nonprofit organization that promotes student achievement and the unity of our community and its public schools by encouraging, supporting, and recognizing excellence in innovative education, quality school programs, and civic involvement. We offer scholarships, classroom grants, before & after school childcare, teacher tuition reimbursement, and more.
The Elkhorn Public Schools Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic background, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, or disability.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
The Elkhorn Public Schools Foundation is seeking an organized, well-rounded Marketing & Communications Coordinator who thoroughly enjoys creating engaging marketing materials and has an interest in nonprofit communications.
The ideal candidate is a self-starter who will be able to create various marketing communications to promote our fundraising events and programs. This person will also assist with event coordination as needed, help develop the Foundation’s social media channels, assist with updates to our website(s), and write concise, engaging content for our annual newsletter. The preferred candidate will help strengthen our brand recognition locally and will be able to assist with other various duties as assigned.
The selected candidate for this position will enjoy competitive pay, a friendly and flexible work environment, and the opportunity to transition to a full-time position with benefits once the internship is complete.
MAJOR DUTIES OF POSITION
Marketing Communications (50%)
(Promoting fundraising events and Foundation programs)
-Candidate will help update event websites and create promotional emails, social media posts, print media, and other various marketing materials to help promote the sale of fundraising event sponsorships and tickets.
Social Media Development (20%)
-Candidate will develop and execute an annual social media calendar for Facebook, Linkedin & Instagram channels. This may include blog posts, event posts, ad campaigns, etc.
Event Coordination (15%)
-Candidate will work with the Special Events Coordinator to ensure event sponsorships and tickets are promoted, sold, and that sponsorship perks are fulfilled. This includes creating customized sponsorship gear like banners and other signage.
-Candidate will also be responsible for communicating with the event’s sponsors and participants throughout the entirety of the event.
Updates to Website and Event Website(s) (10%)
-Candidate will make updates to the Foundation website as necessary in addition to event websites. This includes keeping sponsorship information & event registration up to date as well as updating the Foundation team regarding sponsorships and tickets sold.
Content for Annual Newsletter/ Blog Posts (5%)
-By the end of the year, candidate will have written one meaningful story for each of the main Foundation programs to use in the Foundation’s annual newsletter. These will also be used as blog posts and social media posts.
Other duties as assigned
-For example, candidate may also need to assist the Special Events Coordinator in gathering and promoting annual gala auction items
-Candidate may also need to assist with Alumni Program development and marketing/communications as needed.
QUALIFICATIONS
-Preferred candidate may be a recent college graduate or junior/senior status pursuing a degree in Journalism, Communications, or Marketing with a desire to advance to a full-time position at a nonprofit organization.
-A passion for marketing, writing, and social media is essential to be successful in this position.
-Preference will be given to candidates with general knowledge or experience working with WordPress, the Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Premiere Pro, Photoshop), Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin, Constant Contact, Qtego, and Golf Status).
-Compensation will be based on experience.
APPLICATION
***We will be conducting the first round of interviews for this position the week of January 23rd!
Interested candidates should send their resume, cover letter, references, 3 writing samples or portfolio website link to Melanie Lucks at mlucks@elkhornfoundation.org as soon as possible. Position will remain open until filled.
Students Gaining Confidence with Math & Reading Assistance
Mallory Lantzer has been a Math Interventionist at Westridge Elementary for nine years. She also is the co-chair of her Student Assistance Team, and leads PAWS (People At Westridge Succeed), an after-school Math Assistance Program funded by the Elkhorn Public Schools Foundation.
According to Lantzer, one of the biggest challenges that teachers face in the classroom is feeling like they don’t have enough time to effectively meet the needs of every individual student. “PAWS helps us spend more time with the students that need our support the most,” she said.
Kindergarten through fifth grade students that attend PAWS spend an extra 30 minutes after school three days a week in small groups reviewing grade level content, practicing skills that are challenging for them, and gaining confidence in their math abilities. PAWS provided additional support to more than 60 students last year alone.
“Some people might think that students wouldn’t want to stay after school to practice math, but for most kids, quite the opposite is true,” said Lantzer.
“Our students love the opportunity to work in a small group with their teachers and peers. They enjoy the more individualized attention from their teachers, and they are willing to ask questions, and share their thinking out loud. Something that most of them aren’t confident enough to do in a whole-class setting.”
Lantzer said that the increase in confidence that she sees in her students after they attend PAWS is what makes the program so rewarding. “Our data shows that attending our after school math program has a huge impact on our students’ level of achievement in the classroom on a daily basis, as well as on District and state assessments,” she said.
PAWS is just one of many math and reading assistance groups that are funded by the Foundation. In the 2021-2022 school year, over 400 elementary students in the Elkhorn Public Schools District needed additional instruction in math and reading. Our annual Bids For Kids event is the main fundraiser for our Math & Reading Assistance Program. This year, the event raised $74,000, thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, donors, attendees, and auction participants.
If you are interested in making a contribution to our Math & Reading Assistance Program, please visit our online donation form or contact the Foundation office at (402) 289.1727.
Our elementary schools are always looking for additional staff to lead Math & Reading Assistance groups before or after school as the need for them continues to increase. If you are an Elkhorn Public Schools staff member and are interested in leading a group, please contact your building principal.
Making a Difference with Classroom Grants
Michaela Koenig is a Resource Teacher at Sagewood Elementary. She has been a teacher in the Elkhorn Public Schools District for eight years, providing special education services for students in kindergarten through fifth grade. She also is a “Battle of the Books” sponsor for fourth and fifth graders, and a 2022-2023 Elkhorn Public Schools Foundation (EPSF) Classroom Grant recipient.
The Community Field Trip & Books Classroom Grant for Sagewood Elementary allows her language group students to learn about their community and develop new communication skills using their voice or communication devices.
“Our students are able to use the books they read to learn about different places in our community,” said Koenig. “As they read the books, they learn valuable early literacy skills such as turning pages and using their fingers to track words as we read.”
In October, the students were able to apply their newly acquired communication skills and knowledge about their community at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo. The students practiced labeling and describing animals while observing their actions at each animal exhibit that they toured. The students also utilized the opportunity to engage in conversations with each other about the animals and their habitats.
Later this year, Koenig’s students will have the opportunity to follow a grocery list to purchase items for a recipe. They will also visit Sam and Louie’s in the spring to order or make a slice of pizza while practicing their social skills using their voices or communication devices while out and about in the community.
“This grant provides valuable opportunities for my students to use their language skills in different environments,” said Koenig.
“We practice language at school, but so much of what we practice applies to places outside of school. This grant allows our students to use what they are learning at school and apply it in different, exciting places.”
In the future, Koenig said that she would love to continue the Community Field Trips and Books Classroom Grant for her language groups. There are also some additional programs that she would like to consider purchasing that would be beneficial to building language and literacy skills.
Koenig’s grant is just one of 63 EPSF Classroom Grants totaling $157,000 that were awarded to all 20 Elkhorn Public Schools during the 2022-2023 school year. Our annual Golf Fore Grants event is the main fundraiser for our Classroom Grants program. This year, the event raised over $56,000, thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and participants.
If you are interested in making a contribution to our Classroom Grants program, please visit our online donation form or contact the Foundation office at (402) 289.1727.
Elkhorn Family Honors Son by Establishing the Sam Osborn Memorial Scholarship
Next April, a graduating senior from an Elkhorn public high school will be awarded “The Sam Osborn Memorial Scholarship” for the first time. This opportunity was made possible by the Osborns, an Elkhorn family who lost their son to muscular dystrophy earlier this year. Sam would have graduated from Elkhorn South High School in 2023.
Sam Osborn was the youngest of four tremendously close siblings. At six months old, his journey to a diagnosis of congenital muscular dystrophy began.
“The progressive disease debilitates the body, yet leaves the mind intact,” said the Osborn family. “As the disease affected him physically, Sam never let the condition limit his spirit or capacity for kindness. As his body grew more fragile, Sam became a greater source of strength and positivity that brightened the lives of those around him.”
Brilliant, yet never too serious, Sam used his remarkable intellect to bring warmth, humor, and happiness to all. He was expected to live to age eight. He passed away at age 17, having just finished a spectacular academic year as a junior in the 2021/2022 school year. Sam scored a 34 on his ACT exam, which surpassed his brother’s and sister’s score (a fact he would be glad to share).
“Sam illuminated a more fulfilling way to approach life,” said the Osborn Family.
Facing tremendous challenges, he chose to push beyond them. He never resented his disease and instead focused on the opportunities brought to him by being differently abled. With the help of friends and family, Sam enjoyed a lifetimes’ worth of experiences — he was blessed to have many friends who helped him be as independent as possible both inside and outside of school.
The Sam Osborn Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to a graduating Elkhorn Public Schools senior who has confronted their own disabilities to achieve academic success, and/or a student who has helped another gain independence from their disabilities.
This scholarship is just one of over 200 community-funded scholarships that will be awarded to EPS graduating seniors this spring. The Foundation works with Elkhorn families and local businesses to award over $500,000 in scholarships every year. Applications for all EPSF scholarships are open from December 1st to February 1st, annually.
If you would like more information on establishing a scholarship or making a donation to an existing scholarship, please visit our Scholarship Program page.
Hall Of Fame 2022
On November 3rd, the Elkhorn Public Schools Foundation EPSF held its annual Hall of Fame Banquet & Awards Ceremony at the EPSF Alumni Center.
Every fall, the Elkhorn Public Schools Foundation honors Elkhorn teachers, staff, alumni, volunteers, and community businesses that have significantly impacted the Elkhorn Public Schools community and its students at its Hall of Fame Reception.
Nearly 200 members of the Elkhorn community attended the event to honor nine Hall of Fame Recipients.
“We have many educators within the Elkhorn Public Schools District who go ‘above and beyond’ every day,” said Stacey L. Falk, Executive Director of the Elkhorn Public Schools Foundation. “It is the dedication of our teachers, volunteers, and community that sets us apart from other school districts. Your support truly exemplifies why Elkhorn Public Schools and our community are among the best in the state!”
2022 Hall of Fame Recipients
Mary Jo Giesselmann
Julie Sorensen
Ed Pullen
Jenny Haase
Angie Knutson
Jon Driscoll
2022 Hall of Fame Award Recipients
| Carl L. White Educator of the Year | Melissa Simons, Elkhorn South High School |
| Golden Apple Educator of the Year | Ashley Staton, Sagewood Elementary |
| Support Staff Member of the Year | Mary Jo Giesselmann, ENRMS |
| Former Educator of the Year | Julie Sorensen |
| Alumnus of the Year | Jon Driscoll |
| Teammates Mentor of the Year | Ed Pullen |
| Community Booster of the Year | James Manske, Elkhorn Lawn Care |
| Volunteers of the Year | Jenny Haase & Angie Knutson |
Thank you to our 2022 Hall of Fame Patrons!
Dr. Nancy Rogic-Greufe & Mr. Jim Greufe
2022 End-of-Year Giving Campaign
Help fund Elkhorn Public Schools Foundation Programs by making a contribution to our End-of-Year Giving Campaign!
With your support, we are able to fund impactful programs including Classroom Grants, Scholarships, Math & Reading Assistance, Teacher Tuition Reimbursement, and more. Please read about our programs below.
Classroom Grants
We enrich the classroom experience of Elkhorn Public School students by providing multiple grants to all 20 schools in the District, impacting students at every grade level.
Scholarship Program
We administer scholarships on behalf of community businesses, families, and organizations in addition to funding the Achieve Scholarship Program. These scholarships have benefited thousands of Elkhorn Public Schools’ graduating seniors.
“Being rewarded for the hard work done during my time as a high schooler in Elkhorn is greatly appreciated. The ACHIEVE Scholarship gave me something to work toward that fueled my motivation in my AP classes.” -2022 Elkhorn South High School Graduate & EPSF Scholarship Recipient
Kids in Need
We provide financial assistance to Elkhorn families in need, ensuring financial hardships do not stand in the way of our students’ physical, social, and emotional needs or their ability to achieve success within our schools.
Math & Reading Assistance
We fund the extra hours that our Elkhorn teachers spend outside their school day assisting hundreds of elementary school students who need extra assistance in math and reading comprehension. This includes before and after-school math & reading clubs.
“At first I didn’t think that my child would want to attend Math Club, but he LOVES it! I have seen such improvement in the work he is doing!” -Emily Penry
Teacher Tuition Reimbursement
We encourage our Elkhorn teachers and teacher assistants to prioritize their continued education by providing partial tuition reimbursement. The Foundation provides thousands of dollars in tuition reimbursement every year.
Bids For Kids 2022
An Elkhorn Public Schools Foundation Fundraiser
Bids For Kids event raises $74K for Math & Reading Assistance Programs in Elkhorn Public Schools
Last month, the Elkhorn Public Schools Foundation hosted its most successful Bids For Kids fundraiser to date thanks to the generosity of the event’s auction donors, bidders, and sponsors.
From September 28th to October 6th, more than 400 members of the Elkhorn community came together and raised $74K to help fund the Math & Reading Assistance Programs that take place in the Elkhorn District’s elementary schools.
“What an amazing and super successful night!” Said Susan Lumsden, Elkhorn Public Schools Foundation Special Events Coordinator. “I loved seeing our attendees and volunteers having fun, and all of our planning come to life! Giving is not just about making a donation. It’s about making a difference.”
In support of the fundraiser, attendees heard from Math Interventionist Mallory Lantzer, an Elkhorn Public Schools teacher who leads P.A.W.S (People At Westridge Succeed), an afterschool Math Program at Westridge Elementary that provided additional support for more than 60 students last year alone.
“Some people might think that students wouldn’t want to stay after school for an extra 30 minutes to practice math, but for most kids quite the opposite is true,” said Mallory Lantzer. “Our students love the opportunity to work in a small group with their teachers and their peers. They enjoy the more individualized attention from their teachers, and are willing to ask questions and share their thinking out loud– Something that most of them aren’t confident enough to do in a whole class setting.“
This year’s Bids For Kids event featured 313 auction items, many of which were donated by local businesses and friends of the Elkhorn Public Schools Foundation. Some of the most coveted items included a Husker Volleyball package, Blake Shelton Pinnacle Bank Suite tickets, an in-home wine tasting from WineShop, and a round of golf at the Lost Rail, Nebraska’s new exclusive golf course. Nearly 2,000 bids were made over the nine-day auction.
“Thank you to everyone who bid on this year’s items!” Said Stacey L. Falk, Executive Director of the Elkhorn Public Schools Foundation. “It’s because of you that we’re able to fund these important programs that help our District’s young students receive the extra help they need to be successful.”
✨ About Bids For Kids: Bids For Kids is an annual fundraiser hosted by the Elkhorn Public Schools Foundation. Proceeds of this event fund the Math & Reading Clubs that take place in Elkhorn’s elementary schools before and after school. Formally known as “Math and Reading Intervention,” these clubs help students gain confidence through small group tutoring and improve their overall math and reading comprehension.
In the 2021-2022 school year, over 400 elementary students needed additional instruction in math and reading. Because of the generous support of our Bids For Kids sponsors, donors, and bidders, we’re able to continue to fund these vital programs as the need for them increases.
If you are interested in making a donation to help fund these important programs, you can donate online or call the Elkhorn Public Schools Foundation office at (402)289.1727. Thank you for your support!
THANK YOU TO OUR 2022 SPONSORS!
Friends of the Foundation:
Arbor Bank
CiShirts
Elkhorn Public Library Foundation
Guy Jukes, Juke’s Ale Works
KE Flex Contracting LLC
Mama’s Pizza
Pappas Marketing Communications
Arbor View PTO
Skyline PTO
Spring Ridge PTO
Westridge PTO
Entertainment for the evening provided by:
The Elkhorn Public Schools Foundation
The Elkhorn Public Schools Foundation is a nonprofit organization that promotes student achievement and the unity of our community and its public schools by encouraging, supporting, and recognizing excellence in innovative education, quality school programs, and civic involvement. We offer scholarships, classroom grants, before & after school care, teacher tuition reimbursement, and more.
Retired Teachers Luncheon
The Elkhorn Public Schools Foundation will be hosting our annual luncheon for retired Elkhorn Public Schools teachers on Thursday, November 10th at 11:30am!
In honor of Veteran’s Day, we will be hosting guest speaker Bill Williams of Patriotic Productions during our annual Retired Teachers Luncheon. A catered lunch will be provided with time to socialize and network with other retired Elkhorn Public Schools Teachers.
There is no charge to attend this event, but an RSVP is required. You may RSVP online at: https://www.elkhornalumni.org/eps_retired_teachers_luncheon
If you know other retired teachers that may be interested in attending please spread the word! If you have questions regarding the event, please contact Sara McArdle at smcardle@elkhornfoundation.org or (402) 289-1727.
Would you like to keep in touch with other retired teachers and the Elkhorn Public Schools community? Please take a moment to fill out this short survey to receive updates and information on upcoming events: https://forms.gle/cm7MbrhCVTtNjtpq8
About the Speaker | Bill Williams co-founder of Patriotic Productions:
Patriotic Productions has helped over 3,500 WWII, Korea, and Vietnam veterans travel to see their memorials in Washington D.C. from 2008 to 2019. Raising funds and organizing flights spurred an interest in creating more events and opportunities to honor our country’s veterans and their families, as did the Williamses’ four sons, who have changed their family’s legacy to that of one serving in the military. Bill and Evonne are not veterans, nor do they come from military families, but their four sons have all volunteered to serve our country; two soldiers and two Marines.
Additional Information on Bids For Kids 2022 Winspire Trips
Please see the attached .pdfs for more information regarding the Winspire Trips that are featured in our 2022 Bids For Kids Auction:
#101 California Wine Getaway
#102 Bourbon Tour
#103 Kennedy Space Center
#104 Oregon Wine Country
https://www.elkhornfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/104-OR-WINE-COUNTRY.pdf
