Our Mail

November 2020 COVID-19 Relief Grants
This unpredictable school year required a different approach. After consulting with educators, the Foundation quickly adjusted its process to be more flexible and help overcome challenges to providing quality online educational content and delivery. Already this year, over $5,000 to 30 teachers has been awarded for that purpose. In return, these lovely thank you notes were received from the Ryan Intermediate staff.

Click on an image to view and scroll through all images.

Dear GLCS Foundation,
This past school year, we had the pleasure of partnering with Patricia Sutton, author of Capsized! The Forgotten Story of the SS Eastland Disaster, through the #kidsneedmentors project. Your donation of a class set of her novel was greatly appreciated as it helped deepen our connection with her. She was a mentor to us as a writer and being able to read her book with her while reinforcing our reading skills was wonderful! It was great to have a copy of the book in each student's hands as we read and Skyped with her. I look forward to diving into her book again with my students and to sharing with other 5th gr classrooms. Thank you very much!
Mrs. Shelley Henderson

Leader in Me Grant, Ryan Intermediate

Leader in Me Grant

The Richland Elementary First Grade Teachers

Feedback from the 2nd Grade KBS Agricultural Trail Field Trip - GLCSF Grant
By taking our 2nd grade students to the Kellogg Biological Station's Agricultural Trail, we were able to make this a great culminating event for our science units. The Trail connected each unit of science in the 2nd grade to a bowl of Kellogg's cereal! At the end of the Trail experience, the KBS staff asked students what kind of scientist each student would like to be. The overwhelming choice: farmer!

Janelle Holland/Lori Launder, Kellogg & Richland Elementary Schools

Year 1 of a 3-Year Grant to Promote Positive Culture, K-2 Gull Lake Students

Click on letter above to enlarge.

To the family of Lillie Gleason,
I want to say thank you for donating money to pay for this female self-defense class. This class has shown me easy, quick, and effective ways to get out of dangerous situations. I was in a situation that harmed my life and I didn't know what to do. With the help of this class, I now know how to save myself in the future if it were to happen again. Thank you again for this opportunity.

Student from Gull Lake Gateway Academy

Kellogg Elementary Second Grade Teacher

Kellogg Elementary Second Grade Student

On Sept. 18-20, 2014 we attended the Annual Conference on Advancing School Mental Health. It was a once in a a lifetime experience to share our Gull Lake story with attendees and to learn from others. In attendance were superintendents, school and professional counselors, psychiatrists, and teachers. Gull Lake stood out as a district that was creatively and diligently working to decrease the stigma of mental health through our three areas of education-community, student and faculty. At the conference we made connections with other districts and met people from all over the world, including China.

We want to thank the Foundation for the opportunity to represent Gull Lake and also to prepare this poster that will be used for many years. We hope to utilize these relationships made at the conference to further advance our goal of de-stigmatizing mental health and educating our school community.

Respectfully,
Joni Knapper, School Nurse, and Bobbi Jo Stoner, GLHS Counselor

Grant Award: $400
Principal's Discretionary Fund, Gateway Academy

Staff Grant Award: $700
Youth Depression Program

Student Grant Awards, 8 Students: $710
Read and Ride Therapeutic Camp

Dear Family of Jack Weber,

I want to take this opportunity to sincerely thank you for the $500 scholarship that was graciously given to me this year. It means so much to me and my family as I begin my college years alongside my older sister, Jordyn.

In the Fall I plan to attend Kellogg Community College for the Fall semester, and then head to Michigan State University in the Spring. I'm really looking forward to studying holistic health, and your generous gift will help me pay for books this Fall when attending KCC.

This scholarship is also very special to me because I can still remember seeing Mr. Weber every Sunday at Gull Lake Area Community Church where my family has attended for many years now. He always had a kind and friendly face, always smiling at my sisters and I. Having a "face" to go along with this scholarship really gives it a personal connection and definitely makes it carry a more special meaning. Along with knowing that Mr. Weber believed that future youth like me should be able to benefit from a higher education. Thank you again, so much.

Sincerely,

Madeleine Riegle
2014 graduate and scholarship recipient
Jack Weber Memorial Scholarship: $500

Dear Family of Michael Bailey,

I personally wanted to thank you for giving me such a great opportunity. The Michael Bailey Memorial Scholarship will surely help me achieve my post-secondary goals.

With my pursuance of a career in health care, money will be a challenge due to the rising costs of schooling in this nation. With the help of this scholarship, I will have the ability to continue through college with less worry of finances. Also, this scholarship helps motivate me to put my best efforts forward when looking to achieve my goals. I was always taught that I could do anything I set my mind to. When pursuing a career in cardiology, the same principle stands. I look forward to my future in helping others.

I again wanted to thank you for this amazing scholarship, as it is nice to be able to apply for a scholarship as a junior in high school. At this time, most juniors are thinking about what they would like to do in life and a scholarship helps motivate them towards college. I'm sure it will help me do what I would like to in life and follow my dreams.

With sincerity,

Chandler Stockwell
GLHS Junior and scholarship recipient
Michael Bailey Memorial Scholarship: $4,000

General Grant Award: $930
Guided Reading Materials, Kellogg Elementary

Grace Reid
2014 graduate and scholarship recipient
Michael and Andrew Land Memorial Scholarship: $4,000

"This grant provided much needed funding to purchase higher-level books for our accelerated readers. We will use these especially during our Book Club time where students read and discuss on level texts. When the books were brought in the classroom to share, a student exclaimed, "Wow, look at 'm all!"

General Grant Award: $930
Guided Reading Materials, Kellogg Elementary

The Student Enrichment Grant is greatly appreciated and has aided us this past year in enriching our students' lives in various ways.

We were able to go to the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission multiple times. While there, the students helped sort food and merchandise at the thrift store. They also were able to serve lunch. For some, this experience was very eye opening and changed their outlook on those less fortunate.

A trip to Stryker Corporation gave insight to the students concerning not only what the company manufactured, but opening their eye to see what a great place it would be to work. While there, students were challenged to finish school and make good choices that would positively affect their future.

The last school trip we were able to take this past year was to the Wolf Lake Fish Hatchery. The past school year our students took part in the "Salmon in the Classroom" project organized through the Department of Natural Resources. The students began this process by writing and receiving a grant (which you accepted) to get the equipment necessary to raise the salmon. The students worked hard all Spring feeding, cleaning the tank, and keeping the water at the correct pH to sustain the fish. Their hard work paid off and this past month they were able to release sixty salmon.

We are looking forward to taking our students on other enrichment trips next year and will once again be writing a grant to the Foundation asking for assistance with covering the costs. Again, thank you for the gift.

General Grant Award: $600
Gateway Academy

Mackenzie Kistner
2014 graduate and scholarship recipient
Clare Shoemaker Memorial Scholarship: $500

General Grant Award: $350
Yearbook Staff Conference, Gull Lake High School

The tradition of having spoken-word artists visit our district each Spring since 2005 has blossomed into a rich literacy event for our children, K-12. Students and teachers alike have benefitted from excellence in live spoke word skills modeled by our guest artists. While packing up from the Kellogg performance, a bespeckled first grade girl walked up to both our guests and myself, hugged us, and said, "You're the best." :) What a great review!

Robin Nott
GLHS Teacher,
Director of Performing Arts Company, Fine Arts Chair
General Grant Award: $1,290
Beach Bards of Leelanau County
Kellogg and Richland Elementary Schools,
Ryan Intermediate, Gull Lake Middle School, and
Gull Lake High School

General Grant Award: $500
Kellogg Math & Science Expo, Kellogg Elementary

Multi-Year Grant Award (year one): $1,260
Let Me Run Program for Boys, Ryan Intermediate

Grant Award: $400
Principal's Discretionary Fund, Ryan Intermediate

Student Grant Award, 7 Students: $360
Read and Ride Therapeutic Camp, Summer 2013

General Grant Award: $1,500
Gull Lake Robotics Team
Gull Lake High School and Home School Partnership

General Grant Award: $3,000
Spoken-Word Artist, Angela Lloyd
Kellogg and Richland Elementary and Gull Lake High Schools

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Student Grant

Grant for Headphones, Gull Lake Middle School

Student Grant

My students use our writing center throughout the day. They will utilize the area to write letters to their classmates and then "mail" them. Everyone loves to receive and write these letters. They also use the writing center to make signs for blocks, frequently making a sign saying that something is under construction and not to cross the line. As a teacher, I use this center to help my students foster their love of writing and to make it commonplace that writing will occur on a daily basis.

A student was in the writing center writing a letter to me and the student sound spelled all the words on his own. He also used the correct punctuation. When he needed to know how to spell my name, he referred to a list that was located in the center. He was so excited to give me the letter. He informed me, "Open it when you get home and are eating dinner with your husband." I made sure to follow his directions!

Jocelyn Haack, Teacher, Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE), Kellogg Elementary

Year 1 of a 3-Year Grant to Promote Positive Culture - K-2 Gull Lake Students

Student Grant Recipient, Emily Prymula, 10th Grade

The Gull Lake Community Schools Foundation grant allowed me to attend the Cecchetti Council of America (CCA) International Summer School at Hope College this summer. I stayed on campus at Hope College, along with ballet students from all over the United States and Canada, for two weeks. I had the opportunity to learn from many professional dance instructors and I was in dance classes for about 6-7 hours per day. The main focus was ballet technique. At the end of the two weeks, we gave a performance that was open to the public. Having the opportunity to attend the CCA Summer School helped me to develop my technique and artistry as a dancer.

One day while I was rehearsing my performance piece, I was given a compliment that was very motivational to me. My choreographer, Denise Gillman, was working through some of her ideas for the piece. I was standing with a group of dancers in the center of the floor awaiting my instructions. I was standing in first position with my head held high. Ms. Gillman then walked up to me, hugged me, and said "I know you will be a professional dancer someday, I can just tell". I thanked her and smiled, but inside I was bursting with excitement!

Cora Miller, 6th Grade Gull Lake Student

Kellogg Elementary Second Grade Student

Multi-Year Grant Award: $6,700
Leader in Me Program, Ryan Intermediate

General Grant Award: $930
Guided Reading Materials, Kellogg Elementary

Dear Ryan Family,

Mike and I wanted to thank you again for your gift to our son, Seth Hasse, That evening in June of 2010 when you awarded him the scholarship, when we got home, he hung the certificate on the wall in this bedroom and said he wanted it there because it would help him keep his goals in sight.

Since that time, Seth has been working very hard in his school work, staying focused on his dream, his faith and his family. We wanted you to be aware that when you decided to award Seth with your scholarship, you chose a young man who has taken it very seriously, appreciates your thoughtfulness and will make you proud.

The Fall, Seth will be attending Calvin College. In addition to pursuing a degree in Civil Engineering, he hopes to be involved in their missions over seas.

Your gift has helped to make this possible for him and we want you to know how grateful we are.

Thank you,

Mike and Joyce Haase
Parents of Seth Haase-scholarship recipient of 2010, graduate 2014
James R. Ryan Family Foundation Middle School Scholarship: $32,000

Becky Stubbs
Former First Grade Teacher and Honored Staff Member
speaking about the
Distinguished Academic Scholars Program

Staff Grant Award: $810
Brain Gym Consortium, GL First Grade Teachers

Feed Back from GLCS Foundation Grant

Fused Glass Kiln - Fire Away!
The new kiln will allow students at Bedford to create more glass art! Students will be able to learn the programming capabilities of the kiln as they graduate to higher levels of responsibility within the class. The kiln has several features which will allow students to experience a variety of methods of glass fusing.

Thank you for supplying the funds to help make this possible!

Susan Briggs
Art Teacher
General Grant Award: $700
GL Home School Partnership

Thank you from Home School Partnership for Fused Glass Kiln Grant

Ms. Koets,
This summer, [my daughter] participated in the Read and Ride Round-Up. The progress [my daughter] has made since attending the Read and Ride Round-Up is amazing. Most parents want their children to thrive, they do not wish for academic struggles that do not seem to end, no matter how much extra attention and help you give. I am no different. We did everything WE could think of to help her at least get age/grade appropriate DIBELS and AR levels. She attended camp in July. [Her teacher] printed up her DIBELS from Kindergarten on. She is way above the expected levels in all but one area. Her AR score as of conferences is a 2.6-2.9, up an entire point since the beginning of the school year!

We have this game we play - I write improv sentences, she reads them. To hear a girl that struggled with the word "the" 4 months ago, read "Rational behavior is perfectly acceptable" with ease...there are no words.

I am a happy mom of a girl that now LOVES to read.

Thank you to you, everyone involved with this program, The Cheff Center and the Gull Lake Foundation.

Written by a "happy mom" of a daughter in the Read and Ride Summer Camp Program.

Karen Koets is a GLCS Foundation Trustee, GLCS First Grade Teacher, and creator of the Read and Ride Program.

Student Grant Awards, 7 Students: $360
Read and Ride Therapeutic Camp

Grant Award: $400
Principal's Discretionary Fund, Gateway Academy

General Grant Award: $2,290
Multi-media Headphones, Ryan Intermediate

General Grant Award: $600
Testing Materials, Ryan Intermediate

Dear Gull Lake Community Foundation,
I would like to thank you for awarding me the grant. This grant opens new doors to new opportunities, not only to me by my classmates as well.

Thanks again,
Curtis Elliott
Student Grant Award: $500 for Salmon in the Classroom Gateway Academy

PACE Scholarship Awarded:
$1,000 to Senior Austin Charlton

Dear Gull Lake Community School Teachers and Students:
I wish to extend my personal thanks to you on behalf of the Battle Creek VA Medical Center patients and staff for your recent donation of $300. Donations such as this are definitely appreciated by our Veterans. It is also important for them to know that they are remembered by those in the community and your kind donation certainly conveys that message. We hope to hear from you in the future.
Thank you.

Sincerely,
Todd M. Greenman
Chief, Community and Volunteer Service
Donation of funds from the proceeds of
The Wall That Heals event.

Headphones Help Ryan Students Learn

4th graders, Olivia Pero and Cully Cooper, learning intensely through the use of the new headphones at Ryan Intermediate

Dear Grant Committee,
I just wanted to thank you for the money to purchase headphones at Ryan Intermediate. The students in my class are loving the headphones and the enthusiasm is contagious among the staff. Just today I introduced the use of the headphones to the staff at a meeting and described the enthusiasm among the students and possibilities of use in the classroom. The staff is looking forward to trying them out these last few days of school and once the new school year has begun.

I have attached some photos of students in my classroom using them. You can see the intensity and concentration of the students while being actively engaged in the programs and apps on their MacAirs and iPads. You have opened a new technological world to them that involves sound and speaking. A little more insight into what the use of the headphones has done for the class will be coming soon when I complete the Grant Feedback Form. Until then, enjoy the photos attached!

Thank you for all you do for the students and teachers of Gull Lake!

Sincerely,
Marjorie Howe
4th Grade Teacher
Gull Lake Community Schools
school website: http://tinyurl.com/howewebsite
General Grant Award: $2,290
Multi-media Headphones, Ryan Intermediate

Feed Back from GLCSF Grant

2013 National Literacy Conference
Attending the National Literacy Conference gave me an opportunity to grow professionally in several areas. These areas are areas that I, in turn, am able to provide leadership in my building with my administrator and other teachers. Three key areas are: using Data for Effective Teaching, Teaching for Comprehension during Guided Reading, and using Nonfiction to Develop Writing Skills.

The "Reading Rocks" t-shirt I purchased at the conference is well-loved by my Kindergarten students. Inspiration to learn comes in many forms!

Thank you for this wonderful opportunity!

Anne Hoffman
Reading Specialist
Staff Grant Award: $400 - Kellogg Elementary

Click on Gateway Academy letter to enlarge.

Dear Kelley Baldwin, Foundation Trustee
    I suppose you thought you were done hearing from me, but, I thought I'd give you an update since my great experience working with you and your committee on the "Wall."
    I have finally found the motivation to finish my service album with all the paperwork I've kept, and got pictures developed I forgot I had.
    I've also contacted four guys I served with in Vietnam and will be making plans to meet this summer.  One in Colorado, 1 in Phoenix, 1 in Detroit, and 1 in St. Louis. I found out over the Christmas holiday that one of my friends died in a VA hospital in California. The last time I had saw him was in 1979 and everything seemed fine.  I never knew he had a problem and couldn't figure out why he wouldn't return my calls. I found his obituary, contacted his brothers and have since sent them the pictures that I had of him . Apparently he didn't want any help from any family or friends.
    Then I decided to find a friend from New Jersey as I had some pictures of him I thought he might like. Found an article about him being in a rear end collision in which the person he ran into shot him twice and killed him in 1979. After a month long search, contacting two libraries in New Jersey, a funeral home, and hiring a private investigator, I finally made contact with his sister and daughter. I have sent them the pictures as well as a CD his daughter requested of all my pictures. What a relief that someone wanted those pictures as much as I do.
    You will never know how much your school system and community has helped me mentally, as I feel that I finally have settled some unfinished business that I had put off for too many years. I sure wish I would have taken the time to find these guys sooner.
    Thank everyone for me again, when you see them.

Best Regards
Bob Scott

Dear Ms. Sandell,
My sincerest thanks to you and your Board for providing the students of Plainwell High School the unique educational opportunity to view "The Wall That Heals". This monumental traveling memorial and museum left a lasting impression on our students; one that will impact them for the rest of their lives.

Your generosity of not only sharing this national touring exhibition, but of providing transportation to the display speaks volumes about your commitment to providing all students with the best education possible.

Thank you for extending this offer to the students and staff of our district.

Sincerely,
Susan Wakefield
Superintendent, Plainwell Community Schools

Dear Gull Lake Foundation,
Thank you for allowing the Gull Lake Country Club to host this very special occasion for you.
(The Distinguished Academic Scholars)

Sincerely,
Mike Rossen

Dear Sandi and the Gull Lake Community Schools Foundation:
On behalf of the Youth Depression Advisory Committee, I would like to thank you for the three-year grant approval. We are excited about continuing and improving the efforts of our district in Mental Health Education and Intervention. We have come a long ways, but there are many challenges ahead. We will keep you apprised of our progress. We are already planning our next Bright Night for November with a fabulous speaker! Our hopes are to provide staff professional development while the speaker is in town.

Thanks again for your support of our community, faculty and students!

Warmly,
Joni Knapper
Chair, Youth Depression and Advisory Committee
Multi-Year Grant Award: $7,800, Year 1 - 2012-2013

The Foundation is a nonprofit organization formed under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

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