cited.
“This was one of the big initiatives I was hoping for from Dr. Walker when she was hired,” Elcyzyn said. “We asked Dr. Walker (NPS Superintendent) to focus on it, and she did. I’m super happy that we’re making a run at it again.”
Elcyzyn said there is a whole new board, with new and fresh ideas, fresh volunteerism, and services.
During the luncheon, the NEF was able to introduce some of their board members, and relay the NEF’s goals and services.
This year’s Board of Directors are: Chair Shain Brown, Vice-Chair Ashley Stephenson, Treasurer Shannon Christian, Secretary Kellie McBride, and Reporter Jessica Sawatzky.
The NEF is organized to support Newcastle Public Schools through fundraising and community engagement. They aim to provide additional resources to support students and educators.
They will hold an annual fundraising banquet for educational programs, and they plan to form partnerships between local businesses, alumni, and community members. They believe this will help strengthen support for Newcastle Public Schools.
Brown said the NEF plans to “keep the district’s teachers involved, and keep the classrooms great.” They plan to offer a $250 grant at each campus this year to the teachers who apply. Brown said these teachers can use the grant money for anything they want.
Community members can be involved by attending the NEF fundraising events, making financial contributions, volunteering their time, and helping to spread the word.
A permanent fundraising activity for NEF is the purchase of personalized engraved bricks. This campaign is called “Leave Your Legacy, One Brick at a Time.”
Supporters can purchase either a 4” by 8” brick with up to three lines of engraving for $100, or an 8” by 8” brick with up to six lines of engraving for $200.
The bricks are permanently set into the “Brickyard,” at the entrance to Newcastle High School’s Racer Stadium and Gene Reid Field.
The NEF says the bricks are a great way to honor a family member, alumni, or a graduating class.
A second fundraiser they announced at the Chamber luncheon is the Corporate Winners Circle. Businesses or individuals can donate various amounts and be recognized in the NEF literature and media.
A Green Flag sponsorship for $500 will receive name recognition on social media, their name listed on their donor page, and their name listed on advertisements.
A White Flag sponsorship for $1,000 will receive everything in the green package, as well as the business’s logo featured with a link to their website, and a 4” by 8” brick in “The Brickyard.”
A Checkered Flag sponsorship for $2,500 provides everything on the green package, the business’s logo featured with a link to their website, an 8” by 8” brick placed in “The Brickyard, “and a logo featured on Classroom Grant awards. To donate, go to https://www.newcastleedufoundation. org/.
