History
The School City of Mishawaka Education Foundation was established in 1994 by a group of volunteers committed to the students of the School City of Mishawaka. They recognized that public funding, which has finite limits at any point in time, can not always provide for the kind of academic enrichment that encourages's high achievement and excellence.
Mission
The School City of Mishawaka Education Foundation supports creating enthusiastic learners and great learning environments.
Vision
The School City of Mishawaka Education Foundation will develop an outstanding Foundation that supports Mishawaka student learning at all levels.
Values
The School City of Mishawaka Education Foundation is committed to academic excellence and innovation, as well as student achievement. It advances enrichment opportunities, innovative and inventive teaching, and academic exploration. It builds strategic partnerships that mobilize the community's resources on behalf of the School City of Mishawaka.
The Foundation's Directors firmly believe that today's students are tomorrow's leaders, and the quality of our future depends on the excellence of today's educational experiences. MEF is committed to diversity, opportunity, accountability, and creativity.
Programs
Grants
The School City of Mishawaka Education Foundation, Inc. has distributed over $150,000 in grant funds to the educators of School City, a program that started during the 1995-1996 school year. These grants have impacted students in all of Mishawaka’s schools.
Grants are awarded three times each school year, once in the fall,once in the winter, and once in the spring. All School City of Mishawaka educators are eligible to apply. Grant submission deadlines are the second Monday of August, for the fall grant cycle, and the second Monday of January, for the winter grant cycle, and the second Monday of April for the spring grant cycle.
Grant recipients are recognized at the Mishawaka Education Foundation’s Annual Luncheon.
Classroom Library Project
In 2006, the School City of Mishawaka Education Foundation, Inc. launched its first large-scale project when it committed to provide $500 to each elementary classroom in School City, for the purchase of a classroom library. This successful project provided reading materials in a wide selection of reading levels and topics for students to enjoy. These libraries are used in Mishawaka classrooms daily. $65,000 was distributed in 2006 and 2007.
Events
Mishawaka Education Foundation Annual Luncheon
The Mishawaka Education Foundation Annual Luncheon, now in its fourth year, is the Foundation’s major recognition event. The luncheon honors Mishawaka educators who are recipients of the Foundation’s educational grant awards, and highlights the wonderful work they do on behalf of the students of the School City of Mishawaka.
The 2012 Annual Luncheon will be Wednesday, June 6, 2012.
Scholastic Book Sale
The Mishawaka Education Foundation has sponsored a Scholastic Book Sale each of the last five years. The 2012 event was very successful and the proceeds purchased new books ($11,000 retail) to GIVE AWAY at the 2012 Mishawaka Summerfest. This is a MEF community service project. Plan now to attend the 2012 Book Fair on November 27 and 28 at John Young Middle School.
Mishawaka Summerfest Book Giveaway
The 2011 Mishawaka Summerfest, where we distributed over 2,000 free books to area children, was at Crawford Park on June 17 and 18. We had great fun talking to the children, many of them Mishawaka students, as they searched for the book that was just right for them. With a fresh new selection of books, earned through MEF volunteer hours at our annual Scholastic Book Sale last November, there certainly was a lot to choose from. This is a wonderful MEF community outreach!
A big thank you to our wonderful MEF Board members and Mishawaka teachers that volunteered for this special event!
Senior Academic Honors Celebration
The Mishawaka Education Foundation has been a major sponsor of Mishawaka High School’s Senior Academic Honors Celebration since the event’s inception. Each year, this dinner honors Mishawaka High School seniors with a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher. Each senior invites his or her parents and one educator who has been particularly influential in their life.
Each year, this event reminds us of the partnership necessary for a successful education-supportive parents, bright and inspired students, and energetic and caring teachers. Just as the Foundation aims to support this partnership through the students’ days in our schools, we’re proud to provide support for this wonderful event at the end of our students’ Mishawaka education.
MEF/Mishawaka Lions Club/SCM Used Musical Instrument/35mm Camera Drive
The first Annual Campaign was held at John Young Middle School on May 21, 2011. Mishawaka Education Foundation partnered with Mishawaka Lions Club and School City of Mishawaka for this campaign to get used instruments and 35mm cameras donated from the community for Mishawaka students to use in their classes. The campaign was very successful and over $7,000.00 worth of these items were donated!
A BIG THANK YOU to the COMMUNITY for their wonderful donations! If you still have used instruments or 35mm cameras to give, please go to our Contact Us page.