Do you know that School District 51 has a foundation that supports our schools, teachers, and kids? Christi sits down with Executive Director Angela Christensen to learn more about all the great things the Foundation is doing for our local schools!
Learn more about the D51 Foundation HERE!
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Episode Transcript
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Christi (00:00):
The Full Circle Podcast, compelling interviews
and incredible tales fromColorado's Western Slope, from
the mountains to the desert.
Christi Reece and her team hearfrom the movers, shakers, and
characters of the Grand Valleyand surrounding mountain towns
that make the Western Slope theplace we all love.
(00:20):
You'll learn, you'll laugh,you'll love with The Full
Circle.
Hi everyone, I'm Christi Reeceand welcome back to the Full
Circle Podcast.
I am honored to have today asour guest the Executive Director
of the District 51 Foundation,Angela Christensen.
Welcome, Angela.
Angela (00:36):
Thank you, Christi.
What a treat.
I've really been lookingforward to coming and chatting
with
Christi (00:40):
you.
Well, me too.
We've always enjoyed chattingwith each other.
I think we get excited aboutschool issues and helping
students and helping teachersand helping the district.
It's such a big, important partof why people come here.
They want good schools.
And so thanks to the foundationfor everything they're doing.
Angela (00:59):
Oh, thank you so much.
We have had tremendouscommunity support.
And it has made all thedifference because of the key
role that all of our publicschools play literally across
Mesa County.
And it makes a difference forbringing people in keeping
people here and just our qualityof life more than anything.
Christi (01:17):
Yeah.
Well, let's start with a
Angela (01:25):
up here my dad went rafting down the Colorado River
and he just fell in love we wereliving in Indiana and he just
said to my mom we've got to comeout here and so we moved out
here a lot yeah well it'sgorgeous I'm sitting here
looking at the view behind youit's unbelievable so we came out
here I was about 10 or so andjust grew up here graduated from
(01:49):
Grand Junction High School andwent away to college yeah and it
was so exciting to be able tocome back here I spent the
beginning part of my career as ateacher at Palisade High School
and spent about six years doingthat.
I taught at Colorado ChristianUniversity for another six years
as an adjunct professor andalso an adjunct professor at
(02:12):
CMU.
Awesome.
And my husband and I, he grewup here, and we have three
children, three fantastic
Christi (02:22):
children.
And I read you guys were bornon the same day, like 15?
15 minutes apart.
Angela (02:26):
Yes.
I know that is a little crazy,but we were born on the exact
same day, which anytime I'mfilling out paperwork, people
are like, really?
Did you make a mistake?
So no, it's kind of fun on ourbirthday morning to look over at
each other.
Happy birthday.
Happy birthday.
Same age.
Yeah.
And that's kind of fun.
But we have three kids and theyall went to schools around
(02:47):
here.
And I started getting involvedwith like the PTA at the kids
elementary school.
And I also started realizingthe needs in our schools and
seeing the ways that we wereraising funds were bingo and
bake sales.
And Our schools need a littlemore support than that.
Christi (03:06):
Well, and those PTOs are so wonderful, valuable.
They get the parents involved,but it's school by school,
right?
And so there may be a schoolthat doesn't have a very active
association and they can reallysuffer for that.
Angela (03:18):
And so when I was asked to join the board of directors
for the D51 Foundation, and thatwas quite a while back, about
12 years ago or so, I just said,yeah, this feels like a really
good The things that I had donereally felt like it would make a
great connection.
Christi (03:38):
And remind me, the association was formed in what
year?
Was it 2010?
Angela (03:43):
2010.
So this is our 15th birthday.
And so that has been reallyexciting to celebrate.
And so I served on the board ofdirectors for four years.
And then the executive directorposition became available.
And I just, I remember talkingto my husband and he said, Oh,
Angela, this just seems likeit'd be such a great fit
Christi (04:02):
for you.
And I think everybody wouldagree that it has been a great
fit.
And I think when people thinkof District 51, your name or
your face just pops up like youare such a big part of why it's
successful.
Well, thank you so much.
I will be celebrating
Angela (04:18):
nine years here in October.
Christi (04:21):
So how did the District 51 Foundation get formed?
Who was the impetus behindthat?
Right.
Angela (04:29):
It's a 501c3.
And it really, we credit RoyBly as the founder of the D51
Foundation, but it was also agroup of key community leaders,
people like Norm Franke andSteve Meyer, Dan Prinster, John
Williams, Dale Beattie, who justcame together and said, lots of
(04:53):
other school districts havefoundations.
Why don't we have one?
And so they put in the hardwork to create this foundation,
and it has played a huge role.
In these 15 years, we actuallywere reaching a milestone, which
I'll celebrate here, which iswe've raised $3 million in those
(05:13):
15 years.
fantastic board members likeyou, Christy, who served on our
board of directors and generousdonors.
Your company has been yearafter year a sponsor at our
(05:35):
White Ice celebration, which weso appreciate.
But you've just been supportersof so many different things and
we were one of the first
Christi (05:43):
Circle Fund recipients.
I still remember that.
And we were really excited thatour clients also voted to give
funds towards the bond for GrandJunction High School because
that you know as realtors wewere like this really needs to
happen and we talked to ourclients about it and they all
agreed and the vote came throughand so we hope that that helped
(06:05):
push that vote
Angela (06:06):
yeah well I'll have to tell you that is where the
foundation has played a key roleas far as the leaders on the
foundation when you think aboutwe've had four bond elections
been successful in three of thefour chairs for that have been
foundation presidents we've hadKelly Flanagan ran the first one
(06:27):
and other foundation peoplewere very involved in that then
Dan Prinster then Sarah Schraderco-chairing with Tim Foster and
then most recently CurtisEnglehart.
Englehart, yeah, and KarenTroester, and now Curtis, I am
excited to share with you, hasjoined our board of directors as
(06:47):
well.
We're so fortunate to have him.
But really, the foundation hasjust tried to be a champion for,
just like I was saying, the keythat schools play in the
economic success of ourcommunity.
And so those, the passage ofeach of those, the first one,
the mill has made such adifference in our adding
(07:10):
additional school days the bondhas we have a new Orchard Mesa
Middle School
Christi (07:16):
it's so beautiful dual
Angela (07:18):
immersion has a gym now those would not happen if we had
not passed that and then in2021 to get a new Grand Junction
High School and just the hardwork it takes to run campaigns
like that and then the mostrecent one is making differences
as you drive around as anyonedrives around drives around
(07:40):
you'll see those banners up onschools that just say and I see
the construction work that'shappening at the schools right
now yep and the sun set wastaken off of the mill that was
passed in 17 and those are gamechangers literally for
generations in our community wejust had not been successful in
passing bonds and mills and Ithink people see it the only way
(08:02):
it happens is with enoughpeople voting and thank you for
your support of all of those youhave really I mean donate Well,
my
Christi (08:12):
kids both went to District 51 schools, and we
loved them.
I mean, great education, greatteachers, great staff.
And we just wanted to make surethat...
Teachers, I mean, they neverget what they deserve, really.
They work so hard and I thinkthey're underpaid.
(08:32):
And so I just thought if Ican't raise teacher salaries,
I'll do what I can to help themin other ways.
Well, that definitely
Angela (08:39):
makes a difference.
I too, I've got three of mychildren.
Our oldest son graduated fromMines.
He has a fantastic degree.
He got a great education here.
My daughter just graduated fromBaylor University.
Congratulations.
Thank you.
That was fun to go to.
And then our youngest is goingto be a junior at Mines over in
(08:59):
Golden.
And my hope, I guess, secretlyis that they'll all move back
here and bring futuregrandchildren down the line,
down the line.
But anyways.
Just putting it out there.
Yeah, just putting it outthere.
But really, schools will play ahuge role in that.
Even if you don't have kids inthe district.
I mean, if you want a good...
(09:19):
great doctor, we have to havestrong schools because people
who are thinking about movinghere look at all of those
things.
And so
Christi (09:29):
it's been exciting.
There's so many things we couldtalk about.
Let's talk first aboutfundraising.
What are your major fundraisingevents?
How do you raise $3 millionover that many years?
Well, we have a
Angela (09:43):
fantastic board of directors.
We've really worked hard to getthe key community to leaders
who are so well respected andthey go out and talk to people
and secure donations I know whenyou were on the board you were
doing that just like our boardmembers are we have our
president is Tawny Kelly and wehave a vice president Keller
(10:07):
Cabero and we've just addedthree new members I talked about
Curtis we also have Sam Meyerwhich is kind of sweet since
that his dad helped start itthat was definitely fun and we
have added one more and that'sTyler Dahl and he is the
regional president of AlpineBank and just did a fantastic
(10:29):
fundraiser.
We were the recipient of theirgolf donation a little over
$5,000 which I just was, it wasfantastic.
But our big event really is, wehave one big event in February.
It's always the first Saturdayin February.
It's called a White IceCelebration
Speaker 00 (10:48):
and
Christi (10:49):
for For those watching and listening, you got to go.
It's the party of the year.
It really is so fun.
It
Angela (10:54):
is fun.
That is really what we haveworked on.
And it is, we encourage ourguests to wear white, gold,
silver, and people have reallybeen playing it up a lot.
Last year, we had over 800guests at the CMU Ballroom.
But it really, it's alldifferent folks, Christy.
It is teachers, it'sprincipals, it's business
(11:15):
owners, it's parents, but it's afantastic way to come together
and and just say, we celebratethis and we want to honor our
schools, our outstandingacademic growth schools are
recognized and our white icedaward recipients.
And those are staff members whoare just going above
Christi (11:32):
and
Angela (11:32):
beyond.
Christi (11:33):
Yeah.
And I think anybody that hasattended and watched those
awards being given out, it justgives you goosebumps.
There's people behind thescenes that don't get recognized
very often doing great work.
And I think we all can rememberthe people that made a
difference in our lives when wewere in school.
And sometimes it was thejanitor right or the the
cafeteria person or the schoolnurse you know not all just
(11:57):
teachers
Angela (11:58):
no it's not and that's been really exciting we had the
head cafeteria woman out atCentral High School this past
year that was recognized.
We've had a custodian and we'vehad tons of teachers who are
just when you start readingthose applications and they're
nominated by their peers.
Anyone can nominate someoneelse.
(12:19):
You just start hearing aboutthe fantastic things that are
happening day in and day out inour schools across School
District 51.
But that's really our biggestfundraiser.
But we have fundraisers all thetime during the month of
August.
Head out to the hot tub Andthey are donating 1% of their
funds throughout that wholemonth.
We also are in the midst ofStuff the Bus.
(12:41):
If you happen to be out at themall right now, school supplies
Christi (12:44):
are always needed.
School starts pretty soon,
Speaker 00 (12:47):
Angela.
It's early.
I know.
It's coming up, isn't it?
Yeah.
Christi (12:51):
Well, let's talk about where those funds go.
What is...
Describe the mission ofDistrict 51 Foundation and where
that money goes.
Angela (13:04):
And it's a really straightforward, easy mission in
my mind.
And it has stayed the same all15 years.
And that is raise funds foracademic growth and achievement.
Our schools are asked to do somany things.
But the bottom line is they'rethere to grow kids academically.
And so that's the first half ofour mission.
(13:24):
We're about raising money foracademic growth.
And the second half is topromote outreach to benefit kids
and the community.
And so finding ways to connectwith our community just to share
what's happening in our schoolsis our mission.
As far as our fundingpriorities, I love them.
(13:45):
They are one's.
everyone can get behind.
The first one is we supportprofessional learning for D51
staff members to grow kidsacademically.
It is so important, and I thinkthis kind of comes from my
education and past, just howimportant having the most highly
trained teachers in ourclassrooms is for our students.
Christi (14:08):
Well, and I've talked to some of the teachers that
have been recipients of thesegrants, and I think, if I
remember correctly, one was inin the band program and would
love an opportunity to go acrossthe country and play with other
musicians and learn newtechniques for teaching the
kids.
And those things are expensive.
And on a teacher's salary, theycan't fit that into their
(14:32):
budget.
So this is exactly the kind ofthing that District 51 helps
provide.
Angela (14:37):
Absolutely.
And over the years, we havedonated over, I think we're now
at about $160,000 to 400 staffmembers per professional
learning because we know that isthe way all research would
indicate that's how you growkids academically.
So our first funding priorityor one of the three is
professional learning.
(14:57):
The second one is technologyand innovation.
And we're really supportingthose STEM programs.
We've opened up grant cyclesfor that where teachers can say,
you know what, this is thetechnology I would like in my
class.
This would really benefit mystudents and my ability to
teach.
And so we've worked really hardto support that, along with
(15:21):
some fantastic support fromChevron.
That has been a big push oftheirs.
And so that's been wonderful.
And then the one that we addedwithin the last couple years is
student and staff wellness,because we know how important
that is to every aspect ofeducation.
And so we have done that bysupporting student and staff
(15:42):
wellness grants.
We just wrapped up our secondround.
We'll be opening up a thirdhere when school starts again.
But we've also incorporatedwhat we're calling joy
celebration events.
And those are events.
And joy stands for?
Just one you.
Just one you.
And if there's just one you,then we better support you.
And those are just things forD51 staff members to join
(16:06):
together and have fun and makeconnections.
And we've had a gathering wherewe sponsored appetizers at the
Ale House and then probably aremost popular is out at food bank
of the rockies and staffmembers after they have already
worked all day we have had thebest turnout To go volunteer.
(16:43):
right back to our District 51PE programs, but also helps
encourage kids to get out there.
(17:04):
And they had the...
people power to put together arun.
We're a pretty small operation,Christy.
Christi (17:10):
Yeah, I know.
It's no small feat to puttogether a running event.
Angela (17:14):
Yeah.
Christi (17:15):
Some people think, well, just do a little thing.
No, it takes a lot of work.
Yeah,
Angela (17:18):
they've been great.
They've been really good towork with.
But in our office, it's just meand then it's Andrea Kreeves.
She's now our assistantexecutive director.
And then April Hart writes ourthank you notes.
And so we're kind of a smallgroup, but we're able to
accomplish a lot with our boardof directors and with so many
people choosing to donate to thefoundation.
Christi (17:41):
Yeah.
So obviously the, um, Sometimeswe would like to think that the
school systems build wellnessprograms and that we're trying
to take care of our kids and ourteachers' wellness at school.
And the professional learning,that's not something that most
school districts contributetowards, so that's wonderful.
(18:02):
But I think that a lot ofpeople think, well, technology
isn't that, shouldn't that bethe school district's
responsibility?
Why are we having to raisefunds for technology?
Okay.
Can you explain a little bit?
I mean, obviously, everybodyhas budget constraints.
And you said that there's aprocess by which the teachers...
(18:23):
request something in thetechnology sector that would
help them out.
Angela (18:30):
Is that right?
Yeah, that's a good question.
We have really three areas thatwe support with technology
because there are computers inthe classroom and that is part
of, you know, things that wehave.
The first one is First LegoLeague.
And so we support that with abig influx of money to support
(18:50):
that for high schoolers and formiddle school and elementary.
And so that has been one thingthat really, I mean, it would be
very hard to support that justthrough district funds.
So we have done that.
In addition, we've done thosegrants.
And then the one that I'm veryexcited about are our 21st
Century Digital Classrooms.
When we first started workingwith the school district to say,
(19:13):
well, what do you need?
We want to, we started offgiving, handing out nooks and
then those kind of went by thewayside a little bit.
But these 21st Century DigitalClassrooms has been where we
have put in and budgeted about$35,000 a year.
With the help of SchoolDistrict 51, we were able to
(19:33):
have 10 classrooms that arenow...
And what we find is in the newbuildings, yeah, you've got all
the new updated technology, butin most of our buildings...
they need just a boost in theirclassrooms.
And so this provides largeinteractive screens for the
(19:55):
teacher to teach with, eventhings like that help with
people who might have a littlechallenging time hearing things.
But it really brings thatclassroom to a much greater
level than it ever has been.
And so those have been theareas that we have supported
with technology.
Christi (20:15):
Yeah, the Nook, was that the laptop
Angela (20:19):
to read a book?
And you could make it so thatthe font, I mean, and this we're
talking like right when thefoundation started.
So that was, I remember thiswhen I was on the board of
directors.
So like 13 years ago, but oneof the big things was that you
could make the font big.
And that was such a gamechanger for so many students who
just, you know, that it made ita little bit easier.
Christi (20:42):
But in the last 10 years, you supplied a lot of
laptops for students to use.
Is that correct?
Angela (20:49):
Yeah, we've really supported a lot of Chromebooks,
but with the passage, and I haveto tell you, Christy, with the
passage of that 17 Bond andMill, we were able to get the
kids to a one-to-one ratio,which you just think, how would
we have done school during thequarter we were off?
School District 51 was off forthat fourth quarter of the 2020.
(21:12):
20 school year but how would wehave done that if we if our
kids could not have had accessto Chromebooks and so we really
had been supporting those twobut now we are at one-to-one and
so it's kind of been excitingthough to see some of these
things like get whittled off thelist yeah to some
Christi (21:31):
degree but they're no longer challenges
Angela (21:33):
how gratifying it is very gratifying oh the work I do
it is a lot it's hard work butit is also work that is very
rewarding to me because you canstart to see the difference that
it's making.
Christi (21:49):
Wonderful.
Now, I know you work in tandemwith the school board and the
district leaders.
How do you do that?
How do you manage with, do yougo to the school board meetings?
Are you keeping up with all ofthe latest issues happening in
the district?
Angela (22:08):
Well, I definitely need to be at things that help me
understand a little better aboutthe needs in School District
51.
And School District 51 has beenvery gracious.
I have all sorts of access.
My office is right down there.
As a matter of fact, onWednesday morning, I'm preparing
my welcome speech.
Dr.
(22:28):
Hill will be giving the openingand then I get to follow him
and just welcome all of ourprincipals and assistant
principals and districtleadership on Wednesday.
But it is important.
We have a You know, I alwaysthink the school board, number
one, they don't get paid.
I remind people on a regularbasis that they are putting in
(22:51):
these hours.
And I have seen a lot of schoolboard members over the time
that I have been in thisposition who are all working
hard, trying to find the bestanswers for our students.
And so I do work very closelywith them.
I work very closely with Dr.
Hill and his leadership team.
But we are also independent.
We're a 501c3.
(23:11):
And the board makes thedecisions about where the funds
go.
Right.
But I do want to point out,this was something I was
thinking of, is that over thepast probably five years, we now
have a teacher on our board ofdirectors for the School
District Foundation.
And that's been wonderful.
They serve a two-year term.
And currently we have aprincipal.
(23:33):
So Newt Klusmeier, he's theFruita Monument High School
principal.
He's on our board.
And Shannon Copenhafer, who's ateacher at New Emory.
is on our board.
But that really helps our boardalso be able to hear firsthand,
not just from Dr.
Hill, who serves on our boardof directors, or Andrea Heights,
the president of the schoolboard, but to hear from other
(23:56):
folks what are the needs.
Because we want to be sure thatthe things that we are doing
support our school district, youknow, are appreciated.
And boy, I will tell you, theycertainly are.
But I'm at events.
I'm at in-services all thetime.
I'm in our schools.
I'm hanging out.
Christi (24:14):
Yeah.
Yeah.
So you've talked about some ofthe great things that are coming
up that you're excited about.
What do you think are the mainchallenges facing our school
district in the next couple ofyears that you all are gearing
up for?
Angela (24:27):
I think definitely the declining enrollment has been an
issue.
But when I am talking to groupsand I work really hard to try
to get out in front of as manygroups as possible, whether it's
service organizations orschools, our ambassadors but the
declining enrollment is anissue, not just in Mesa County,
(24:49):
but it's in Colorado.
Um, over the summer I meetwith, um, executive directors
who are doing the job that I doall across the state of
Colorado.
And it's interesting.
Professional learning for youtoo.
It is professional and it isfantastic.
I always come back with goodideas, but they are dealing with
that with school closure.
They, we have folks from CherryCreek and, uh, Pooter Valley,
(25:12):
uh, Douglas County, Denver, um,foundation, but they're dealing
with that and really across thewhole nation.
And so closing schools issomething nobody likes to do.
I mean, you don't come in andwant to do that, but I feel like
in making some of the smartchoices that, and hard choices,
(25:33):
I mean, anybody who was at theschool board meetings or
listening to the discussion,it's not easy.
Nobody wants to do that, butyou know, We also have to be
cognizant of our community asfar as we want to be good
stewards of the funds thatthey've entrusted to us in the
passage of these bond and mills.
(25:54):
you have to make some hardchoices.
And I feel like there have beena lot of great choices that
have been made that have beenhard.
But the bottom line is we needto keep our schools going and
supporting them the best waythat we can.
Christi (26:13):
Grand Junction High School is such a win it's such a
beautiful facility and so manygood things about it like it was
under budget on time just winafter win for that facility and
I think everybody All the kidslove going to school there,
obviously.
What's next as far as
Angela (26:38):
facilities?
I did my student teaching thereeons back, and it was in need
(27:05):
of updates then, which was over30 years ago.
But it will receive hugechanges that were really needed.
Now, it was built on a betterfoundation than Grand Junction
High School.
Christi (27:20):
So it doesn't necessarily
Angela (27:22):
need to
Christi (27:22):
be torn
Angela (27:22):
down.
It does not.
And sometimes people look atthat, and with Grand Junction
High School, it's like, Therewas no question.
I can't tell you how many toursI gave and how many folks I
talked to who know it cannot besalvaged.
But Central is a differentthing.
And what's going to happen atthat is just amazing.
(27:43):
And Fruita Monument High Schoolalso will be the recipient of
huge updates.
That's wonderful.
And our high schools reallyneed it.
Palisade, when I was teachingout there, I think it had been
around for about two years.
So it was a lovely new school.
And so it's much more recent.
But so many of our schoolsacross the district really had
(28:05):
substantial needs.
And we're not talking fancythings.
We're talking roofs or an HVAC.
HVAC and safety and security,too.
Yeah, and safety and security,although we did get a lot of
that but like Palisade HighSchool now will have a secure
vestibule across the front andthose are just things I mean I
hate it that that's somethingthat we need but you bet we want
(28:26):
to keep our kids safe yeahDefinitely.
Christi (28:29):
Angela, if people want to learn more about the board,
you have a website andinformation.
You've got a lot of materialswith you, which is great.
And I always enjoy getting yourannual impact, the graphics in
there really make it easy to seeall the good that you do.
So how can people get moreinformation about the District
51 Foundation?
Sure.
Angela (28:49):
You can go to our website at d51foundation.org.
And you can find us also justoff of the main school district
website, which I reallyappreciate We have an easy link
right there.
It lists our board members, ourstrategic plan, gives you an
overview with our annual report.
And we have seen with our WhiteIce, I mean, just more
(29:13):
sponsorship, more.
I mean, the trend has continuedto be like that.
And so people can find out moreabout that.
We also have ambassadors.
We started this years agobecause we realized that just
having board members go and talkat schools, people may don't
know who we are.
And so we've worked withprincipals at all of our schools
(29:33):
to identify those key parents,the ones who everybody knows at
each school, and there are thosefolks, and to get them involved
with the foundation so thenthey can go back to their school
and share a little bit moreabout what the foundation does,
because it just takes time.
We've been around for 15 years,but there's still lots of folks
who want to understand what wedo and how we support School
(29:57):
District 51 and our Yeah.
And if they want
Christi (30:03):
to give some money, they can also do that on the
website, right?
Angela (30:07):
We would love that as well.
You bet.
There's a donation page and wesincerely appreciate that.
Support, you know, for all ofour programs just makes all the,
I mean, that's the way that weare funded them, the way that
we're able to do things.
You know, sometimes peoplethink, oh, there must be
outside.
No, it's our donors.
That is the way that we're ableto do things.
(30:28):
to accomplish all of this.
Christi (30:32):
We talked at the beginning about the Blythe
family and their participationin the creation of the
foundation, but they also gave areally amazing gift.
Was that last year?
No.
Two years ago?
It's actually been about fiveyears ago.
No,
Angela (30:47):
it's a
Christi (30:47):
little hard to believe.
Maybe those white ice partiesjust kind of...
Yeah, they're just kind ofblurring together.
Angela (30:52):
They donated, they set aside an endowment at Western
Colorado Community Foundation,and that's also where we have
the foundation's endowment aswell.
$100,000 and it has just madesuch a huge difference.
And it's exciting with Kellerjoining our board of directors.
That is Roy's stepson and hismom, Pamela Blythe.
(31:17):
I mean, they've been suchwonderful supporters of the
things we're doing.
It's just been exciting to seethat continue to grow.
But we appreciate, you know, aspeople start planning their
legacy gifts, I mean, thinkingof something that will help make
us more sustainable.
I have more and more people asthey understand what we're doing
(31:38):
choosing, hey, I want to leavea legacy and the foundation is
the way or where I feel like itwould make a big impact.
Christi (31:46):
So we sure appreciate that.
Yeah, I agree.
Good thing to include in yourestate planning.
Exactly, exactly.
It's such a great organizationto help schools across the
district.
Every every school in thedistrict can benefit from the
work that you do.
Angela (32:03):
Absolutely.
And we're seeing that.
Yeah, it's just, it's veryfulfilling work to do.
Definitely.
I don't know if we have time.
I have a little something funto give you.
This is our summer swag thathas been kind of a hit across
School District 51.
Well, first of all, it has beenhot.
(32:23):
I don't know if you've noticed.
It's been a little hot in GrandJunction.
So I'm not going to pop thisopen, but it's a darling little
sunscreen for the front of yourcar.
Oh, awesome.
Does it say...
District 51 Foundation well itsure does okay good it
definitely does and then whodoesn't need a pair of
sunglasses yeah and we've gotour little logo on the side yeah
(32:46):
uh-huh the headphones on thereyou yeah there you go yeah oh
they are so cool most definitelyyou're so sweet thank you you
are so sweet I
Christi (32:56):
really appreciate anything I can do to promote the
foundation and spread the wordabout the good work that you do
and encourage people to donateand And yeah, attend the
fundraisers, stuff the buscoming up next.
Yep.
Right.
You need school supplies.
Right now it's happening.
Lots of kids need schoolsupplies.
So get on the website, find outwhat's going on.
And thank you, Angela, forjoining us on the Full Circle
(33:19):
podcast.
Just love your attitude and thepositivity that you bring to
this role.
It seems like even when timesare challenging at schools and
there are things that are alwayschallenging.
The District 51 Foundation andyou specifically have a positive
attitude about how we can makethings better.
(33:40):
So thank you.
Thank you for the kind words.
I really appreciate being heretoday.
Awesome.
All right, everybody.
We'll see you next time on theFull Circle Podcast.
Bye.
Thanks for listening.
This is Christy Reese signingout from the Full Circle
Podcast.
The Full Circle Podcast, compelling interviews
and incredible tales fromColorado's Western Slope, from
the mountains to the desert.
Christi Reece and her team hearfrom the movers, shakers, and
characters of the Grand Valleyand surrounding mountain towns
that make the Western Slope theplace we all love.
(00:20):
You'll learn, you'll laugh,you'll love with The Full
Circle.
Hi everyone, I'm Christi Reeceand welcome back to the Full
Circle Podcast.
I am honored to have today asour guest the Executive Director
of the District 51 Foundation,Angela Christensen.
Welcome, Angela.
Angela (00:36):
Thank you, Christi.
What a treat.
I've really been lookingforward to coming and chatting
with
Christi (00:40):
you.
Well, me too.
We've always enjoyed chattingwith each other.
I think we get excited aboutschool issues and helping
students and helping teachersand helping the district.
It's such a big, important partof why people come here.
They want good schools.
And so thanks to the foundationfor everything they're doing.
Angela (00:59):
Oh, thank you so much.
We have had tremendouscommunity support.
And it has made all thedifference because of the key
role that all of our publicschools play literally across
Mesa County.
And it makes a difference forbringing people in keeping
people here and just our qualityof life more than anything.
Christi (01:17):
Yeah.
Well, let's start with a
Angela (01:25):
up here my dad went rafting down the Colorado River
and he just fell in love we wereliving in Indiana and he just
said to my mom we've got to comeout here and so we moved out
here a lot yeah well it'sgorgeous I'm sitting here
looking at the view behind youit's unbelievable so we came out
here I was about 10 or so andjust grew up here graduated from
(01:49):
Grand Junction High School andwent away to college yeah and it
was so exciting to be able tocome back here I spent the
beginning part of my career as ateacher at Palisade High School
and spent about six years doingthat.
I taught at Colorado ChristianUniversity for another six years
as an adjunct professor andalso an adjunct professor at
(02:12):
CMU.
Awesome.
And my husband and I, he grewup here, and we have three
children, three fantastic
Christi (02:22):
children.
And I read you guys were bornon the same day, like 15?
15 minutes apart.
Angela (02:26):
Yes.
I know that is a little crazy,but we were born on the exact
same day, which anytime I'mfilling out paperwork, people
are like, really?
Did you make a mistake?
So no, it's kind of fun on ourbirthday morning to look over at
each other.
Happy birthday.
Happy birthday.
Same age.
Yeah.
And that's kind of fun.
But we have three kids and theyall went to schools around
(02:47):
here.
And I started getting involvedwith like the PTA at the kids
elementary school.
And I also started realizingthe needs in our schools and
seeing the ways that we wereraising funds were bingo and
bake sales.
And Our schools need a littlemore support than that.
Christi (03:06):
Well, and those PTOs are so wonderful, valuable.
They get the parents involved,but it's school by school,
right?
And so there may be a schoolthat doesn't have a very active
association and they can reallysuffer for that.
Angela (03:18):
And so when I was asked to join the board of directors
for the D51 Foundation, and thatwas quite a while back, about
12 years ago or so, I just said,yeah, this feels like a really
good The things that I had donereally felt like it would make a
great connection.
Christi (03:38):
And remind me, the association was formed in what
year?
Was it 2010?
Angela (03:43):
2010.
So this is our 15th birthday.
And so that has been reallyexciting to celebrate.
And so I served on the board ofdirectors for four years.
And then the executive directorposition became available.
And I just, I remember talkingto my husband and he said, Oh,
Angela, this just seems likeit'd be such a great fit
Christi (04:02):
for you.
And I think everybody wouldagree that it has been a great
fit.
And I think when people thinkof District 51, your name or
your face just pops up like youare such a big part of why it's
successful.
Well, thank you so much.
I will be celebrating
Angela (04:18):
nine years here in October.
Christi (04:21):
So how did the District 51 Foundation get formed?
Who was the impetus behindthat?
Right.
Angela (04:29):
It's a 501c3.
And it really, we credit RoyBly as the founder of the D51
Foundation, but it was also agroup of key community leaders,
people like Norm Franke andSteve Meyer, Dan Prinster, John
Williams, Dale Beattie, who justcame together and said, lots of
(04:53):
other school districts havefoundations.
Why don't we have one?
And so they put in the hardwork to create this foundation,
and it has played a huge role.
In these 15 years, we actuallywere reaching a milestone, which
I'll celebrate here, which iswe've raised $3 million in those
(05:13):
15 years.
fantastic board members likeyou, Christy, who served on our
board of directors and generousdonors.
Your company has been yearafter year a sponsor at our
(05:35):
White Ice celebration, which weso appreciate.
But you've just been supportersof so many different things and
we were one of the first
Christi (05:43):
Circle Fund recipients.
I still remember that.
And we were really excited thatour clients also voted to give
funds towards the bond for GrandJunction High School because
that you know as realtors wewere like this really needs to
happen and we talked to ourclients about it and they all
agreed and the vote came throughand so we hope that that helped
(06:05):
push that vote
Angela (06:06):
yeah well I'll have to tell you that is where the
foundation has played a key roleas far as the leaders on the
foundation when you think aboutwe've had four bond elections
been successful in three of thefour chairs for that have been
foundation presidents we've hadKelly Flanagan ran the first one
(06:27):
and other foundation peoplewere very involved in that then
Dan Prinster then Sarah Schraderco-chairing with Tim Foster and
then most recently CurtisEnglehart.
Englehart, yeah, and KarenTroester, and now Curtis, I am
excited to share with you, hasjoined our board of directors as
(06:47):
well.
We're so fortunate to have him.
But really, the foundation hasjust tried to be a champion for,
just like I was saying, the keythat schools play in the
economic success of ourcommunity.
And so those, the passage ofeach of those, the first one,
the mill has made such adifference in our adding
(07:10):
additional school days the bondhas we have a new Orchard Mesa
Middle School
Christi (07:16):
it's so beautiful dual
Angela (07:18):
immersion has a gym now those would not happen if we had
not passed that and then in2021 to get a new Grand Junction
High School and just the hardwork it takes to run campaigns
like that and then the mostrecent one is making differences
as you drive around as anyonedrives around drives around
(07:40):
you'll see those banners up onschools that just say and I see
the construction work that'shappening at the schools right
now yep and the sun set wastaken off of the mill that was
passed in 17 and those are gamechangers literally for
generations in our community wejust had not been successful in
passing bonds and mills and Ithink people see it the only way
(08:02):
it happens is with enoughpeople voting and thank you for
your support of all of those youhave really I mean donate Well,
my
Christi (08:12):
kids both went to District 51 schools, and we
loved them.
I mean, great education, greatteachers, great staff.
And we just wanted to make surethat...
Teachers, I mean, they neverget what they deserve, really.
They work so hard and I thinkthey're underpaid.
(08:32):
And so I just thought if Ican't raise teacher salaries,
I'll do what I can to help themin other ways.
Well, that definitely
Angela (08:39):
makes a difference.
I too, I've got three of mychildren.
Our oldest son graduated fromMines.
He has a fantastic degree.
He got a great education here.
My daughter just graduated fromBaylor University.
Congratulations.
Thank you.
That was fun to go to.
And then our youngest is goingto be a junior at Mines over in
(08:59):
Golden.
And my hope, I guess, secretlyis that they'll all move back
here and bring futuregrandchildren down the line,
down the line.
But anyways.
Just putting it out there.
Yeah, just putting it outthere.
But really, schools will play ahuge role in that.
Even if you don't have kids inthe district.
I mean, if you want a good...
(09:19):
great doctor, we have to havestrong schools because people
who are thinking about movinghere look at all of those
things.
And so
Christi (09:29):
it's been exciting.
There's so many things we couldtalk about.
Let's talk first aboutfundraising.
What are your major fundraisingevents?
How do you raise $3 millionover that many years?
Well, we have a
Angela (09:43):
fantastic board of directors.
We've really worked hard to getthe key community to leaders
who are so well respected andthey go out and talk to people
and secure donations I know whenyou were on the board you were
doing that just like our boardmembers are we have our
president is Tawny Kelly and wehave a vice president Keller
(10:07):
Cabero and we've just addedthree new members I talked about
Curtis we also have Sam Meyerwhich is kind of sweet since
that his dad helped start itthat was definitely fun and we
have added one more and that'sTyler Dahl and he is the
regional president of AlpineBank and just did a fantastic
(10:29):
fundraiser.
We were the recipient of theirgolf donation a little over
$5,000 which I just was, it wasfantastic.
But our big event really is, wehave one big event in February.
It's always the first Saturdayin February.
It's called a White IceCelebration
Speaker 00 (10:48):
and
Christi (10:49):
for For those watching and listening, you got to go.
It's the party of the year.
It really is so fun.
It
Angela (10:54):
is fun.
That is really what we haveworked on.
And it is, we encourage ourguests to wear white, gold,
silver, and people have reallybeen playing it up a lot.
Last year, we had over 800guests at the CMU Ballroom.
But it really, it's alldifferent folks, Christy.
It is teachers, it'sprincipals, it's business
(11:15):
owners, it's parents, but it's afantastic way to come together
and and just say, we celebratethis and we want to honor our
schools, our outstandingacademic growth schools are
recognized and our white icedaward recipients.
And those are staff members whoare just going above
Christi (11:32):
and
Angela (11:32):
beyond.
Christi (11:33):
Yeah.
And I think anybody that hasattended and watched those
awards being given out, it justgives you goosebumps.
There's people behind thescenes that don't get recognized
very often doing great work.
And I think we all can rememberthe people that made a
difference in our lives when wewere in school.
And sometimes it was thejanitor right or the the
cafeteria person or the schoolnurse you know not all just
(11:57):
teachers
Angela (11:58):
no it's not and that's been really exciting we had the
head cafeteria woman out atCentral High School this past
year that was recognized.
We've had a custodian and we'vehad tons of teachers who are
just when you start readingthose applications and they're
nominated by their peers.
Anyone can nominate someoneelse.
(12:19):
You just start hearing aboutthe fantastic things that are
happening day in and day out inour schools across School
District 51.
But that's really our biggestfundraiser.
But we have fundraisers all thetime during the month of
August.
Head out to the hot tub Andthey are donating 1% of their
funds throughout that wholemonth.
We also are in the midst ofStuff the Bus.
(12:41):
If you happen to be out at themall right now, school supplies
Christi (12:44):
are always needed.
School starts pretty soon,
Speaker 00 (12:47):
Angela.
It's early.
I know.
It's coming up, isn't it?
Yeah.
Christi (12:51):
Well, let's talk about where those funds go.
What is...
Describe the mission ofDistrict 51 Foundation and where
that money goes.
Angela (13:04):
And it's a really straightforward, easy mission in
my mind.
And it has stayed the same all15 years.
And that is raise funds foracademic growth and achievement.
Our schools are asked to do somany things.
But the bottom line is they'rethere to grow kids academically.
And so that's the first half ofour mission.
(13:24):
We're about raising money foracademic growth.
And the second half is topromote outreach to benefit kids
and the community.
And so finding ways to connectwith our community just to share
what's happening in our schoolsis our mission.
As far as our fundingpriorities, I love them.
(13:45):
They are one's.
everyone can get behind.
The first one is we supportprofessional learning for D51
staff members to grow kidsacademically.
It is so important, and I thinkthis kind of comes from my
education and past, just howimportant having the most highly
trained teachers in ourclassrooms is for our students.
Christi (14:08):
Well, and I've talked to some of the teachers that
have been recipients of thesegrants, and I think, if I
remember correctly, one was inin the band program and would
love an opportunity to go acrossthe country and play with other
musicians and learn newtechniques for teaching the
kids.
And those things are expensive.
And on a teacher's salary, theycan't fit that into their
(14:32):
budget.
So this is exactly the kind ofthing that District 51 helps
provide.
Angela (14:37):
Absolutely.
And over the years, we havedonated over, I think we're now
at about $160,000 to 400 staffmembers per professional
learning because we know that isthe way all research would
indicate that's how you growkids academically.
So our first funding priorityor one of the three is
professional learning.
(14:57):
The second one is technologyand innovation.
And we're really supportingthose STEM programs.
We've opened up grant cyclesfor that where teachers can say,
you know what, this is thetechnology I would like in my
class.
This would really benefit mystudents and my ability to
teach.
And so we've worked really hardto support that, along with
(15:21):
some fantastic support fromChevron.
That has been a big push oftheirs.
And so that's been wonderful.
And then the one that we addedwithin the last couple years is
student and staff wellness,because we know how important
that is to every aspect ofeducation.
And so we have done that bysupporting student and staff
(15:42):
wellness grants.
We just wrapped up our secondround.
We'll be opening up a thirdhere when school starts again.
But we've also incorporatedwhat we're calling joy
celebration events.
And those are events.
And joy stands for?
Just one you.
Just one you.
And if there's just one you,then we better support you.
And those are just things forD51 staff members to join
(16:06):
together and have fun and makeconnections.
And we've had a gathering wherewe sponsored appetizers at the
Ale House and then probably aremost popular is out at food bank
of the rockies and staffmembers after they have already
worked all day we have had thebest turnout To go volunteer.
(16:43):
right back to our District 51PE programs, but also helps
encourage kids to get out there.
(17:04):
And they had the...
people power to put together arun.
We're a pretty small operation,Christy.
Christi (17:10):
Yeah, I know.
It's no small feat to puttogether a running event.
Angela (17:14):
Yeah.
Christi (17:15):
Some people think, well, just do a little thing.
No, it takes a lot of work.
Yeah,
Angela (17:18):
they've been great.
They've been really good towork with.
But in our office, it's just meand then it's Andrea Kreeves.
She's now our assistantexecutive director.
And then April Hart writes ourthank you notes.
And so we're kind of a smallgroup, but we're able to
accomplish a lot with our boardof directors and with so many
people choosing to donate to thefoundation.
Christi (17:41):
Yeah.
So obviously the, um, Sometimeswe would like to think that the
school systems build wellnessprograms and that we're trying
to take care of our kids and ourteachers' wellness at school.
And the professional learning,that's not something that most
school districts contributetowards, so that's wonderful.
(18:02):
But I think that a lot ofpeople think, well, technology
isn't that, shouldn't that bethe school district's
responsibility?
Why are we having to raisefunds for technology?
Okay.
Can you explain a little bit?
I mean, obviously, everybodyhas budget constraints.
And you said that there's aprocess by which the teachers...
(18:23):
request something in thetechnology sector that would
help them out.
Angela (18:30):
Is that right?
Yeah, that's a good question.
We have really three areas thatwe support with technology
because there are computers inthe classroom and that is part
of, you know, things that wehave.
The first one is First LegoLeague.
And so we support that with abig influx of money to support
(18:50):
that for high schoolers and formiddle school and elementary.
And so that has been one thingthat really, I mean, it would be
very hard to support that justthrough district funds.
So we have done that.
In addition, we've done thosegrants.
And then the one that I'm veryexcited about are our 21st
Century Digital Classrooms.
When we first started workingwith the school district to say,
(19:13):
well, what do you need?
We want to, we started offgiving, handing out nooks and
then those kind of went by thewayside a little bit.
But these 21st Century DigitalClassrooms has been where we
have put in and budgeted about$35,000 a year.
With the help of SchoolDistrict 51, we were able to
(19:33):
have 10 classrooms that arenow...
And what we find is in the newbuildings, yeah, you've got all
the new updated technology, butin most of our buildings...
they need just a boost in theirclassrooms.
And so this provides largeinteractive screens for the
(19:55):
teacher to teach with, eventhings like that help with
people who might have a littlechallenging time hearing things.
But it really brings thatclassroom to a much greater
level than it ever has been.
And so those have been theareas that we have supported
with technology.
Christi (20:15):
Yeah, the Nook, was that the laptop
Angela (20:19):
to read a book?
And you could make it so thatthe font, I mean, and this we're
talking like right when thefoundation started.
So that was, I remember thiswhen I was on the board of
directors.
So like 13 years ago, but oneof the big things was that you
could make the font big.
And that was such a gamechanger for so many students who
just, you know, that it made ita little bit easier.
Christi (20:42):
But in the last 10 years, you supplied a lot of
laptops for students to use.
Is that correct?
Angela (20:49):
Yeah, we've really supported a lot of Chromebooks,
but with the passage, and I haveto tell you, Christy, with the
passage of that 17 Bond andMill, we were able to get the
kids to a one-to-one ratio,which you just think, how would
we have done school during thequarter we were off?
School District 51 was off forthat fourth quarter of the 2020.
(21:12):
20 school year but how would wehave done that if we if our
kids could not have had accessto Chromebooks and so we really
had been supporting those twobut now we are at one-to-one and
so it's kind of been excitingthough to see some of these
things like get whittled off thelist yeah to some
Christi (21:31):
degree but they're no longer challenges
Angela (21:33):
how gratifying it is very gratifying oh the work I do
it is a lot it's hard work butit is also work that is very
rewarding to me because you canstart to see the difference that
it's making.
Christi (21:49):
Wonderful.
Now, I know you work in tandemwith the school board and the
district leaders.
How do you do that?
How do you manage with, do yougo to the school board meetings?
Are you keeping up with all ofthe latest issues happening in
the district?
Angela (22:08):
Well, I definitely need to be at things that help me
understand a little better aboutthe needs in School District
51.
And School District 51 has beenvery gracious.
I have all sorts of access.
My office is right down there.
As a matter of fact, onWednesday morning, I'm preparing
my welcome speech.
Dr.
(22:28):
Hill will be giving the openingand then I get to follow him
and just welcome all of ourprincipals and assistant
principals and districtleadership on Wednesday.
But it is important.
We have a You know, I alwaysthink the school board, number
one, they don't get paid.
I remind people on a regularbasis that they are putting in
(22:51):
these hours.
And I have seen a lot of schoolboard members over the time
that I have been in thisposition who are all working
hard, trying to find the bestanswers for our students.
And so I do work very closelywith them.
I work very closely with Dr.
Hill and his leadership team.
But we are also independent.
We're a 501c3.
(23:11):
And the board makes thedecisions about where the funds
go.
Right.
But I do want to point out,this was something I was
thinking of, is that over thepast probably five years, we now
have a teacher on our board ofdirectors for the School
District Foundation.
And that's been wonderful.
They serve a two-year term.
And currently we have aprincipal.
(23:33):
So Newt Klusmeier, he's theFruita Monument High School
principal.
He's on our board.
And Shannon Copenhafer, who's ateacher at New Emory.
is on our board.
But that really helps our boardalso be able to hear firsthand,
not just from Dr.
Hill, who serves on our boardof directors, or Andrea Heights,
the president of the schoolboard, but to hear from other
(23:56):
folks what are the needs.
Because we want to be sure thatthe things that we are doing
support our school district, youknow, are appreciated.
And boy, I will tell you, theycertainly are.
But I'm at events.
I'm at in-services all thetime.
I'm in our schools.
I'm hanging out.
Christi (24:14):
Yeah.
Yeah.
So you've talked about some ofthe great things that are coming
up that you're excited about.
What do you think are the mainchallenges facing our school
district in the next couple ofyears that you all are gearing
up for?
Angela (24:27):
I think definitely the declining enrollment has been an
issue.
But when I am talking to groupsand I work really hard to try
to get out in front of as manygroups as possible, whether it's
service organizations orschools, our ambassadors but the
declining enrollment is anissue, not just in Mesa County,
(24:49):
but it's in Colorado.
Um, over the summer I meetwith, um, executive directors
who are doing the job that I doall across the state of
Colorado.
And it's interesting.
Professional learning for youtoo.
It is professional and it isfantastic.
I always come back with goodideas, but they are dealing with
that with school closure.
They, we have folks from CherryCreek and, uh, Pooter Valley,
(25:12):
uh, Douglas County, Denver, um,foundation, but they're dealing
with that and really across thewhole nation.
And so closing schools issomething nobody likes to do.
I mean, you don't come in andwant to do that, but I feel like
in making some of the smartchoices that, and hard choices,
(25:33):
I mean, anybody who was at theschool board meetings or
listening to the discussion,it's not easy.
Nobody wants to do that, butyou know, We also have to be
cognizant of our community asfar as we want to be good
stewards of the funds thatthey've entrusted to us in the
passage of these bond and mills.
(25:54):
you have to make some hardchoices.
And I feel like there have beena lot of great choices that
have been made that have beenhard.
But the bottom line is we needto keep our schools going and
supporting them the best waythat we can.
Christi (26:13):
Grand Junction High School is such a win it's such a
beautiful facility and so manygood things about it like it was
under budget on time just winafter win for that facility and
I think everybody All the kidslove going to school there,
obviously.
What's next as far as
Angela (26:38):
facilities?
I did my student teaching thereeons back, and it was in need
(27:05):
of updates then, which was over30 years ago.
But it will receive hugechanges that were really needed.
Now, it was built on a betterfoundation than Grand Junction
High School.
Christi (27:20):
So it doesn't necessarily
Angela (27:22):
need to
Christi (27:22):
be torn
Angela (27:22):
down.
It does not.
And sometimes people look atthat, and with Grand Junction
High School, it's like, Therewas no question.
I can't tell you how many toursI gave and how many folks I
talked to who know it cannot besalvaged.
But Central is a differentthing.
And what's going to happen atthat is just amazing.
(27:43):
And Fruita Monument High Schoolalso will be the recipient of
huge updates.
That's wonderful.
And our high schools reallyneed it.
Palisade, when I was teachingout there, I think it had been
around for about two years.
So it was a lovely new school.
And so it's much more recent.
But so many of our schoolsacross the district really had
(28:05):
substantial needs.
And we're not talking fancythings.
We're talking roofs or an HVAC.
HVAC and safety and security,too.
Yeah, and safety and security,although we did get a lot of
that but like Palisade HighSchool now will have a secure
vestibule across the front andthose are just things I mean I
hate it that that's somethingthat we need but you bet we want
(28:26):
to keep our kids safe yeahDefinitely.
Christi (28:29):
Angela, if people want to learn more about the board,
you have a website andinformation.
You've got a lot of materialswith you, which is great.
And I always enjoy getting yourannual impact, the graphics in
there really make it easy to seeall the good that you do.
So how can people get moreinformation about the District
51 Foundation?
Sure.
Angela (28:49):
You can go to our website at d51foundation.org.
And you can find us also justoff of the main school district
website, which I reallyappreciate We have an easy link
right there.
It lists our board members, ourstrategic plan, gives you an
overview with our annual report.
And we have seen with our WhiteIce, I mean, just more
(29:13):
sponsorship, more.
I mean, the trend has continuedto be like that.
And so people can find out moreabout that.
We also have ambassadors.
We started this years agobecause we realized that just
having board members go and talkat schools, people may don't
know who we are.
And so we've worked withprincipals at all of our schools
(29:33):
to identify those key parents,the ones who everybody knows at
each school, and there are thosefolks, and to get them involved
with the foundation so thenthey can go back to their school
and share a little bit moreabout what the foundation does,
because it just takes time.
We've been around for 15 years,but there's still lots of folks
who want to understand what wedo and how we support School
(29:57):
District 51 and our Yeah.
And if they want
Christi (30:03):
to give some money, they can also do that on the
website, right?
Angela (30:07):
We would love that as well.
You bet.
There's a donation page and wesincerely appreciate that.
Support, you know, for all ofour programs just makes all the,
I mean, that's the way that weare funded them, the way that
we're able to do things.
You know, sometimes peoplethink, oh, there must be
outside.
No, it's our donors.
That is the way that we're ableto do things.
(30:28):
to accomplish all of this.
Christi (30:32):
We talked at the beginning about the Blythe
family and their participationin the creation of the
foundation, but they also gave areally amazing gift.
Was that last year?
No.
Two years ago?
It's actually been about fiveyears ago.
No,
Angela (30:47):
it's a
Christi (30:47):
little hard to believe.
Maybe those white ice partiesjust kind of...
Yeah, they're just kind ofblurring together.
Angela (30:52):
They donated, they set aside an endowment at Western
Colorado Community Foundation,and that's also where we have
the foundation's endowment aswell.
$100,000 and it has just madesuch a huge difference.
And it's exciting with Kellerjoining our board of directors.
That is Roy's stepson and hismom, Pamela Blythe.
(31:17):
I mean, they've been suchwonderful supporters of the
things we're doing.
It's just been exciting to seethat continue to grow.
But we appreciate, you know, aspeople start planning their
legacy gifts, I mean, thinkingof something that will help make
us more sustainable.
I have more and more people asthey understand what we're doing
(31:38):
choosing, hey, I want to leavea legacy and the foundation is
the way or where I feel like itwould make a big impact.
Christi (31:46):
So we sure appreciate that.
Yeah, I agree.
Good thing to include in yourestate planning.
Exactly, exactly.
It's such a great organizationto help schools across the
district.
Every every school in thedistrict can benefit from the
work that you do.
Angela (32:03):
Absolutely.
And we're seeing that.
Yeah, it's just, it's veryfulfilling work to do.
Definitely.
I don't know if we have time.
I have a little something funto give you.
This is our summer swag thathas been kind of a hit across
School District 51.
Well, first of all, it has beenhot.
(32:23):
I don't know if you've noticed.
It's been a little hot in GrandJunction.
So I'm not going to pop thisopen, but it's a darling little
sunscreen for the front of yourcar.
Oh, awesome.
Does it say...
District 51 Foundation well itsure does okay good it
definitely does and then whodoesn't need a pair of
sunglasses yeah and we've gotour little logo on the side yeah
(32:46):
uh-huh the headphones on thereyou yeah there you go yeah oh
they are so cool most definitelyyou're so sweet thank you you
are so sweet I
Christi (32:56):
really appreciate anything I can do to promote the
foundation and spread the wordabout the good work that you do
and encourage people to donateand And yeah, attend the
fundraisers, stuff the buscoming up next.
Yep.
Right.
You need school supplies.
Right now it's happening.
Lots of kids need schoolsupplies.
So get on the website, find outwhat's going on.
And thank you, Angela, forjoining us on the Full Circle
(33:19):
podcast.
Just love your attitude and thepositivity that you bring to
this role.
It seems like even when timesare challenging at schools and
there are things that are alwayschallenging.
The District 51 Foundation andyou specifically have a positive
attitude about how we can makethings better.
(33:40):
So thank you.
Thank you for the kind words.
I really appreciate being heretoday.
Awesome.
All right, everybody.
We'll see you next time on theFull Circle Podcast.
Bye.
Thanks for listening.
This is Christy Reese signingout from the Full Circle
Podcast.
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